John Frank Corvino (born 1969) is an American Philosophy. He is a professor of philosophy and the dean of the Honors College at Wayne State University in Detroit and the author of several books, with a focus on the Ethics of homosexuality.
Early life and education
John Frank Corvino was born in 1969 to John R. Corvino and Annette R. Corvino. He was raised
Catholic Church and is of
Italians descent. In 1987, he graduated from Chaminade High School, an all-boys Catholic school in Mineola, New York. Corvino attended St. John's University in New York City, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 1990.
[ Curriculum Vitae for John Corvino] He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin in 1998.
His dissertation was
Hume's Moral Realism, and his advisor was A. P. Martinich.
Career
Corvino is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at Wayne State University in
Detroit.
[ Profile at Wayne State University] He began teaching there in 1998 and received
tenure in 2007.
His foci are
ethics,
applied ethics, and early modern philosophy.
Other areas in which he has concentrated include the philosophy of religion, social philosophy, and political philosophy.
He has taught classes focusing on Hume as well as British empiricism.
For nine years, Corvino wrote a column titled "The Gay Moralist". The column appeared bi-weekly in Between the Lines from 2002 to 2007 and then weekly on 365gay.com from 2007 to 2011.
Corvino—who is openly gay—has written, debated, and lectured extensively on LGBT rights
Corvino has written three books: Debating Same-Sex Marriage with Maggie Gallagher (2012), What's Wrong with Homosexuality? (2013), and Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination with Ryan T. Anderson and Sherif Girgis (2017). In part with the assistance of Chase Whiteside, Corvino has produced three popular YouTube video series, in which he responds to frequently asked questions on topics covered in each of his books.
Corvino has also written on business ethics["Reframing 'Morality Pays': Toward a Better Answer to 'Why be Moral?' in Business", Journal of Business Ethics vol. 67 (August 2006), pp. 1–14.]["Loyalty in Business?", Journal of Business Ethics vol. 41 (November/December 2002), pp. 179–85.] and has contributed to many academic journals and periodicals, including The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide, Southwest Philosophy Review, Business Ethics Quarterly, Philosophical Quarterly, and Ethics.
Works and reception
Corvino has focused his works on the moral and legal standing of homosexuality, often partnering with ideological opponents to present both sides of a debate fairly and accurately. He has received widespread praise for his civil, articulate approach to controversial issues and his respectful dialogue with opponents. Several prominent opponents of same-sex marriage have expressed respect for Corvino, albeit still disagreeing with him, and LGBT rights activists have commended him for engaging the other side with patience and geniality.
Debating Same-Sex Marriage
Corvino co-authored
Debating Same-Sex Marriage (2012) with
Maggie Gallagher, co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). The book received praise from both proponents and opponents of same-sex marriage. In the
San Francisco Book Review, Elizabeth Raymond wrote, "
Debating Same-Sex Marriages format is quite interesting – and massively effective . . . It's like witnessing a live debate between these two lively characters . . . I highly recommend this to all – if only for a manual on how to respectfully debate a member of the opposing viewpoint. Well done!"
Among other positive reviews were those from
LGBT rights Activism Dan Savage,
Republican senator
Rick Santorum,
Matt Reynolds of
Christianity Today,
and Ryan T. Anderson of
National Review.
In
The Times Literary Supplement,
Libertarianism Nigel Ashford commented that "the tone of the book—of reason and logic, respect for opponents and willingness to engage in intellectual combat—is set by Corvino himself in his examination of the case against homosexuality, and by the inclusion of a rebuttal of his own arguments."
[Nigel Ashford. Review of Same Sex: Debating the Ethics, Science, and Culture of Homosexuality, The Times Literary Supplement, 4 September 1998. p. 13.]
What's Wrong with Homosexuality?
What's Wrong with Homosexuality? (2013) received several positive reviews, including from Episcopal
bishop Gene Robinson and
Feminism philosopher
Martha Nussbaum.
The book received a negative review from Nathaniel Frank in
The Washington Post.
intellectual Robert P. George wrote, "John Corvino is a philosophically sophisticated, lucid writer who makes a serious effort here to engage those (like me) with whom he disagrees. He argues aggressively, to be sure, but does not resort to calling his critics names or impugning their motives. Moreover, he is commendably willing to come to grips with challenges to the presuppositions and implications of the position he holds. He is, in short, a worthy intellectual opponent in the debate over the ethics and meaning of sex and marriage."
Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination
Corvino co-authored
Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination (2017) with Ryan T. Anderson and Sherif Girgis. The book received praise for being a constructive, back-and-forth discussion on religious freedom and anti-discrimination law. Among its positive reviews were those from Russell D. Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention,
of The Gospel Coalition,
and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer in
National Review.
In
Commonweal, Robert K. Vischer wrote, "
Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination is a direct challenge to our cultural moment, opting for careful analysis over clickbait, mutual understanding over demonization, and clearly demarcated disagreement over sweeping dismissal. The authors take the time to lay out their best arguments, then respond to the best arguments of their opponents. Whether or not the book ultimately causes readers to change their views is not the measure of its success. The authors provide a desperately needed model for engagement: they argue with, not at their opponent; they argue together."
Bibliography (partial)
- Books
-
Same Sex: Debating the Ethics, Science, and Culture of Homosexuality (as editor and contributor), Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield, 1997.
-
Debating Same-Sex Marriage (with Maggie Gallagher), New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.
-
What's Wrong With Homosexuality?, New York: Oxford University Press, 2013.
-
Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination (with Ryan T. Anderson and Sherif Girgis), New York: Oxford University Press, 2017.
- Lecture on DVD
-
What's Morally Wrong with Homosexuality?, Paradise Valley Media, 2008.
Awards and honors
-
President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Wayne State University: 2006
-
Spirit of Detroit Award, Detroit City Council: 2004
-
College of Liberal Arts Teaching Award, Wayne State University: May 1999
-
Departmental Teaching Award, The University of Texas at Austin: Spring 1996, Fall 1996, Spring 1997
See also
-
American philosophy
-
List of American philosophers
External links
