Research Interests: medieval moral and political philosophy; Catholic moral theology; biomedical ethics; history of political thought; philosophical and theological attempts to provide a basis for punitive justice.
Short Biography
I was born in Chardon, Ohio, where most of my family members still reside. After attending the Catholic University of America (in Washington DC) as an undergraduate, I went on to the University of Toronto in 1996 to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy. In December of 2001 I defended my doctoral thesis entitled The Question of Punishment and the Contemporary Relevance of Thomas Aquinas. I taught at Malone College and Walsh University before coming to UPEI. My greatest accomplishments, of course, have nothing to do with academia (thank God!). I was blessed enough in the spring of 2004 to meet the love of my life, Pam. We have recently welcomed our son Matthew into the world, who was born in August of 2006.
Teaching Areas:
Here at UPEI, I teach courses in Religious Studies, Philosophy, and History. In the 2006-2007 academic year I taught Introduction to Philosophy, The History of Christianity to the Reformation, Catholic Moral Thought, and Medieval Philosophy and Theology.
Research Areas:
My main research area is medieval moral and political philosophy, and especially the thought of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). I also have strong interests in Catholic moral theology, biomedical ethics, and the history of political thought. I am particularly interested in the various philosophical and theological attempts to provide a basis for punitive justice.
Other Activities:
In my spare time I enjoy playing baseball, listening to music, taking road trips, and catching a Cleveland Indians game while I’m back in Ohio visiting my family.
Department of Religious Studies