His operate in phenomenological thinking, analytic thinking, plus the history of thinking aided motivate generations out-of philosophers involved in those industries regarding research. Leading one of his blogs was basically their instructions James and Husserl: New Foundations off Definition-a study from inside the contrasts regarding phenomenology originator Edmund Husserl and you will pragmatist/functionalist William James-and you will Husserl and you may Analytic Philosophy, and this tracked the vacation anywhere between phenomenology and you may analytical thinking, a couple of secret philosophic actions of one’s twentieth century.
Cobb-Stevens asserted that, while he sensed Husserl’s phenomenology approach is more productive as compared to analytic kind of Gottlob Frege-which mainly based the latest analytical direction-he previously had written Husserl and Analytical Opinions with the hope out of contributing to “revived dialogue” between the two schools out of imagine: “[Husserl and you can Frege] one another mutual the latest conviction that we is capable of some extent away from purpose specifics, even in the event all of our the means to access the fact is constantly perspectival and you may usually trained.”
For the 2015, an amount of essays honoring Dr. Cobb-Stevens, Phenomenology for the a different sort of Key, is penned, featuring efforts out-of multiple best specialists in phenomenological philosophy regarding North The united states and you will Europe.
“Cock could be extremely remembered for their very important humanness,” told you Professor off Philosophy Patrick Byrne. “He had been loving and you may inviting to any or all he found, and you may tell you that he cared in regards to you because the an individual. Dick got a beneficial sense of humor and was an excellent storyteller from a unique kind: He could let themselves fall off as he drew individuals to each other by attracting all of them on the tale.”
He had a special gift having relaxing tensions in the group meetings, that is zero small success in a great college or university setting
Dr. Cobb-Stevens‘ associate Professor Eileen Sweeney, talking from the his retirement lecture in 2009, applauded Husserl and you will Analytic Values by way of example out of their ability to interact that have and you can transcend instance departments. “It is on that cusp one to Richard’s philosophical works enjoys dwelt, eschewing both reductionism and you will scientism, toward one-hand, including one early sanctuary on mysticism or poetry, on the other side. I won’t claim that Richard’s envision has come to help you other people when you look at the some simple synthesis otherwise center ground but is rather involved with a continuing vibrant dialectic.”
Their victory given that a researcher and creator didn’t overshadow his performance as an instructor and you will coach, added Sweeney, detailing you to definitely for over three decades Dr. Cobb-Stevens ran brand new Viewpoints Department’s training discussion to own doctoral college students, and had directed 27 doctoral dissertations. Children, she told you, valued their capability to allow them to create their own thought but so you’re able to topic they so you’re able to rigorous investigations and you can complaints.
His lectures got “the same blend of design and you can clarity due to the fact do their creating,” told you Sweeney at the 2009 event. “He is Continuar able to continually be mentioned with the with the anecdote students will think about for years to come that epitomizes difficulty or issue on the thing they are knowledge. He is always prepared to express a narrative that presents their very own dilemmas and you will puzzlement when controling an issue or troubles, the one that reveals his own humankind that have a great humility hence students see it you can easily so you can emulate. ”
He could be ready to work through an issue with college students inside genuine collaboration, understanding and enacting the fresh role from philosopher since lover instead of possessor off skills
Dr. Cobb-Stevens‘ associates including recalled him as “a citizen of one’s College or university” who obtained opportunities and you can assignments that triggered the greater number of a of his agency-while the president away from 1993-2002, he delivered in the world recognition so you can BC’s graduate programs inside thinking and increase what number of philosophy student discipline to among the many premier regarding You.S.-and you will Boston College overall: He had been a person in the fresh College or university Plan Panel and College Academic Planning Council, among other government.