Field Philosophy

Philosophical issues often lie at the heart of societal problems, yet it is rare for philosophers to be actively engaged in the search for solutions. Conventionally, philosophy prioritizes the written word and the seminar room while living at a remove from everyday life. In contrast, field philosophy, the approach invoked by the chapters in this book, emphasizes the immediacy of the spoken word and engages people in their daily activities to help them understand the philosophical elements of their everyday tasks.

This book offers field philosophy as a model for social engagement, advancing a new way for doing philosophy relevant to the needs of 21st century society. The chapters in the book describe the historical significance of field philosophy, its ethical commitments, and the theoretical warrant underlying its practice. Together, they advance the societal relevance of philosophy and the many ways it can interface with a diverse range of communities from engineers and scientists to policymakers and activists.

This book will be of interest to the academic philosophy community, policy makers and policy researchers, university administrators, and those interested in the theory and practice of interdisciplinarity. Versions of some of its chapters were originally published as a special issue of Social Epistemology.

Adam Briggle is Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Texas. He is the author of six books, including Thinking through Climate Change: A Philosophy of Energy in the Anthropocene (2021) and A Field Guide to Climate Change: Understanding the Problems (2024).

Robert Frodeman writes on environmental philosophy and public policy, the philosophy of technology, and the future of the university. He is the author and/or editor of 16 books, including Sustainable Knowledge (2013) and Transhumanism, Nature, and the Ends of Science (2019), and has lectured at universities worldwide.