Furman University

Erik A. Anderson

Associate Professor
Department of Philosophy
Furman University

Education

Ph.D. University of Connecticut (2001)
M.A. University of Connecticut (1995)
B.A. University of Puget Sound (1991)

Areas of Specialization:
Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Law, Philosophy of Religion

Areas of Competence:
Ethics, Introductory Logic, Epistemology

Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information

Email: erik.anderson@furman.edu

News and Announcements

• An essay by Erik Anderson on religion in the public square is being published in a special issue of Philosophia devoted to the theme "The Virtue of Justice."  The essay will feature responses by Nicholas Wolterstorff and Christopher Eberle.

spring 2013 courses

• PHL 101-01 - Introduction to Philosophy  
• PHL 350-01 - Epistemology

Selected Publications   

• Erik A. Anderson, "A Defense of the 'Sterility Objection' to the New Natural Lawyers' Argument against Same-Sex Marriage," Ethical Theory and Moral Practice (forthcoming).
• Erik A. Anderson, "Religiously Conservative Citizens and the Ideal of Conscientious Engagement," Philosophia (forthcoming in special issue on "The Virtue of Justice").
• Erik A. Anderson, "The Paradox of Public Secularism: A Critical Assessment of Robert Audi's Religious Commitment and Secular Reason," Faith and Philosophy 23(2), 2006: 137-55.
• Erik A. Anderson, "Public Reason, State Neutrality, and the Recognition of Religious Differences under the Establishment Clause," in Civility and its Discontents: Essays on Civic Virtue, Toleration, and Cultural Fragmentation, ed. Christine Sistare (University of Kansas Press, 2004).
• Erik A. Anderson, "Group Rights, Autonomy, and the Free Exercise of Religion," in Groups and Group Rights, ed. Christine Sistare, Larry May, and Leslie Francis (University of Kansas Press, 2001).
• "State Neutrality, Public Reason, and the Establishment Clause," The American Philosophical Association Newsletter on Philosophy and Law (Fall 2000).

Selected Recent and Upcoming Presentations

• "Not Natural Enough: Why the Contemporary Natural Law Argument against Homosexual Acts and Same-Sex Marriage Fails," Eastern Regional Conference of the Society of Christian Philosophers, Fordham University, 2011.
• "Giving the Wrongdoer His Due: A Commentary on 'Justice, Obligations, Rights, and Forgiveness: A Kierekgaardian Response to Wolterstorff'," by Ben Arbour and Jay Howell, Midwest Conference of the Society of Christian Philosophers, Hope College, 2011.
• "Can an Atheist Believe in Human Rights?" North American Society of Social Philosophy, University of Victoria, 2006.

Honors and Awards

• Participant in Associated College of the South Teaching and Learning Workshop, 2011.
• Recipient of Furman Humanities Development Fund Grant, 2011.
• Participant, "Liberty in International Politics: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives," 2005.
• Participant, "Law, Command, and Authority in Thomas Aquinas," Notre Dame, 2005.
• Postdoctoral Fellow, The Center on Religion and Democracy, The University of Virgina, 2003-2004.
• Lilly Faculty Fellow, Fumrna University, 2002-2003.
• Pew Younger Scholar, St. Edward's University, 1999.

Works in Progress

• I am currently working on a book manuscript dealing with Natural Law theory and the contemporary debates concerning homosexuality and same-sex marriage.