Dr. Eric Watkins

Professor

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Biography

Eric Watkins specializes in the history of philosophy, with a focus on Kant's pre-Critical period, metaphysics, and the philosophy of science. He has significant research interests in early modern philosophy, encompassing thinkers like Leibniz, Newton, and Hume, as well as German Idealism, exploring the works of Reinhold, Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel. He has taught various courses at UCSD, including Enlightenment, Romanticism, and critical works of Kant and Hegel. Watkins has published frequently, contributing to journals and editing significant philosophical texts. His academic history includes a Ph.D. from Notre Dame in 1994 and teaching positions at Virginia Tech and Yale prior to his tenure at UCSD. His works are recognized for their depth in understanding and interpreting key philosophical theories and concepts.

Research Interests

Kant Early Modern Philosophy German Idealism History of Philosophy of Science

Experience

Professor

2001-01-01 — Present

University of California, San Diego • La Jolla, CA

Teaching and conducting research primarily in the area of philosophy.

Awards

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Fulbright

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National Endowment for the Humanities

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National Science Foundation

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Humboldt Foundation

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Journal of the History of Philosophy Book Prize

2005-01-01
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Senate Distinguished Teaching Award

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Templeton Foundation

Courses

Humanities 4 Enlightenment, Romanticism, Revolution Phil 106 Kant Phil 107 Hegel Phil 112 History of Philosophy: Late Modern Phil 185 Philosophy of Religion Phil 181 Existentialism Phil 201A Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit Phil 285 Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).