I have taught philosophy, humanities and/ or religious studies at Emmanuel College, Providence College, The University of Rhode Island, Bryant University and at Purdue University in conjunction with Notre Dame University. I also served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the Massachusetts State College System and as President of Providence College (1965-1971) and of North Adams State College (1979-1983) (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts). In addition to some experience in academic administration, I have been writing, studying and teaching in the disciplines of religious thought and philosophy since 1954, specializing in ecumenical issues, in the humanities, particularly religious history, in the arts and in business ethics. I have been most influenced by the classical Greek philosophers, by the works of Thomas Aquinas and by Charles S Peirce among other contemporary American and continental thinkers. With feedback about the works contained on this site, please contact me at: whaas2@cox.net
Moral Philosophy and Theology
Technology and Culture: Humans Inventing Themselves, Community Scholar Publications (2013)
Since the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus who stole fire from the god, Zeus, humans...
Strategies for Life, Community Scholar Publications (2012)
Recently there has been much controversy and misunderstanding in the United States about the position...
C.S. Peirce's Abduction from the Prior Analytics, Community Scholar Publications (1996)
Charles S. Peirce was one of the most accomplished American philosophers, especially in logic. He...
Natural Law Naturally Changes, Community Scholar Publications (1965)
For as long as there has been human morality, questions have risen about “natural law,”...
Philosophy of Religion
Abraham's Folly, Community Scholar Publications (2012)
This study is a philosophical reflection, not a formal exegesis, on the text of Genesis...
Caught Laughing, Community Scholar Publications (2007)
This is an address delivered to the International Society for Humor Studies in 2007. The...
Religious History
Touro Synagogue, Community Scholar Publications (2010)
Touro Synagogue in Newport, RI, is the oldest Jewish temple in use in the US....
Mary and the Koran, Community Scholar Publications (2006)
It is surprising to many Christians that the sacred writings of Mohammed refer to Mary,...
Hands Respectful and Clean: Cajetan and the Reformation, Community Scholar Publications (2004)
Cardinal Cajetan, the sixteenth century Dominican friar, became progressively more immersed in the religious and...
A Timely Witness, Community Scholar Publications (2000)
At the end of the second thousand years of Christianity Pope John Paul II urged...