Karl Schafer

Karl Schafer is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches courses in ethics, history of philosophy, and Kant. Previously, he held positions as Professor of Philosophy at University of California, Irvine and Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. His academic career has been distinguished by prestigious fellowships including a Lawrence S. Rockefeller Faculty Fellowship at Princeton University's Center for Human Values and a Humboldt Fellowship at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin.

Schafer completed his PhD in Philosophy at New York University in 2009, following undergraduate studies in philosophy and mathematics at the University of Chicago and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. His educational background reflects his interdisciplinary approach that bridges philosophical inquiry with mathematical precision.

Schafer's research primarily focuses on ethics, epistemology, the history of modern philosophy, and Kant, with additional work in aesthetics, philosophy of mind, and political philosophy. His scholarship demonstrates a consistent interest in understanding the nature of reason, the relationship between theoretical and practical rationality, and the foundations of ethical thought. His work often explores how historical philosophical frameworks, particularly Kantian philosophy, can illuminate contemporary debates in metaethics and epistemology.

His recent publications reveal a sustained engagement with Kant's conception of reason as a unifying capacity for theoretical and practical understanding. A significant trend in his work involves developing what might be called 'capacities-first philosophy,' where basic rational capacities serve as the foundation for philosophical inquiry. His research also demonstrates deep engagement with Hume's philosophy and the Kant-Hume relationship, particularly regarding philosophical methodology and the proper bounds of skepticism.

Schafer has received notable recognition for his scholarly contributions:

• Lawrence S. Rockefeller Faculty Fellow at Princeton University's Center for Human Values
• Humboldt Fellow at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin

As an active scholar and educator, Schafer serves on the editorial board of Hume Studies, where he has co-edited special volumes. His teaching portfolio includes foundational courses in the history of ethics, early modern philosophy (Descartes-Kant), and 19th-Century Philosophy, reflecting his expertise across multiple philosophical traditions and historical periods. His work demonstrates a commitment to both rigorous scholarship and clear pedagogical communication, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to students at various levels.