Holmes Rolston III
Encyclopedia
Holmes Rolston III is University Distinguished Professor of philosophy at Colorado State University
. He is best known for his contributions to environmental ethics
and science and religion. Among other honors, Rolston won the 2003 Templeton Prize
, awarded by Prince Philip in Buckingham Palace
. He gave the Gifford Lectures
, University of Edinburgh
, 1997-1998.
The Darwinian model is used to define the main thematic concepts in Rolston's philosophy and, in greater depth, the general trend of his thinking.
(1953) and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary (1956). He was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
also in 1956. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh
in 1958; his advisor was Thomas F. Torrance. He earned an M.A. in the philosophy of science
from the University of Pittsburgh in 1968, beginning his career later that year as an assistant professor of philosophy at Colorado State University
and becoming a full professor in 1976. He became a University Distinguished Professor in 1992. He gave the Gifford Lectures, University of Edinburgh, 1998-1999. He was named Templeton Prize laureate in 2003. He has lectured by invitation on all seven continents.
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
. He is best known for his contributions to environmental ethics
Environmental ethics
Environmental ethics is the part of environmental philosophy which considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics from solely including humans to including the non-human world...
and science and religion. Among other honors, Rolston won the 2003 Templeton Prize
Templeton Prize
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
, awarded by Prince Philip in Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
. He gave the Gifford Lectures
Gifford Lectures
The Gifford Lectures were established by the will of Adam Lord Gifford . They were established to "promote and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of the term — in other words, the knowledge of God." The term natural theology as used by Gifford means theology supported...
, University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, 1997-1998.
The Darwinian model is used to define the main thematic concepts in Rolston's philosophy and, in greater depth, the general trend of his thinking.
Quotes
Life
His grandfather and father Holmes Rolston I, II were Presbyterian ministers. Rolston III was married on June 1, 1956 to Jane Irving Wilson, with whom he has a daughter and son. He holds a B.S. in physics and mathematics from Davidson CollegeDavidson College
Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. The college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report magazine, although it has recently dropped to 11th in U.S. News...
(1953) and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary (1956). He was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
also in 1956. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1958; his advisor was Thomas F. Torrance. He earned an M.A. in the philosophy of science
Philosophy of science
The philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods and implications of science. It is also concerned with the use and merit of science and sometimes overlaps metaphysics and epistemology by exploring whether scientific results are actually a study of truth...
from the University of Pittsburgh in 1968, beginning his career later that year as an assistant professor of philosophy at Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
and becoming a full professor in 1976. He became a University Distinguished Professor in 1992. He gave the Gifford Lectures, University of Edinburgh, 1998-1999. He was named Templeton Prize laureate in 2003. He has lectured by invitation on all seven continents.
See also
- American philosophyAmerican philosophyAmerican philosophy is the philosophical activity or output of Americans, both within the United States and abroad. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy notes that while American philosophy lacks a "core of defining features, American Philosophy can nevertheless be seen as both reflecting and...
- List of science and religion scholars
- List of American philosophers
Further reading
- Saving Creation: Nature and Faith in the Life of Holmes Rolston, III, Christopher J. Preston (San Antonio: Trinity University Press, 2009).
- Nature, Value, Duty: Life on Earth with Holmes Rolston, III, Christopher J. Preston and Wayne Ouderkirk, eds. (Berlin: Springer, 2007)
- "Holmes Rolston, III" in Fifty Key Thinkers on the Environment, Joy A. Palmer, ed. (London: Routledge, 2001), pages 260-268.
- "Rolston, Holmes," in Encyclopædia Britannica, 2004 Book of the Year, pages 92–93.
- Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 2008. Rolston/ Holmes Rolston. 2008.
- Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy (Detroit: Macmillan Reference, Gale, 2009), vol. 2, pp. 211–212, "Rolston, Holmes, III," by Philip Cafaro.
- "Rolston, Holmes," in Anne Becher, ed. American Environmental Leaders: From Colonial Times to the Present (Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, November 2000), vol II, L-Z, pages 691-692; Millerton, NY: Grey House Publishing, 2008), vol. II, L-Z, pp. 695–697.
- "A Philosopher Gone Wild," in David D. Karnos and Robert G. Shoemaker, eds., Falling in Love with Wisdom: American Philosophers Talk About Their Calling (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993).
- "Rolston, Holmes (1932- )" in Environmental Encyclopedia, 1st, 2nd, 3rd editions. Marci Bortman et al., eds. (Detroit: Thomson/Gale, 2003).
- "Natural Thinker," Cover story by Steve Lipscher, Denver Post Empire Magazine, June 8, 1997, cover and pages 12–15, 22.
- "Rolston, III, Holmes," Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature, vol. 2, pp. 1400–1401 (London and New York: Thoemmes Continuum Publishers, 2005)
- Who's Who in America, current and earlier editions.
- Who's Who in the World, current and earlier editions.
- Who's Who in Science and Engineering, current and earlier editions.