9 questions with retiring philosophy chair Dr. Robert Maldonado

Headshot of Dr. Robert Maldonado

Dr. Robert Maldonado, professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy, is retiring this fall. He has been with Fresno State since 1991. We sat down with Dr. Maldonado to hear more about his 32 years at Fresno State and his future plans following retirement.

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Featured Supporter: The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation

Left to right: Amar Patel, Naina Patel, Ravi Patel and Rashi Patel

“Whether we believe in it or not, the universe is interested in the greater good of everybody. It’s the impulse of life which promotes the wellbeing from the smallest of seeds to the biggest of elephants. The only way to be connected to the music of life is to be interested in the greater good of the universe.” ~ Dr. Ravi Patel

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Civil rights leader celebrates new Gandhi Center

Rev. James Lawson speaks at Fresno State.

On Feb. 18, Rev. James Lawson Jr. joined a Zoom gathering with Drs. Ravi and Naina Patel, community members, campus leaders, students and faculty from Fresno State as they announced the creation of the “M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya.” 

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Dean Chapman, Dr. Howard present Jain and Hindu Endowed Chair at international Jain conference

Dr. Honora Chapman, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities in the Peace Garden at Fresno State.

Dr. Honora Chapman, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and Dr. Veena Howard, professor of philosophy and the first Endowed Chair in Jain and Hindu Dharma, gave a brief presentation about the new chair and the importance of Jain and Hindu history, art, philosophies and traditions and their excitement about the upcoming programs at Fresno State at the 21st Biennial JAINA Convention.

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Dean’s Medalist: Caleb Charles

“From a young age, I have recognized the injustices found in society towards people of color, and this has provided the fuel for my ambition.” ~ Caleb Charles

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30 years at Fresno State; Q&A with Ruth Aparicio

Ruth Aparicio in her office

In August 1990, Ruth Aparicio was brought on as a temporary worker in the Graduate Studies office. Just weeks later, she was hired as a full-time employee. She transferred to the Linguistics Department several years later, then to the Philosophy Department. In all, Ruth has been with the College of Arts and Humanities for about 25 years.

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Seedlings from Hiroshima planted in Peace Garden on 75th anniversary of atomic bombing

The Peace Garden with the bust of Gandhi surrounded by trees reflecting on the nearby Henry Madden Library.

Many survivors tell a similar story. As the sun rose over Hiroshima on a clear summer morning on Aug. 6, 1945, air-raid sirens blared, rousing a sleeping city awake. Several minutes later, an all-clear was issued, the sirens stopped, and the estimated 350,000 residents of the city began their daily routines on a hot summer day. 31,000 feet above…

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Kao-Ly Yang and Vadim Keyser to receive Provost’s Award

Dr. Kao-Ly Yang and Dr. Vadim Keyser

Provost Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval announced the recipients of the Provost’s Awards for the 2019-2020 academic year, which included two names in the College of Arts and Humanities. Dr. Kao-Ly Yang was named Outstanding Lecturer, and Dr. Vadim Keyser was named among the Promising New Faculty.

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VIDEO: Engaging students in an online world

Dr. Vadim Keyser in an online interview.

As he and his students shelter in place, Dr. Vadim Keyser has employed a variety of teaching tools and techniques, including scientific modeling and visualization, video presentation, and guided reading.

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Philosophy Club sharpens students’ intellectual creativity through discourse

Fresno State Philosophy Club

The Fresno State Philosophy Club meets every Thursday at 2 p.m. in “The Phil Zone” (Music 104) and discusses a variety of philosophical, religious, and legal topics and issues. Every Fresno State student, regardless of major, can join the club — or attend the club’s events and meetings. A theme, readings, and questions for each […]

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New Faces: Philosophy welcomes two new professors

Mulhern and Tais

The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State is the largest college on campus, encompassing nine departments, and the Armenian Studies Program. Each year, new faculty are brought on to elevate the academic offerings here at Fresno State. These new faculty members bring innovative research, diverse fields of study and technical expertise to our college, inspiring new […]

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Dr. Kapoor receives lifetime award from FCOE Foundation

In this March 27, 2012 photo, Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor holds a red rose as he stands by the statue of Cesar Chavez in the Peace Garden at Fresno State.

Philosophy Department professor Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor was among four who were honored by the Fresno County Office of Education (FCOE) Foundation for a lifetime of educational contributions. The 2018 FCOE Honors Gala was held on September 15, 2018, at the Fresno City College Old Administration Building. “Dr. Kapoor’s legacy of nonviolence reflects principles at the […]

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Dr. Vadim Keyser brings area of study new to Fresno State

Dr. Vadim Keyser

Fresno State is continually searching for new methods of learning to engage students in furthering their education. One way of accomplishing this task is the incorporation of professors teaching in areas that explore new forms of study. This year, Assistant Professor Dr. Vadim Keyser joined the College of Arts and Humanities in bringing a new area of study to the Department of Philosophy.

