Picture of  John Liptay

John Liptay Associate Professor, Philosophy; Acting Head, Religion and Culture

Address
STM 441

Research Area(s)

  • Aquinas’ ethics and the Thomistic philosophical tradition
  • Theoretical and normative issues in moral philosophy
  • The philosophy of Bernard Lonergan

Education

  • B.A. (Toronto)
  • B.A. Hons. (Queen’s)
  • M.A. (Toronto)
  • Ph.D. (Toronto)

Research Projects

  • On the Alleged Disintegration of Natural Law Theory (a critical discussion of Pauline C. Westerman’s thesis)
  • How to Understand the First Principles of Natural Law (an investigation into the different ways that the first principles of natural law are understood today, with a defense of Finnis’ position)

Selected Publications and Presentations

  • "Natural Law and/as Intercultural Philosophy," Annual Symposium of the Canadian Jacques Maritain Association, Saint Paul University and the Dominican College of Philosophy & Theology, Ottawa, ON, 22-23 October 2010.
  • "Towards Harmonizing the Accounts of von Hildebrand and Aquinas on Love," International Conference on the Christian Personalism of Dietrich von Hildebrand:  Exploring his Philosophy of Love, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, 27-29 May 2010.
  • The Importance of Insight.  Essays in Honour of Michael Vertin.  Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007.  (Co-editor with David S. Liptay)

Teaching Responsibilities

  • Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 133) and Critical Thinking (PHIL 140)
  • Courses in ethical theory and applied ethics (PHIL 231, 233, 234)
  • Medieval Philosophy (PHIL 210, 211)
  • The Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 294) and of Religion (PHIL 302)
  • Advanced Problems in Philosophy and Theology (PHIL 404)
  • Introduction to Catholicism (CTST 200)

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Chair, Catholic Studies Minor Advisory Committee