Joel Kupperman (1936-2020)

Joel Kupperman, professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Connecticut and well-known to many readers of this blog, has died. Every time I encountered Joel I was struck by his grace and humanity; his lectures and writings were invariably insightful and nuanced. Early in his studies he developed a broad understanding of “philosophy” that is all too rare, even today. He will be greatly missed.

Alexus McLeod, one of Joel’s many students and now his successor at the University of Connecticut, shares the following tribute:

I recently learned that my PhD advisor, mentor, and teacher Joel Kupperman (Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut) passed away earlier this week, after a long illness (unrelated to the current crisis). Joel was not only an amazing scholar and great person (a true 君子), but he was the best mentor I could have hoped for, and I count myself fortunate to have worked with him, during the later years of his career. Joel was one of the wisest, most humble, yet most insightful and creative philosophers I have ever known.

As an advisor, he encouraged me to go in the directions I wanted to and to follow my own path, rather than trying to force me into the “right” direction. He let me do my weirdness, but reined me in when I needed it, and guided with a hand so skillful that I didn’t even realize he was doing it until I looked back on what I’d done well after I’d finished my PhD and moved on. Without his guidance, I would certainly not have made it, either through graduate school, or to the level I’ve reached today.  And such an experience was not mine alone—all of Joel’s other students I have known have had similar experiences.  I have not met a single of his students that does not hold him in the highest regard. I don’t think I’m misrepresenting their views to claim that all of us have looked to Joel as the highest example, as the kind of scholar, teacher, and person we all strive to be. 

His example continues to guide me. I can never repay my debt to him of course, but if I can inspire and guide my own students even a fraction of the extent to which Joel Kupperman inspired and guided me, I will consider this a tribute to him. May he rest in peace, in the arms of the eternal.

Alexus McLeod
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Asian/Asian-American Studies
University of Connecticut

Bin Song on Ru Meditation

Bin Song has begun a podcast series of Ru meditation, starting from several audios about Ru Breathing. They are currently in his website: https://binsonglive.wordpress.com/ru-breathing/. He plans to do more in the future including topics such as postures of Ru meditation, Ru meditation in Motion, and how to manage one’s emotions, etc. Check it out!

CfP: ODIP Online Dictionary of Intercultural Philosophy

CALL FOR PAPERS: ODIP: Online Dictionary of Intercultural Philosophy https://www.odiphilosophy.com/

ODIP in cooperation with ALAFI invites entries on topics related to intercultural philosophy.

ODIP offers brief and understandable definitions of non-Western philosophical terms. It aims to promote a shift from Comparative Philosophy to World Philosophy enabling a genuine plurality of knowing, doing, and being human. It collects key-concepts from several regions and presents those concepts in a succinct fashion. It is meant to be an inspiring and stimulating resource for philosophers who aim to expand their horizons and think interculturally.

ALAFI (Latin-American Association for Intercultural Philosophy) aims to promote open, plural, cosmpolitan and intercultural practices in philosophy, in Latin America in particular and in the hispanic-lusophone circuit in general.

Submissions are normally between 200 and 1000 words long (up to 3500 words for historical entries on philosophical schools and movements such as “Comparative Philosophy”). Submissions should be sent either in English or have an English translation attached. Submissions in Portuguese and Spanish are in particular accepted and promoted, provided they come with an English translation (Submissions will be edited and do not need to come in perfect English).

All submissions are peer reviewed. Preferably, entries explain concepts and terms, but in certain cases, entries on philosophers or books will also be accepted. All entries will be published with the author’s name. Entries must present bibliographical references for further reading at the end of the text.

​On the ‘Call for Entries’ (https://www.odiphilosophy.com/call-for-entries) page you will find a list of terms. These are just suggestions. Entries on other relevant terms are welcome.

Send to: botz.t@gust.edu.kw

The copyright stays with the authors.

Deadline for submissions: June 5th 2020

Ivanhoe to Georgetown

Philip J. Ivanhoe, a leading senior scholar of Chinese and East Asian philosophy, has been appointed Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Georgetown University, starting 1 July 2020. Ivanhoe is currently teaching at Sungkyunkwan University, where he is Distinguished Chair Professor and Director of the Sungkyun Institute for Confucian Studies and East Asian Philosophy.