Juan Garcia Torres
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7514-6694
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
Assistant Professor, University of California, Irvine 2024-present
Assistant Professor, Wingate University 2020-2024
Bellarmine Postdoctoral Fellow, Loyola Marymount University 2018-2020
Teaching Associate, The Ohio State University 2011-2018
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Philosophy. The Ohio State University, Summer 2018
- Dissertation: “Leibniz on Contingency and Freedom:
a Molinism Friendly Account”
- Committee: Tamar Rudavsky (Advisor), Julia Jorati (Advisor),
Lisa Downing, and William Taschek
M.A. Philosophy. The Ohio State University, 2014
B.A. Philosophy. The Ohio State University, 2007
- Honors Program and Cum Laude distinction
RESEARCH AND TEACHING AREAS
Areas of Specialization: Early Modern Philosophy, Latin American Philosophy,
Philosophy of Religion, Social and Political Philosophy
Areas of Competence: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Kant, Mexican Philosophy,
Ethics, Formal Logic, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Liberation,
Philosophy of Race
PUBLICATIONS
a) Journal Articles
(16) "Paulo Freire and Jorge Portilla on the Oppressed as the Agents of Liberation"
forthcoming, Res Philosophica
(15) “Credible Theological Encroachment a la Clemente de Jesús Munguía”
forthcoming, Faith and Philosophy
(14) “Leibniz on the Principle of the Best, Optimism, and Divine Freedom”
forthcoming, Ergo: An Open Access Journal of Philosophy
(13) “An Existentialist Response to the Problem of Evil a la Jorge Portilla”
forthcoming, Religious Studies
(12) “The Ethics of Ethnic Identity: Jorge Portilla versus Christine Korsgaard”
Res Philosophica, 102.2: 1-24, April 2025.
(11) "Carlos Vaz Ferreira on Intellectual Flourishing as Intellectual Liberation."
British Journal for the History of Philosophy, 32.6: 1374-1395, 2024.
(10) "Leibniz on Innocent Individual Concepts and Metaphysical Contingency."
History of Philosophy Quarterly, 41.1: 73-94, 2024.
(9) “Emilio Uranga and Jorge Portilla on Accidentality as a Decolonial Tool.”
Res Philosophica, 101.1: 50-80, January 2024.
(8) “Jorge Portilla on Philosophy and Agential Liberation.”
The Southern Journal of Philosophy, 00:1-17, November 2023.
(7) “Decolonizing the Mind and Authentic Self-Creation a la Jorge Portilla.”
2022 APA Essay Prize in Latin American Thought (honorable mention).
APA Studies on Hispanic/Latino Issues in Philosophy, 22.2: 5-10, Spring 2023.
(6) “Leibniz on Free and Responsible Wrongdoing.” British Journal for the History of
Philosophy, 31.1: 23-43, 2022.
(5) “Carlos Vaz Ferreira on Freedom and Determinism.”
Res Philosophica, 99.4: 377-402, October 2022.
(4) “Leibniz on Agential Contingency and Inclining but not Necessitating Reasons.”
Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 52.2: 149-164, February 2022.
(3) “Leibniz on Agential Contingency and Explanation of Rational Action.”
Studia Leibnitiana, 51.1: 76-98, 2019.
(2) “Leibniz, a Friend of Molinism.” Res Philosophica, special issue
New Frontiers in Philosophy of Religion, 95.3: 397-420, July 2018.
(1) “Libertarianism, Moral Character, and Alternative Possibilities in Thomas Reid.”
History of Philosophy Quarterly, 35.1: 59-75, January 2018.
b) Book Reviews
“Justin J. Daeley, Why God Must Do What is Best: A Philosophical Investigation of Theistic
Optimism.” The Leibniz Review, 32: 159-165, 2022.
c) Other Publications
“Mi Experiencia.” ¿Qué Pasa, OSU? Spring 2007 edition. In this university magazine
article, I relate my experience as a minority student in a U.S. university.
