Charles Butterworth
Encyclopedia
Charles Butterworth, Ph.D. (born 1938) is a noted philosopher of the Straussian school
and currently a professor of political philosophy
at the University of Maryland, College Park
.
Butterworth is also a translator and editor of numerous books about the philosophers Rousseau, Alfarabi, and Averroes
.
Butterworth received his B.A. from Michigan State University
. He trained in political philosophy and Arabic as well as Islamic civilization at the University of Chicago
, where he received an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science
. He has also studied at the University of Ayn Shams in Egypt
, the University of Bordeaux
, and the University of Nancy in France
(receiving a doctorate in philosophy from the latter).
Before joining the faculty of the University of Maryland, Dr. Butterworth taught at the University of Chicago and Federal City College (now the University of the District of Columbia
). He has also taught at St. John's College, Georgetown University
, and Harvard University
, in addition to Marmara University
, the University of Bordeaux, the University of Grenoble
, the University of Paris I (Sorbonne
), the University of Paris X (Nanterre
), and the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes
.`
For several years he was the Principal Investigator for the Smithsonian-sponsored Project in Medieval Islamic Logic in Cairo
. He has also been the Principal Investigator for a project on medieval Islamic logic sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and has organized a two-week Salzburg seminar on the Commonality of Cultural Traditions: Judaism
, Christianity
, and Islam
.
In 1992–1993, he was a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
in Washington, D.C.
during which time he pursued a project on the relationship between revelation and political philosophy. From October 1999 until March 2000, Butterworth held a Fulbright Senior Scholar Research and Lecturing Award at the Friedrich-Alexander Universität in Erlangen
, Germany
, and from May through August 2000 a German Academic Exchange Professorship at the same university. Also, during May and June 2000, he gave a series of lectures at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris
entitled "Des origines de la philosophie politique en Islam."
At the University of Maryland, he has been recognized as a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher (1990–91) and he received an award in Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship (2001–02) granted by the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
.
Leo Strauss
Leo Strauss was a political philosopher and classicist who specialized in classical political philosophy. He was born in Germany to Jewish parents and later emigrated to the United States...
and currently a professor of political philosophy
Political philosophy
Political philosophy is the study of such topics as liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why they are needed, what, if anything, makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it...
at the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
.
Butterworth is also a translator and editor of numerous books about the philosophers Rousseau, Alfarabi, and Averroes
Averroes
' , better known just as Ibn Rushd , and in European literature as Averroes , was a Muslim polymath; a master of Aristotelian philosophy, Islamic philosophy, Islamic theology, Maliki law and jurisprudence, logic, psychology, politics, Arabic music theory, and the sciences of medicine, astronomy,...
.
Butterworth received his B.A. from Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
. He trained in political philosophy and Arabic as well as Islamic civilization at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, where he received an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. He has also studied at the University of Ayn Shams in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, the University of Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux is an association of higher education institutions in and around Bordeaux, France. Its current incarnation was established 21 March 2007. The group is the largest system of higher education schools in southwestern France. It is part of the Academy of Bordeaux.There are seven...
, and the University of Nancy in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(receiving a doctorate in philosophy from the latter).
Before joining the faculty of the University of Maryland, Dr. Butterworth taught at the University of Chicago and Federal City College (now the University of the District of Columbia
University of the District of Columbia
The University of the District of Columbia is a historically black, public university located in Washington, D.C. UDC is one of only a few urban land-grant universities in the country and a member of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
). He has also taught at St. John's College, Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, in addition to Marmara University
Marmara University
Marmara University is a public university in Turkey. Situated in Istanbul, Marmara University has succeeded in becoming the second largest university in the whole country...
, the University of Bordeaux, the University of Grenoble
University of Grenoble
University of Grenoble or Grenoble University was a university in Grenoble, France until 1970, when it was split into several different institutions:...
, the University of Paris I (Sorbonne
University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne
Pantheon-Sorbonne University or Paris 1 is a university in Paris, France. With eight hundred years of excellence to build on, the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, a descendant of the Sorbonne and the Faculty of Law and Economics of Paris, is one of the largest universities in France today...
), the University of Paris X (Nanterre
University of Paris X: Nanterre
Paris West University Nanterre La Défense formerly called Paris X Nanterre is a French university in the Academy of Versailles. It is one of the 13 successor universities of the University of Paris. It is located in the western suburb of Nanterre, near La Défense, the business district of Paris...
), and the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes
École pratique des hautes études
The École pratique des hautes études is a Grand Établissement in Paris, France. It is counted among France's most prestigious research and higher education institutions....
.`
For several years he was the Principal Investigator for the Smithsonian-sponsored Project in Medieval Islamic Logic in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
. He has also been the Principal Investigator for a project on medieval Islamic logic sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and has organized a two-week Salzburg seminar on the Commonality of Cultural Traditions: Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, and Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
.
In 1992–1993, he was a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars , located in Washington, D.C., is a United States Presidential Memorial that was established as part of the Smithsonian Institution by an act of Congress in 1968...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
during which time he pursued a project on the relationship between revelation and political philosophy. From October 1999 until March 2000, Butterworth held a Fulbright Senior Scholar Research and Lecturing Award at the Friedrich-Alexander Universität in Erlangen
Erlangen
Erlangen is a Middle Franconian city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located at the confluence of the river Regnitz and its large tributary, the Untere Schwabach.Erlangen has more than 100,000 inhabitants....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and from May through August 2000 a German Academic Exchange Professorship at the same university. Also, during May and June 2000, he gave a series of lectures at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
entitled "Des origines de la philosophie politique en Islam."
At the University of Maryland, he has been recognized as a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher (1990–91) and he received an award in Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship (2001–02) granted by the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
University of Maryland College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
The University of Maryland College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is one of the 13 schools and colleges at the University of Maryland, College Park. With nine departments, it is the largest college at the university, with three in ten University of Maryland undergraduates receiving their degree...
.