Dermot Moran

Dermot Moran is the inaugural Joseph Chair in Catholic Philosophy at Boston College and a Visiting Professor at University College Dublin (UCD). He holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and has held prestigious roles, including President of the International Federation of Philosophical Studies (FISP) and member of the Royal Irish Academy. His research focuses on phenomenology, medieval philosophy, and the philosophy of mind, with notable contributions to Husserl studies and the concept of personhood.

Education

• B.A. in English and Philosophy, University College Dublin (1973)
• M.A., MPhil, and Ph.D. in Philosophy, Yale University (1974-1986)
• DLitt (National University of Ireland, 2013)

Research Interests

His work bridges medieval Christian philosophy (e.g., John Scottus Eriugena) and contemporary phenomenology (Husserl, Merleau-Ponty). Key themes include embodiment, intersubjectivity, and the philosophy of personhood. He has explored the intersection of phenomenology with cognitive science and ethics.

Awards and Honors

• Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal in Humanities (2012)
• Honorary Doctorates from Athens University (2015) and Chinese institutions (Wuhan, Nankai, Sun Yat-sen)
• Edmund Burke Award for Outstanding Teaching (Yale, 1976)
• Member of the Royal Irish Academy and Institut International de Philosophie

Grants and Projects

Principal Investigator for projects like 'The Phenomenology of Sociality' (IRCHSS, 2012-2013) and 'Judgement, Responsibility, and the Life-world' (ARC, 2010-2012). He has edited major journals and book series, including the International Journal of Philosophical Studies and Contributions to Phenomenology.

Labs and Collaborations

Directed the International Centre of Newman Studies at UCD and chairs the UCD Newman Centre for the Study of Religions. Collaborates internationally, including with Chinese universities and the Center for Advanced Research in Phenomenology (CARP).