Philosophy Faculty at SUNY Plattsburgh - Kurtis Hagen

Philosophy Faculty

• Faculty Directory

Full-Time Faculty

• Beth Dixon
• Kurtis Hagen
• Charles List
• Donald Maier
• David Mowry

Adjunct Faculty

• Henry Goldenberg

Take the Next Step

• Apply for Admission
• Request Information
• Quick Facts
• Visiting & Open Houses
• Virtual Tour
• Register for Courses

E-mail this page

Philosophy Faculty - Kurtis Hagen

Assistant Professor

While Dr. Hagen specializes in early Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, he also has interests in a number of other topics, from Buddhist anti-essentialism to the East Asian challenge to human rights, as well as Western metaphysics and the philosophy of religion. Recently, he has developed an interest in applied epistemology, especially the assessment of conspiracy theories, and issues concerning when one should defer to "experts." Also, on a nice day, he can sometimes be found playing Ultimate Frisbee.

Education:

• Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa
• M.A. University of Hawaii at Manoa
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of California at Davis

Teaching and Research Interests:

• Asian Philosophies
• Applied Epistemology
• Philosophy of Religion
• Contemporary Metaphysics
• Human Rights and Confucianism
• Contemporary and applied Ethics

Recent Scholarship:

• Book:
  • The Philosophy of Xunzi: A Reconstruction (Chicago: Open Court Press), 2007.
• Presentations:
  • "Transcendence in the Xunzi ?" American Philosophical Association Eastern Division Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, Dec. 30, 2008.
  • "Reconstructing Confucianism." American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, Nov. 1, 2008.
  • "Xunzi on Desire, and the Motive to Become Virtuous." American Philosophical Association Western Division Meeting, Pasadena, CA, March 22, 2008.

Contact Kurtis Hagen

Office: Champlain Valley Hall 303
Phone: (518) 564-2834
E-mail: hagenkg@plattsburgh.edu