CHRISTOPHER M. BROWN, Ph.D. Contact Information chrisb@utm.edu The University of Tennessee at Martin 322c Andy Holt Humanities Building Martin, Tennessee 38238-5042 (731) 881-7471 (office) (731) 881-7584 (fax) (731) 261-3189 (cell) Areas of Specialization Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas Contemporary Metaphysics Philosophy of Religion Areas of Competence Medieval Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Ethics Academic Positions University of Tennessee at Martin, Full Professor (2013-present) Tennessee Governor s School for the Humanities, Associate Professor (Summer 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008) University of Tennessee at Martin, Associate Professor (tenured) (2008-2013) Tennessee Governor s School for the Humanities, Assistant Professor (Summer 2007, 2006, 2005) University of Tennessee at Martin, Assistant Professor (2003-2008) University of Tennessee at Martin, Instructor (2002-2003) Education Ph.D. in philosophy from Saint Louis University (2002); dissertation director: Eleonore Stump M.A. in humanities from Western Kentucky University (1996); essay director: Arvin Vos B.M. in percussion performance from Western Michigan University (1992)
Books (1) Aquinas and the Ship of Theseus: Solving Puzzles about Material Objects (London: Continuum, 2005). Journal Articles (4) Some Logical Problems for Scientism, Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association 85 (2011): 189-200. (3) Souls, Ships, and Substances: A Reply to Toner, American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly 81 (2007): 655-68. (2) Artifacts, Substances, and Transubstantiation: Solving a Puzzle for Aquinas s Views, The Thomist 71 (2007): 89-112. (1) Aquinas on the Individuation of Non-Living Substances, Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association 75 (2001): 237-254. Book Chapters (2) Friendship in Heaven: Aquinas on Supremely Perfect Happiness and the Communion of the Saints, in Metaphysics and God: Essays in Honor of Eleonore Stump. Ed. Kevin Timpe (London and New York: Routledge, 2009), 225-48. (1) A Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy: Star Wars and the Problem of Evil, in Star Wars and Philosophy. Kevin S. Decker and Jason T. Eberl, eds (Chicago, Open Court Publishing, 2005). Invited Book Reviews (4) Review of Charles Bolyard and Rondo Keele (eds.), Later Medieval Metaphysics, in Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews 2013.08.13. http://ndpr.nd.edu/news/41623/. (3) Review of Brian Davies, Thomas Aquinas on God and Evil, in The Journal of Religion 93.2 (2013): 221-222. (2) Review of David B. Burrell, Aquinas: God and Action, in The Review of Metaphysics 63.3 (2010): 682-85. (1) Review of Francisco Benzoni, Ecological Ethics and the Human Soul: Aquinas, Whitehead, and the Metaphysics of Value, in Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews 2008.07.30. http://ndpr.nd.edu/review.cfm?id=13765. Works in Progress Book: God and Human Happiness: St. Thomas on Eternal Life (invited for formal consideration towards potential publication with Catholic University of America Press). Paper: Making the Best Even Better: Modifying Pawl and Timpe s Solution to the Problem of Heavenly Freedom (under review).