WORK IN PROGRESS
a) Under Review or Revise and Resubmit
“Leibniz on the PSR as a Regulative Principle of Rational Inquiry”
"Existential Care of the Self a la Jorge Portilla"
“Samuel Clarke on Moral Necessity and Divine Freedom”
“Augusto Salazar Bondy on Love as Positive Liberation”
b) Earlier Stages of Development
“Authentically Owning One’s Ethnic Identity a la Jorge Portilla”
“Leopoldo Zea on the Emergence of the Marginalized”
HONORS & AWARDS
2023-2024 Spivey Instructorship at Wingate University, a paid research Sabbatical leave for pre-tenured Assistant Professors awarded to a single applicant with the most valuable and promising research agenda.
2022 APA Essay Prize in Latin American Thought (honorable mention). Based on article titled “Decolonizing the Mind and Authentic Self-Creation a la Jorge Portilla.”
2017 Res Philosophica Essay Contest: New Frontiers in Philosophy of Religion (honorable mention). General essay contest for a special issue of Res Philosophica. Based on paper titled “Leibniz, a Friend of Molinism.”
The William H. Fink Award 2015: for best graduate essay in philosophy (honorable mention). Essay competition for PhD candidates at The Ohio State University. Based on paper titled “Kant’s Schematism, Paul Guyer and the Empirical Constraint.”
2022 Wingate University Mentor Recognition. Selected by graduating students in recognition of a faculty who has played a significant role in their academic success.
Funded Participant in Lumen Christi Summer Seminar “St. Thomas Aquinas on the Five Ways” taught by Dr. Stephen L. Brook, University of Chicago, June 2022.
Funded Participant in Lumen Christi Summer Seminar “St. Thomas Aquinas on Free Choice” taught by Dr. Stephen L. Brook, University of Chicago, June 2018.
Funded Participant in Lumen Christi Summer Seminar “Is God Knowable by Natural Reason: Philosophy, Theology, and Trinitarian Thought in the Middle Ages.” Taught by Dr. Timothy Noone, CUA, and Dr. Mark Clark, CUA. Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, June 2017.
Funded Participant in Summer Seminar “Philosophy and the Catholic Church.” Taught by Dr. Gilson. Pontifical College Josephihum, June 2013.
American Philosophical Association graduate student travel stipend for 2018 Central Division Conference, February 2018.
American Philosophical Association graduate student travel stipend for 2018 Pacific Division Conference, March 2018.
Ray Travel Award, for travel to American Philosophical Association Central Division Conference. Ohio State University, February 2018.
Ray Travel Award, for travel to American Philosophical Association Pacific Division Conference. Ohio State University, March 2018.
The Mortar Board Alumni Scholarship, based on academic potential and performance, well-developed career goals, and motivation, 2003-2004.
Central Ohio’s Hispanic Heritage Student Award, based on outstanding academic performance and community service, 2002.
PRESENTATIONS (*=invited)
a) Conferences and Invited Talks
“Existential Care of the Self a la Jorge Portilla” presented at Invited Symposium: Mexican Philosophy of History/Filosofía Mexicana de la Historia (Bilingual session Spanish/English). American Philosophical Association Pacific Conference, April 2025
“The Ethics of Ethnic Identity: Jorge Portilla versus Christine Korsgaard” invited speaker for UCI Center for Early Cultures Winter Quarter talk, February 2025*
“The Ethics of Ethnic Identity: Jorge Portilla versus Christine Korsgaard” Invited Speaker Lecture for 2024 PhD Summer Camp for Women and Marginalized Groups at the University of California, Irvine, September 2024*
“Carlos Vaz Ferreira on Logic and Language Signification” symposium paper presented at the American Philosophical Association Pacific Division Conference, March 2024
“Credible Theological Encroachment a la Clemente de Jesus Munguia” paper presented at The Society for Philosophy of Religion Annual Conference, March 2024
“Leibniz on the PSR as a Regulative Principle of Rational Inquiry” presented at the University of California, Irvine, January 2024*
