Thomas Cavanaugh

Professor Thomas Cavanaugh is a faculty member at the University of San Francisco, specializing in medical ethics and philosophy. He teaches courses such as Medical Ethics, the first-year seminar What is Wisdom? (supported by an NEH Enduring Questions grant), and a Honors College course Wisdom’s Lovers: Ancient and Medieval Philosophers.

• University: University of San Francisco
• Academic Rank: Professor
• Office: Kalmanovitz Hall 156
• Contact: cavanaught@usfca.edu

His research focuses on:

• Medical Ethics: Hippocratic Oath, Medical Professionalism, Internal Medical Ethic
• Ethical Theories: Double-effect Reasoning, Intention-sensitive ethics, History of Ethics, Thomistic Ethics

Publications explore intersections between ancient medical philosophy and contemporary bioethics, with specific emphasis on therapeutic exclusivity and moral intent. Key works include analyses of the Hippocratic Oath’s foundational role in medicine and systematic studies of double-effect reasoning in ethical decision-making.

Scientific Awards:

• 2015 NEH Enduring Questions grant for course What is Wisdom?
• 2012/2013 USF Dean’s Scholar Award

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Notre Dame
• A.B., Thomas Aquinas College