04/30/2025
Karl Ameriks has just passed away, so I think this is worth repeating.
Which teachers modelled particular intellectual virtues for you?
We asked Westmont’s Philosophers which teachers modelled particular intellectual virtues -- (or moral virtues of intellectual life, where that's different) -- for them in a significant way. Here’s what they said:
Chris Hoeckley:
• Reinhard Buss, German, Biola University—respect;
• Bob Harrison, history, Biola University—love of the subject matter;
• Jay Shanor, Greek, Biola University—humility;
• John Hick, philosophy of religion, Claremont Graduate University—readiness to receive criticism and to credit others with what were really his ideas;
• Keith Ward, philosophy of religion, Claremont Graduate University—not taking yourself too seriously.
Ed Song:
• Nick Wolterstorff (philosophy, Yale) taught the very first philosophy course I ever took, and inspired me to stop studying biochemistry and switch to philosophy. Part of it was the love of the discipline, but I was very struck by Nick’s intellectual seriousness, and I have very vivid memories of him talking about how important it was to really understand the position of one’s interlocutors—that you had to earn the right to criticize them by understanding their position at least as well if not better than they did.
• John Simmons (UVA) directed my dissertation, but the biggest impression that he made on me was as a lecturer in a course that I TA’d for him. He was just really, really lucid, and was so good at articulating what was really at stake in a debate.
• Also at UVA, Tal Brewer was an extremely warm and encouraging teacher. I think he might also just be the most usefully smart person I have been around. I would kind of marvel at how he would make distinction after distinction, in ways that weren’t merely technical, but really shed light on whether an argument made sense or not.
Mark Nelson:
• Mark Coppenger, Steve Evans, Stu Hackett, Art Holmes (philosophy, Wheaton): confidence: all of these philosophers, notwithstanding their very different styles, showed us that the life of the mind was not off-limits to Christians, and that Christians need not feel intimidated or alienated by it – as long as they were willing to put in the necessary work.
• Richard Foley (philosophy, Notre Dame): fairmindedness: I took epistemology from him during my first year, and I was always struck by how fair and even-handed he was in argumentation. He would always interact with the strongest and most plausible version of whatever view was under discussion. He would not permit himself (or us) to get away with easy, “gotcha”-type arguments that could easily be avoided by just re-stating a position a little more carefully.
• Karl Ameriks (philosophy, Notre Dame): charity in interpretation: Karl would consistently find the kernel of sense in even the most confused and inarticulate question, re-state it coherently and succinctly, and then answer it intelligently.
• Phil Quinn (philosophy, Notre Dame): generosity, especially to junior philosophers: during the year when Phil was visiting ND, when I was a pipsqueak grad student, he asked me about my dissertation plans. I told him about an idea I had broached in a seminar paper the previous year, so he asked to see the paper, and I duly gave him a copy. The very next day, he returned it to me with ca 500+ words of detailed, insightful, written comments – and I was not even taking any class with him.
Jim Taylor
• At Westmont, Bob Wennberg modeled firmness of conviction in the face of acknowledged uncertainty and ambiguity; Stan Obitts pushed his students to think rigorously and to maintain high intellectual standards; and Bob Gundry provided an example of careful and thorough scholarship, incisive criticism, and courageous intellectual autonomy.
• At the University of Arizona, Al Goldman demonstrated intellectual autonomy and creativity; John Po***ck embodied a love of philosophical inquiry and an enjoyment of philosophical dialogue—with a winsome friendliness of spirit; Stephen Stich engaged in confident but careful and clear reasoning; and Joel Feinberg exhibited intellectual humility, charity, and generosity.
• In workshops I attended, Al Plantinga manifested intellectual autonomy, firmness, confidence, and courage; Nick Wolterstorff was an example of wisdom, respect, creativity, and a love of all things philosophical; Bill Alston was careful, confident, and thorough but also welcoming of criticism and conversation; and Keith Yandell had confidence in his convictions while being generous and encouraging—especially toward younger philosophers (he got me my first APA commentator gig).
David VanderLaan
• Earl Fife (mathematics, Calvin College): a cheerful gratitude for being corrected
• Paul Zwier (mathematics, Calvin College): an energetic love for his subject, and a visible appreciation for subjects that were not his own
• Alvin Plantinga (philosophy, Notre Dame): unflagging cheer, generosity towards junior members of the discipline
• Peter van Inwagen (philosophy, Notre Dame): remarkable clarity expressed in delightfully readable prose
• Tom Flint (philosophy, Notre Dame): charity toward his objectors, warmth
• Patricia Blanchette (philosophy, Notre Dame): the ability to give very thorough, helpful, constructive feedback
