Matthias Fritsch

Matthias Fritsch is a Professor of Philosophy at Concordia University. He specializes in contemporary European philosophy, environmental ethics, and intergenerational justice, with a focus on critical theory, deconstruction, and phenomenology. His work explores normative relations between past, present, and future generations, particularly in environmental and political contexts.

• Education: Ph.D. (Villanova University, 1994-1999), Doctoral Research (Freie Universität Berlin, 1997-1998), M.A. (New York University, 1993-1994), B.A. (Universität zu Köln, 1990-1993), and Humboldt Scholar (Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, 2010-2011, 2023).

His research centers on justice in relation to history, time, and the environment, addressing questions about societal obligations to the dead and future generations. Current projects include a monograph on phenomenology and critical theory (SSHRC-funded, 2020-2026) and co-organizing the award-winning Nature-Time-Responsibility research network, which promotes intercultural approaches to environmental justice.

Recent publications examine generativity, climate ethics, and temporal responsibility, reflecting his interdisciplinary engagement with Heidegger, Derrida, and indigenous perspectives. His work appears in journals such as Continental Philosophy Review, Constellations, and European Journal of Political Theory.

• Scientific Awards: Humboldt Scholar (2010-2011, 2023).

Matthias supervises graduate students in Philosophy (MA) and Humanities (PhD) and has contributed to edited collections including Eco-Deconstruction (Fordham University Press, 2018) and Environmental Philosophy and East Asia (Routledge, 2022). He is also co-editor of the 2024 special issue of the Yearbook for Eastern and Western Philosophy on "Philosophies of Time and Nature."