Philosophy Department Boston College

Gary Gurtler, SJ, Lydia Barry (PhD '23), Daniel Maryanovich (PhD '25) and Maxwell Wade (PhD '25) made up a panel at the 2026 International Society for Neoplatonic Studies Conference. The panel was entitled Providence in the Ancient Greek and Hellenistic Traditions. Maxwell Wade presented on “Plotinus on the Mantic Arts and the Critique of Atomism in Enn. III.1 (3)” and Daniel Maryanovich presented “The Roots of Disorder in Plotinus and Augustine”. https://isnswebsite.wordpress.com/2026/06/03/program-isns-leuven-2026/

Professor Dermot Moran will give the opening talk at The International Conference “Education and Philosophy”, which will be held on 26–27 June 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia. His talk will be titled "The Phenomenology of Self and Other: Edmund Husserl and Gerda Walther".
https://apha.am/en/krtutjunevpilisopajutjun/

Professor Kerry Cronin, along with Professor Belle Liang of the LSOE, led a summer course called "The Good Life: Success, Happiness, and Purpose in East and West". Based in Tokyo, Japan, the course contrasts Eastern and Western philosophies to examine modern pressures and global definitions of resilience, societal well-being, and a meaningful life. Looks like it was lots of fun too!

The Self-Knowledge & Discernment: The Experience of Pilgrimage (PHIL/THEO4495) course in Spain is well underway with students getting close to Santiago de Compostela! Professor Suzanne Matson, who is leading the trip, sent along these wonderful photos! Buen Camino to all!

Pope Leo XIV 's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas represents a turning point for the Church. Never before had a document been published addressing the issues related to technology, particularly artificial intelligence. Yet, as Father Philip Larrey, a priest and professor of philosophy at Boston College, points out to Formiche.net , AI is merely a side dish. At the center, there is only humanity.
https://formiche.net/2026/05/enciclica-ia-intervista-padre-philip-larrey/

La mossa geniale di Prevost che parla alla Silicon Valley ma scommette sull’uomo. Parla padre Larrey - Formiche.net In una intervista a Formiche.net, Padre Philip Larrey spiega come l'Enciclica sull'IA di Papa Leone XIV sia già un punto di riferimento

Father Phillip Larrey looks at A.I. through the lens of Catholic ethics for an article in the current issue of America Magazine.

Catholic ministry and AI: the risks, limits and opportunities For many involved in ministry every day, the question of whether to engage with A.I. has already passed. The question that remains is how.

Boston College was well represented at the recent Heidegger Circle in Atlanta. Participating were Shane Ewegen, PhD '11, PhD candidate David Abergel, Rylie Johnson MA '17, senior Philosophy major Peini Feng '26, Ronald Mendoza de Jesus, BA Philosophy '08, and Scott Campbell MA & PhD.

Magnus Ferguson, PhD '23, has an article in the most recent issue of the Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy entitled "Speechlessness and Linguistic Reciprocity in Arendt".
https://www.jesp.org/browse/36546f73-90e0-8006-bd22-ebd1588298bb

Graduating senior and Philosophy major Elliott Jones '26 is the recipient of the John F. Norton Award. This award, in honor of John F. Norton '22, Boston College Professor (1926-1965), is given to the student who best personifies the tradition of humanistic scholarship. Congratulations Elliott!

Graduating Senior and Philosophy/Political Science major Peini Feng '26 is the recipient of the Brendan Connolly, S.J., Award. This award is given in honor of Brendan Connolly, S. J. (1913-1974), Director of Libraries at Boston College (1959-1974), a witty and deeply loyal man who loved books and respected learning. This award is given to a member of the senior class who is distinguished for the same characteristics. Congratulations Peini!!