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In 1973 Iannone had not yet turned his pen to writing philosophy tracts. His
poetry book in Spanish, Astérida, had been published, but he recalls, “after
living in the U.S. for five years, the political upheaval in my homeland
continued, so, realizing that I wasn’t going back to live in Argentina soon,
I started writing short stories evoking the world I had left.” He went on to
earn a master’s and Ph.D. in philosophy with a minor in history of science
from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also pursued graduate studies
in business and economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Iowa
State. He taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of
Texas at Dallas, Iowa State University, and the University of Florida,
before joining CCSU in 1983, and, afterwards, as Visiting Professor at
Dalhousie University in Canada. Meanwhile, he married and had
two children.
From 1973 to 2006 Iannone wrote more short stories about traveling between
two cultures on different continents and living under democratic and
totalitarian regimes. Last year, The Room with Closets: Tales of a Life
Divided (Vagabond Press, 2006), a book of interconnected stories (amounting
to a novella) was published in English. The work of fiction may appear
removed from Iannone’s scholarly academic writings, but actually it
encompasses a convergence between literature and philosophy. “Having given
the book 23 years to germinate and grow, it ceased to be simply about the
expatriate experience. It is about love, politics, personal identity, and
the structure of the universe,” he reflects.
Progressively More Complex Theories
Similarly, Iannone’s scholarly writings during the course of nearly two
decades have deepened in complexity. From an editor of ethics
anthologies/textbooks augmented with his substantial commentaries, Iannone
progressed to the author of full-blown monographs, i.e., philosophy books
grounded in practical ethics.
Contemporary Moral Controversies in Technology (Oxford University Press,
1987) is a collection of writings that discuss moral theory and its uses for
dealing with current technology ethics issues. Next, Contemporary Moral
Controversies in Business (Oxford University Press, 1989), a textbook useful
in business ethics courses, focuses on all areas of business, using relevant
court cases. Subsequently, Through Time and Culture: Introductory Readings
in Philosophy (Prentice Hall, 1994), serves as a “cross-cultural anthology
introducing students to philosophy as it is actually practiced,” says Iannone.
Iannone’s business bent found further expression in the mid-1990s. He acted
as liaison between the Fundación Integración of Argentina and the
Connecticut State University System and Connecticut System of Community
Technical Colleges to conceive and develop joint projects. Between 2000 and
2005, he represented CCSU as a member of the Metro Hartford Chamber of
Commerce’s International Business Council. Today, he is the principal of
Iannone and Associates, L.L.C., a firm providing import/export services.
A Philosopher’s Practical Perspectives
“My business activities helped inspire me to outline an ethical theory
addressing practical problems we face in today’s world,” observes Iannone.
Philosophy as Diplomacy: Essays in Ethics and Policy Making (Humanities
Press International/Humanity Books, 1994) looks at how particular positions
in moral philosophy have practical applications to policy making.
Philosophical Ecologies: Essays in Philosophy, Ecology, and Human Life
(Humanity Books, 1999) deals with contemporary social fragmentation by
applying an ecological model to a wide range of philosophical problems. Some
are environmental, others intercultural, still others about matters of
aesthetics and the place and role of science, ideology, and philosophy in
our fragmented world. Dictionary of World Philosophy (London: Routledge,
2001) provides 315 master entries about terms and philosophical areas of
inquiry and traditions drawn from African, Arabic, Chinese, Indian,
Japanese, Jewish, Korean, Latin American, Maori, and Native American
philosophy. Some 3,500 terms are cross-referenced to the master entries.
Technology and Global Society (Global Publications, 2002) begins with an
overview of contemporary technological developments and the types of ethical
questions they pose. Iannone’s essays address longstanding moral
controversies in information, gene-splicing, health care, space, energy, and
materials technology, as well as environmental and risk-related issues at
the local, regional, national, and global levels. Business and Global
Society (Global Publications, 2003) reviews contemporary business
developments and practices and the types of ethical questions they pose to
management, marketing, business and finance, and international business,
especially as these affect or are affected by globalization.
In February 2007, Iannone will present, “Globalization and the Humanities”
at Columbia University. He is also working on an essay, “Information
Overload,” that the Ideas Project of the University of Ottawa invited him to
contribute to a forthcoming book.
What’s next? Always the thinker and prolific writer, Iannone is busy with
two books of essays, another book on how to address philosophical problems
through literature, and a novel treating themes of personal identity, group
identity, and human solitude—themes aptly classical for a philosopher.
— Geri Radacsi
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