Associate Professor of Philosophy Tim Freeman receives tenure and promotion
Tim Freeman teaches, contributes to the field of philosophy through research and published papers, and melds his artistic talents with university service.
By Susan Enright.
Associate Professor of Philosophy Tim Freeman, advisor for the Hawai‘i Island Philosophy Club, recently received tenure and promotion at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. He teaches a wide variety of courses in philosophy, contributes to the field of philosophy through research and published papers, and melds his artistic talents with university service.
“I am very pleased to have earned a tenured position at UH Hilo after serving many years in an adjunct position,” says Freeman. “For me, tenure is not just a matter of attaining some job security, but more importantly, is a sign of recognition by my colleagues at UH Hilo for my contributions to fulfilling the mission of the university.”
Freeman says his most important contribution is in teaching his students.
“I endeavor to make a difference in the lives of my students by encouraging their life-long love of wisdom,” he says. “I think the courage to question one’s beliefs and live an examined life is crucial, not only for the health of a democratic society such as ours but also for individual growth and the cultivation of a meaningful life.”
Creating critical dialogue
Freeman’s scholarly research in published papers and conference presentations contributes to the fields of philosophy of art, environmental philosophy, and comparative philosophy, a field specializing in drawing on philosophies from disparate traditions for critical dialogue on contemporary issues.
Publications include the recent “Living on the Edge of a Volcano: Reflections on Nietzsche’s Philosophy and Albert Saijo’s Zensational Rhapsody” (Journal of World Philosophies, Summer 2023), and an older publication that Freeman says is recently getting a lot of attention from Europe, “The Shimmering Shining: The Promise of Art in Heidegger and Nietzsche” (Comparative & Continental Philosophy, May 2013).
In recent years, he has focused on the problems posed by climate change.
“I think it is becoming increasingly clear, due to catastrophic events like the fire that left Lahaina in ashes, that we simply must take the problem posed by climate change seriously,” he says. “I think perhaps deep ecologists are right in calling for profound changes in our civilization.”
He recently presented a paper on the Lahaina fires at a conference in Seattle. He plans on developing this paper further, presenting another version for an upcoming philosophy conference in May.
On the existential crisis of climate change, Freeman references the thoughts of Nainoa Thompson, the famed navigator of the voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa, who once explained that the problem with civilization is there is no sustainable sail plan. “One might say that our current dilemma is that we must find some way to get off the Titanic and onboard Hōkūleʻa,” says Freeman.
The artist philosopher
Associate Professor Freeman, an accomplished ceramicist based at Volcano Village on Hawai‘i Island, also emphasizes to his students the importance of art and a creative life.
“While one’s work is necessary to make a living and provide for a family, I think some form of artistic expression in the visual or performing arts can also be invaluable in cultivating a meaningful life,” he says. His volcano-inspired vessels have appeared in numerous juried and invited exhibitions on Hawai‘i Island, in Honolulu, and a small exhibition in Paris.
He has arranged two art exhibitions at the Volcano Art Center held in conjunction with conferences hosted by UH Hilo’s philosophy department. The exhibitions have included work from local artists, as well as faculty and student artists at UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College. An example of this kind of work is the 12th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Association for the Continental Tradition held at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in 2021. Freeman arranged that conference and put together the catalog for the art exhibition, in which he wrote the introduction. He also built and managed the conference website.
Freeman looks forward to working on several writing and artistic projects during his upcoming sabbatical. He is hoping to make significant progress on a book of philosophical reflection on the current environmental crisis. He also has several conference presentations to write. In 2024 there are two major world philosophy conferences he plans to participate in: the East-West Philosophers’ Conference at the East-West Center at Mānoa in May, and the World Conference of Philosophy in Rome in August.
In June of 2024, the UH Hilo philosophy department will be hosting for the first time the Comparative and Continental Philosophy Circle, a conference Freeman has attended in previous years in Honolulu, Iceland, England, the Netherlands, Estonia, and Colombia. This next conference will be held at Volcanoes National Park, and Freeman will again be collaborating in hosting the conference and arranging an art exhibition at the Volcano Art Center.
The philosophy conference and art exhibition will also involve participation from faculty and students in both the philosophy and art departments, and Freeman is also working on developing some sculptural work in clay for the exhibition.
Looking toward the future, Freeman remains dedicated to his students, the field of philosophy, and his love of creating.
“I hope to continue to inspire students to the love of wisdom, publish more philosophical reflections, and further develop my ceramic art,” he says.
Visit Tim Freeman’s website for more on his work.
Susan Enright is a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
