ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Department of Philosophy
St. John Hall, Room B30-5
Queens Campus
St. John’s University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
Phone: (718) 990-5295
Fax: (718) 990-1907
gianella@stjohns.edu
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
- Ph.D., Philosophy of Science, St. John’s University, 1971
- B.S., Physics, Georgetown University, 1961
AREAS OF INTEREST
- History and philosophy of physics
- Maxwell’s Electromagnetic Field Theory
- Big Bang Cosmology and the Anthropic Principle
- The problem of evil
PROFILE
Arthur Gianelli has been a member of the Philosophy Department for
40 years. Dr. Gianelli has been on the Board of Directors of
the Independent Studies Program for 7 years, Director of the Honors
Program for 14 years, and Chair of the Philosophy Department for 16
years. Prior to coming to St. John’s, Dr. Gianelli taught
physics for 4 years at Penn State University.
Dr. Gianelli is currently doing research in the following
areas:
- Metaphysical and epistemological issues in the 19th century
sciences of electricity, magnetism, and optics, with special
emphasis on the electromagnetic field theory of James Clerk
Maxwell.
- Issues at the interface of contemporary science and philosophy,
and contemporary science and religion, especially those issues
brought forth by Big Bang Cosmology and the Anthropic
Principle.
Dr. Gianelli’s goal is the publication of a book integrating
both areas of research. Research in the first area is close
to completion; research in the second area has begun.