EDUCATION
Ph.D. Philosophy, University of Illinois, 2003
M.A. Philosophy, University of Illinois, 1999
A.B. Philosophy and English, University of Illinois, 1997
PUBLICATIONS
Books
Sartre’s Ethics of Engagement: Authenticity and Civic Virtue (London: Thoemmes-Continuum, 2006)
Peer Reviewed Articles"Authenticity and Others: Sartre's Ethics of Recognition," Sartre Studies International, Volume 12, Number 2, November 2006 , pp. 17-43(27)"Sartre's Political Philosophy," Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Spring 2006"Sartre After Auschwitz," The European Legacy, Volume 12, No. 7, pp. 823-33, 2007
RECENT PAPERS
"A Right to Culture? Liberalism and Nationalism," Annual Meeting of the North American Society for Social Philosophy, July 2007Abstract: This paper investigates the difference between two kinds of Liberal Nationalism. Yael Tamir's version implies that liberal states may become culturally thick institutions, endorsing a majority culture. On the other hand, Chaim Gans suggests a "sub- and inter-state" Nationalism which would be compatible with a neutralist state. Through an analysis of three models (Israel, France and the USA) I claim that sub-state Liberal Nationalism is more desirable than statist Liberal Nationalism. Download PDF of paper (comments welcome).
"Authenticity and Cultural Identity," Phenomenology Roundtable at Marquette University, June 2007“Ethics by Consensus: The Bounded Relativism of Michael Walzer,” Eastern Pennsylvania Philosophical Association, April 2007
Abstract: Michael Walzer is an innovative American thinker whose historical, interpretive and casuistic approach to ethics has struck a chord within the academy and beyond. In contrast to procedural, Kantian ethics, he offers a thickly cultural account focused on the idea that moral norms are “shared social meanings.” The thesis that moral norms are shared social meanings is, I submit, quite appealing. However, Walzer himself provides little explicit defense of this thesis against the worry of moral relativism. By drawing out the similarity of shared social meanings and actual contracts I provide a satisfactory answer to relativism. Download PDF of paper (comments welcome).
“What is Authenticity?” Keynote Address, Washington and Jefferson College Undergraduate Philosophy Conference, April 2007"New Nationalism? Cultural Rights in France, Israel and the USA," American Philosophical Association, December 2006
"Sartrean Ethics and Collective Responsibilty," North American Sartre Society, October 2006
Abstract: Sartre is known for his demanding notion of responsibility. Indeed, while contemporary analytic philosophers ask whether Kantian and Utilitarian ethics ask too much of us, requiring sainthood of average citizens, the same question ought to be asked of existentialist ethics. An ethics premised on the claim that each individual carries “the weight of the world on his shoulders” may indeed be overly demanding. In this essay I distinguish three different senses of moral responsibility which might license Sartre’s demanding claim that as individuals “we are all responsible” for the collective evils of our world. After distinguishing “metaphysical” notions of responsibility from “causal” and “role” notions of responsibility, I argue that, indeed, the metaphysical dimension of Sartrean ethics is overly demanding and thus indefensible. My hope is to carve out a more defensible notion of existential moral responsibility, even at the cost of jettisoning some of Sartre’s published claims. Download PDF of paper (comments welcome).
"Sartre and the Ethics of Collective Evil," American Philosophical Association, April 2006“Inheriting Tolerance: A Defense of the Michael Walzer’s Value Theory,” Society of Indian Philosophy and Religion, Fall 2004
“Sartrean Ethics and Obligations to Others,” Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Annual Conference, Spring 2004
“Civic Republican Freedom and Democratic Participation,” Colloquium, University of Illinois, 2003
“Emotions in Bad Faith and Conversion,” North American Sartre Society, Spring 2002
“Sartre and Intellectual Commitment,” North American Sartre Society, 2000
“Margaret Gilbert’s Theory of Groups” Colloquium, University of Illinois, 2001
RESEARCH
Dr. Heter's main areas of research include: