Research

My primary research interests lie in medieval and late scholastic metaphysics—especially the metaphysics of causation, explanation, and intrinsic change. I have intersecting interests in early modern philosophy, contemporary metaphysics, and philosophy of religion. I also have a growing interest in Arabic-Islamic philosophy. My recent publications have focused on efficient causation in the scholastic philosopher Francisco Suárez (1548–1617). My research program aims to explain further the historical and philosophical significance of Suárez's theory of causation, with special emphasis on his role as a transitional figure between the late medieval and early modern periods. Because medieval theories of causation are not well understood, one part of this project aims to clarify the ways in which earlier scholastic figures—such as Thomas Aquinas, Durand of Saint-Pourçain, and William Ockham—understood the nature of causation. The other part of my project examines how scholastic accounts of causation informed early modern debates about causation and the laws of nature.

If you'd like to have a look at one of my unpublished papers or translations, please feel free to contact me. Drafts of some published or forthcoming papers are available via the links below. I often serve as a journal referee for submissions in medieval and late scholastic philosophy, and I'm happy to receive referee requests.

Journal Articles and Book Chapters

Book Reviews

  • Pedro da Fonseca: Humanism and Metaphysics (The Age of Descartes, vol. 8), edited by Simone Guidi and Mário de Carvalho (Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 2023). Journal of the History of Philosophy. (invited for 2025).
  • Suárez on Aristotelian Causality (Investigating Medieval Philosophy, vol. 9), edited by Jakob Leth Fink (Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2015). Speculum 93(2018): 498–99.

Peer-Reviewed Presentations

  • 'Aquinas on Action, Passion, and Intrinsic Change.' American Philosophical Association Pacific Division Meeting, Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy satellite session. San Diego, March 2018.
  • 'Suárez's Non-Reductive Theory of Efficient Causation.' American Philosophical Association Eastern Division Meeting, Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy satellite session. Washington, DC, January 2016.
  • 'Suárez's Metaphysics of Creation.' American Catholic Philosophical Association Annual Meeting, Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy satellite session. Boston, October 2015.
  • 'Suárez on the Nature and Definition of Active Causal Powers.' Midwest Seminar in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy. Marquette University, June 2014.
  • 'Suárez's Non-Reductive Account of Action.' Workshop on Ancient and Medieval Interpretations of Aristotle's Categories. Franciscan University of Steubenville, April 2012.
  • 'The Structure of Efficient-Causal Situations in Suárez's Metaphysical Disputations. Midwest Seminar in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy. Marquette University, June 2011.
  • 'The Structure of Efficient-Causal Situations in Suárez's Metaphysical Disputations. Metaphysics: Aristotelian, Scholastic, Analytic. Czech Academy of Sciences, July 2010.
  • 'No Miracles, and No Questions Begged? A Reply to Psillos's Argument for Scientific Realism.' Indiana Philosophical Association, November 2008.
  • 'Composite Substances as True Wholes: Toward a Modified Nyaya-Vaisesika Theory of Composite Substances' (with John Kronen). Minnesota Philosophical Society, October 2006 (presented by John Kronen).

Other Presentations and Comments (Selected)

  • Comments on Jeremy Skrzypek's 'The Virtues of Superessentialism.' American Catholic Philosophical Association Annual Meeting. Houston, November 2023.
  • 'Is Efficient Causation Intensional? Suárez on Per Se and Per Accidens Efficient Causation.' Cornell Summer Colloquium in Medieval Philosophy. New York City, June 2023.
  • 'Aquinas on Action, Passion, and Intrinsic Change.' Cornell Summer Colloquium in Medieval Philosophy. New York City, June 2022. (presented virtually)
  • 'Is Efficient Causation Intensional? Suárez on Per Se and Per Accidens Efficient Causation.' Department of Philosophy Colloquium, Gonzaga University, March 2020.
  • 'Is Efficient Causation Intensional? Suárez on Per Se and Per Accidens Efficient Causation.' American Catholic Philosophical Association Annual Meeting, Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy satellite session on Francisco Suárez. Minneapolis, November 2019.
  • 'Aquinas on Action, Passion, and Intrinsic Change.' Gonzaga University, Department of Philosophy Colloquium, November 2018.
  • Comments on Chad Engelland's 'Dispositive Causality and the Art of Medicine.' American Catholic Philosophical Association Annual Meeting. Dallas, November 2017.
  • Comments on Stephen Baldner's 'Thomas Aquinas and Francisco Suárez on the Problem of Concurrence.' American Catholic Philosophical Association Annual Meeting. San Francisco, November 2016.
  • 'Suárez's Metaphysics of Creation.' Workshop on Medieval Natural Philosophy, in conjunction with the International Society for the History of Philosophy of Science (HOPOS) Annual Meeting. University of St. Thomas (MN), June 2016.
  • 'Suárez's Metaphysics of Creation.' Moody Conference in Medieval Philosophy and Logic. University of California, Los Angeles, March 2016.
  • 'Suárez's Metaphysics of Active Powers.' Cornell Summer Colloquium in Medieval Philosophy, May 2014.