About

My name is Dr. James Schofield and I am a philosopher of mind, metaphysic of science, and phenomenology. I currently work as a philosophy lecturer at Plymouth State University and Johnson & Wales University.  

My present research maintains a three-fold agenda: 1) using the tools of metaphysics of science to further examine the theoretical foundation of 4EA cognitive science, 2) using the tools of contemporary phenomenology to enrich the discussions within the metaphysics of science, and 3) articulating how embodied practices and the development of wisdom are interdependent. I am driven by the following questions: what is the nature and potential of human consciousness? In what way can phenomenology inform analytic approaches to metaphysics, ethics, and science? How can phenomenology clarify the intersubjective conditions of philosophical progress?

I am particularly interested in collaborative interdisciplinary projects across the natural sciences, the arts and philosophy that address the conditions of consciousness and evolution. Please see my CV and contact details below.

Education

2017 Ph.D. Philosophy, University of Canterbury (NZ)
2012 M.A. Consciousness Studies, Goddard College (VT)
2009 B.A. Anthropology/Sociology, Plymouth State University (NH)

Academic Appointments

2025–Present Adjunct Lecturer (online), Johnson & Wales University (NJ)
2018–Present Teaching Lecturer (in-person and online), Plymouth State University (NH)
2022–2025 Part-time Teaching Lecturer, Bentley University (MA)
2023–2024 Full-Time Visiting Lecturer, Bentley University (MA)
2014–2017 Teaching Assistant, University of Canterbury (NZ)

Publications

Schofield, J. P. (2024). “What AI Can Teach Us about the Conditions of Character Formation.” Catalyzing Character. 1(3), 53–60.

Schofield, J. P. (2022). “Towards a Phenomenological Ontology: Synthetic a priori reasoning and the cosmological anthropic principle.” Journal of Mind and Behavior. 43(1), 1–24.

Schofield, J. P. (2021). A Phenomenological Revision of E. E. Harris’s Dialectical Holism. Springer Nature, Switzerland AG: Palgrave Macmillan.

Selected Presentations and Podcast Appearances

2024 Between Phenomenology, Science, and Process Ontology (dialogue with James Schofield),
[Podcast recording] Footnotes2 Plato, 12 July

2023 Walking the Fractal’s Edge, UTOK Consilience Conference 2023: Unifying Knowledge and Orienting Toward a Wisdom Commons

2022 Meaning – Existentialism meets Cognitive Science, [Podcast recording] Voices with Vervaeke

CV

Please see my full CV here: