Walter Riker

Dr. Walter Riker is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of West Georgia, affiliated with the School of Humanities within the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. He joined UWG in 2008 and specializes in human rights, particularly their implementation in non-democratic societies, and ethical disobedience, including conscientious objection in healthcare and justifications for social rule flouting.

• B.A., Anthropology, California State University, Los Angeles (1991)
• M.A., Anthropology, Brandeis University (1996)
• Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Tennessee (2007)

His research extends to promoting ethics awareness through teaching, coaching UWG's intercollegiate ethics bowl team, organizing the West Georgia High School Ethics Bowl, and serving on UWG's Ethics Awareness Week committee. He teaches courses ranging from introductory philosophy to specialized topics like Human Rights & Democracy and Professional Ethics. His syllabi and courses emphasize critical thinking, moral theories, and contemporary ethical challenges.