“Leibniz on Free and Responsible Wrongdoing” presented at Eastern Michigan University, February 2023*
“Neither Necessitarianism nor Sheer Will: Leibniz on Divine Freedom and Wisdom”
presented at The Society for Philosophy of Religion Annual Conference, March 2022
“Neither Necessitarianism nor Sheer Will: Leibniz on Divine Freedom and Wisdom” presented at Princeton/Rutgers Philosophy of Religion Incubator Conference, May 2021
“Leibniz on Agential Contingency and Explanation of Rational Action” presented at American Philosophical Association Central Conference, February 2021
“Leibniz on Intelligible and Responsible Wrongdoing” presented at Wingate University, April 2020*
“Aquinas and Leibniz on Divine Timelessness and Immutability” presented at
Loras College, March 2020*
“Leibniz on Intellectualism, Indirect Powers, and Intelligible and Responsible Wrongdoing” presented at California State University, East Bay, January 2020*
“Leibniz on Freedom and Foreknowledge” presented at the University of Scranton, November 2019*
“Leibniz on Contingency as a Condition for Freedom and Explanation of Rational Action” presented at the Thirteen Annual Conference of the Leibniz Society of North America, May 2019
“Leibniz on Contingency and Individual Concepts” presented as a colloquium talk at the American Philosophical Association Pacific Division Conference, March 2018
“Leibniz, a Friend of Molinism” presented as a colloquium talk at the American Philosophical Association Central Division Conference, February 2018
“Leibniz, a Friend of Molinism” presented at George Fox University, April 2018*
“Creating an Environment of Inclusion and Equity in the Classroom” presented at University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, May 2018*
“Thomas Reid on Character, Power and Possibility” presented at Early Modern Conceptions of Free Will Conference, The Ohio State University, April 2014
b) Commentary
Comments on “The Problem of Mourning” by Eleonore Stump. The Society of the Philosophy of Religion, March 2022*
Comments on “Leibniz, Principles, and Truth” by Stephen Dalglish. Ohio Philosophical Association Conference, April 2017*
Comments on “Spinoza and the Definition of Immanent Cause” by Stephen Zylstra. American Philosophical Association Central Division Conference, February 2015*
Comments on “Must Religious Toleration Require Indifference of Universalism? Leibniz on the Grounds for Religious Toleration” by Kristen Irwin. Leibniz Society of North America Conference, October 2015*
c) Other Academic Presentations
“The Ethics of Immigration,” presented at Wingate University Lyceum, October 2020
“Leibniz, a Friend of Molinism” presented at The Society for the History of Modern Philosophy, The Ohio State University, February 2018
“Leibniz on Contingency and Individual Concepts” presented at the Graduate Student Workshop, The Ohio State University, March 2018
“Modern Science and The Catholic Church” presented at Ohio University Catholic Student Ministry, September 2017*
“The Problem of Evil” presented at The Society of Scholastic Catholic Philosophy, a student organization at The Ohio State University, February 2015*
“Plantinga’s Argument against Naturalism” presented at The Society of Scholastic Catholic Philosophy, a student organization at The Ohio State University, November 2014*
“The Problem of Evil” presented at Ratio Christi, a student organization at The Ohio State University, September 2014*
“The Kalam Cosmological Argument” presented at The Ohio State University’s Philosophy Club, December 2013*
“Free Will and Determinism” presented at Ratio Christi, a student organization at The Ohio State University, August 2013*
“The Epistemology of Religious Belief” presented at Ratio Christi, a student organization at The Ohio State University, November 2012*
“Free Will and Determinism” presented at A7, an interreligious organization in Columbus, OH, October 2012*
LANGUAGES
Spanish – Native
Latin – Reading
French – Reading
SERVICE
