Angela Sager

Overview

Dr. Sager earned her B.A. in Philosophy, B.A. in History, and Minor in Religion at Wichita State University in 2012.  She received her M.A. (2014), M.Phil. (2018), and Ph.D. (2021) in Philosophy from Fordham University. 

Academic Interests and Expertise

Philosophy of Religion, Continental Philosophy (emphasis in 19th-century European philosophy), Ethics, Ancient Philosophy (including ancient Chinese and Indian traditions), and Japanese Philosophy (particularly the Kyoto School)

Areas of Research Interest

Dr. Sager’s research centers currently around the Existential Problem of Evil, or the fact that suffering can render a person’s life meaningless.  Specifically, this research includes: 

1. Outlining the therapeutic role of śūnyatā, or emptiness (particularly as the Buddhist concept is depicted by Keiji Nishitani), in overcoming the hopelessness of anomy
2. Illustrating a particular form of existential suffering dubbed as “onryoan corruption” where—like vengeful spirits found in Japanese folklore and horror cinema—a victim perpetuates evil by fixating on her suffering to the point that she lashes out at the world in nihilistic rage
3. Constructing an ameliorating, philosophical response to evil that stresses the importance of eschatology and theosis (or divinized transformation) in restoring the loss of the world’s order and meaning

Areas of Teaching Interest

Bioethics

Philosophy of Religion

Japanese Philosophy