CURRICULUM VITAE
Polycarp Asekhaghegbe IKUENOBE
OFFICE ADDRESS:
Dept of Philosophy
Kent State University
P. O. Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001
(330) 672-0278
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION:
- Social and Political Philosophy
- Informal logic and Critical Thinking
- Ethics (Theory and Applied)
AREAS OF COMPETENCE:
- Epistemology and Metaphilosophy
- Philosophy of the Social Sciences
- 20th Century Analytic Philosophy
- British Empiricism
EDUCATION:
PH.D. PHILOSOPHY, 1993
SCHOOL: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
DISSERTATION: Natural Law as Practical Reasonableness: Legal Completeness and the Problem of
Adjudication.
DIRECTOR: Professor Robert J. Yanal.
MINOR: Psychology.
GRADUATE STUDIES: Graduate Courses; 1987-88.
SCHOOL: Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
M.A., PHILOSOPHY, 1983.
SCHOOL: University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; 1982-83.
THESIS: Paradoxes in the Interpretation of the Concept of the General Will in Rousseau's Theory of State.
B.A., PHILOSOPHY, 1981.
SCHOOL: University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria -- 1978-81.
THESIS: Problems inherent in Hobbes's Theory of Absolute Sovereignty.
MINOR: Political Science and Language Arts.
ACADEMIC HONORS:
- Best Graduating Student, 1981, Department of Philosophy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
- Postgraduate School Academic Scholarship Award, 1982/83, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
- Best Postgraduate Student, 1983, Department of Philosophy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (FULL-TIME):
Kent State University, Kent, OH, Department of Philosophy
- Associate Professor, 2001 to date
- Assistant Professor, 1997 -- 2001
COURSES TAUGHT
- Graduate Seminar, titled: Kymlicka: Liberalism, Multiculturalism, and the Rights of Minority Cultures
- African and African-American Philosophies
- Philosophy and Multiculturalism
Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI, Department of Philosophy
- Assistant Professor, 1993 to 1997 ---Taught courses within 'ability/outcome-based' curriculum to
traditional (Weekdays) and non-traditional (Weekends) students.
COURSES TAUGHT
(Philosophy Courses)
- Studies in Ethics: Theory and Applied
- Philosophy of Love and Friendship
(Humanities Courses)
- Cross-Cultural Explorations: Philosophical Perspectives On Responsibility
- Expression and Interpretation of Human Experience
Bendel State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies:
- Assistant Lecturer, 1983-1985.
COURSES TAUGHT
- Social and Political Philosophy
- Philosophy of Development
- Philosophy of the Social Sciences
- Introduction to Philosophy
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (PART-TIME):
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, Department of Philosophy
- Teaching Assistant, 1988 through 1993
- Instructor, College of Lifelong Learning, Spring/Summer 1989 through 1993.
COURSES TAUGHT
- Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking
- Introduction to Philosophy
Ohio University, Athens, OH, Department of Philosophy
Teaching Assistant, 1987-1988.
COURSES TAUGHT
- Introduction to Philosophy
- Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, Department of Philosophy.
1982-1983: Teaching Assistant (For Symbolic Logic & Introduction to Logic).
GRANT AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, APPOINTMENTS, AND AMOUNTS
- 1994: Alverno College Institute Summer Research Grant, to do research on "Questioning as a Means of
Teaching Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills": ($1,500).
- 1994: Pew Charitable Fellowship for Humanities, to work on improving the teaching of interdisciplinary
humanities at Alverno College: ($750).
- 1995: Alverno College Institute Summer Research Grant, to do research on "Teaching Critical Thinking
and Analytical Skills Through Informal and Formal Logic": ($1,500).
- 1996: Alverno College Institute Summer Research Grant, to do research on "The Universalist and
Particularist Debate on the Nature and Existence of African Philosophy": ($1,300).
- 1997: Alverno College Institute Summer Research Grant, to do research on "Wiredu's Distinction
Between Culture and Morality Regarding Moral Epistemology in African Cultures": ($ 750).
