Raj Ramanathapillai

I teach social, political and environmental philosophy. My interests in these fields of philosophy evolve from my experience of growing up in the war zone of Sri Lanka. Perpetual political violence and the erosion of civil society confronted me with questions about the morality and efficacy of political violence. Statistics show that technology and its application to modern warfare kill more civilians and destroy fragile environments more than ever before in history. Is violence as a method for resolving conflict ever morally justifiable? Is the efficiency of violence acceptable for rational decision makers? Are we justified in destroying the environment and wildlife in defending national interests in war? Do we have moral obligations to protect elephants from minefields in Asia and Africa? In what circumstances, if ever, should we negotiate with terrorists?

My courses on Beyond Terrorism, Gandhi and Philosophy, Philosophy of Resistance, World Philosophy, International Human Rights, and War and the Environment address these questions. My teaching and research interest in alternative to violence led to my affiliation with the new Peace and Justice Studies Program at Gettysburg College. As part of this program I teach Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies, Cultures of War and Peace, and Philosophy of Peace and Nonviolence.

For me philosophy is not simply an endeavor of asking questions for the sake of expanding our knowledge but rather to apply our knowledge to the social and political needs both in times of peace and in times of crisis.