Dr. Catherine A. Deavel  portrait

Dr. Catherine A. Deavel

Associate Professor of Philosophy
Office
JRC 212
Phone
(651) 962-5372

Academic History

Ph.D., Philosophy, Fordham University, 2000
M.A., Philosophy, Fordham University, 1997
B.A., Philosophy and English, Seattle University 1995                       

Expertise

Ancient Greek Philosophy
History of Philosophy

Selected Publications

"Edith Stein and Fides et Ratio," in Reason and the Rule of Faith: Conversations in the Tradition with John Paul II, eds. Steven A. Long and Christopher J. Thompson (Lanham, Maryland: University of America Press, 2011): 177-196.

"Choosing Love: The Redemption of Severus Snape," co-authored with David Paul Deavel, in The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy: Hogwarts for Muggles, ed. Gregory Basham (Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2010): 39-49.

"Thomas Aquinas and Knowledge of Material Objects: Proper Objects of Cognition." Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association: Reason in Context, 83 (2010), pp. 273-282.

Clark's In the Deep Midwinter and Hansen's Atticus: Examples of a Two-fold Literature of Life," co-authored with David Paul Deavel, New Blackfriars 89 (November 2008): 657-73.

"Relational Evil, Relational Good: Thomas Aquinas and Process Thought," International Philosophical Quarterly, 2007 (peer-reviewed).

“Knowing When to Be Afraid: Rationality and Suspense,” co-authored with David Paul Deavel, invited chapter for Alfred Hitchcock and Philosophy, eds. Shawn Klein and David Baggett, Open Court Press (forthcoming, 2006).

“A Skewed Image: Harry Potter and the Nature of Evil,” co-authored with David Paul Deavel, invited chapter for If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts: Harry Potter and Philosophy, eds. Shawn Klein and David Baggett, Open Court Press, 2004.

Unity and Primary Substance for Aristotle,” Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, vol. 77, 2003, pp. 159-172 (peer-reviewed, approx. 30% acceptance rate).

Character, Choice, and Harry Potter,” co-authored with David P. Deavel, Logos: Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture, 5:4, Fall 2002. (peer-reviewed, approx. 40% acceptance rate).

Why the Church Needs Art,” Response to an excerpt from John Paul II’s Letter to Artists, in “From a Logical Point of View,” Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture, 5:3, Summer 2002.

"The Deceit of the Other: The Role of the Lie in Levinas' Totality and Infinity," Conference: A Journal of Philosophy and Theory 7.1 (1996) 85-92.

Selected Presentations

“Suffering and Evil,” Suffering and Hope conference, Center for Thomistic Studies, University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, November 10-13, 2005.

“Woman and the Recovery of Culture: Reflections on Familiaris Consortio,” The Work of John Paul II and the Vocation of the Professional Woman: Summer Symposium, University of St. Thomas, June 14-18, 2004.

“The Virtuous Soul: Defending Against Simmias’ Harmony Argument,” International Conference on Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Fordham University, New York, October 31-November 2, 2003.

“What is Catholic about Catholic Social Thought?” Catholic Social Thought Across the Curriculum Conference, University of St. Thomas, October 2003.

“Education toward Vocation,” Formation and Renewal conference, Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, October 2003.

“Immaterial Knowledge of the Material,” XXVIII International Patristic, Medieval, and Renaissance Conference, September 2003.  

“A Two-fold Strategy for a Literature of Life,” with David P. Deavel, From Death to Life: Agendas for Reform conference, Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, September 2002.

“The Divine Tragedy: Dante and Aristotle on Drama” for the 36th International Congress on Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo, Michigan, May 2001.  

Spring 2024 Courses

Spring 2024 Courses
Course - Section Title Days Time Location
PHIL 110 - 14 The Person and the Good - - - - - - - -

Days of Week:

- - - - - - -

Time of Day:

-

Location:

Course Registration Number:

21276 (View in ClassFinder)

Credit Hours:

4 Credit Hours

Instructor:

Catherine A. Deavel

Using philosophical methodology, and with substantial attention to Catholic intellectual tradition, this course enquires into the foundations of ethics, including how our conception of the human person affects our understanding of the moral life. It considers also the question of the rationality of belief in God and the difference (if any) God makes to our understanding of the person and the good. In addressing these topics, the course develops and applies basic logic skills, introduced as an essential part of philosophical method and an indispensable tool of critical thinking.

