Dr. Robert Campbell Roberts stands as a preeminent scholar in the field of ethics and moral psychology, whose interdisciplinary work has reshaped contemporary understanding of virtue and human emotion. He currently holds emeritus status as Distinguished Professor of Ethics at Baylor University, following a distinguished academic career that spanned over four decades. Having earned his PhD from Yale University's Religious Studies Department with a dissertation on Rudolf Bultmann's theology, Roberts established himself as a significant voice in philosophical ethics early in his career. His academic journey included professorial positions at Western Kentucky University from 1973 to 1984, Wheaton College where he integrated philosophy with psychological studies, and finally Baylor University where he served as Distinguished Professor of Ethics from 2000 until his retirement in 2015.
Roberts' groundbreaking theoretical framework of emotions as concern based construals has provided a robust alternative to traditional cognitive and physiological theories, significantly influencing contemporary emotion theory across multiple disciplines. His extensive scholarship, including influential works on humility, pride, forgiveness, and intellectual virtues, has established him as a leading authority in virtue ethics and moral psychology. Roberts has made substantial contributions to understanding the interplay between religious traditions and ethical theory, particularly through his exploration of Christian virtues within philosophical contexts. His collaborative work with the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues and the Virtue, Happiness, & the Meaning of Life Project at the University of Chicago has fostered important interdisciplinary dialogues on the nature of human flourishing.
As Professor of Ethics and Emotion Theory at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues with a joint Chair at the Royal Institute of Philosophy, Roberts continues to shape contemporary ethical discourse through his sustained scholarly output. He maintains an active intellectual presence as a Resident Scholar at Baylor's Institute for Studies of Religion, where he contributes to ongoing research initiatives examining the intersection of faith and character formation. Roberts' influence extends through his numerous publications that have become essential references for scholars working at the crossroads of philosophy, psychology, and theological ethics. His enduring commitment to exploring the moral dimensions of human emotion ensures that his work will continue to inform philosophical and psychological understandings of virtue and character for generations to come.
