Michael Taber

Michael Taber is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at St. Mary's College of Maryland. He specializes in Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy and Ethics, with teaching focuses on Happiness and Meaning, Altruism and Egoism, and Philosophy of Mind and Brain. Taber has led student study tours to Greece since 2010 and coached the St. Mary’s Ethics Bowl team, which qualified for Nationals four times between 2012 and 2020.

• Education
  • B.A. in Philosophy and Neuropsychology, University of Rochester (1981)
  • Ph.D. in Philosophy (minor in Classics), University of Wisconsin-Madison (1987)
• Research Interests
  • Explores the ethical implications of involuntary affiliations (e.g., family bonds) and Socratic models of concern for others.
  • Investigates self-interest in relationships, contemporary debates on love and friendship, and classical philosophical frameworks.
• Courses
  • Teaching PHIL 120: Introduction to Ethics and PHIL 380.02: The Self in Love and Friendship (Fall 2025).
  • Emphasizes student-led discussions, critical analysis of primary texts, and oral/written communication skills.
• Writing and Pedagogy
  • Maintains a writing advice site with guides on grammar, style, and philosophical argumentation.
  • Advocates active seminar participation and collaborative learning through paired tutorials and Perusall annotations.
• Contact
  • Office: Montgomery Hall 003
  • Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 11:30-12:30 (Fall 2025)
  • Email: mstaber@smcm.edu
  • Phone: 240-895-4900