ABOUT ME

I am Professor of Philosophy and Director of the program in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Minnesota State University, Mankato. I regularly teach courses in social and political philosophy, business ethics, philosophy of economics, and the philosophy of race, class, and gender.

Born and raised in Minnesota, I live in Mankato with my brilliant wife Kirsti Cole, who is Professor of English at MSU and the author of numerous articles and books. We have two kids: the thoughtful and precocious Oliver (who, at 12 years old, already reads more than I do) and his adorable baby brother Beckett (who, at only 2 years old, does not). 

In the increasingly rare times when I am neither parenting nor working, my favorite activities include cooking, watching old movies (from It Happended One Night to What's Up Doc?), listening to mid-century jazz, and root, root, rooting for the hometown Minnesota Twins. My happy place is sitting in a cafe and writing, reading, or chatting with Kirsti (with cooking for my family a close second).

For more on my recent monograph Just Work for All: The American Dream in the 21st Century, my other research projects, or the Pandemic Ethics podcast, press the relevant button below.

Just Work for All

A central focus of my scholarship is the ways in which winner-takes-all trends in American political economy undermine the welfare, status, and security of (most) workers. Click below to the publisher page for my recent book, Just Work for All: The American Dream in the 21st Century.

Pandemic Ethics

Press the button below for more information on the Pandemic Ethics podcast, a series of discussions with world-recognized experts on the ethical issues raised by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Research

More information on my work in moral and political philosophy, ethics and public policy, political economy, and the philosophy of economics.