Lars Enden CV

Areas of Specialization

Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Logic

Areas of Competence

Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, History of Philosophy: Ancient, Modern, & Analytic

Education

Ph.D. in Philosophy: University of Washington, 2016
M.A. in Philosophy: University of Washington, 2010
B.A. in Philosophy (with Minors in Classics and Religion) Western Washington University, 2003
A.A.S. (with Honors): Whatcom Community College, 2000

Professional Appointments

  • Visiting Assistant Professor: Kalamazoo College, 2011-present
  • Adjunct Instructor: Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 2017-2020
  • Online Instructor: Ashford University, 2014-2019
  • Adjunct Instructor: Governors State University, 2018
  • Adjunct Instructor: Grand Valley State University, 2016
  • Adjunct Instructor: Southwestern Michigan College, 2016
  • Adjunct Instructor: Lansing Community College, 2012
  • Adjunct Instructor: Jackson College, 2012
  • Adjunct Instructor: Bellevue College, 2010
  • Teaching Associate: University of Washington, 2007-2013

Publications

2013. “Quine, W. V. O.” The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Cultural and Intellectual History. Oxford University Press.

Department, University, and Community Service

  • Set Theory Reading Group Leader: Kalamazoo College, 2020
  • Metaphysics Club Guest Speaker: Loy Norrix High School, 2017-2018
  • Logic Society Guest Speaker: Kalamazoo College, 2013
  • Writing Committee Member: Dept. of Philosophy (Univ. of Washington) 2008-2010
  • Hypatia Anniversary Conference: Dept. of Philosophy (Univ. of Washington) 2007-2008
  • Curriculum Committee Member: Dept. of Philosophy (Univ. of Washington) 2006-2007
  • Graduate Mentor: Dept. of Philosophy (Univ. of Washington) 2006-2007
  • Graduate Student Senator: Dept. of Philosophy (Univ. of Washington) 2004-2006

Teaching Record (ordered by number of times taught)

  • Informal Logic (x21) [5-week online course]
    • Ashford University (starting months listed)
      • Dec`19, Oct`19, Aug`19, Jul`19, Apr`18, Feb`18, Dec`17, Nov`17, Aug`17, Jul`17, May`17, Feb`17, Jun`16, Mar`16, Feb`16, Dec`15, Sep`15, Aug`15, Jun`15, May`15, Apr`15
  • Ethics (x16)
    • Kalamazoo Valley Community College
      • Win`20, Fall`19 (x2), Win`19, Fall`18, Win`18 (x2), Fall`17 (x2)
    • Kalamazoo College
      • Fall`18
    • Grand Valley State University
      • Fall’ 16 (x3)
    • Lansing Community College
      • Fall’ 12, Spr’ 12
    • Jackson College
      • Sp’ 12
  • Logic & Reasoning (x15)
    • Kalamazoo College
      • Spr`20, Win`19, Win`18, Spr`18, Spr`17, Spr`16, Fall`15, Fall`13, Fall`12, Spr`12, Fall`11
    • Lansing Community College
      • Sum ’12
    • University of Washington
      • Spr`09, Fall`07, Sum`07 Aug`18
  • Ethics and Moral Reasoning (x13) [5-week online course]
    • Ashford University (starting months listed)
      • Jan`18, Sep`17, Apr`17, Mar`17, Mar`15, Jan`15, Dec`14, Oct`14, Sep`14, Aug`14, Jun`14, Apr`14
  • Critical Thinking (x5)
    • Kalamazoo Valley Community College
      • Win`20, Fall`19
    • Bellevue College
      • Sum ’10
    • University of Washington
      • Win`10, Spr`08
  • Philosophy of Science (x4)
    • Kalamazoo College
      • Win`20, Win`19, Win`17, Fall`12
  • Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Philosophy (x3)
    • Kalamazoo College
      • Fall`19, Fall`18, Fall`17
  • Philosophy of Religion (x2)
    • Kalamazoo College
      • Sp ’20
    • University of Washington
      • Sum`09, Win`20
  • Comparative Religion (x2)
    • Kalamazoo Valley Community College
      • Fall`16, Sum`18
    • Southwestern Michigan College
      • Win`13, Sum`13
  • Plato’s Republic (x2)
    • Governors State University (online)
      • Fall`10, Sum`10
    • University of Washington
      • Sum`08
  • Modern Philosophy (x2)
    • University of Washington
      • Spr ’19
  • Introduction to Philosophy (x2)
    • University of Washington
      • Spring ’19
  • Analytic Philosophy & Science (x1)
    • Kalamazoo College
      • Win ’18
  • Metaphysics & Mind (x1)
    • Kalamazoo College
      • Spr ’13
  • Intro to Knowledge & Reality (x1)
    • Kalamazoo College
      • Fall ’09
  • Epistemology (x1)
    • University of Washington
      • Spr ’13
  • Special Topics: Modality (x1)
    • University of Washington
      • Fall ’09

Professional Organizations

  • American Philosophical Association
  • American Association of Philosophy Teachers
  • Metaphysical Society of America
  • The Philosophy of Science Association

Professional Presentations (* denotes a peer-reviewed conference)

  • Title: Why We Should Not Believe in Possible Worlds
    • Faculty Colloquium, Grand Valley State University, November 2016
  • Title: Defeating Extreme Modal Skepticism
    • *APA Main Program, Central Meeting (St. Louis, MO, February 2015
  • Title: Toward Reconciling the Metaphysics and Epistemology of Modality
    • *Graduate Conference, Western Michigan University, December 2013
    • *Graduate Conference, University of Miami, January 210
    • *Graduate Conference, Princeton University, March 2009
    • Graduate Colloquium, University of Washington, February 2009

Academic Awards and Honors

  • Top 10% Student Evaluations, University of Washington, 2008 & 2007
  • Departmental Teaching Award, University of Washington, 2007
  • Top Scholar Research Assistantship, University of Washington, 2004-2005

Dissertation Information

“Modal Truth: Reconciling the Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Semantics of the Necessary and the Possible.”  Committee: Arthur Fine (chair), Ann Baker, Cass Weller

The integration challenge for modality states that metaphysical theories of modality tend to fail on one of the following two counts: either they render the meanings of modal sentences mysterious, or they render modal knowledge mysterious. I argue that there are specific semantic and epistemic constraints on metaphysical theory implied by the integration challenge and that a plausible metaphysical theory of modality must satisfy both of them. I further argue that no popular metaphysical theory of modality manages to satisfy both of the constraints simultaneously. Therefore, a new theory is needed. I supply the needed theory and show that it satisfies the constraints of the integration challenge. The overall result is an argument for a new and unique metaphysical theory of modality that I call constructionism.

Professional References

Confidential letters of recommendation are available by request from the following individuals:

Arthur Fine, Emeritus Prof. of Philosophy, University of Washington

Cass Weller, Associate Prof. of Philosophy, University of Washington

Christopher Latiolais, Associate Prof. of Philosophy, Department Chair, Kalamazoo College

Michael Rosenthal, Professor of Philosophy, University of Washington

Ann Baker, Emerita Lect. of Philosophy, University of Washington