The Division of Human Studies in Alfred University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences celebrated last week the tenure of retiring Professor of Philosophy Emrys Westacott. A notable trend in the study of philosophy at AU formed a complementary backdrop for the occasion.
The Division of Human Studies in Alfred University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences celebrated last week the tenure of retiring Professor of Philosophy Emrys Westacott. A notable trend in the study of philosophy at AU formed a complementary backdrop for the occasion.
Three years ago, the Human Studies division counted three students majoring in philosophy and one philosophy minor, according to Assistant Professor of Philosophy Paul Butterfield. The Division now counts eight philosophy majors and 14 philosophy minors.
Human Studies Chairperson Mallory Szymanski attributed the increase to the personal engagement encouraged in Human Studies between professors such as Butterfield and Westacott and their students. In addition, she said, new courses in philosophy have been added to the curriculum, such as Philosophy of Sport, Feminist Thought, and Social Justice.
Westacott himself has taught a large range of philosophy courses during his tenure at AU. Provost Beth Ann Dobie notes they have included courses on Marxism, Nietzsche, bioethics, ethics, and 21st century philosophy.
Numerous philosophy students attended Thursday’s celebration, many of them having taken courses from Westacott such as The Meaning of Life, which sophomore Emma Reynolds took in her first year.
“That was the course that got me,” she said. “Emrys was an outstanding teacher, the discussions were outstanding, and the topics seemed to align perfectly with my life in ways that just helped me sort them out.”
Arietta Scozzari, a student in the School of Art & Design, is majoring in printmaking and graphic design, as well as pursuing a minor in philosophy. She took Westacott’s Ethics course and says it dovetailed with issues she is considering as an art major. “I like looking into ethical issues. They connect with museum curating and the treatment of artifacts.”
In addition to his teaching, Westacott’s publications in philosophy have been prolific, as noted by Dobie and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Stein. Westacott has written dozens of articles for 3Quarks Daily and is the author of The Wisdom of Frugality: Why Less is More–More or Less, published in 2016; The Virtues of Our Vices: A Modest Defense of Gossip, Rudeness, and Other Bad Habits (2011); and Thinking through Philosophy: An Introduction (co-authored with Chris Horner, 2000).
“Notably, he has always thought it important to think on topics of interest to a wide audience and relevant to our contemporary state of affairs,” Dobie said, observing further that Westacott frequently involved himself in “book discussion groups, research support writing groups, (and) panels on contemporary political matters. … In my view Emrys has contributed richly to the intellectual life of the university.”
Szymanski added: “When political rhetoric is unceasingly volatile and seemingly ever-present, Emrys' class discussions are a refreshing place for students to land, unpack their ideas, and try on new ones. Students are drawn to him because they trust him. Emrys will challenge their ideas and affirm them as people – a hallmark of a masterful teacher.”