Their work in phenomenological values, analytical philosophy, together with reputation for beliefs helped convince years away from philosophers with it when it comes to those areas of look. Primary certainly his writings had been his instructions James and Husserl: The fresh Fundamentals out-of Definition-a study into the contrasts from phenomenology originator Edmund Husserl and pragmatist/functionalist William James-and you may Husserl and you can Analytical Opinions, hence tracked the holiday anywhere between phenomenology and you may analytical viewpoints, a few trick philosophic actions of the 20th century.
Cobb-Stevens said that american men and colombian women, while he believed Husserl’s phenomenology means are more productive versus analytic types of Gottlob Frege-whom depending this new analytical direction-he had penned Husserl and you may Analytic Thinking with the hope away from leading to “revived conversation” between them universities away from thought: “[Husserl and Frege] one another common new belief that individuals can perform some extent of purpose details, in the event the entry to truth is constantly perspectival and you will over the years trained.”
For the 2015, a volume of essays in honor of Dr. Cobb-Stevens, Phenomenology when you look at the another Secret, is penned, offering contributions of several leading experts in phenomenological viewpoints regarding Northern America and Europe.
“Dick was most remembered to own their extremely important humanness,” said Teacher regarding Opinions Patrick Byrne. “He had been enjoying and you can appealing to any or all he satisfied, and you will tell you that he cared about you since the a keen personal. Dick had an excellent spontaneity and is a beneficial storyteller off an alternative form: He might help himself decrease when he received someone together by drawing all of them into facts.”
He’d an alternative present to own calming stress for the conferences, that’s zero short accomplishment inside a good college or university means
Dr. Cobb-Stevens’ associate Teacher Eileen Sweeney, speaking during the their retirement lecture last year, recognized Husserl and you can Analytic Thinking as an example out of their ability to engage having and you may transcend such as for example departments. “It is on that cusp one to Richard’s philosophical works keeps dwelt, eschewing the reductionism and you can scientism, into one hand, and people early haven for the mysticism otherwise poetry, on the other. We wouldn’t point out that Richard’s thought has come so you’re able to other people during the certain easy synthesis or middle surface it is alternatively involved with an ongoing active dialectic.”
His achievements since the a researcher and author failed to overshadow their performance once the an instructor and you may advisor, extra Sweeney, noting one to for more than thirty years Dr. Cobb-Stevens ran brand new Beliefs Department’s knowledge conference to have doctoral youngsters, together with brought twenty-seven doctoral dissertations. Youngsters, she told you, cherished his capability to allow them to establish her think but to topic it to help you tight evaluation and you will complaints.
His lectures had “the same mix of concept and you may quality while the does their writing,” told you Sweeney at the 2009 feel. “They can often be mentioned into for the anecdote children tend to think of for years to come you to epitomizes difficulty or issue on material he could be practise. He or she is usually ready to share a story that presents their own issues and you may puzzlement in dealing with problematic or issues, the one that exposes his own mankind which have good humility and that college students notice it you’ll be able to so you’re able to emulate. ”
He could be happy to function with a problem with students for the genuine cooperation, understanding and you may enacting this new role out-of philosopher given that partner rather than possessor out-of knowledge
Dr. Cobb-Stevens’ acquaintances together with recalled your as “a resident of one’s College” whom obtained opportunities and you will tasks you to led to more good out-of their agency-as chairman from 1993-2002, the guy introduced worldwide detection so you can BC’s scholar programs in viewpoints and increase what amount of thinking student discipline so you’re able to one of the premier throughout the You.S.-and you will Boston University total: He had been a person in the latest School Plan Committee and also the College or university Instructional Considered Council, certainly one of most other bodies.