Paper: Van Inwagen on Metaphysical Facts. Paper: St. Thomas on Perfect Human Happiness and the Communion of the Saints: Reading Aquinas as a Survivalist. Encyclopedia Entry: Thomas Aquinas (under contract for the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Paper: Making Sense of Kemp on Monogenesis and Life in Paradise Paper: St. Thomas and Alvin Plantinga on Special Divine Action: More in Common than You or a Thomist Might Think. Paper: Aquinas on Time, Eternal Life, and the Beatific Vision. Paper: A Theologico-Historical Argument for Divine Timelessness. Paper: An Excursus on St. Augustine s Argument against Skepticism. Conference and Other Presentations (36) St. Thomas and the Problem of Heavenly Freedom, Skyhawk Catholic Meeting: Theology on Tap, February 18, 2014. (35) Do You Have Freewill in Heaven? UTM Philosophy Forum, The University of Tennessee at Martin, October 9, 2013. (34) On the Nature of Knowledge, Guest Lecture, The University of Tennessee at Martin. October 8, 2013. (33) St. Thomas on Perfect Human Happiness and the Communion of the Saints: Reading Aquinas as a Survivalist, invited paper for a meeting of the Society of Catholicism and Analytical Philosophy, American Catholic Philosophical Association, Loyola Marymount University, November 3, 2012. (32) Plantinga s Evolutionary Argument against Naturalism, UTM Philosophy Forum, The University of Tennessee at Martin, April 25, 2012. (31) Some Logical Problems for Scientism, American Catholic Philosophical Association, St. Louis University, October 29, 2011. (30) God and Evil, Skyhawk Catholic Meeting: Theology on Tap, Martin, TN, October 3, 2011.
(29) A Sage, A Scholar, and Two Saints: Some Pre-modern Perspectives on the Relevance of Moral Virtue for Happiness, UTM Sigma Phi Epsilon Building Balanced Men Academic Lecture, University of Tennessee at Martin, November 16, 2010. (28) Why Scientists Can t Have All the Fun: Some Logical Problems for Scientism, History and Philosophy Faculty Colloquium, University of Tennessee at Martin, April 19, 2010. (27) Some Logical Problems for Scientism, Martin Hobbit Club, Martin, Tennessee, February 1, 2010. (26) Some Logical Problems for Scientism, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, October 1, 2009. (25) Aquinas on Friendship in Heaven: Defending Aquinas s Distinction between Supremely Perfect Happiness and Perfect Happiness, American Maritain Association Conference on Love and Friendship, Boston, MA, October 24, 2008. (24) Does God Suffer? UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, February 1, 2005. (23) An Introduction to the Philosophy of Time, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, March 8, 2005. (22) Aquinas and the Problem of Material Constitution, Invited paper for meeting of the Society of Catholicism and Analytical Philosophy, American Catholic Philosophical Association, The University of Notre Dame, October 28, 2005. (21) Aronofsky s Pi: faith in chaos, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, October 25, 2005. (20) An Overview of Some Key Issues in Debates about God s Relation to Time, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, November 17, 2004. (19) Brian Davies on the Divine Eternity, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, December 8, 2004. (18) A Sage, a Scholar, and a Saint: Three Ancient Philosophers on the Good Life, Plenary Lecture at the Tennessee Governor s School for the Humanities Program, University of Tennessee at Martin, June 22, 2004. (17) Artifacts, Substances, and Transubstantiation: A Puzzle for Aquinas s Views, The 39 th International Congress of Medieval Studies, Western Michigan University, May 7, 2004.
(16) Commentary on Matti Eklund s paper on the Non-existence of Vague Objects, invited commentary at the Central Division Meeting of the American Philosophical Association, Chicago, Illinois, April 23, 2004. (15) The Ship of Theseus and the Problem of Material Constitution, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, January 26, 2004. (14) On the Rationality of Belief in God, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, April 7, 2003. (13) A Common-Sense Solution to the Ship of Theseus Puzzle: Solving Paradoxes about Material Objects, History and Philosophy Faculty Colloquium, University of Tennessee at Martin, November 4, 2003. (12) Aquinas and Tibbles the Cat: Novel Solutions to a Puzzle about Material Objects, Tennessee Philosophical Association, Vanderbilt University, November 1, 2003. (11) On the Doctrine of Original Sin, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, September 23, 2003. (10) What is a Human Person? Aquinas on Human Beings, Personal Identity, and the Resurrection of the Dead, 7 th Annual International Conference on Persons, University of Memphis, August 6, 2003. (9) The Puzzle of the Ship of Theseus and the Problem of Material Constitution, UTM Philosophy Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin, September 9, 2002. (8) Aquinas on the Individuation of Non-Living Substances, American Catholic Philosophical Association, Albany, NY, November 10, 2001. (7) Aquinas on the Individuation of Non-Living Substances, Cornell Colloquium in Medieval Philosophy, Cornell University, June 2001. (6) Aquinas on the Individuation of Non-Living Substances, Saint Louis University Faculty/Student Colloquium, Saint Louis University, May 4, 2001. (5) Either Hartshorne or Aquinas: A Critique of Alston s Theological Via Media, Society of Christian Philosophers Mountain-Plains Regional Conference, University of Colorado, Boulder. September 28-30, 2000. (4) Aquinas on the Principles of Theoretical and Practical Reason, Saint Louis University Graduate Student Conference, Saint Louis University, September 25, 1999. (3) The Student and the Skeptic: Faith and Reason in St. Anselm s Proslogion, International Congress of Medieval Studies, Western Michigan University, May 9, 1999.
