“There are millions of people out there who appreciate the kind of philosophy we teach at UNCG,” says Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan. “I just have to get it out there.”
Kaplan grew up in New Jersey and lost his mother to the 9/11 attacks. She worked in the North Tower. He traces his passion for philosophy to hard questions he wrestled with in the days and long nights afterward.
Now he reaches others who have philosophical questions of their own. And his reach extends beyond the classrooms of Curry Building.
This desire to go above and beyond has earned him the highest honor a state employee can receive, a 2024 North Carolina Governor’s Award for Excellence. Only two are presented to UNC System employees each year.
It recognizes the impact of Kaplan’s philosophy videos on YouTube and his development of the UNCG Prison Education Program.
Three years ago, he searched the internet for videos that could help people understand complex topics like Russell’s paradox. He decided to make his own. Today that video has more than 8 million views.
In total, he’s posted about 100 philosophy videos on YouTube that have garnered over 25 million views. Kaplan gets emails every day from viewers. “It says something about the enthusiasm that people have for philosophy.”
In 2022, Kaplan gave his first monthly philosophy lecture in the Butner Correctional Facility. Earlier in his career, Kaplan taught courses at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, where he witnessed the positive impacts, such as reducing recidivism.
UNCG professors and students have volunteered their time as well. Recently, Lloyd International Honors undergrads participated in a writing workshop with Butner inmates.
Joe Dunne, a creative writing teacher in the English department, is also associate director of the prison education program. “Jeff has an amazing commitment to making this grow,” he says.
By Mike Harris ’93 MA, UNCG Magazine
Photography by Sean Norris ’13. San Quentin photo courtesy Jeffrey Kaplan.