Richard Cohen

Richard A. Cohen is a Professor in the Department of Jewish Thought at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), serving as Director of Graduate Studies and Director of the Levinas Philosophy Summer Seminar. He holds affiliated faculty roles in the Departments of Philosophy and Comparative Literature. His research focuses on modern continental philosophy, Jewish thought, and political philosophy, with recent work emphasizing ethical and political dimensions of thinkers like Spinoza and Levinas.

Education: PhD in Philosophy (SUNY Stony Brook, 1980), MA in Philosophy (SUNY Stony Brook, 1976), BA in Philosophy and Political Science (Pennsylvania State University, 1972).

Research Interests: Cohen explores intersections between continental philosophy and Jewish thought, with special attention to ethics, political theory, and ideological critiques. His book Out of Control (2016) examines tensions between Spinoza and Levinas. Recent seminar themes include 'Ethics of Democracy' and 'Justice and Ideology.'

Awards: NEH funding for Levinas Philosophy Summer Seminars (2017, 2020).

Advising/Grants: Cohen has directed multiple academic initiatives, including the Institute of Jewish Thought and Heritage (2008–2015) and international collaborative projects. His grants include NEH support for summer programs.

Labs/Teams: Levinas Philosophy Summer Seminar, a multidisciplinary program fostering global scholarly exchange on continental philosophy and ethics.