- 1998: The Research Council of Kent State University's Research Summer Research/Creative Activity
Appointment, to do research on "Cultural Particularism and Relativism without Incommensurability":
($6,500)
- 2000: Provost Fellow, Summer Teaching Institute on Human Development: ($500).
- 2002: The Research Council of Kent State University's Research Summer Research/Creative Activity
Appointment, to do research on "Liberalism, Multiculturalism, and Emerging Democracies": ($6,500)
PUBLICATIONS:
Edited Textbooks
- Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--Justice (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 168 pages.
- Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--Democracy (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 183 pages.
- Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--Libertarianism (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 180
pages.
- Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--Legal Positivism (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 212
pages.
- Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--Natural Law (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 216
pages.
- Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--African Philosophy (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001),
171 pages.
Articles
- "The State: Its Interference With Individual Rights and Liberties," IRORO, Vol. 1, Nos 1 & 2, 1988, pp.
49-61.
- "The Problem of the State and Religion: The Case of the Religious Violence and Conflict in
Nigeria,"International Third World Studies Journal and Review, Vol. 4, No 2, 1992, pp. 99-108.
- "African Aesthetics and the Music of Fela Anikolakpo Kuti: A Semiotic Analysis," The Literary Griot:
International Journal of Black Expressive Cultural Studies, Vol. 6, No. 2, 1994, pp. 1-13.
- "Cognitive Relativism, African Philosophy, and the Phenomenon of Witchcraft," Journal of Social
Philosophy, Vol. 26, No. 3, Winter, 1995, pp143-160.
- "An Examination of the Universalist Trend Regarding the Nature of African Philosophy," Journal of Social
Philosophy, Vol. 27, No. 2, Fall, 1996, pp. 187-203.
- "The Parochial Universalist Conception of 'Philosophy' and 'African Philosophy'," Philosophy East & West,
Vol. 47, No. 2, April 1997, pp. 189-210.
- "A Defense of Epistemic Authoritarianism in African Cultures," Journal of Philosophical Research, Vol.
XXII, January 1998, pp. 417-440.
- "Moral Education and Moral Reasoning in Traditional African Cultures," Journal of Value Inquiry, Vol.
XXXII, No. 1, March 1998, pp. 25-42. (A Reply by L. D. Keita, "A Reply to Ikuenobe: Moral Education and Moral
Reasoning in Traditional African Cultures," Journal of Value Inquiry, Vol. 35, No. 1, 2001, pp. 113-117.)
- "Cultural Particularism, Relativism, and Incommensurability," Proceedings of the Ohio Philosophical
Association Meeting, April 1998, pp. 1-19.
- "Colonialism in Africa, Culturally Induced Moral Ignorance, and the Scope of Responsibility," Journal for
the Theory of Social Behaviour, Vol. 28, No. 2, June 1998, pp. 109-128.
- "African and African-American Philosophies," APA Newsletter on Black Experience in Philosophy, Vol.
97, No. 2, Spring 1998, pp. 34-38.
- "In Search of Human Universality: Context and Justification in Cultural Philosophy," Humanitas, Vol. XI,
No. 1, 1998, pp. 58-90.
- "Communitarianism, Liberalism, and An Epistemic View of Critical Thinking," Inquiry: Critical Thinking
Across the Disciplines, Vol. XVIII, No. 1, Autumn 1998, pp. 73-94.
- "Moral Thought in African Cultures?: A Metaphilosophical Question," African Philosophy, Vol. 12, No. 2,
1999, pp. 105-123.
- "Procedural Morality and Hart's Separation Thesis," Proceedings of the Ohio Philosophical Association
Meeting, April 1999, pp. 13-31.
- "Internalism and the Rationality of African Metaphysical Beliefs," African Philosophy, Vol. 13, No. 2, 2000,
pp. 125-142.
- "Is Begging the Question Really a Fallacy?" Proceedings of the Ohio Philosophical Association Meeting,
April 2000, pp. 36-49.
- "Social Justice, Welfare Rights, and Charity," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia: Readings in
Philosophy--Justice (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 69-87.
