معرفی
Sarah Pessin is a Professor of Philosophy and Jewish Thought at the University of Denver, where she also serves as Interfaith Chair and Director of Spiritual Life for Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence. Her work bridges phenomenology, existentialism, Neoplatonism, and interfaith civics, with a focus on ethics, social justice, and the theological-political implications of responsibility.
- Education: Ph.D. in Philosophy from The Ohio State University (2000), M.A. in Philosophy from Columbia University (1994), B.A. in Philosophy from Yeshiva University, Stern College (1991)
Her research explores paradoxes of hope, democracy, and religious inclusivity, particularly through the lens of Levinasian ethics. Recent projects include the Holidays of the Month Club, Together Tiles (civic bridge-building games), and Labyrinth & Spiritual Supper Club events for spiritual wellness. She has contributed to academic discourse on racial justice, agape, and the limits of liberal civic strategies.
Current research trends engage questions of agonistic respect, the ethical implications of embodiment, and the intersection of American political discourse with religious frameworks like King’s agapic love and Bannon’s racialized populism.
- Scientific Awards:
- Teaching Award from DU-Iliff Joint Doctoral Program in the Study of Religion
- American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow 2022-23
As a scholar-practitioner, Pessin has hosted interfaith events for over 500 participants and collaborated with institutions like Tufts University, the Alliance for Civics in the Academy, and Interfaith America. Her work emphasizes the decoupling of civic responsibility from philiac (friendship-based) expectations, advocating for a politics grounded in obligation to the Other.
