Henning receives national book prize
Erin Fox
Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: News
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Henning said he was surprised the book won the award because the argument of the book is a philosophy that is unconventional, and a minority viewpoint. His book argues that the goal of the processes in the world is to have the most beauty possible.
The Metaphysical Society looks at all books on metaphysics published in the past five years and then spends two years in the selection process, Henning said. His book focuses on environmental ethics and the desire to extend the scope of direct moral concern beyond human beings to plants and non-human animals.
"Ethics of Creativity: Beauty, Morality and Nature in a Processive Cosmos" was published in Nov. 2005. In his book, Henning tries "to develop a moral philosophy which appreciates the value of all forms of life while still respecting the differences."
The audience of the book is an academic audience, which continues in the debate of metaphysics, environmental philosophy and moral philosophy.
Henning said he did not even know he was in the running for the award until he received his recognition letter on Jan. 22 announcing his award. He was also invited to the annual conference in Vanderbilt, Tenn.
"The philosophy department is very proud of Dr. Henning's scholarly achievements during the current academic year," said Dr. John Donovan, chairman of the department.
"Beyond his reception of the prestigious Findlay Prize for best book in metaphysics, Brian has four publications and four scholarly presentations."
The book took about 18 months to write and it is an extension of Henning's dissertation, which he completed in 2003 at Fordham University in New York. He said he had always planned on expanding it and the ideas in his book had been circulating since Henning was an undergraduate at Seattle University.
This is Henning's first book but he has several published articles in journals and anthologies. Henning writes on other areas of philosophy but his main focus now is on food ethics and environmental ethics such as global warming. He hopes to teach a class on global warming next spring in which he can continue the debate in environmental philosophy as it pertains to this topic.
Henning has even been asked to comment on Robert Bass's "Indirect Duty Theories: Even if They're Right, They're Wrong" at the Eastern Division meeting of the American Philosophical Association.
On campus, Henning is one of the advisors for the Environmental Club and is chair of the University Recycling Committee.
"To Dr. Brian Henning from your colleagues in the Philosophy Department: Congratulations! Well done," said Donovan.
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