Studying with H. Tristram Engelhardt, jr.

lessons in an Engelhardtian Weltanschauung

pp. 259-261

in: Lisa M. Rasmussen, Ana S. Iltis, Mark Cherry (eds), At the foundations of bioethics and biopolitics, Berlin, Springer, 2015

Abstract

Undertaking graduate study with Dr. Engelhardt provided a window into a rich tradition of true disciplinary mentorship. This was not the world of periodic email communication, neatly scheduled deadlines, measured progress and a final congratulatory handshake. For all his Germanic tendencies, Dr. Engelhardt inhabits (and therefore by association, we students inhabited) a chaotic, fertile, humorous, rigorous, unpredictable Weltanschauung. We received calls outside the normal boundaries of the work day, found our dearest assumptions poked at repeatedly, were humbled by Tris's stamina for work and late nights, were thrilled and intimidated by opportunities he sent our way, and learned enormous amounts of philosophy, culture, history, religion, oenology and Texarcana. It was an apprenticeship with a master craftsman who took responsibility for our enculturation and education in a personal way. It was never boring.

Cited authors

Engelhardt Tristram