Schedule Details

Location Time Day(s)
PHIL 110 - 15 The Person and the Good - - - - - - - -

Days of Week:

- - - - - - -

Time of Day:

-

Location:

Course Registration Number:

21295 (View in ClassFinder)

Credit Hours:

4 Credit Hours

Instructor:

Catherine A. Deavel

Using philosophical methodology, and with substantial attention to Catholic intellectual tradition, this course enquires into the foundations of ethics, including how our conception of the human person affects our understanding of the moral life. It considers also the question of the rationality of belief in God and the difference (if any) God makes to our understanding of the person and the good. In addressing these topics, the course develops and applies basic logic skills, introduced as an essential part of philosophical method and an indispensable tool of critical thinking.

Schedule Details

Location Time Day(s)

Summer 2024 Courses

Summer 2024 Courses
Course - Section Title Days Time Location

Fall 2024 Courses

Fall 2024 Courses
Course - Section Title Days Time Location
PHIL 234 - 01 Love, Sex, & Friendship - - - - - - - - VSP

Days of Week:

- - - - - - -

Time of Day:

-

Location:

VSP

Course Registration Number:

42433 (View in ClassFinder)

Credit Hours:

4 Credit Hours

Instructor:

Catherine A. Deavel

This course examines the nature of human love, particularly within marriages and families. Possible topics include: romantic love, sex, dating, and marriage; true friends and friendships of selfish pleasure or advantage; love of family, strangers, and those one doesn’t like; the nature of love (is it a feeling? Is it an act of will?); reciprocity, permanence, and fidelity; love within families, especially spousal and parent/child bonds. Attention will be given to reflection on these topics from within both Catholic intellectual tradition and other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115.

Schedule Details

Location Time Day(s)
PHIL 234 - 02 Love, Sex, & Friendship - - - - - - - - VSP

Days of Week:

- - - - - - -

Time of Day:

-

Location:

VSP

Course Registration Number:

42434 (View in ClassFinder)

Credit Hours:

4 Credit Hours

Instructor:

Catherine A. Deavel

This course examines the nature of human love, particularly within marriages and families. Possible topics include: romantic love, sex, dating, and marriage; true friends and friendships of selfish pleasure or advantage; love of family, strangers, and those one doesn’t like; the nature of love (is it a feeling? Is it an act of will?); reciprocity, permanence, and fidelity; love within families, especially spousal and parent/child bonds. Attention will be given to reflection on these topics from within both Catholic intellectual tradition and other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115.

Schedule Details

Location Time Day(s)
PHIL 301 - 04 Sig.Wk: Love,Sex,& Friendship - - - - - - - - VSP

Days of Week:

- - - - - - -

Time of Day:

-

Location:

VSP

Course Registration Number:

42484 (View in ClassFinder)

Credit Hours:

4 Credit Hours

Instructor:

Catherine A. Deavel

This course examines the nature of human love, particularly within marriages and families. Possible topics include: romantic love, sex, dating, and marriage; true friends and friendships of selfish pleasure or advantage; love of family, strangers, and those one doesn’t like; the nature of love (is it a feeling? Is it an act of will?); reciprocity, permanence, and fidelity; love within families, especially spousal and parent/child bonds. Attention will be given to reflection on these topics from within both Catholic intellectual tradition and other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisites: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115; and at least 80 credits completed.

Schedule Details

Location Time Day(s)
PHIL 301 - 05 Sig.Wk: Love,Sex,&Friendship - - - - - - - - VSP

Days of Week:

- - - - - - -

Time of Day:

-

Location:

VSP

Course Registration Number:

42483 (View in ClassFinder)

Credit Hours:

4 Credit Hours

Instructor:

Catherine A. Deavel

This course examines the nature of human love, particularly within marriages and families. Possible topics include: romantic love, sex, dating, and marriage; true friends and friendships of selfish pleasure or advantage; love of family, strangers, and those one doesn’t like; the nature of love (is it a feeling? Is it an act of will?); reciprocity, permanence, and fidelity; love within families, especially spousal and parent/child bonds. Attention will be given to reflection on these topics from within both Catholic intellectual tradition and other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisites: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115; and at least 80 credits completed.

Schedule Details

Location Time Day(s)