(2) Aristotle and Aquinas on the Eternity of the World: Readings of Physics 8.1, Society for the Study of Islamic Philosophy and Science and the Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy, Binghamton University, SUNY, October 24, 1998. (1) That Sublime Truth: a Critique of Hughes on Aquinas s Doctrine of God as Ipsum Esse Subsistens, Saint Louis University Faculty/Student Colloquium, Saint Louis University, September 18, 1998. Awards and Honors Hal and Alma Reagan Faculty Research Leave, The University of Tennessee at Martin (Spring 2014) Ray and Wilma Smith Professorship, College of Humanities and Fine Arts, The University of Tennessee at Martin (2011-2012 academic year) Hal and Alma Reagan Faculty Research Leave, The University of Tennessee at Martin (Spring 2010) Outstanding Junior Faculty Member of the Year, College of Humanities and Fine Arts, The University of Tennessee at Martin (2006) SCART Research Course Release, College of Humanities and Fine Arts, The University of Tennessee at Martin (spring 2006) Saint Louis University Dissertation Fellowship (2001-2002) James Collins Memorial Award for Outstanding Philosophical Work, Saint Louis University (2000-2001 academic year) SLU 2000 Research Fellowship, Saint Louis University (2000-2001 academic year). Passed oral examination for the Ph.D. in philosophy with distinction, Saint Louis University (2000) Outstanding Philosophy and Religion Graduate Student, Western Kentucky University (1995-1996 academic year) Courses Taught (14) Historical Introduction to Philosophy (6x) (13) Topical Introduction to Philosophy (8x) (12) Introduction to Ethics (Theory and Applied) (21x) (11) Elementary Logic (2x)
(10) Phil 314: History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (5x) (9) Phil/RLST 320: Traces of God (Philosophy of Religion) (4x) (8) Philosophy of God (2x) (7) Phil/RLST 330: Love, Sexuality, and Living (1x) (6) Phil 340: Death, Suffering, and Evil (The Problem of Evil) (4x) (5) Phil 350: Principles of Bio-ethics (1x) (2) Phil/RLST 370: God and Human Happiness (3x) (3) Phil 430: Science and Human Values (1x) (1) Phil 450: Existentialism and Phenomenology (1x) (2) Phil 460: Contemporary Metaphysics and Epistemology (2x) (1) Honors 200: Science and Religion (1x) Other Professional Activities Referee, History of Philosophy Quarterly (2013) Referee, The Thomist (2013) Medieval Area Editor, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2012-present) Referee, Res Philosophica (formerly, The Modern Schoolman) (2012) Referee, American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly (2012) Chair, Issues in Metaphysics, American Catholic Philosophical Association, New Orleans, LA (November 14, 2009) Referee, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2007, 2006) Ethics textbook referee, Oxford University Press (2006) Invited Participant, Seminar on St. Thomas Aquinas s Treatise on Law, Seminar leader: Dr. Russell Hittinger, The Baptist Philosophy Teachers Association, University of Notre Dame (May 15-21, 2005) Chair, Aquinas on Aristotle, 40 th International Congress of Medieval Studies, Western Michigan University (May 6, 2005)
