John J. Conley, S.J.

John J. Conley, S.J., is a Jesuit of the Maryland Province and a regular columnist for America. He is the current Francis J. Knott Chair of Philosophy and Theology at Loyola University, Maryland, with a particular interest in modern French philosophy. Fr. Conley earned a B.A. (Honors) degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania before he entered the Society of Jesus in 1973. His formation as a Jesuit saw him gain an M.A. degree in philosophy from Fordham University, before taking up a post as an instructor in philosophy in Wheeling College, West Virginia. From there, Fr. Conley took advanced French studies in the University of Bordeaux, graduate studies in theology at Centre Sèvres (Paris) and in Weston (Cambridge) and completed his doctoral studies in philosophy in the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.

Since completing his studies, Fr. Conley has taught philosophy in Fordham University (1995-2004), with a period as visiting professor of philosophy in St. Joseph’s University (2000-2001) and Professor of Philosophy in Fordham (2004-2007), again acting as visiting professor in Loyola College (2005-2007). Fr. Conley took up his current Chair in Loyola University in 2007.

Fr. Conley’s work has been recognized with elections to Phi Beta Kappa and Friars Society (1973), Phi Kappa Phi (1996), Alpha Sigma Nu (1997) and the Dramatists Guild of America (2008).

Philosopher's Notebook

An Elusive Integral Ecology

by John J. Conley, S.J. July 21, 2015

Pope Francis’ outlook sharply diverges from that promoted by many prominent environmentalists.

Philosopher's Notebook

We must rebuild Baltimore

by John J. Conley, S.J. May 28, 2015

Freddie Gray died on April 19 from spinal injuries sustained while he was in custody, being transported in a police van. Protests surrounding his death turned violent on the evening of April 25. The violence intensified on April 27, the day of Gray’s funeral, with a night of arson, looting and

Philosopher's Notebook

The Great Crime

by John J. Conley, S.J. April 22, 2015

Observers of the anti-Armenian campaign quickly noted its genocidal nature.

Philosopher's Notebook

Ionesco Again

by John J. Conley, S.J. March 18, 2015

Suspicious of all political utopias, Ionesco rejected the efforts at a partisan recuperation of the drama.

Philosopher's Notebook

On Paying Attention

by John J. Conley, S.J. February 17, 2015

At the center of the spiritual life is the simple courage to be quiet.

Philosopher's Notebook

How Not to Preach

by John J. Conley, S.J. January 22, 2015

Three homily don’ts from a 30-year veteran of the pulpit

Philosopher's Notebook

Has Natural Law Died?

by John J. Conley, S.J. December 11, 2014

The recent Synod on the Family had its surface controversies: the admission of the divorced and remarried to the sacraments and the pastoral care of homosexuals. It also had its background theoretical controversies. The Vatican’s Humanum conference in November probed one of them: the complemen