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Dr. Robert O'Connor
Associate Professor
On faculty since 1989

Phone: 630-752-5897
Fax: 630-752-7777
Email: Robert.Oconnor@wheaton.edu
Education

Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Notre Dame, 1989.
Dissertation: Abductive Inference to Theological Realism Director: Philip Quinn

M. A., Humanities, Western Kentucky University, 1983.
Thesis: "The Relation of Theory to Evidence in the Epistemology of W. V. Quine"

B. A., Philosophy/Biblical Studies, Wheaton College, IL, 1979.

 
Professional and Personal Interests
My personal moments are largely, and happily, consumed by the various activities of my four children, from soccer, gymnastics and track, to band, orchestra and jazz ensemble. I remain very active with my church; I love to pique adult interests in deep issues of the faith, especially those requiring a modicum of philosophical analysis. As for personal time, I occasionally get a chance to play a round of golf with my father-in-law, and recently fulfilled a life-long dream by purchasing an old, beat-up, 16' Hobie Cat. That would be me, flying the hull of my Hobie off the shore of Lake Michigan.

Courses Taught

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Science and Christian Belief
  • Postmodernism
  • Pragmatism
  • Contemporary Metaphysics
  • Philosophy of Language
  • Contemporary Analytic Philosophy
  • Contemporary American Philosophy
  • Pragmatism
  • Nature of Persons
  • Introduction to the Cognitive and Neurosciences (team taught)
  • Introduction to Logic
  • Symbolic Logic
  • Ethics, Law, and Society/Contemporary Moral Problems
  • Issues and Worldviews in Philosophy
  • Freshman Experience
  • Independent Studies/Honors Theses (numerous)

Membership in Professional Societies

  • American Philosophical Association
  • Philosophy of Science Association
  • Society of Christian Philosophers

Research

My research interests lie at the intersection of the sciences with religious belief.
In particular, I'm struck by the extent to which insights into the methods of
scientific research shed light on the epistemic status of our religious beliefs. In
particular, i find that the types of arguments on offer for scientific realism
provide a very useful template for a form of theological realism. This project
requires comparing the relevant criteria of assessment in each domain, as well as
the availability of evidence for each.

The discussion of the relation between science and religion has also lead me to
consider the specific claims of the "intelligent design" argument. I have been a
long-time "friendly critic" of intelligent design and look to contribute further
clarity to that discussion.

Papers Published and/or Presented (selected)

    Publications
  • E. David Cook and Robert C. O'Connor, "What Are the Philosophical Implications of Christianity for the Natural Sciences?" in Not Just Science: Questions Where Christian Faith and Natural Science Intersect (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005): 48-60.
  • "The Design Inference: Old Wine in New Wineskins," in Neil Manson (ed.) God and Design (London and New York: Routledge , 2003): 66-87.
  • "The Natural Sciences at Wheaton College: Understanding Their Significance in Light of Our Christian Educational Mission," joint-authorship, principal author, (Wheaton, IL: Wheaton College, 2003).
  • "Criteria of Success in Science and Theology," Science and Christian Belief, 10.1 (April, 1998): 21-40.
  • "Science on Trial: Exploring the Rationality of Methodological Naturalism," Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, The Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, 49.1 (March, 1997): 15-30.
  • "Accommodating Religious Belief," in Timothy Phillips, et. al. (eds.) Proceedings of Wheaton Theology Conference, Vol. II: Relationship Between Theology and Science (1996).
  • "Theological Realism, Reference and Truth," in Mark Shale (ed.) Proceedings of The Second Interdisciplinary Conference on Science and Religion (Frankfort, KY: 1991).

    Campus Presentations
  • Philosophy Major Chapel Address, "Life is Beautiful," October 2003.
  • Presentations, Faculty Faith and Learning Seminar, "The Philosophy of Science and the Integration of Faith with Learning" (2000 - 2002)
  • Presentation, Wheaton College Board of Visitors, Intelligent Design, March 2002.
  • Panelist, Wheaton College Science Symposium, "Evolution and Faith," March 2001.
  • Interdisciplinary Studies Major Chapel Address, untitled, March 2001 & 2002.
  • "Transformed Epistemology: Worship as the Key to Cognitive Renewal," Faculty Colloquium, Wheaton College, October 1997.
  • Alumni Association Faculty Lecture Series, "The Emergence of Postmodernism," October 1996. "Science on Trial," Faculty Colloquium, Wheaton College, March 1996.
  • Panel Discussion, Science Division Conference, "The Gaia Hypothesis," October 1995.
  • Panel Discussion, Science Division Conference with Don Paige, "Cosmology and God," October 1994
  • Panel Discussion, "Choosing a Course of Study," Parent/Student Orientation, October 1993. "Witnessing to the Cultural Relativist," Youth Hostels Ministry, March 1993-96.
  • "Serving with our Minds," College Chapel Address, Faculty Missionary Project, April 1993.
  • Philosophy Major Chapel, "Philosophy and Christian Ministry," March 1993.
  • Presentation for Ethnic and Gender Studies Workshop, "The Stay-at-home Dad," April 1993.
  • Junior Class Chapel, "Transformed by the Renewal of Your Mind," March 1992.
  • "Predictability Requirement in Theological Explanation," faculty colloquium, Wheaton College, February 1991.
  • Class Presentations: i) Neurobiology (D. Bruce), ii) Chemistry (L. Funck), iii) "The Integrated Biologist" (A. Smith, P. Pun), iii) Origins Science Seminar (Steve Moshier), 1991 - 2004.

Additional Publications