- "Participation, Rational Inquiry, and the Justification of Democracy," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed.,
Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--Democracy (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp.
137-157.
- "Liberty, Welfare, and Consent," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia: Readings in
Philosophy--Libertarianism (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 143-160.
- "Legal Positivism, Rules, and Adjudication of Hard Cases," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia:
Readings in Philosophy--Legal Positivism (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 88-109.
- "Moral Basis for Social Acceptance of Rules in a Legal System," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, Symposia:
Readings in Philosophy--Natural Law (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 147-169.
- "Teaching and Assessing Critical Thinking Abilities as Outcomes in an Informal Logic Course," Teaching
in Higher Education Vol. 6, No. 1, 2001, pp. 19-32.
- "Flying and Myth in Song of Solomon: African Cultural and Philosophical Foundation," The International
Journal of African Studies, Vol. 2, No. 2., Spring 2001, pp. 49-78.
- "Questioning as an Epistemic Process of Critical Thinking," Educational Philosophy and Theory Vol. 33,
Nos. 3/4, 2001, pp. 325-341.
- "Rationality, Practical Reasonableness, the Social and Moral Foundation of a Legal System," Journal of
Social Philosophy, Vol. 32, No. 3, 2001, pp. 245-267.
- "Cognitive Relativism Without Incommensurability, Truth, and Particularism," International Studies in
Philosophy Vol. 33, No. 2, 2001, pp. 31-57.
- "African Tradition, Philosophy, and Modernization," Philosophical Papers, Vol. 30, No. 3, 2001, pp. 245-259.
- "Natural Law, Liberal Principles, and the Moral Acceptance of Rules," Vera Lex, Vol. 2, Nos 1 & 2, Winter
2001, pp. 133-162.
- "In Search of Criteria for 'Fallacies' and 'Begging the Question'," Argumentation Vol. 16, No. 4, 2002, pp.
421-441.
- "Moral Epistemology, Relativism, African Cultures, and the Distinction Between Custom and Morality,"
Journal of Philosophical Research Vol. 27, 2002, pp. 641-669.
- "The Meta-Ethical Issue of the Nature of Lying: Implications for Moral Education," Studies in Philosophy
and Education, Vol. 21, No. 1, January 2002, pp. 37-63.
- "Epistemic Foundation for Teaching Critical Thinking in Group Discussion," Interchange, Vol. 33, No. 4,
2002, pp. 371-393.
- "A Natural Law Critique of Liberal Approaches to a Multicultural Consequence of Globalism," Vera Lex,
Vol. 3, Nos 1 & 2, 2002, pp. 1-37.
- "Optimizing Reasonableness, Critical Thinking, and Cyberspace," (forthcoming) Educational Philosophy
and Theory Vol. 35, No. 2003.
- "Modernity and African Moral Thought," (forthcoming) in Edward P. Antonio, ed., Inculturation and
Postcolonial Discourse in African Theology (New York: Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., 2004).
- "Diverse Religious Practices and the Limits of Liberal Tolerance," (forthcoming) in David Odell-Scott,
ed., Democracy and Religion: Free Exercise and Diverse Visions (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press,
2004).
- "Logical Positivism, Analytic Method, and Criticisms of Ethnophilosophy," (forthcoming) Metaphilosophy,
Vol. 35, July 2004.
- "On the Theoretical Unification and Nature of Fallacies," (forthcoming) Argumentation.
- "Ethnicity, Colonialism, and Democracy as an Agent of Globalization," in Charles Nieman, ed.,
Democracy and Globalization, (forthcoming) (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 2005).
- "Culture of Racism, Self-Respect, and Blameworthiness," (forthcoming) Public Affairs Quarterly.
Portions of Books
- "Libertarianism: An Introduction," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia: Readings in
Philosophy--Libertarianism (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 1-6.
- "Introduction." Ten Introductions: one each for the Ten Readings in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia:
Readings in Philosophy--Libertarianism (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 2.5 pages each;
total approx. 25 pages.
- "Justice: An Introduction," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia: Readings in Philosophy-- Justice
(Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 1-6.
