JUSTIN P. MCBRAYER
I'M
Justin McBrayer
PHILOSOPHER
TEACHER
SPEAKER
WRITER
LATEST INTERVIEW
COUNTERPOINT with Amanda Vanstone
"By allowing for diverse viewpoints, we can learn things about ourselves and the world that would otherwise slip under our radar."
Counterpoint examines a range of social, economic and cultural issues in Australian life — challenging some widely held assumptions, and introducing some new and some seldom-heard commentators.
I'm a philosopher. I work on important human questions that can't be answered by the methods of science. I teach at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Much of my research focuses on helping ordinary individuals and political bodies to think consistently and carefully about the problems they encounter, the values they embrace, and the evidence they've gathered.
SPECIALIZATIONS & COMPETENCIES
History of Philosophy
Metaphysics
Logic
Ethics (Applied and Meta)
Philosophy of Religion
Epistemology
NEW BOOK!
BEYOND FAKE NEWS
Finding the TRUTH in a world of misinformation
Why do we face a fake news problem, and what is the solution? Part of the explanation is improved technology along with mental blindspots. But another part of the story is the fact that others have incentives to deceive us and we ourselves often lack incentives to get to the truth when it comes to topics like politics, religion, and alternative health. But we can do better, both as individuals and as a society. I show how to do both. As consumers of the news, we can trust ourselves on some topics and learn how to identify the experts for others. As a society, there's a lot we can do to clean up our informational environment and limit the damage of fake news.
leadership
COLLEGE SERVICE
&
Good leadership requires courage, clear-thinking, and fairness. This is especially true in the academy where there are multiple stakeholders, each with their own priorities, and a commitment to shared governance. It turns out that Plato was right: training in philosophy is training for good leadership! I bring the skills I have honed as a philosopher to bear on the problems facing the communities I lead. That includes the School of Arts & Sciences at Fort Lewis College and the Society of Christian Philosophers.
2020 - present
ASSOCIATE DEAN
Fort Lewis College
2021 - present
WRITING FELLOW
Heterodox Academy
2017 - present
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Society of Christian Philosophers
2017 - 2020
CHAIR
Department of Philosophy & Political Science
Fort Lewis College
2016 - 2017
PROJECT LEADER
Explaining Religion Project
John Templeton Foundation
2014 - 2017
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Society of Christian Philosophers
2014 - 2016
BOARD MEMBER
Board of Trustees
Fort Lewis College
2012 - 2016
SENATOR
Faculty Senate
Fort Lewis College
2012 - 2015
MEMBER
Vestry
Saint Mark's Episcopal Church
2009 - 2015
DIRECTOR
Religious Studies Program
Fort Lewis College
2012 - 2014
CO-CHAIR
Academic Standards Committee
Fort Lewis College
2009 - 2014
FACULTY-IN-RESIDENCE
Animas Hall
Fort Lewis College
2011
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Organizational Strategic Planning Committee
Fort Lewis College
2009 - 2011
HONORS COUNCIL
Fort Lewis College
CONTACT
Reach out:
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With ideas for collaboration
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With questions and comments about my work
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With speaking or workshop requests