Associate Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies

B.A., Luther College

Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder

Personal Statement on Philosophy:

I see philosophy as the heart of liberal arts, because it forces us to make connections across disciplines and to question fundamental assumptions. One of my jobs as a teacher is to help students see the relevance of philosophy for their everyday lives. Activities as ubiquitous as eating are filled with philosophical questions, which I explore with students in the classroom.

Research & Teaching Interests:

Professor Jensen's current research focuses on the intersection between virtue ethics, sustainable agriculture, and ecological restoration. He teaches environmental philosophy of science, as well as courses for the environmental studies program. 

 Select Publications: 

• "Educating for Ignorance," The Upside of Ignorance: Prospecting for a New World View, Bill Vitek and Wes Jackson, eds., forthcoming University of Kentucky Press
• "Cutting Nature at the Seams: Beyond Species Boundaries in a World of Diversity," Boundary Explorations in Ecological Theory and Practice, Charles Brown, ed., SUNY Press, 2006
• "Naming What We Eat," The Cresset, Spring 2005
• Questions That Matter: An Invitation to Philosophy, 5th edition, with Ed. L. Miller, McGraw-Hill (2004)