International Program Committee, Wingate University, 2023-present
Title IX Decision Maker, Wingate University, 2022-present
Title IX Appellate Board Member, Wingate University, 2022-present
Faculty Development Committee, member, Wingate University, 2020-2023
Faculty Guide Revision Committee, member, Wingate University, 2021-2022
Supervisor for Student Internship, Wingate University, 2022-present
Student Academic Advisor, faculty member, Wingate University, 2021-present
President and Founder of Graduate Philosophy of Religion, a graduate student organization at OSU, Fall 2012-2016
President of Society for the History of Modern Philosophy, a graduate student organization at OSU, Spring 2013-2016
President and Group Leader for The Society of Scholastic Catholic Philosophy, a student organization at OSU, Fall 2014-2016
Organizer and Group Leader for LEON (Latino Empowerment Outreach Network) program “Abrete Sesamo!” A social program aiming to inform the Hispanic community about the health system in the US. Sponsored by Columbus Medical Association Foundation, 2006-2008
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
SOLE INSTRUCTOR
Graduate Seminar – Leibniz, Loyola Marymount University,
Autumn 2019
Latin American Philosophy, Wingate University,
Spring 2023
Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Wingate University,
Spring 2021, Fall 2022
Philosophy of Religion, The Ohio State University,
Spring 2016
Faith and Reason, Pontifical College Josephinum,
Spring 2014
Contemporary Social and Moral Problems, The Ohio State University,
Spring 2015
Global Perspectives in Ethics, Wingate University,
Autumn 2020 (3x), Spring 2021 (3x), Autumn 2021 (3x)
Spring 2022 (3x)
Global Perspectives in the Good Life, Wingate University,
Fall 2022 (3x); Spring 2023 (3x); Fall 2023 (2x)
The Good Life, Loyola Marymount University,
Autumn 2018, Spring 2019, Autumn 2019 (2x),
Spring 2020 (3x)
Philosophical Inquiry, Loyola Marymount University,
Autumn 2018 (2x), Spring 2019 (2x)
Introduction to Ethics, The Ohio State University,
Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018
Introduction to Philosophy, Wingate University, The Ohio State University
Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Summer 2017
Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Spring 2022
TEACHING ASSOCIATE
Ancient Philosophy, taught by Allan Silverman, OSU,
Autumn 2012
Medieval Philosophy, taught by Sydney Penner, OSU,
Spring 2014
History of 18th Century Philosophy, taught by Lisa Shabel, OSU,
Spring 2013
Existentialism, taught by Tamar Rudavsky, OSU,
Winter 2012
Asian Philosophies, taught by Ryan Jordan, OSU,
Autumn 2011
Philosophy of Religion, taught by David Blanks, OSU,
Autumn 2013
Political and Social Philosophy, taught by Don Hubin, OSU,
Autumn 2018
Logical Reasoning and Data Analysis, taught by Kate McFarland, OSU,
Spring 2012
OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
Participant, “Stop the Hate,” workshop on dealing with hate crimes and hate speech
on campus, Wingate University, August 2021
Participant, online course “Online Pedagogy and Teaching with Canvas,” Wingate
University, Summer 2020
Participant, ongoing workshop on Ignatian Pedagogy, Loyola Marymount University,
Fall 2018-Spring 2020
Participant, workshop “Teaching at its Best” Loyola Marymount University, February
2019
Participant, workshop “Bias Literacy Worships for Faculty” Loyola Marymount
University, October 2018
Participant, workshop “Teaching Strategies: How Students Learnt” Loyola
Marymount University, September 2018
Participant, workshop “Understanding and Combating Implicit Bias” The Ohio State
University, January 2018.
GRADUATE COURSEWORK
PHILOSOPHY (GPA: 3.86/4.0; *=Audited; All Graduate Seminars)
a) HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY
Plato, taught by Allan Silverman, OSU,
Spring 2013
Aristotle, taught by Allan Silverman, OSU,
Spring 2015*
Advanced Medieval Philosophy, taught by Tamar Rudavsky, OSU,
Autumn 2004
Advanced 17th Century Philosophy, taught by Glenn Hartz, OSU,
Autumn 2005
