Laurence D. Houlgate

Laurence (Larry) Houlgate is an emeritus professor of philosophy and former department chair at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. A California native, he received his B.A. at Cal State Los Angeles and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy at UCLA. Before joining the Cal Poly faculty, he held teaching positions at Cal State Fullerton; University of California, Santa Barbara; Reed College (Oregon); and George Mason University (Virginia). His teaching and research specialties in philosophy include Philosophy of Law, Social Ethics, and the History of Philosophy. Now in retirement after a 51-year teaching career, Larry is currently writing guide books for beginning philosophy students on the classics of philosophy. At this writing (2022), eight study guides have been published. Larry recently published the 2nd edition of Understanding Philosophy, a study guide for beginning students on philosophical methodology. Another book project in the works is about the long history of belief in the existence of a life after death, and the futility of past attempts to provide philosophic, scientific or any rational proof to ground this belief. He enjoys retirement, especially spending quality time with his wife (of 51 years), research and writing, going to the movies, beach walks, early morning swims, and occasionally competing in U.S. Masters and Senior Games swim meets.. Contact address: lhoulgat@calpoly.edu