David Rau

Schedule

• Monday
     1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Circulation Desk Mahoney Library
  
  
• Tuesday
     1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Circulation Desk Mahoney Library
  
  
• Wednesday
     1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Circulation Desk Mahoney Library
  
  
• Thursday
     1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Circulation Desk Mahoney Library
  
  
• Friday
     8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Circulation Desk Mahoney Library
  

Biography

Born and raised in Novato, California.

After graduating from Novato High School in 1986, attended a summer session at Musician's Institute in Hollywood. In December 1993 a medly of original compositions aired on KTIM, a radio station which folded shortly thereafter.

Worked as a mechanic for 14 years Ken's Auto Shop.

In 2001, returned to school at Santa Rosa Junior College as a full-time student, declaring philosophy as my major after attending a scholarly seminar on religion.

Transferred to Sonoma State University in 2004 and completed a Bachelor's in Philosophy in 2006. Wrote my senior thesis on imagination, focusing on the American philosophical perspectives of pragmatism (Peirce, James and Dewey) and transcendentalism (Emerson and Thoreau).

Been playing guitar for over 30 years and perform regularly at local venues with 2 bands: Nothing to Lose and Now & Zen (see links below).

From February, 2006 to July, 2010 I was evening supervisor of the Reserve Desk in Doyle Library. I currently work at the Circulation Desk in Mahoney Library at SRJC's Petaluma Campus.

I reside in Rohnert Park with my wife Suzanne.

Education

Santa Rosa Junior College: Fall 2001 - Spring 2003, philosophy major
Sonoma State University: Spring 2003 - Spring 2006, philosophy major

Professional Areas of Interest

The relationship of language and reality (ontology, metaphysics and epistemology).
The history and philosophy of science.
Cosmology and observational astronomy.
Religious studies: history, literature and comparative analysis.
The role of (Kant's productive) imagination in human experience.
The Philosophy of Spinoza.

Professional Involvement and Community Service

Member, Board of Directors Olompali People (Olompali State Historic Park) 2003-2004

Volunteer, Sonoma State University Observatory Public Viewing Nights 2004-2005

Assistant, Santa Rosa Junior College Astronomy Labs 2003-2006

Presentations and Publications

It was a tremendous honor to participate in the Pacific Division of the American Philosophical Association’s 81st annual meeting in San Francisco on April 6, 2007 as an independent scholar. I delivered my commentary on an essay by Dr. Gregory Walters of St. Paul University, Ottawa, titled "Philosophy of Gene-being and the Encompassing: a Prolegomenon." His paper sought to establish a philosophical, scientific and theological foundation for the consideration of biotechnologies. My commentary sought to 1) acknowledge the problematic nature of the question of Being (in other words, what does it mean to say that something is?); 2) address the apparent dilemma of free will vs. determinism (which, I argued, the one way flow of time renders irresolvable) and 3) the admission that practical knowledge (how to do something) can, and often does, exceed the wisdom of doing so. This final point was an appeal for humility in the face of the unknown consequences of our actions.

Honors and Awards

BA summa cum laude in Philosophy with distinction, Sonoma State University 2006
AA with highest honors, Santa Rosa Junior College 2003

Links

Nothing to Lose (electric rock band)
Now & Zen (acoustic rock band)
My music website recordings of original compositions and video of performances
My philosophy wiki