Don Beith

I approach philosophy as a search for meaning, particularly through the study of how our lives become meaningful in organic development, habit formation, cultural and institutional life, and our ecological embeddedness in nature. You can read about this in The Birth of Sense, my recent book about the philosophy of Maurice Merleau-Ponty. I am currently working at the intersection of environmental philosophy, medical ethics, the philosophy of technology and existentialism. Questions of how our medical and environmental senses of “health” should involve deeper reflections on our existential and spiritual well-being animate my current research.

Teaching philosophy inspires me. Before coming to Maine, I taught at Algoma University, Bishop’s University, McGill University and the University of British Columbia. I am also passionate about hiking, cycling, chess, taekwondo, live music and exploring new places.

Education:

Ph.D. McGill University
Research Fellow, Phenomenology Research Center

B.A. University of Guelph

You can read about my publications over on my academia webpage.