Paul Russell (philosopher)
Encyclopedia
Paul Russell is a professor in philosophy
at the University of British Columbia
, where he has been teaching since 1987.
He has been a research fellow at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (1984–86); a visiting assistant professor at the University of Virginia
(1988); a Mellon Fellow and a visiting assistant professor at Stanford University
(1989–90); a fellow of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at Edinburgh University (1991 and 1996); visiting associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh
(1996–97), and a visiting professor (Kenan Distinguished Visitor) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(2005). He is the Fowler Hamilton Visiting Fellow at Christ Church, Oxford
.
His principal research interests include problems of free will
and moral responsibility and the history of early modern philosophy (particularly David Hume
).
He is the author of Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing Responsibility (1995) and The Riddle of Hume's Treatise: Skepticism, Naturalism, and Irreligion (2008), both published by Oxford University Press
. The latter book won the book prize from the Journal of the History of Philosophy
in 2008, a prize bestowed on "the best published book in the history of philosophy." He serves on the editorial board of the journal Hume Studies
.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, where he has been teaching since 1987.
He has been a research fellow at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (1984–86); a visiting assistant professor at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
(1988); a Mellon Fellow and a visiting assistant professor at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
(1989–90); a fellow of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at Edinburgh University (1991 and 1996); visiting associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
(1996–97), and a visiting professor (Kenan Distinguished Visitor) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
(2005). He is the Fowler Hamilton Visiting Fellow at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
.
His principal research interests include problems of free will
Free will
"To make my own decisions whether I am successful or not due to uncontrollable forces" -Troy MorrisonA pragmatic definition of free willFree will is the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints. The existence of free will and its exact nature and definition have long...
and moral responsibility and the history of early modern philosophy (particularly David Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
).
He is the author of Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing Responsibility (1995) and The Riddle of Hume's Treatise: Skepticism, Naturalism, and Irreligion (2008), both published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
. The latter book won the book prize from the Journal of the History of Philosophy
Journal of the History of Philosophy
The Journal of the History of Philosophy is an academic journal established in 1957. It publishes articles, notes and reviews about the history of Western philosophy. Time periods covered include everything from the medieval period to modern developments in the study of philosophy...
in 2008, a prize bestowed on "the best published book in the history of philosophy." He serves on the editorial board of the journal Hume Studies
Hume Studies
Hume Studies is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes articles on the philosophical thought of David Hume. The journal is published by the in April and November. There is open access to the journal's first 30 volumes. Members of the Hume Society may access all volumes....
.