Professional Affiliations American Catholic Philosophical Association (2001-) American Philosophical Association (2002-) Society for Catholicism and Analytical Philosophy (2003-) Society of Christian Philosophers (2003-) Tennessee Philosophical Association (2003-) University Service Chair, UTM Student Undergraduate Writing Conference (2013, 2012) Reader, UTM Student Undergraduate Conference (2013) Faculty Panelist, Flourishing in Graduate School, UTM Philosophy Forum (2013, 2012) University Scholars Project Director: Laura Miller: 2013-present Chad Holmes: 2009-2011 Casey Ridener: 2007-2009 Layla Rose Scott: 2006-2008 Lindsey Holder: 2005-2007 Faculty Senate, Committee on Instruction (2012-present) Why Can t We Care for Them Both? Editorial, The Pacer, UTM student newspaper (published Tuesday, February 7,, 2012) Co-organizer, Department of History and Philosophy Faculty Research Colloquia (2013, 2012, 2010-2003) UTM Students for Life, faculty advisor (2011-present) Search Committee, Philosophy Search, Department of History and Philosophy (2011-2102) Faculty Participant, Intercollegiate Studies Group (2010-present) University Scholars Project Second Reader (2010-2012 [Paige Mason], 2008 [William Binkley]) Introduction, Associate Professor Art Hunt s on-campus lecture, Back to the Shire: From English Village, to Global Village, and Back Again (November 29, 2010)
Faculty Participant, Abortion: Ethics, Law, and Science, Student Government Association sponsored Campus Crossfire (March 24, 2010) UTM/Jackson State Community College Transfer Degree Committee (2009) Faculty Panelist, UTM History Club Meeting on Health Care Reform (September 29, 2009) Faculty Senate, Personnel Policies Committee, sub-committee on by-laws on sexual discrimination (2008) Substitute Chair, Personnel Policies Committee (October-November, 2008) Faculty Sponsor, for UTM philosophy student Joshua McDaniel, 4th annual West Tennessee Undergraduate Collegium in Philosophy and Religion, Lambuth University (December 1, 2007). Faculty Panelist, Religion and Morality, Student Government Association Campus Crossfire (October 17, 2007) Guest Instructor, World Builders Honors Course (2011-2006) Faculty Sponsor, for UTM philosophy students Dwayne Maxey and James Defreece, 3 rd West Tennessee Undergraduate Collegium in Philosophy and Religion, Lambuth University (April 22, 2006). Co-organizer, UTM Philosophy Student Field Trip (to see Alvin Plantinga give a series of lectures on science and religion), Covenant College (March 29-April 1, 2006) Faculty Panelist, Teaching Intelligent Design in the Public Schools (the panel included Professor Eugenie Scott) (March 27, 2006) Faculty Senate, Personnel Policies Committee (2005-2008) Instructor, First-Year Experience (2005) Faculty Sponsor, for Philosophy Student, Dwayne Maxey, 2nd West Tennessee Undergraduate Collegium in Philosophy and Religion, Lambuth University (2005). Faculty Panelist, When Exploring Life and Death, Who Decides? (March 30, 2005) Faculty Advisor, UTM Philosophy Forum (2004-2009) Search Committee, History Search, Department of History and Philosophy (2004-2005) Philosophy Major Capstone Project Director (2004 [Adeeb Pasha and Amber Stone]) SOAR student advisor (2003-present)
Library Representative, Department of History and Philosophy (2003-2009) Faculty Sponsor, for UTM philosophy students Amber Stone and Clint Dowland, 1st West Tennessee Collegium in Philosophy and Theology, Lambuth University (October 25, 2003) Faculty Moderator, Religions in Dialogue Forum, University of Tennessee at Martin (November, 2002).