معرفی
Matthew Altman is Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Central Washington University, where he has taught since completing his Ph.D. His work integrates Kantian and nineteenth-century German philosophy with contemporary issues in applied ethics, legal theory, and social-political thought.
Education
- Ph.D. in Philosophy, University of Chicago (2001)
- B.A., Albion College (1994)
Research & Teaching Interests
Professor Altman’s scholarship ranges from the foundations of Kantian and post-Kantian German philosophy to urgent questions in applied ethics and the philosophy of law. He is especially known for work on theories of punishment, restorative justice, and the ethical dimensions of mass incarceration. His recent explorations extend to medical ethics, environmental philosophy, sport ethics, and the impact of technology on moral agency.
Publication Trends
Across more than 25 years of publication, Altman has produced a steady stream of monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles. From 2020-2025 his output has focused on three intersecting domains: (1) pandemic-era bioethics and triage justice; (2) criminal-justice reform through philosophical theories of punishment; and (3) Kantian responses to contemporary moral crises such as digital health nudging and performance-enhancement in sport.
Books & Editorial Leadership
- The Palgrave Handbook on the Philosophy of Punishment (2023) – editor and contributor
- The Hackett Introduction to Medical Ethics (2025) – co-authored textbook
- Series editor for Palgrave Macmillan’s major handbooks on Kant, German Idealism, and Schopenhauer
Teaching & Service
Beyond research, Altman teaches a wide array of undergraduate and honors courses including Environmental Ethics, Medical Ethics, Philosophy of Law, Kant, and Mass Incarceration. He regularly mentors honors theses and serves as Department Chair, guiding curriculum development and faculty governance.
