- I was born and raised in Toronto (pronounced ‘tuh-RONN-oh’ by natives).
- I completed my undergrad at the University of Toronto, where I earned a BA with a double major in Philosophy and East Asian Studies.
- Julia Ching took an interest in me during my senior year, and through a series of brief but intense meetings convinced me to learn to read classical Chinese and come back to do graduate work. So immediately after graduating I attended National Taiwan Normal University Mandarin Training Center 臺灣師範大學國語教學中心, taking courses in both modern and literary Chinese.
- After two years in Taiwan, I returned to the University of Toronto and completed an M.A. thesis in early Chinese intellectual history within the Department of East Asian Studies, working with Richard Lynn and focusing on the Laozi commentaries in the Hanfeizi 韓非子.
- I spent the next few years ostensibly working on a PhD, but mostly just turning back to philosophy, encouraged to do so by the late Vincent Shen. It had become clear by that point that I was in it for the long haul, and I had to spread my wings.
- Finally, I moved to Duke University, where I completed a Ph.D. in the Department of Philosophy under the guidance of Owen Flanagan and David B. Wong. My approach to philosophy was, and remains, heavily influenced by both of them. Recently, I was honored to be invited back to speak during Duke’s centennial celebrations.
- I have rarely had occasion to use it professionally, but if you’re curious about my Chinese name you can read more at the link below: Shā Qĭshàn 沙啟善
- Oh, I'm a recovering NBA zealot. Relapse is an ever-present risk.
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