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Philosophy presents ‘Voicing Ideas’ conference

Flyer for Voicing Ideas conference

The Department of Philosophy will present “Voicing Ideas,” an annual conference highlighting the work of undergraduate philosophy students, from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, April 20, in the University Business Center, Peters Building 192.

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Lecture-recital: ‘Voice and Silence: Women in Opera and Philosophy’

Voice and Silence featuring Drs. Maria Briggs and Tina Botts

“Voice and Silence: Women in Opera and Philosophy” is a lecture-recital scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, in the Fresno State Concert Hall. In this collaboration between the Department of Music and the Department of Philosophy, soprano Dr. Maria Briggs and philosopher Dr. Tina Botts will explore the role of women in operatic dramas and philosophy.

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This month in the Arts and Humanities — a July review

Bright pink roses on campus

As summer comes to an end, our students, faculty and alumni are tying a bow on what has proven to be a productive, award-winning summer season for our Bulldogs. Here are the top five stories from the month of July. Alumni Wind Ensemble heads to Spain The Alumni Wind Ensemble hit the road to Spain […]

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Dr. Tina Fernandes Botts publishes fifth edition of ‘Feminist Thought’

Feminist Thought book cover

~ By Taylor Blaire Mosher, student writer for the College of Arts and Humanities Dr. Tina Fernandes Botts, a Fresno State assistant professor of philosophy, has published the fifth edition of “Feminist Thought” with co-author Rosemarie Tong, professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. The book, published by Westview Press, provides a […]

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Andrew Fiala receives national honor for column

The American Philosophical Association presented a national honor to Professor Andrew Fiala, chair of the Department of Philosophy and director of the Ethics Center at Fresno State, for a column he wrote for The Fresno Bee. “Dr. Fiala’s insight shows how our disciplines in the arts and humanities are the bedrock for leading a good […]

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Students celebrate journey to becoming Mediator Mentors

Mediator Mentors event

Almost 100 students from local elementary schools spent a morning on the Fresno State campus recently, celebrating the conflict-resolution skills they learned during the 2016-17 school year, as participants in Fresno State’s Mediator Mentors. Mary Castro, wife of President Joseph I. Castro, spoke to the students at the beginning of the Mediator Mentors event: “The skills […]

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Philosophy students to present work today

Flyer for Voicing Ideas conference

Four Fresno State philosophy students will present their best work at “Voicing Ideas” from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, April 28, in Room 172 of the Kremen Education Building. “Voicing Ideas” is an annual undergraduate student conference highlighting the work of the philosophy students of California State University, Fresno. In this competitive, faculty-reviewed event, student papers […]

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Ethics Lecture Series: Christopher Meyers talks ‘Bioethics: The Role of the Clinical Ethicist’ April 5

Flyer for Ethics Lecture on bioethics

Christopher Meyers, Ph.D., will discuss “Bioethics: The Role of the Clinical Ethicist” from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, in the Engineering East building, Room 191. Following Meyers’ talk, a panel with Philosophy professor James Rocha and Frank Beasley of Saint Agnes Medical Center will continue the discussion. Meyers is director of the Kegley Institute […]

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Philosophy Colloquium ‘Results May Vary’ March 23

Philosophy colloquium speaker Vadim Keyser

The Philosophy department will present a colloquium, “Results May Vary: How to Navigate Scientific Disagreement,” with Vadim Keyser, of San Francisco State University, from 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in Room 3212 of the Henry Madden Library. Keyser describes what his colloquium will entail: The process of cross-checking something requires adding a new perspective, measurement, […]

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Ethics Center co-hosts a discussion on ‘Vice, Vainglory and Humility’

Flyer for Ethics lecture

The Fresno State Ethics Center is collaborating with Fresno Pacific University to present a two-day discussion of vices and virtues such as vainglory and humility from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 22 and 23 at Fresno Pacific University in North Hall 123 (the Seminary Chapel). The event will provide a conversation at the intersection of […]

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Philosophy Colloquium ‘Fighting About Frequency’ March 20

Karen Kovaka

~ Photo from karenkovaka.com The Philosophy department will present a colloquium, “Fighting about Frequency,” with Karen Kovaka, of the University of Pennsylvania, from 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, in Room 140 of the Kremen Education Building. The term “scientific controversy” calls to mind a clash of theories or hypotheses. One contender is right, the others are wrong, and […]

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Two Ethics Center events next week

Flyer for Ethics Lecture "Entrepreneurs on the Dark Side"

Two events next week are sponsored by the Lyles Center and the Ethics Center at Fresno State. Dr. Melissa Baucus, from Texas State University, will discuss “Entrepreneurs on the Dark Side: Ethical Challenges and Ponzi Schemes” from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, in the Alice Peters Auditorium (University Business Center). Entrepreneurs often tell a […]

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Lecture: Journalism, Fake News and the First Amendment

Legitimate news organizations are under assault because of the rise in prevalence of “fake news.” A panel discussion on “Journalism, Fake News and the First Amendment” will be presented from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, to discuss the state of journalism in 2017. Panelists will include: Faith Sidlow, professor of Media, Communications and Journalism Jes […]

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A Conversation on the Law, with Seema Iyer

The Philosophy Department’s pre-law program and Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity will present an opportunity for pre-law students to ask questions of Seema Iyer, a criminal defense and civil rights attorney who hosts the weekly legal show “The Docket” on MSNBC.com. In several episodes of “The Docket,” Iyer evaluated evidence in the “Serial” murder case. Iyer […]

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World peace vigil and photo exhibition mark Gandhi celebrations

Fresno State will observe Mahatma Gandhi’s 147th birthday and celebrate Gandhi Jayanti with a candlelight vigil for world peace from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, in the Peace Garden on campus. A photo exhibition, “Life of Gandhi,” opened Sept. 26 at the Henry Madden Library and runs through Oct. 7. The community celebration […]

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Ethics Center presents event focusing on anti-Muslim, anti-Arab discrimination Thursday

The Ethics Center presents “Anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab Discrimination and Civil Rights” from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, as part of the Leon S. Peters Ethics Lecture Series. This panel discussion will focus on civil rights and discrimination aimed at Arab-Americans and Muslim-Americans. The free, public event will be in the Alice Peters Auditorium (Peters Business Building, […]

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Philosophy Colloquium: ‘Tortured Plea Bargains: The Legal Fiction of Feigning Guilt’

Professor James Rocha, pictured at right, will be the first speaker of the Philosophy Department (fresnostate.edu/artshum/philosophy/) colloquium at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in Room 192 of the Peters Business Building. Dr. Rocha is doing some exciting research on the topic of “Plea Bargains,” and he will share his findings in a talk titled “Tortured Plea Bargains: The Legal Fiction […]

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Constitution Day Sept. 17 – the role of youth in the November election

  ~ Reprinted from FresnoStateNews.com Students from local high schools, community colleges and Fresno State are invited to engage in a Dialogue for Democracy on Constitution Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Satellite Student Union. This event is to motivate and inspire political participation, informed voting and service. Topics include […]

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Oak Creek documentary kicks off fall 16 Ethics Lecture Series

~ Reposted from FresnoStateNews.com: The Leon S. Peters Ethics Lecture Series begins its fall semester line-up at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in North Gym 118 with a screening of the film “Waking in Oak Creek.” The documentary follows the community of Oak Creek as residents unite with law enforcement officials to bring an end […]

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New Faces: Philosophy Department

Meet the 2016 New Faces in Philosophy

We have two new faculty members who will both teach philosophy and contribute to our pre-law program. Philosophy of Law Professors Dr. Tina Botts and Dr. James Rocha will become the architects of a vibrant pre-law program that will capitalize on our potential to become the premier institution in the Valley that prepares students for law school. 

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ANDREW FIALA: Inequities sometimes overwhelm the Olympic ideal

In his most recent column for The Fresno Bee, Philosophy Department Chairman Andrew Fiala, writes that the focus on Olympic medal count exposes global inequalities. Problems revealed in Rio indicate that there is much work to be done in the world to eliminate injustice, inequality and other social problems. This can overwhelm an important message of the Olympics: The […]

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ANDREW FIALA: ‘In an arms race, there are no winners’

From his perspective at a recent international conference on global dialogue and peace in Warsaw, Poland, Philosophy Department Chairman Andrew Fiala, wrote about the arms race in his most recent column for The Fresno Bee: Violent solutions to violence escalate violence. This increases anxiety and fuels a further arms race. A different approach needs to […]

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Search for common ground this Fourth of July

The Fresno Bee published a timely piece on partisan divide written by Andrew Fiala, chair of the Philosophy Department in the College of Arts and Humanities: Among committed partisans, “70 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of Republicans say they are afraid of the other party.” This crisis of trust threatens the fabric of civil society. […]

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