Ralph R. Acampora

Ralph R. Acampora is an Associate Professor of Philosophy specializing in applied ethics, environmental philosophy, bioethics, and animal studies. His research explores inter-species morality, ontological status of nature, and the ethics of the built environment. He holds a PhD from Emory University (1996) and MA/B.A. degrees from CUNY (1988/1992). His work includes Corporal Compassion: Animal Ethics and Philosophy of Body (2006) and co-edited collections like A Nietzschean Bestiary (2003). Acampora teaches undergraduate courses on ethics, bioethics, animal ethics, environmental ethics, and critical reasoning.

• Education:
• PhD, Philosophy, Emory University, 1996
• MA, Philosophy, Emory University, 1992
• BA/MA, Philosophy, CUNY Queens College & Graduate School, 1988

His research investigates the hermeneutics of spectatorship at zoos, biotechnical environments, and the ethical implications of human-animal relationships. Recent work addresses semiotic foundations of ethical recognition and the philosophical implications of animated films like Rango.

Acampora’s publications bridge continental philosophy with applied ethics, emphasizing embodied cognition and interspecies ethics. He serves on editorial boards for Society & Animals and Humanimalia, and referees for Environmental Ethics. His teaching focuses on practical philosophy with courses like ETHICS, BIOETHICS: MEDICINE & MORALITY, and ETHICS & ANIMALS.

Contact: Office Heger Hall 104G | Phone: 516-463-6472