معرفی
Christopher Lauer is Chair and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, affiliated with the Humanities Division. He joined UH Hilo in 2011 to teach courses in the history of philosophy and ethics, expanding to include teaching at Kulani Correctional Facility. His research focuses on German Idealism (Hegel, Schelling) and the ethics of recognition, with a recent emphasis on the philosophy of intimacy. His book Intimacy: A Dialectical Study (2016) explores contradictions in intimacy through philosophy, psychology, and sociology. Lauer has also published widely on Hegel's philosophy of religion, Schelling's natural philosophy, and contemporary ethical theory. He actively presents at international conferences such as the North American Schelling Society and the Pacific Association for the Continental Tradition. His teaching spans modern philosophy, bioethics, and legal philosophy, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to continental philosophy.
Education:
- B.A. in Rhetoric, UC Berkeley (2001)
- DAAD Scholar, University of Freiburg (2004-2005)
- PhD in Philosophy, Penn State University (2007)
Research Themes: Through his work on intimacy, Lauer argues that demands for closeness are inherently contradictory yet affirmable. His Schelling-focused writings address humanity's fraught relationship with nature, while Hegel studies emphasize religion's role in gratitude. Recent work engages Hawaiian environmental philosophy and immunity critiques.
Teaching Impact: Courses taught include Ancient Philosophy, Social Ethics, and Philosophy of Sport, reflecting his commitment to accessible philosophy education. His evening classes at Kulani Correctional Facility highlight outreach efforts.
