Scott R. Sehon

Scott R. Sehon is the Joseph E. Merrill Professor of Philosophy at Bowdoin College, currently on leave for the 2025–2026 academic year. His academic home is in the Philosophy Department at this prestigious liberal arts institution in Maine. Sehon maintains an active presence in both academic philosophy and public discourse, regularly publishing in top philosophy journals and contributing to major public-facing platforms.

Sehon's research spans multiple domains within philosophy, with particular emphasis on the philosophy of action, free will, and teleological explanation. His work challenges causal theories of action explanation, arguing for a non-causal compatibilist account of free will as presented in his 2016 Oxford University Press monograph. He has also made significant contributions to political philosophy, ethics, and the philosophy of medicine, often engaging with contemporary social issues through op-eds in major publications.

Analysis of Sehon's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on action theory and metaphysics, with increasing engagement in political philosophy and social commentary. His work demonstrates remarkable breadth, moving seamlessly from technical philosophical arguments about free will to accessible analyses of contemporary political issues like socialism, redistribution, and historical misconceptions about Nazism.

• Free Will and Action Explanation: a Non-Causal, Compatibilist Account (Oxford University Press, 2016)
• Teleological Realism: Mind, Agency, and Explanation (MIT Press, 2005)
• Work in progress: Socialism: A Logical Introduction, Mystery, Nihilism, and Magic, and Abortion: A Book of Arguments (with Kristi Olson)

Sehon actively engages with the philosophical community through numerous invited presentations at international conferences and institutions across Europe and North America. His collaborative work, particularly with Guido Löhrer, demonstrates his commitment to philosophical dialogue and interdisciplinary approaches. He has also co-authored significant work with Donald Stanley on medical reasoning and evidence-based medicine, bridging philosophy with clinical practice.