Dr. Daniel Pierson

Dr. Pierson received his Ph.D. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America. He has an M.A. in liberal arts from St. John’s College in New Mexico and a B.A. in philosophy from St. John’s University in Minnesota. His areas of interest include the metaphysics and natural theology of Thomas Aquinas, Ancient philosophy, and the history of philosophy. He joined the faculty of Benedictine College in 2015.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Ph.D., The Catholic University of America. School of Philosophy (Spring 2015).

Dissertation Title: “Thomas Aquinas on the Principle Omne Agens Agit Sibi Simile”

Dissertation Director: Kevin White

Dissertation Committee: Gregory T. Doolan, Rev. James Brent, O.P.

M.A., Liberal Arts. St. John’s College (Santa Fe). December 2004.

B.A., Major in Philosophy. St. John’s University (Collegeville, Minnesota). May 2002.

Fields of Teaching and Research

Area of Specialization: Medieval Philosophy, especially Thomas Aquinas.

Areas of Competence: Metaphysics; Natural Philosophy; History of Philosophy, especially Ancient and Medieval.

Academic Employment

Assistant Professor, Benedictine College. Fall 2015-present.

Part-time Lecturer, Mount St. Mary’s University. Spring 2014-Spring 2015.

Adjunct Instructor, The Catholic University of America. Fall 2008 and Spring 2015.

Teaching Fellow, The Catholic University of America. Fall 2009-Spring 2013.

Teaching Experience

Philosophy 175, “Principles of Nature.” Benedictine College, Fall 2015.

Philosophy 325, “Ethics.” Benedictine College, Fall 2015.

Philosophy 103, “Classical Philosophy.” Mount St. Mary’s University, Spring 2014 and

Philosophy 201, “The Classical Mind.” Catholic University of America, Fall 2008-2012; Spring 2015.

Philosophy 203, “Philosophy in the Modern Age.” Mount St. Mary’s University, Fall 2014.

Philosophy 202, “The Modern Mind.” Catholic University of America, Spring 2010-2013.

Publications

“Active Intellect.” The New Catholic Encyclopedia Supplement 2012-13: Ethics and          Philosophy. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale/Cengage, 2013.

“Passive Intellect.” The New Catholic Encyclopedia Supplement 2012-13: Ethics and       Philosophy. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale/Cengage, 2013. 

Conference Presentations

“The Axiom Omne Agens Agit Sibi Simile in Thomas Aquinas’s Natural Philosophy.”  48^th International Congress of Medieval Studies, Western Michigan University. Kalamazoo,    Michigan. May 2013.

Awards and Fellowships

Most Valuable Professor Award, Mount St. Mary’s Women’s Lacrosse Team. Spring 2014.         

FYE Teaching Fellowship, The Catholic University of America. Fall 2009-Spring 2013.

Johannes Quasten Scholarship, The Catholic University of America. 2007-2009.

Languages

Reading Knowledge: Latin, French, some German.

Professional Memberships

American Catholic Philosophical Association