Besl Family Chair for Ethics/Religion and Society
Dr. David Loy
David Loy began his term as the Besl Family Chair of Ethics/Religion & Society in the Spring of 2006. Dr. Loy did his undergraduate studies at Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and for a year studied analytic philosophy at the University of London’s King College. He did post-graduate work in Asian philosophy at the University of Hawaii, where he received a masters degree. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the National University of Singapore. He has taught at the National University of Singapore and Bunkyo University in Chigasaki, Japan.
He is the author of Nonduality: A Study in Comparative Philosophy (Yale University Press, 1988), Lack and Transcendence: The Problem of Death and Life in Psychotherapy, Existentialism, and Buddhism (Humanities Press, 1996), A Buddhist History of the West: Studies in Lack (State University of New York Press, 2002), The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory (Wisdom Publications, 2003), Money Sex War Karma: Notes for a Buddhist Revolution (Wisdom Publications, 2008), Awareness Bound and Unbound (forthcoming from State University of New York Press), and The World Is Made of Stories (forthcoming from Wisdom Publications). He is also the editor of Healing Deconstruction: Postmodern Thought in Buddhism and Christianity (Scholars Press, 1996) and coauthor with his wife, Linda Goodhew, of The Dharma of Dragons and Daemons: Buddhist Themes in Modern Fantasy (Wisdom Publications, 2004).
In addition to his academic work, David Loy is an authorized teacher in the Sanbo Kyodan lineage of Zen Buddhism where he completed formal koan training under Zen Master Yamada Koun Roshi.
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Further Recognition
In 1999 the John Templeton Foundation recognized the E/RS Program for leadership in the field of character development. The E/RS Program was chosen as one of 45 exemplary faculty and curriculum programs in the nation to be profiled in The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development. "Xavier University's strong commitment to character development and the strength of its program make it a model for colleges and universities nationwide," said Arthur J. Schwartz, Ed.D., director of character development programs at the John Templeton Foundation. He added, "The Templeton Guide identifies colleges that encourage students to understand the importance of personal and civic responsibility, which will help them succeed in college and beyond. Xavier's work in this area is most impressive."
Robert White, editorial page editor for The Cincinnati Post called the E/RS Lecture Series a valuable contribution to the life of the city.In his September 14, 1998 editorial on the lectures dealing with Justice and Race, he noted:"Xavier University will launch an exceptional lecture series this month, part of a welcome effort to engage students, faculty and the entire Greater Cincinnati community in discussions about the ethical issues that underly contemporary events....It's healthy to see the discussion broadened to take in the intellectual life of the city--and, further, to see participation by the region's leading religious leaders."