UH Professor is Honored at International Conference for his Indian Philosophy Contributions

Eliot Deutsch, professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, was recently honored at The International Congress of Vedanta, one of the most significant events in the field of Indian and Comparative Philosophy. The event is globally recognized and respected and most recently met for its thirteenth session. During this session, Deutsch was conferred with the degree of "Vedanta Sudhakara," which means "moon in the sky of Vedanta Philosophy," and honors him for his contributions to Indian and Vedanta Philosophy.

During the ceremony, colleagues spoke on his behalf and highlighted significant events contributed by Deutsch that shaped the realm of philosophy. A professor of Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy from the University of Madras in India compiled a poem that described Deutsch‘s contribution to Aesthetics, Vedanta, Western and Indian Philosophy and the Humanities in general. In addition, Fred Dallmyr, a political philosopher and Heidegger Scholar, delivered a compilation of four major ways in which Deutsch‘s work in philosophy enhanced the field. Former students of Deutsch paid other tributes, including Dr. Michael Myers who discussed how the best selling "Advaita Vedanta," written by Deutsch, changed his attitude and outlook not only on philosophy but also Asian traditions of thought. The tribute concluded with Deutsch responding to the many praises he received, commending Indian Philosophy and its contribution to his thought rather than his contribution to it.

Deutsch received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin and his doctorate from Columbia University. He has held several academic positions in many universities ranging from Harvard University to the University of Chicago. In addition, he has been a member of professional organizations such as the American Philosophical Association and was president of the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy.

Along with his public involvement, Deutsch has published 15 books and over 80 articles and reviews. He joined the University of Hawaiʻi in 1967 as professor of Philosophy and editor of Philosophy East and West. He continues to teach several courses at UH including Metaphysics, Aesthetics, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophical Anthropology, and Comparative Philosophy.