معرفی
Brent Sockness serves as Associate Professor of Religious Studies and, by courtesy, of German Studies at Stanford University, specializing in the modernization of Christian theology through engagement with philosophy, natural sciences, and political institutions since the seventeenth century.
His educational background includes a B.A. in Economics from St. Olaf College and M.A./Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Chicago. Key appointments include Center Associate for Stanford’s McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society and former three-term Vice-President of the Schleiermacher-Gesellschaft.
Research centers on German post-Kantian theology with deep expertise in Friedrich Schleiermacher and Ernst Troeltsch. Current projects include completing a book on Troeltsch’s systematic moral theory. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary ethical questions, examining how religious thought adapts to modern intellectual paradigms.
Publications reveal consistent focus on theological modernization, with recent works expanding into transatlantic dialogues about religion’s societal role and philosophical communication. The 2023 volume demonstrates evolving interest in interdisciplinary frameworks for understanding religion in public discourse.
Major recognitions include:
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Fellowship
- American Academy in Berlin Fellowship
- Stanford Humanities Center Fellowship
- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship
Professor Sockness serves on the Advisory Board of Stanford’s McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society and the Board of Consultants for the Journal of Religion. While not currently accepting new doctoral students due to staffing uncertainties in the Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy subfield, he maintains active mentorship of existing advisees. His collaborative work with international scholars like Wilhelm Gräb highlights transnational research networks in theology.
