James Gouinlock joined the Department of Philosophy at Emory University in 1971. He served as Chair of the Department at one point and, for a number of years, as Director of Graduate Studies. As Director of Graduate Studies, he was instrumental in developing and shaping the graduate program in philosophy into the national prominence it attained, especially in the 1980s and 1990s.
Professor Gouinlock was a well-known specialist in American Philosophy, with emphasis on the thought of two of its most prominent figures: John Dewy and George Santayana. In this regard, he edited The Moral Writings of John Dewey.
He was also a specialist in the field of modern ethics and the connection of ethics to public policy in which he taught courses for many years. Among his publications in this area are Rediscovering the Moral Life and Eros and the Good: Wisdom According to Nature.
Throughout his career he was regarded as a most valuable colleague and a representative of the best in philosophical education and liberal education generally.
– Donald Phillip Verene
Charles Howard Candler Professor Emeritus of Metaphysics and Moral Philosophy
A memorial service will be at the Miller Ward Alumni House on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 5:00PM.
