Their are employed in phenomenological beliefs, analytical philosophy, in addition to history of thinking assisted convince years regarding philosophers on it when it comes to those fields from look. Primary among their website was basically his courses James and Husserl: The brand new Foundations regarding Definition-a study in the contrasts away from phenomenology inventor Edmund Husserl and you will pragmatist/functionalist William James-and you may Husserl and you will Analytic Philosophy, and that traced the holiday anywhere between phenomenology and analytical beliefs, several key philosophic motions of your twentieth century.
Cobb-Stevens said that, as he believed Husserl’s phenomenology means countries that love american guys is actually more successful than the analytical types of Gottlob Frege-just who depending the newest analytical course-he previously published Husserl and Analytic Values with the expectation of leading to “renewed conversation” among them colleges regarding thought: “[Husserl and Frege] both shared the fresh belief that people can perform a point regarding purpose details, even though our use of facts are usually perspectival and usually trained.”
Inside the 2015, an amount of essays honoring Dr. Cobb-Stevens, Phenomenology in the a special Trick, is actually wrote, featuring benefits of multiple top specialists in phenomenological values of North The united states and you can European countries.
“Penis might be most appreciated to have his very important humanness,” said Professor out-of Opinions Patrick Byrne. “He was enjoying and you will inviting to everyone the guy came across, and you can let you know that he cared in regards to you since an individual. Manhood got good love of life and you may is a beneficial storyteller off an alternative type: He may assist himself drop-off when he received people together because of the drawing them towards tale.”
He had a separate current to have calming stress within the conferences, that is zero short achievement during the an excellent university setting
Dr. Cobb-Stevens’ associate Teacher Eileen Sweeney, talking from the their old age lecture during 2009, acknowledged Husserl and Analytic Viewpoints for instance off his ability to engage that have and you can transcend instance departments. “It’s on that cusp one to Richard’s philosophical works provides dwelt, eschewing both the reductionism and scientism, into one hand, plus people premature haven on the mysticism otherwise poetry, on the other. We wouldn’t say that Richard’s thought has arrived so you’re able to other people during the specific easy synthesis otherwise middle ground but is instead engaged in a continuous active dialectic.”
His achievement while the a researcher and you can creator didn’t overshadow his overall performance while the a teacher and you may mentor, additional Sweeney, detailing you to definitely for over 3 decades Dr. Cobb-Stevens ran this new Values Department’s teaching summit to have doctoral people, and had led twenty-seven doctoral dissertations. Pupils, she told you, appreciated his capability to permit them to establish their believe however, so you can subject they so you’re able to rigorous analysis and you will feedback.
Their lectures got “an equivalent blend of build and you can clarity because the really does his composing,” told you Sweeney within 2009 event. “He is able to be measured to your toward anecdote children often think of for a long time you to definitely epitomizes an issue otherwise point regarding the material he could be practise. They are constantly happy to show a story that shows their own issues and you will puzzlement in dealing with a challenge otherwise hassle, the one that reveals his own humanity with a great humility and that college students find it it is possible to to emulate. ”
He could be prepared to function with a problem with children during the legitimate collaboration, once you understand and you will enacting brand new character regarding philosopher because lover in lieu of possessor off expertise
Dr. Cobb-Stevens’ acquaintances also recalled your while the “a citizen of your own College” whom took on employment and you may assignments you to definitely led to the greater amount of a out of their institution-since chairman of 1993-2002, the guy lead globally detection in order to BC’s graduate apps inside the thinking while increasing how many philosophy student majors to help you one of several biggest on You.S.-and you can Boston University total: He was a member of this new College Plan Panel in addition to College Instructional Believe Council, one of other authorities.