Timothy Shanahan, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy | Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA, UNITED STATES
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
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Biography
My main scholarly interest is in the history and philosophy of science. My curiosity about about how science really works was piqued as an undergraduate Biology and Philosophy major at the State University of New York at Cortland, and continued through a master’s degree in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Notre Dame, where I also completed a Ph.D. I was also fortunate to be awarded a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Science Studies Program at the University of California, San Diego (1994-1995), which helped to broaden my perspective on science.
In addition, for many years I’ve used films to introduce students to Philosophy. A few years ago I was struck by the great number of deep philosophical issues that arise in Ridley Scott’s brilliant sci-fi film, Blade Runner (1982) that had apparently gone unnoticed by most viewers and even by most philosophers. I decided to explore these issues in depth. The result is Philosophy and Blade Runner (Houndmills, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014) —- released on June 25 — thirty-two years to the day after Blade Runner first hit US theaters. Since then, I've done similar work on the sequel, Blade Runner 2049. Check out my LMU webpage for more details!
Education (4)
University of Notre Dame: Ph.D., Philosophy 1988
University of Notre Dame: M.A., History and Philosophy of Science 1986
State University of New York at Cortland: B.Sc., Biology 1983
State University of New York at Cortland: B.A., Philosophy 1983
Areas of Expertise (2)
History & Philosophy of Science
Philosophy & Film
Accomplishments (9)
Professor of Philosophy (professional)
Loyola Marymount University, 2000-present
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts Daum Professorship (professional)
Loyola Marymount University, 2009-2010
Chair of the Department of Philosophy (professional)
Loyola Marymount University, 2002-2006
Robert H. Taylor, S.J. Chair in Philosophy (professional)
Loyola Marymount University, 2002-2004
Associate Professor of Philosophy (professional)
Loyola Marymount University, 1995-2000
Postdoctoral Fellow, Science Studies Program (professional)
University of California, San Diego, 1994-1995
Assistant Professor of Philosophy (professional)
Loyola Marymount University, 1988-1995
Senior Teaching Fellow (professional)
University of Notre Dame, 1987-1988
Instructor in Philosophy (professional)
University of Notre Dame, 1984-1987
Affiliations (3)
- Philosophy of Science Association (PSA)
- International Society for History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Biology (ISHPSSB)
- Alpha Sigma Nu: The Jesuit Honor Society
Links (3)
Languages (1)
- American English (rudimentary)
Testimonials (3)
From Course Evaluation, LMU Student | Loyola Marymount University
"T-Shan is the boss of all bosses. His lectures are engaging and easy to understand, and he goes out of his way to make sure that you and he are on the same page in terms of expectations/grading. On top of that, he's just a chill instructor in general - he takes dry, abstract philosophy and makes it pretty easy to click with."
From Course Evaluation, LMU Student | Loyola Marymount University
"Shanahan is the man! He has an amazing ability to not let you know what he thinks, and as soon as a premature band wagon towards a particular position gets going you can expect Shanahan to bring it to a grinding halt. Meticulous in methodology. Transparent about expectations. Totally accommodating if you are having trouble. Clear and honest.
From Course Evaluation, LMU Student | Loyola Marymount University
"One of the most interesting classes i have ever taken. Shanahan makes you consider philosophical positions you never would have considered. It is an essential class for anyone going into the field of science. Attendance is mandatory, however, you will find yourself not wanting to miss class."
Courses (1)
Courses Taught
HNRS 104| Natural Philosophy HNRS 160| Honors Philosophical Inquiry HNRS 240| On the Nature of Things PHIL 160| Philosophy of Human Nature PHIL 198| Philosophical Inquiry PHIL 220| Critical Thinking PHIL 254| Philosophy and Film PHIL 320| Greek & Roman Moral Philosophy PHIL 341| Philosophy of Science PHIL 342| Philosophy of Biology PHIL 385| Modern Philosophy: Descartes to Hume PHIL 398| Irish Moral & Political Philosophy PHIL 398| Immortality & the Meaning of Life PHIL 398| The Ethical Brain & the Moral Life PHIL 451| Cognitive Relativism PHIL 461| Epistemology PHIL 463| Metaphysics & Mind PHIL 464| Philosophy of Mind PHIL 1800| Philosophical Inquiry (4 units) PHIL 4920| Happiness: Philosophical & Psychological Perspectives (4 units) PHIL 628| Hume’s Philosophy of Religion (M.A. Program) PHIL 666| Philosophy of Science (M.A. Program) PHIL 667| Darwinism & Christian Belief (M.A. Program)
Articles (1)
Journal Articles and Book Chapters
academia.eduPDFs of journal articles and book chapters
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