David L. Paulsen
Encyclopedia
David Lamont Paulsen is a professor of philosophy at Brigham Young University
(BYU). From 1994 to 1998 he held the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding at BYU.
in English in 1957, a bachelors degree from BYU in Political Science in 1961 (in which he was BYU's valedictorian), a JD
from the University of Chicago Law School
in 1964, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Michigan
in 1975, with emphasis in the philosophy of religion.
Paulsen is married to Audrey Lucille Leer and has six children and eleven grandchildren.
and the philosophy of religion
. In addition to holding the Richard L. Evans Chair, he has also been an Eliza R. Snow Fellow at BYU. Many of his students have gone on to be important figures in the academic study of Mormonism, including prominently Blake Ostler
.
Paulsen is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), in which he has served as a Bishop and counselor in a stake presidency.
Paulsen has given several lectures related to Mormon Studies, including the 2006 Eugene England Memorial Lecture at Utah Valley University and presentations at conferences of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR). He presented on the "The Divine Feminine" at the 2009 BYU Women's Research Institute Colloquia. Paulsen was also the coordinator for the Society of Christian Philosophers
inaugural inter-mountain meeting at BYU in 1992.
, The Harvard Theological Review, Faith and Philosophy
and Speculative Philosophy. Paulsen also wrote the forward to The Mormon Doctrine of Deity: The Roberts-Van Der Donckt Discussion Paulsen has also written several articles for both the FARMS Review and BYU Studies
.
Paulsen's work was used in Jeffrey R. Holland
's General Conference
sermon explaining that the Mormon belief that Jesus
and God
have physical bodies does not exclude Mormons from being Christians.
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU). From 1994 to 1998 he held the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding at BYU.
Biography
Paulsen received an associates degree from Snow CollegeSnow College
Snow College is a rural, two-year state college located in Ephraim, Utah, U.S. It offers certificates and associate degrees in a number of areas...
in English in 1957, a bachelors degree from BYU in Political Science in 1961 (in which he was BYU's valedictorian), a JD
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Chicago Law School
University of Chicago Law School
The University of Chicago Law School was founded in 1902 as the graduate school of law at the University of Chicago and is among the most prestigious and selective law schools in the world. The U.S. News & World Report currently ranks it fifth among U.S...
in 1964, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1975, with emphasis in the philosophy of religion.
Paulsen is married to Audrey Lucille Leer and has six children and eleven grandchildren.
Career
Paulsen joined the philosophy department at BYU around 1972 and specializes in Kierkegaard, William JamesWilliam James
William James was a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher who was trained as a physician. He wrote influential books on the young science of psychology, educational psychology, psychology of religious experience and mysticism, and on the philosophy of pragmatism...
and the philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious language and texts, and the relationship of religion and science...
. In addition to holding the Richard L. Evans Chair, he has also been an Eliza R. Snow Fellow at BYU. Many of his students have gone on to be important figures in the academic study of Mormonism, including prominently Blake Ostler
Blake Ostler
Blake Thomas Ostler is an American theologian and writer on the topic of Mormon theology, philosophy and thought.- Background :Ostler was born in 1957 in Murray, Utah. Ostler received his B.A. in philosophy and B.S. in psychobiology in 1981 from Brigham Young University . He received his J.D. as...
.
Paulsen is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), in which he has served as a Bishop and counselor in a stake presidency.
Paulsen has given several lectures related to Mormon Studies, including the 2006 Eugene England Memorial Lecture at Utah Valley University and presentations at conferences of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR). He presented on the "The Divine Feminine" at the 2009 BYU Women's Research Institute Colloquia. Paulsen was also the coordinator for the Society of Christian Philosophers
Society of Christian Philosophers
The Society of Christian Philosophers is a society associated with the American Philosophical Association. The society was founded in 1978. Past Presidents include William Alston, Robert Merrihew Adams, Alvin Plantinga, Marilyn McCord Adams, George I. Mavrodes, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Eleonore...
inaugural inter-mountain meeting at BYU in 1992.
Writings
Paulsen edited Mormonism in Dialogue with Contemporary Christian Theologies along with Donald W. Musser. Paulsen has contributed articles to The International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion, AnalysisAnalysis (journal)
Analysis is a peer-reviewed academic journal of philosophy established in 1933 that is published quarterly by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Analysis Trust. Prior to January 2009, the journal was published by Blackwell Publishing. Electronic access to this journal is available via JSTOR ,...
, The Harvard Theological Review, Faith and Philosophy
Faith and Philosophy
Faith and Philosophy is a peer-reviewed academic journal sponsored by the Society for Christian Philosophers. Since 1984 it has published over 1,200 articles and reviews focused on the philosophical examination of religion and Christian faith. The journal is edited by Thomas Flint, and receives...
and Speculative Philosophy. Paulsen also wrote the forward to The Mormon Doctrine of Deity: The Roberts-Van Der Donckt Discussion Paulsen has also written several articles for both the FARMS Review and BYU Studies
BYU Studies
BYU Studies is a multidisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing articles on a broad array of topics related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
.
Paulsen's work was used in Jeffrey R. Holland
Jeffrey R. Holland
Jeffrey Roy Holland is an American educator and religious leader. He served as the ninth President of Brigham Young University and is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Holland is accepted by...
's General Conference
General Conference
In the United Nations system of specialized agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency or UNESCO, General Conferences are the recurring meetings of Member States. General Conference sessions are usually held yearly or biennially at the headquarters of the Agency...
sermon explaining that the Mormon belief that Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
and God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
have physical bodies does not exclude Mormons from being Christians.
Sources
- Paulsen's vita
- Meridian Magazine listing of speakers at an upcoming FAIR conference
- Author bio from FARMS
- BYU Studies listing of articles by Paulsen