UA Philosophy Professor to Present Edwards Lecture at Emory University

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Stuart Rachels, associate professor of philosophy at The University of Alabama, will give the 2007 Edwards Lecture at Emory University on Thursday, Oct. 25 discussing “One Person Doesn’t Make a Difference.”

Rachels, who specializes in ethical theory, grew up in Birmingham and attended Emory University, the University of Oxford and Syracuse University

Rachels is carrying on a family tradition in presenting the Edwards Lecture at Emory. “As an undergraduate student at Emory University (1987-1991) I attended at least three of the Edwards Lectures. Once, the lecture was given by my father, James Rachels (1941-2003), who was also a philosopher,” the UA associate professor said.

“Dr. Rachels is a relatively young ethical theorist who is making a name for himself, so the invitation to give the Edwards Lecture is a deserved honor that comes as no surprise,” noted Dr. H. Scott Hestevold, professor and chair of the UA department of philosophy.

Rachels’ talk at Emory will focus on philosophical issues relating to apathy and making a difference. “There is an argument for apathy which comes up in many contexts to the effect that I don’t have to participate in a good joint venture because my participation won’t have any important bearing on the outcome — after all, one person doesn’t make a difference. If we accept this argument, then we won’t think there is a duty to be a vegetarian … to avoid buying products from China produced by slave labor … to vote … to limit our carbon use, etc.,” he explains.

Rachels’ work has been published in “Nous,” “Philosophical Studies,” “Mind,” the “Australasian Journal of Philosophy,” “Bioethics,” “Ratio,” “The Journal of Ethics,” and “Philosophical Perspectives.”

He has continued his father’s work by revising “The Elements of Moral Philosophy” and “The Right Thing to Do” written by James Rachels. He also edited a second book of his father’s essays, “The Legacy of Socrates and Other Essays in Moral Philosophy.”

Rachels’ accomplishments also include holding the title of youngest chess master in U.S. history at the age of 11 years-10 months (a record that held from 1981 until it was broken in 1994), as well as a tie for first place in the 1989 U.S. Chess Championship.