Matthew Pianalto

• Professor

Bio  •  Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information

• Department: Philosophy & Religion
• Office: Keith 342
• Mailing Address: Keith 323
• Email: Matthew.Pianalto@eku.edu
• Phone: 622-2979
• Web Page: Academia.edu Page

Bio

I was born and raised in Tontitown, Arkansas. I earned three degrees from the University of Arkansas: B.A. English (Creative Writing Emphasis), magna cum laude, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy. I finally left my home state to teach for a year as a Temporary Visiting Assistant Professor at Truman State University (in Missouri) and came to EKU in August 2009.

I teach a variety of courses in philosophy and in the Honors Program, as well as for the Animal Studies major (Animal Ethics) and the Environmental Sustainability and Stewardship minor (Environmental Ethics).

I have published articles on many topics in ethics, including papers on patience, courage, integrity, and tolerance, on animal and environmental ethics, and on the philosophers Ludwig Wittgenstein and Friedrich Nietzsche. My first book, On Patience, was published by Lexington Books in 2016, and is now available in paperback, too.

My current research and writing focuses on the myth of Sisyphus and the notions of meaning in life and the meaning of life. I am also co-editing an interdisciplinary collection of new essays on patience with the psychologist Sarah Schnitker (Baylor University).

Courses