Research Interests
My traditional research interests have been in physical geography,
especially climatology and forest geography, with emphasis on problems within
eastern North America, particular the Great Lakes area. Recent publications
(see elsewhere) provide a representative sample of this work.
These publications, unfortunately, fall far short of capturing the range
of issues and concerns that currently engage and define me as a college educator.
These most often cluster around two broad themes:
- The importance of a consistent and thorough epistemology both within society and
in our personal lives. I advocate a model for discovering what is closer
to the truth that relies on evidence, is justified by comparisons with other
positions, and is checked for consequences. Accordingly, I am very skeptical
of truth obtained only from authority and of any untestable claims. A truth-seeking
society is a better society, I beliceve.
- The pervasive and still-spreading influence of instrumentalism in our social relations. The practice of treating others as means rather than ends seems to grow
out of the questionable application of free-narket economic doctrine and utilitarianism to the social arena. I fear doing so may be undermining our
collective ability to view each other and the environment as ends in themselves,
with independent and non-instrumental value.
Rather than holding that disciplinary research products (of whatever type)
are the highest pursuit in academe, I am more interested, instead, in working with
creative, curious people who are intrigued by the power and application of new ideas
and who seek to better the lives of others by directing their work to local,
regional, national, or global problems.