Mark Ray Schmidt

Background

Mark Ray Schmidt was born on November 17, 1953, in Dallas, Texas, United States.

Education

Mark Ray Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Dallas Bible College (later Woodcrest College effective August 1, 1985). He has a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. Schmidt received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Career

In 1992 Mark Ray Schmidt was appointed an associate professor of English at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He also works as a wilderness camping guide and outfitter. He is a contributor to academic journals. Schmidt made a research on the idea of human nature in western thought and on the idea of the "good life" in western thought. He is the editor of Human Nature: Opposing Viewpoints, The 1970s: American Decades and the author of Constructing a Life Philosophy: Opposing Viewpoints.

Achievements

• Mark Ray Schmidt is best known as the author of Constructing a Life Philosophy: Opposing Viewpoints. His works received high praise from critics.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Human Nature: Opposing Viewpoints

    (This book debates the influences of genetics and the envi...)

    1999
  • The 1970s

    (During the 1970s, environmental and energy issues became ...)

    2000
  • Literature and Spirituality

    (Literature and Spirituality is part of Longman's The Esse...)

    2010
  • Constructing a Life Philosophy: Opposing Viewpoints 2002

Views

Mark Ray Schmidt told: "We need to study both the uniqueness of each individual human and the common features found in every human. As complex, mysterious creations, we will never completely understand ourselves as individuals or as a race. My research is an attempt to understand those qualities which all humans share: use of language, responses to pain and joy, pleasure with life and meaning, fear of death, longing for peace, concern with good and evil, continual efforts to justify our thoughts and actions, urge to give others harsh justice, hope that others will give us tender mercy, longing for independence and freedom, instinctive ‘herd’ behaviors, longing for intimate love, ability to hate, continual use of ‘scapegoats,’ continual hopes for harmony... These concerns are the foundation of my interdisciplinary studies of the humanities. These studies include intellectual history, comparative literature, rhetoric, the history of Christian thought, and theories in psychology."

Connections

Mark Ray Schmidt is married. His wife's name is Linda. They have six children.

Spouse:

Linda Schmidt

References

• Contemporary Authors
  2010