- "Introduction." Ten Introductions: one each for the Ten Readings in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia:
Readings in Philosophy--Justice (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 2.5 pages each; total
approx. 25 pages.
- "African Philosophy: An Introduction," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia: Readings in
Philosophy--African Philosophy (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 1-7.
- "Introduction." Ten Introductions: one each for the Ten Readings in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia:
Readings in Philosophy--African Philosophy (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 2.5 pages
each; total approx. 25 pages.
- "Democracy: An Introduction," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia: Readings in
Philosophy--Democracy(Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 1-6.
- "Introduction." Twelve Introductions: one each for the Twelve Readings in Polycarp Ikuenobe,
ed.,Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--Democracy (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 2 pages
each; total approx. 24 pages.
- "Natural Law: An Introduction," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia: Readings in Philosophy--Natural
Law(Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 1-7.
- "Introduction." Ten Introductions: one each for the Ten Readings in Symposia: Readings in
Philosophy--Natural Law (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 2.5 pages each; total approx. 25
pages.
- "Legal Positivism: An Introduction," in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia: Readings in Philosophy-- Legal
Positivism (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), pp. 1-8.
- "Introduction." Ten Introductions: one each for the Ten Readings in Polycarp Ikuenobe, ed., Symposia:
Readings in Philosophy-Legal Positivism (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2001), 2.5 pages each;
total approx. 25 pages.
PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND SEMINARS
- "Ethnicity, Colonialism, and Democracy as an Agent of Globalization," presented at the Fourth Annual
Kent State University Symposium on Democracy, Kent, OH, April 28, 2003.
- "Diverse Religious Practices and the Limits of Liberal Tolerance," presented at the Third Annual Kent
State University Symposium on Democracy, Kent, OH, April 30, 2002.
- "Colonialism in Africa, Inability Thesis, and Responsibility," presented at Eastern Illinois State University,
Charleston, Illinois, March 21, 2002.
- "Liberal Education, Humanities, and Particularism in African Philosophy," presented at a Symposium:
Cultivating Humanity: African Philosophy in World Context, John Carroll University, Cleveland Heights,
Ohio, February 8, 2002.
- "African Philosophy, Modernity, and Criticisms of Ethnophilosophy," African Studies Association Meeting,
Houston, Texas, November 16, 2001.
- "Liberal Democracy in Nigeria and the Rights of Minority Cultures," African Studies Association Meeting,
Nashville, Tennessee, November 19, 2000.
- "Is Begging the Question Really a Fallacy?" Presented at the Ohio Philosophical Association Meeting,
Ohio Wesleyan University, April 1, 2000.
- "African Cultures, Polygamy, and a Conception of Love," African Studies Association Meeting,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1999.
- "Procedural Morality and Hart's Separation Thesis," Ohio Philosophical Association Meeting, Ashland
University, Ashland, Ohio, Apri l 10, 1999.
- "Human Rights and Justice" An invited presentation at a Panel Discussion for the 50th Anniversary
Commemoration of The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, at Unitarian Universalist Church,
Kent, Ohio, December 10, 1998.
- "African Oral Tradition, Philosophy, and Moral Reasoning," Presented at the World Conference of the
Black Expressive Cultural Studies Association, at Kent State University, Kent, OH, November 19-21,
1998.
- "African Thought System, Colonialism, and Environmental Ethics," Presented at the 21st National Third
World Studies Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 8-10, 1998.
- "Cognitive Relativism Versus Cognitive Universalism in African Philosophy," Presented at the Annual
Conference of the International Society for African and African Diaspora Philosophy and Studies, Towson
State University, Towson, Maryland, April 24-26, 1998.
- "Cultural Particularism, Relativism, and Incommensurability," Presented at the Ohio Philosophical
Association Meeting, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, April 4, 1998.
- "Circle of Colonialism, Development, and the Problem of Conservation in Africa," Invited presentation at
the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Council Symposium, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, April 4,
1998.
