Michael Mulnix

Michael Mulnix is a Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Philosophy at Salem State University. He holds a PhD and MA in Philosophy from the University of Iowa, and a BA in Philosophy and English Literature from Cornell College. His research focuses on ethics, political philosophy, and the philosophy of happiness, emphasizing how philosophy can guide practical living. Mulnix has taught at Cornell College, Dean College, and Salem State since 2008, where he designs courses exploring the examined life, symbolic logic, and moral philosophy.

His key publications include Happy Lives, Good Lives: A Philosophical Examination (2015) and Theories of Happiness: An Anthology (2015), both co-authored with Dr. Jennifer Wilson Mulnix. His work bridges philosophical theory with pedagogical practice, as seen in articles like Using a Writing Portfolio to Teach Critical Thinking (2010).

Mulnix frequently presents at conferences such as the International Workshop Conference on Teaching Philosophy and the Northern New England Philosophical Association, often collaborating with his co-author. He explores themes like the intersection of liberty and utility, philosophical pedagogy, and the ethical dimensions of well-being.