Dan McCullough

Dan McCullough is an award-winning Professor of Philosophy at Cape Cod Community College, a columnist for The Cape Cod Times, and a dynamic speaker. He has published many short stories, and has seen all five of his plays turned into full stage productions.

Out of the Cave This book is a first book for the reader who has ever wondered, "What is philosophy all about?" In straightforward and plain language, with easily understood examples, Dan McCullough takes the reader gently up into the foothills of the world of philosophy, preparing that reader for the next steps in what might prove to be a lifetime of serious inquiry. “Dan McCullough’s unique gift is to use words to make his readers think about the universal truths that shape their lives.” -- John Crane, corporate speechwriter and former newspaper editor, Collinsville, CT “Readers will find his new book entertaining, to-the-point, and personally challenging.” -- Bill Wahtola, Master Plumber, Hyannis, MA “Dan McCullough is gifted with the ability to explain most everything in a clear and understandable way.” -- Pat Hughes, Environmental Scientist, Chapel Hill, NC “Dan McCullough could teach anywhere.” -- James Kershner, Professor of Journalism, Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable, MA "There is a spirit in Dan McCullough's writing that reminds us of our common humanity." --Dr. Rissa Wabaunsee, Northwest Indian College "Dan McCullough is equally comfortable communicating with physics professors as with janitors." -- Mike McDonough, Motorcycle repairman, Runamuck Ranch, Virginia City NV “A gifted thinker and writer who has inspired a generation of readers.” -- Bob Warner, trailer park manager, Briny Breezes, FL

If you have enough interest to have even thought about reading this book, I’ve got good news for you: philosophy is not difficult stuff; it simply asks us to consider things that we don’t think about everyday, and for some people, this is what’s difficult, not the doing of philosophy. So please let me encourage you. Millions of people have been doing Western philosophy for thousands of years, and almost all of these people have not been college professors, or even college students. Philosophy was intended right from the start for the average everyday person with a genuine thirst for wisdom, and knowledge of the ultimate and dangerous truths. I have been teaching philosophy for close to 40 years. Some of my best students have been those who arrived totally unprepared for the study of philosophy. There is no person with average intelligence who cannot deal with the basic principles and questions in this book. Finally, let me confess that choosing the questions to go into a small introductory volume like this is a frustrating task. I have chosen six questions that I think will get you started on a lifelong journey of inquiry and investigation. But the list is not complete, or is it perfect. Better teachers and more gifted scholars might have chosen a different list, longer or shorter, or perhaps with other items on it. But it’s my half-dozen. Just for you. Come along with a curious and open mind and I promise that you will be changed forever, and your world will never be the same.

Thank you! Many thanks to all of you who just about filled the auditorium at Cape Cod Community College on April 20th, making our annual TEAM M25 fund-raiser such a success. All of our net intake from this fund-raiser goes directly to helping the homeless - we work with no salaries, office expenses, etc. We are currently negotiating our 2012 - 2013 fall and spring "Evening With Dan McCullough" dates with the people at Cape Cod Community College. Please check in here regularly for specific details regarding these events at the college this fall and next spring.

Subscribe to Dan McCullough! Keep posted at this web site for an announcement of an upcoming subscription service whereby you can receive – on your computer – one or two newspaper columns a week read aloud by Dan McCullough.

Dan McCullough was born and raised in Rhode Island. Before coming to academia, he spent several years in the Teamsters’ Union in Providence and later also worked several years as an offshore commercial fisherman in Point Judith, Rhode Island.

After moving to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, he worked many years as a bartender, while running his own welding and blacksmith business, and working as a commercial shellfisherman. He has captained ocean-going sailboats off the coast of New England for many years and has also sailed among the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, and extensively throughout most of the Caribbean.

He has been teaching college philosophy for four decades. He did his undergraduate work at Providence College and completed his graduate studies at Boston University, where he was a teaching assistant. He has taught at the University of Massachusetts, and Suffolk University, and is currently tenured full professor of philosophy at Cape Cod Community College, where he has received the Excellence in Teaching Award.

He has been the resident medical ethicist on the Cape Cod Hospital Ethics Committee for the past 20 years, and is currently the consulting medical ethicist to Falmouth Hospital. He has written several articles on medical ethics published in such places as South Africa, Sweden, and Israel and is the recipient of a Fulbright Grant to study medical ethics in the People’s Republic of China.

As a playwright, all of his five plays have seen full stage productions in southeastern New England. He is the author of dozens of short stories and his work has been printed in several journals. He has published well over 1,000 newspaper columns and articles in the Cape Cod Times, The Providence Journal, and other periodicals. He is the author of three books. His current book, “Out of the Cave”, is presently in its fourth printing.

He lives by the fishing village of Rock Harbor on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

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