Timo Airaksinen (born 25 April 1947 in

Vaasa Vaasa (; sv, Vasa, , Sweden ), in the years 1855–1917 as Nikolainkaupunki ( sv, Nikolajstad; literally meaning "city of Nicholas),

, Finland) is Professor of Moral

Philosophy Philosophy (from , ) is the systematized study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, and language. Such questions are often posed as problems to be studied or resolved. Some ...

in the Discipline of Social and Moral Philosophy at

Helsinki University The University of Helsinki ( fi, Helsingin yliopisto, sv, Helsingfors universitet, abbreviated UH) is a public university, public Research university, research university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but founded in the city of Turk ...

. By longstanding tradition in the

University of Helsinki The University of Helsinki ( fi, Helsingin yliopisto, sv, Helsingfors universitet, abbreviated UH) is a public research university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but founded in the city of Turku (in Swedish ''Åbo'') in 1640 as the ...

, the philosophy faculty is divided into two major areas, the practical and the theoretical. He graduated from the

University of Turku sv, Åbo universitet , latin_name = Universitas Aboensis , image_name = University of Turku.svg , motto = ''Vapaan kansan lahja vapaalle tieteelle'' , established = 1920 , type ...

in 1971 and defended his doctoral dissertation ''The Hegelianism of Bradley and McTaggart'' in 1975. He specializes in

ethics Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that "involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior".''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' The field of ethics, along with aesthetics, concerns m ...

and

social philosophy Social philosophy examines questions about the foundations of social institutions, social behavior, and interpretations of society in terms of ethical values rather than empirical relations. Social philosophers emphasize understanding the social ...

ethics of technology The ethics of technology is a sub-field of ethics addressing the ethical questions specific to the Technology Age, the transitional shift in society wherein personal computers and subsequent devices provide for the quick and easy transfer of info ...

, the

history of philosophy Philosophy (from , ) is the systematized study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, and language. Such questions are often posed as problems to be studied or resolved. Some ...

, and education. He has written on a wide range of topics dealing with these issues, from the thinking of

Hobbes Thomas Hobbes ( ; 5/15 April 1588 – 4/14 December 1679) was an English philosopher, considered to be one of the founders of modern political philosophy. Hobbes is best known for his 1651 book ''Leviathan'', in which he expounds an influent ...

Marquis de Sade Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade (; 2 June 1740 – 2 December 1814), was a French nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer famous for his literary depictions of a libertine sexuality as well as numerous accusat ...

. Airaksinen also regularly contributes to public debate in Finland and has had a column in the newspaper

Helsingin Sanomat ''Helsingin Sanomat'', abbreviated ''HS'' and colloquially known as , is the largest subscription newspaper in Finland and the Nordic countries, owned by Sanoma. Except after certain holidays, it is published daily. Its name derives from that of ...

. Timo Airaksinen is a member of the

editorial board The editorial board is a group of experts, usually at a publication, who dictate the tone and direction the publication's editorial policy will take. Mass media At a newspaper, the editorial board usually consists of the editorial page editor, a ...

s of the leading Finnish philosophical journal Acta Philosophica Fennica and of the yearbook

Berkeley Studies ''Berkeley Studies'' (''Berkeley Newsletter'' until December 2007) is an annual on-line academic journal established in 1977. It publishes scholarly articles on anything related to George Berkeley. The journal also gives news of the last events in ...

. Also he was the vice-president of the

International Berkeley Society The International Berkeley Society (IBS) is a US-based organization that is aimed at promoting interest in the life and work of the philosopher Bishop George Berkeley. Its president is currently Nancy Kendrick. Members and activities The societ ...

Selection of Airaksinen's works in English

* ''Ethics of coercion and authority. A philosophical study of social life'', 1988 . * ''Of glamor, Sex and De Sade'', 1991 . * ''The Philosophy of the Marquis de Sade'', 1995 . * ''The Philosophy of H. P. Lovecraft. The route to horror'', 1999 . * "Hobbes on the passions and powerlessness", ''Hobbes Studies'', 6/1993, pp. 80–104. * "Service and Science in Professional Life", ''Ethics and the Professions'', 1994, pp. 1–13

References

Atheist philosophers Finnish atheists Finnish philosophers Academic personnel of the University of Helsinki 1947 births Living people People from Vaasa George Berkeley scholars University of Turku alumni {{Finland-philosopher-stub