ABOUT
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Dr. Wm. Andrew Schwartz is an American philosopher and activist. He currently serves as Visiting Associate Professor at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) in Zhuhai, China as well as Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies (CPS), Vice President of the Institute for Ecological Civilization (EcoCiv), and Associate Professor of Process Studies and Comparative Philosophy at Claremont School of Theology (CST). His research and teaching covers a wide range of topics, such as environmental philosophy, philosophy of religion, Asian and comparative philosophies, metaphysics, economic philosophy, philosophy of mind, philosophy of education, and more. However, his current work mainly focuses on the role of big ideas in bringing about systems change for the long-term wellbeing of people and the planet (i.e. ecological civilization).
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
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WHAT IS ECOLOGICAL CIVILIZATION?: CRISIS, HOPE, AND THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET
This book explores the idea of ecological civilization by asking eight key questions about it and drawing answers from relational philosophies, the ecological sciences, systems thinking and network theory, and the world’s religious and spiritual traditions. It concludes that a genuinely ecological civilization is not a utopian ideal, but a practical way to live. To recognize this, and to begin to take steps to establish it, is the foundation for realistic hope.
VIDEOS
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Andrew Schwartz gives a plenary address on "Learning from Living Systems: Biomimicry and the Principles of Ecological Civilization" at the 17th International Forum on Ecological Civilization at Pitzer College.
PODCASTS
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Listen to podcast recordings featuring Dr. Schwartz on a range of topics.
COURSES
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Process Philosophy: The Philosophical Foundation of Whole Person Education (Fall 2025)
This course provides an introduction to the process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead, which is considered as the philosophical foundation of Whole Person Education in the western cultural tradition. It aims to provide students with an understanding of the central concepts of Whitehead's philosophy, including his views on ontology, cosmology, and epistemology. The course will explore Whitehead's concepts of process, creativity, and the relationship between the individual and the whole. The course will examine the key texts and ideas of Whitehead's philosophy and consider their relevance to contemporary debates in metaphysics, epistemology, education and ethics.
Religion and the Arts: Western Traditions (Fall 2025)
This course is an introduction to the major religions of the Western world, including Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Baha’i Faith, and selected Native American traditions. Together, we will explore the beliefs, practices, historical developments, and cultural expressions of these traditions, with special attention to how they have shaped and continue to shape global civilization. Students will engage with classic texts, works of art, and contemporary issues to gain a deeper understanding of religious worldviews and their relevance today. Through lectures, discussions, creative projects, and group work, the course invites students to reflect on the role of religion in personal life, society, and the broader world.