Safford, John L. 1947–

(John Lugton Safford)

PERSONAL: Born January 6, 1947, in Pasadena, CA; son of Alton L. (an educator) and Margaret B. (a social worker) Safford; married Virginia Melrose (an educator), June, 1983; children: Joseph D., Janet A. Education: San Diego State University, M.A. (philosophy), 1974; California State College, San Bernardino, M.A. (history), 1980; University of California, Riverside, M.A. (political science), 1982, Ph.D., 1984. Hobbies and other interests: Making bows and arrows, shorin karate (third-degree black belt).

ADDRESSES: Office—Department of Social Sciences, University of South Carolina at Sumter, 200 Miller Rd., Sumter, SC 29150-2498. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Writer and educator. Mount San Antonio College, Walnut, CA, instructor in philosophy, 1978–84; University of South Carolina at Sumter, faculty member, 1984–, professor of government and philosophy, 1995–. Military service: U.S. Army, 1967–68; served in Vietnam; received Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.

MEMBER: American Political Science Association, American Philosophical Association, South Carolina Political Science Association.

WRITINGS:

Pragmatism and the Progressive Movement in the United States: The Origin of the New Social Sciences, University Press of America (Lanham, MD), 1987.

(With Hasmukh M. Raval) Bhagavad-Gita: A Philosophical System, W.H. Green (St. Louis, MO), 1990.

Democracy Is Dangerous: Resisting the Tyranny of the Majority, University Press of America (Lanham, MD), 2002.

(With Stanley M. Honer, Thomas C. Hunt, and Dennis L. Okholm) Invitation to Philosophy: Issues and Options, Wadsworth (Belmont, CA), 2006.

Contributor to journals.

WORK IN PROGRESS: The History of Epistemology; research on the relationship of religion and virtue to politics.

SIDELIGHTS: John L. Safford told CA: "I've always loved to read about history, philosophy, and politics. Best of all, with my job working in a university, I can call it 'research.' I enjoy teaching students who are interested in these areas. Finally, when I have something very detailed to explain, or an argument to make, I get satisfaction in writing it out as an article or a book."