Emeriti faculty awarded for lifetime achievements in Japanese philosophy

Dr. John Maraldo, University of North Florida professor emeritus of philosophy and scholar of Japanese philosophy and Zen Buddhism, was presented with the Kanazawa University International Award last month in Kanazawa City, Japan. He received the annual award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of philosophy.

The International Award was founded in 2017 by the late Dr. Mitsuru Usui at Kanazawa University in Japan to honor scholars or researchers who have made internationally outstanding achievements in the fields of philosophy, thought and religion.

At the award ceremony in Japan, Maraldo was recognized for contributions to Nishida Kitarō's philosophical studies calling for harmony with the natural world. Maraldo described the award as an incredible honor and encouragement to all scholars who contribute to Nishida studies.

Maraldo taught at UNF from 1980 to 2008 and was the Distinguished Professor in 1994.

He is the author of several publications including Japanese Philosophy in the Making parts 1, 2 and 3; The Saga of Zen History and the Power of Legend; Japanese Philosophy: A Sourcebook; (all published since his retirement), and Rude Awakenings: Zen, the Kyoto School, & the Question of Nationalism.

Maraldo shares that he remains grateful for the support that UNF has given him and his colleagues in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.