Robert Sokolowski

Monsignor Robert Sokolowski (born May 3, 1934) is an American philosopher and Catholic priest, holding the Elizabeth Breckenridge Caldwell Professor of Philosophy position at The Catholic University of America. His philosophical research centers on phenomenology and its sub-disciplines, as well as theological perspectives. He is recognized for his interpretation of Husserl, termed "East-Coast Husserlianism." Sokolowski consistently argues that philosophy commences with the establishment of clear distinctions. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, to Stanley A. Sokolowski and Maryann C. Drag, he pursued his education at The Catholic University of America, earning a bachelor's degree in philosophy (1956) and a master's degree (1957) with the support of a Basselin scholarship. He furthered his studies at the Catholic University of Leuven, obtaining an S.T.B. in Theology (1961) and a Ph.D. in Philosophy (1963). His doctoral dissertation, "The Formation of Husserl's Concept of Constitution," was supervised by Fr. Herman Leo Van Breda, who preserved Husserl's writings and founded the Husserl Archives. Sokolowski has dedicated his entire teaching career to The Catholic University of America, with additional visiting appointments at The New School for Social Research, University of Texas at Austin, Villanova University, and Yale University.