Lou Matz
PhD, University of California, San Diego, 1992
MA, University of California, San Diego
BA, University of the Redlands, 1984
I teach a variety of courses to help students understand the relevance of philosophy in their lives and society and to become more philosophical by using critical thinking skills, being responsive to logical thinking and evidence, and being willing to live with unresolved questions that motivate them to learn more. I regularly teach the Philosophy of Sport; Moral Problems; God, Faith & Reason; Ancient Greek & Roman Philosophy; and Introduction to Philosophy. I use a variety of active learning methods—class discussion, small group work, polls, class presentations—so that students are doing philosophy, not just learning about philosophy. Student read significant philosophical writings and watch films and write about the material to develop their critical thinking, writing and reading skills. In all of my courses, students explain what topics and perspectives have been most impactful on their beliefs and thinking and how. Ultimately, I want my courses to have an impact on students’ beliefs and lives and to promote a spirit of inquiry and life-long learning.
My scholarly research is in the area of the philosophy of sport. I have published the following articles in The Journal of the Philosophy of Sport (JPS) on re-conceiving intercollegiate sport as an academic major and liberal art, the ethics of intentional fouling in basketball, the role of religion in coaching and why politics has been, and should be, a part of U.S. professional sports. I am also recognized as a leading scholar on J.S. Mill’s philosophy of religion and produced the first annotated edition of his Three Essays on Religion (Broadview Press, 2009). For two years, I was a regular community columnist for the Stockton Record and wrote on ethical, religious, critical thinking and political topics.