Free Will in Early Modern Philosophy, taught by Julia Jorati, OSU,
Spring 2014
Spinoza, taught by Tamar Rudavsky, OSU,
Autumn 2012
Descartes and Locke, taught by Lisa Downing, OSU,
Autumn 2011
Leibniz, taught by Julia Jorati, OSU,
Autumn 2015*
Advanced Leibniz, taught by Julia Jorati, OSU,
Autumn 2013
Kant – Overview of Critique of Pure Reason, taught by Lisa Shabel, OSU,
Spring 2011*
Kant – Schematism, taught by Lisa Shabel, OSU,
Spring 2013
Kant – Intuition vs. Concepts, taught by Lisa Shabel, OSU,
Spring 2017*
Advanced Kant, taught by Lisa Shabel, OSU,
Spring 2006
b) METAPHYSICS, LOGIC, LANGUAGE
Metaphysics – Time and Change, taught by David Sanson, OSU,
Spring 2006
Metaphysics – Plentitude and Persistence, taught by Ben Caplan, OSU,
Winter 2007
Metaphysics – Modality, taught by David Sanson, OSU,
Spring 2012
Philosophy of Math – Infinity and Continuum, taught by Stewart Shapiro,
OSU, Spring 2012
Advanced Logical Theory – Modal Logic, taught by Stewart Shapiro, OSU,
Spring 2012
Advanced Logical Theory – Non-Classical Logic, taught by Stewart Shapiro,
OSU, Autumn 2013*
Advanced Symbolic Logic – Metalogic, taught by Neil Tennant, OSU,
Winter 2006
Philosophy of Science – Scientific Explanation, taught by Christopher
Pincock, OSU Autumn 2012
Philosophy of Language, taught by William Taschek, OSU,
Autumn 2006
Gottlob Frege, taught by William Taschek, OSU,
Spring 2011*
Advanced Wittgenstein, taught by Christopher Pincock, OSU,
Autumn 2017*
First-Year Graduate Seminar, taught by David Sanson and William Taschek,
OSU, Autumn 2011
Advanced Philosophy of Mind, taught by Declan Smithies, OSU,
Autumn 2012
Advanced Philosophy of Religion – Divine Attributes, taught by
David Sanson, OSU, Spring 2011
Advanced Philosophy of Religion – God and Morality, taught by
Sydney Penner, OSU, Spring 2014*
c) VALUE THEORY, EPISTEMOLOGY
Epistemology – Disagreement & Higher Order Evidence, taught by
Declan Smithies, OSU, Winter 2012
Advanced Epistemology, taught by Stewart Shapiro, OSU,
Winter 2006
Metaethics – Value Judgments, taught by Sigrun Svavarsdottir, OSU,
Spring 2013
Political Theory – Justice, taught by Don Hubin, OSU,
Winter 2012
Advanced Ethical Theory, taught by Sigrun Svavarsdottir, OSU,
Winter 2005
THEOLOGY (GPA: 4.0/4.0)
Theology of the Cross, Graduate Seminar taught by Fr. John McDermott,
Pontifical College Josephinum, Winter 2006
Jesus and The Church, undergraduate course taught by Fr. John McDermott,
Pontifical College Josephinum, Winter 2003
Lumen Christi Graduate Summer Seminar “Is God Knowable by Natural
Reason: Philosophy, Theology, and Trinitarian Thought in the
Middle Ages.” Taught by Dr. Timothy Noone, CUA, and Dr.
Mark Clark, CUA. Pontifical University of the Holy Cross,
Rome, Summer 2017
Lumen Christi Graduate Summer Seminar “St. Thomas Aquinas on Free Choice.”
Taught by Fr. Stephen L. Brook, from Pontifical University of the
Holy Cross. University of Chicago, Summer 2018
Lumen Christi Graduate Summer Seminar “St. Thomas Aquinas on the Five
Ways” Taught by Fr. Stephen L Brook, from Pontifical University of
the Holy Cross. University of Chicago, Summer 2022
RESEARCH REFERENCES
Professor Tamar Rudavsky Professor Julia Jorati
Department of Philosophy Department of Philosophy
The Ohio State University University of Massachusetts, Amherst
230 North Oval Mall jjorati@umass.edu
Columbus, OH, 43210
614-292-7914
Rudavsky.1@osu.edu
Professor Lisa Downing Professor Brandon C. Look
Department of Philosophy Department of Philosophy
The Ohio State University University of Kentucky
230 North Oval Mall 1417 Patterson Office Tower
Columbus, OH, 43210 Lexington, KY, 40506-0027
614-292-7914 850-257-3071
Downing.110@osu.edu look@uky.edu
TEACHING REFERENCES
Professor Piers Norris Turner Professor David DeLeonardis
Department of Philosophy Academic Dean
The Ohio State University Department of Philosophy
230 North Oval Mall Pontifical College Josephinum
Columbus, OH, 43210 7625 N. High St. 614-985-2248
614-292-7914 Columbus, OH 43235
Turner.894@osu.edu 614-985-2248
ddeleonardis@pcj.edu