About SAAP

On this page, you'll find the society's statement and its educational policy. Click on the following link for a list of officers.

Society History

Here (PDF, download) is a history of SAAP written by Beth J. Singer, Professor Emerita of the Philosophy department of Brooklyn college, City University of New York.

Society Constitution

Here is the Constitution for SAAP (.doc format)

Society Statement

The purposes of the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy are:

  • To promote interest and research in the history of American Philosophy
  • To encourage original, creative work in the spirit of that tradition
  • To provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas on American Philosophy

Awards and Prizes at the Annual Conference

There are now four awards and prizes given at the annual SAAP meeting.
• Herbert Schneider Award
This award recognizes a career-long achievement of "distinguished contributions to the understanding of American Philosophy."
Herbert Schneider Award Recipients (.doc file)
• Douglas Greenlee Prize
This is awarded to the best paper presented at the annual meeting by either a graduate student or a person holding a Ph.D. for no more than five years. Eligible submitters should make explicit mention in their submission that they wish to be considered for the prize.
• Ila and John Mellow Prize
This award recognizes excellence in advancing the American philosophical tradition toward the resolution of current personal, social and political problems. The Ila and John Mellow Prize of $250 is offered to the person whose paper is judged to be the best in:
-- developing the treasure house of methods and ideas beyond the stage they are found in the classical works of American philosophy, or
-- relating these ideas and methods to contemporary issues with a view to enhancing our understanding of current problems or our ability to resolve them.

The Prize is offered in the memory of Ila and John Mellow, parents of Shirley Mellow Lachs, whose sound common sense made them the embodiments of the practical philosophy of America, and is made possible through the generosity of John and Shirley Lachs.
• Joseph L. Blau Prize
This prize ($350) is offered to the author of the paper that makes the most significant contribution to the history of American Philosophy from colonial times to the recent present. The Blau Prize is made possible through the generosity of Professor Peter Hare.

How To Make A Request For Saap Co-Sponsorship Of Other Events In American Philosophy

Consistent with its mission and contingent upon its available resources, SAAP seeks to co-sponsor programs and events that advance American philosophy. Toward that end, SAAP accepts proposals from its members in good standing. Proposals should be directed via e-mail to Bill Myers, Treasurer, SAAP, at bmyers@bsc.edu and will be evaluated in a timely manner by SAAP’s Executive Committee.

All proposals must include:

  1. A detailed description of the event or program with specific emphasis on its ability to advance American philosophy. This should include description of how the event or program will have significance and impact that lasts beyond the event or program itself.
  2. A complete budget, including all projected expenses and all projected revenues and their sources.
  3. An explanation of how the members of SAAP can and will be involved in the planning of the event or program, and how members of SAAP can participate in the event or program itself.

Please note: The amount of award is dependent upon the availability of funds. Past awards have ranged from $250 to $2000. Persons considering submitting proposals are encouraged to consult with Tom Alexander, SAAP President, talex@siu.edu, as early as possible in the planning stage of the event or program.

Past Awards:

$2000 for the 2007 Royce/James Conference at Harvard

$500 for graduate student presenters at the Royce/James Conference

$300 for this fall’s William James Graduate student Conference at Yale,

in honor of John E. Smith

$500 for the 2007 Summer Institute in American Philosophy

 

Educational Policy

There is a working document for the whole society, here. There was a discussion session at the meeting in March 2005 to suggest additional revisions, additions, deletions etc.

In the long run the idea is for SAAP to have input into current educational policy debates. This document, or some later version of it, might be printed as a formal policy paper and distributed to legislators, State boards of education, local school boards, teacher education deans and chairs etc. That at least is one possibility.

SAAP Educational Policy Drafting Committee

  • John Ryder, Chair
  • Marjorie Miller
  • Jim Garrison
  • Nathan Houser
  • John Stuhr

Educational Policy Draft (Acrobat PDF format)

Educational Policy Draft (MS Word format)