A memorial conference was held in November by the Department of Philosophy at Stony Brook University to honor Professor Don Ihde, a distinguished figure in the field of philosophy who passed away in January 2024. Ihde was renowned for his contributions to phenomenology and the philosophy of technology during his 43-year tenure at Stony Brook.
Robert Crease, Department Chair and organizer of the event, highlighted Ihde's pivotal role in establishing the university's philosophy department. "Don Ihde was the founder of the Stony Brook philosophy department way back in the early 1970s, so he was a towering figure for us," said Crease. The conference gathered approximately 40 attendees, including former students and faculty members who discussed Ihde’s extensive influence on various fields such as scientific research, art, design, and music.
Crease emphasized Ihde's lasting impact: “He was and is America’s greatest philosopher of technology. He was the pioneer.” Among those present was Judith Lochhead from the Department of Music, who collaborated with Ihde on projects exploring phenomenology in music.
Graduate student Juan Arteaga expressed admiration for Ihde’s work: “I didn’t have the honor of meeting Don Ihde in person, but I discovered him through his work.” Arteaga used one of Ihde’s books to analyze protest chants as part of his studies.
The conference also featured international scholars like Peter-Paul Verbeek from the University of Amsterdam. Crease noted that attendees came from diverse backgrounds and locations due to Ihde’s broad influence. “Professor Ihde leaves behind an incredible, bustling, international and interdisciplinary network,” he stated.
Ihde authored over 20 books and numerous articles translated into multiple languages. His teachings continue to resonate globally as scholars like Robert Rosenberger at Georgia Tech build upon his legacy.
Crease announced plans for a conference volume publication: “This wasn’t just a memorial; it was also a serious intellectual conference that will carry Don’s work forward.”