- "'Necessary Connection' Between Morality and Law and Modality De Re and De Dicto," Presented at a
Faculty Colloquium, Dept. Of Philosophy, Kent State University, on October 24, 1997.
- "Moral Validity of a Legal System and the Scope of 'Necessity' in the Separation Thesis," Invited
presentation at the Department of Philosophy, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, on October 17, 1997.
- "Relativism, Moral Epistemology, and Wiredu's Distinction Between Custom and Morality," Presented at
the 20th National Third World Studies Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 9-11, 1997.
- "Communitarianism, Colonialism, Two Publics, and the Responsibility of Corrupt African Leaders."
Presented at the 19th National Third World Studies Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 10-13,
1996.
- Member, Panel Discussion on "The Concept of 'Third World' and Its Appropriateness," 19th National
Third World Studies Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 10-13, 1996.
- "A Defense of Epistemic Authoritarianism in Traditional African Cultures." Presented at the 18th National
Third World Studies Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 12-14, 1995.
- "Using Literature in Teaching Philosophy and Using Philosophy in Teaching Literature." Presented at the
1995 Preparing Future Faculty Spring Literature Conference at Marquette University, April 28, 1995.
- "Questioning as a Tool for Teaching Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills in the Humanities." Presented
at the National Association for the Humanities Education Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 30-April 1,
1995.
- "Morality, Moral Education, and Moral Reasoning in Traditional African Cultures." Presented at the 17th
National Third World Studies Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 13-15, 1994.
- "Deterministic Social Causation and Liability in Law: A Cross-Cultural Exploration." Presented at the
Pan-African Conference, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, March 31-April 3, 1994.
- "The Implausibility of the Separation Thesis of Legal Positivism." Presented at the Wisconsin
Philosophical Association Annual Meeting, Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 23, 1994.
- "Cognitive Relativism, African Philosophy, and the Phenomenon of Witchcraft." Presented at the 17th
National Third World Studies Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 7-9, 1993.
- "An African Aesthetics of Music and A Critique of Formalism: A Semiotic Analysis of the Music of Fela
Anikolakpo Kuti." Presented at the Pan-African Conference, Indiana State University, Terre Haute,
Indiana, April 15-17, 1993.
- "The Problem of the State and Religion: The Case of the Religious Violence and Conflict in Nigeria."
Presented at the 15th National Third World Studies Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 8-10, 1992.
- "The Nigerian State and Economy: Justice and the Morality of Privatization," Presented at the Faculty
Seminar, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bendel State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, 1986/87; A
revised edition was accepted for presentation (but not presented in person) at the Nigerian Philosophical
Association, Calabar, Nigeria, 1987.
- "The Dilemma of the Nigerian State and Religion: A Consideration of Rousseau's Prescription as a
Solution." Presented at the Conference of the National Association for Religions, Ekpoma, Nigeria, 1986.
- "Resuscitating Rousseau's Democratic Theory of State: Its Relevance to the Quest for a Virile Political
Future of Nigeria." Presented at the Conference on Youth's Perspectives on the Political Future of
Nigeria, Ekpoma, 1986.
- Discussant and Commentator, National Workshop on the Choice of Democratic Principles for Nigeria,
Bendel State University, Ekpoma, 1986: Philosophical Underpinnings of a Democracy.
- "The General Will as a Moral Justificatory Ground for Political Obligation in Rousseau's Theory of State."
Presented at a Faculty Seminar, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bendel State University, Ekpoma,
Nigeria, 1985.
- "The State, Privacy, Law, and Obligation." Presented at a Departmental Seminar, Department of
Religious Studies and Philosophy, Bendel State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, 1985.
- "The State and Its Interference With Individual Rights and Liberties." Presented at a Faculty Seminar,
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bendel State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, 1984.
- "Euthanasia and the Treatment of Animals Reconsidered, A Moral Case For Animal Liberationists."
Presented at a Departmental Seminar, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Bendel State
University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, 1984.
- "The Question of African Philosophy: Bodunrin and Wiredu Reconsidered". Presented at a Departmental
Seminar, Department of Philosophy, Bendel State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, 1983.