CAS Faculty: Ramona Ilea

Professor Ilea's research aims to challenge the notion that philosophy is interesting and deep, but it does not make much of a difference in the real world.

Pacific University is pleased to announce that Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Ramona Ilea has been selected to represent the College of Arts and Sciences at the 2008 Wye Seminar.

The Wye Faculty Seminar is organized by the Aspen Institute and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Universities throughout the country may nominate a faculty member to attend the faculty seminar. The 2008 seminar will be focused on Citizenship and the American Polity. At the seminar, a multi-disciplinary group of faculty will discuss readings that "are selected to challenge participants to focus on values such as individual rights and responsibilities both nationally and globally, and the public purposes of education in a free, democratic republic."

In the classroom, Ramona’s teaching challenges students to apply what they are reading to their everyday decision making, encouraging a link between moral philosophy and social change. Professor Ilea admits that this is not always comfortable for students and recalls, for example, how her students struggled with the question of whether or not they should give gifts last December.

Professor Ilea’s research aims to challenge the notion that philosophy is interesting and deep, but it does not make much of a difference in the real world. She explains, “I aim to show how it is possible for philosophical work to contribute to public debates and social issues. My dissertation, Moral Arguments and Social Change, was an analysis of philosophy's potential for making an impact in the public domain. My next project, for which I received a Pacific University Faculty Development Grant, is to edit and publish a book called Philosophy and Activism. Being in dialogue with other scholars at the Wye Faculty Seminar will provide me with the opportunity to compare notes and get new ideas. I expect to have new insights and to be energized and inspired by these conversations.”

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