Naomi Zack facts for kids

Naomi Zack is a smart professor who teaches philosophy at Lehman College in New York City. She used to teach at the University of Albany and the University of Oregon.

Professor Zack has written many books and articles. Her work often focuses on important topics like fairness, how people see themselves (identity), and how to deal with big problems like natural disasters. She also works to help women and other groups get more opportunities in philosophy.

Education and Career Journey

Naomi Zack went to New York University and earned her first degree in 1966. She was a very good student and received a special scholarship.

Later, in 1970, she earned her highest degree, a doctorate in philosophy, from Columbia University. She studied how we know things and how we can be sure about what we believe.

Professor Zack started teaching at the University of Albany in 1998. She became a full professor there in 2000. Then, in 2001, she moved to the University of Oregon to teach philosophy. In 2019, she joined the philosophy team at Lehman College.

In 2019, she received a special award called the Romanell - Phi Beta Kappa Professorship. She also gave an important talk in 2021 called "Philosophy and Me" at a big meeting for philosophers.

Exploring Important Ideas

Professor Zack's research covers many interesting areas. She thinks deeply about the philosophy of race, which explores ideas about race and fairness. She also studies the philosophy of identity, which is about how we understand who we are. Another area she explores is feminist theory, which looks at gender equality and women's experiences.

Understanding Disasters and Ethics

In her book Ethics for Disaster, Professor Zack looked at how we think about big problems like natural disasters. She wanted to create a clear way to understand disasters and a set of rules for how people should act when they happen.

She believes that governments have a duty to help people after a disaster. But even more, she thinks governments should plan ahead for different kinds of disasters. This means they should think about what might happen and how to respond before it's too late.

Professor Zack also points out that how a "disaster" is described can change. It often depends on the politics, race, or wealth of the people affected. She wants everyone to get the best help possible, based on good planning.

Thinking About Rights and Fairness

In her book ... and Black Rights: The Injustice of U.S. Police Racial Profiling, Professor Zack talks about civil rights and unfairness. She looks at how we can make things more just.

She suggests two ways to think about fairness. One way is to imagine a perfect world where everyone is treated fairly. The other way is to start by looking at what's unfair and then try to fix it.

Professor Zack encourages people to focus on the rights of Black people. She explains that sometimes, what is taken away from Black people is not just a special advantage, but basic human rights that everyone should have.