Lou Marinoff

Lou Marinoff is a Canadian-born academic, author, and Commonwealth Scholar. He holds the position of Professor of Philosophy and Asian Studies at The City College of New York and is the founding President of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association. Marinoff is recognized for his books, including 'Plato Not Prozac,' 'Therapy for the Sane,' 'The Middle Way,' and 'The Power of Dao,' which explore the application of philosophical ideas to resolve everyday difficulties. He was born in Quebec, Canada, on October 18, 1951. His academic journey began with studies in theoretical physics at Concordia University and McGill University, followed by a doctorate in the philosophy of science from University College London. His doctoral thesis, completed in 1992, focused on game theory and conflict research. He pursued post-doctoral work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and held a lectureship at the University of British Columbia. In 1994, Marinoff joined The City College of New York. He co-founded the International Conference on Philosophical Practice in 1994 and the American Philosophical Practitioners Association in 1998. Marinoff champions philosophy as a means to address life's challenges, suggesting that many problems stem from philosophical uncertainties rather than solely emotional or chemical issues. His approach has also drawn criticism regarding philosophical accuracy and the scope of philosophical counseling. Beyond his academic pursuits, Marinoff is a distinguished athlete, having won the Canadian Open Table Hockey championship three times and the US Open Championship in 2015.