By Zach Brooks, Social Media Manager
Professor of philosophy Steven Gimbel academically specializes in the interdisciplinary space of the philosophy of physics. Gimbel has always loved physics and the big questions that the field asks. However, during his undergraduate education while studying physics, Gimbel described going to his professor’s office hours and realizing that the field was not looking at the big questions.
“Physics didn’t look like what I saw on the PBS Nova episodes that so fascinated me as a child,” Gimbel explained.
At the same time, Gimbel began taking philosophy classes, which led to his fascination in finding the philosophy of science, and in that, the philosophy of physics. This caused Gimbel to realize he could study the subject he loved with the method he enjoyed.
Philosophy Professor Steven Gimbel (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
“The chocolate of physics with the peanut butter of philosophy creating the Reese’s peanut butter cup of my professional career,” Gimbel analogized.
Gimbel’s post graduate career found him being hired at Gettysburg College 25 years ago. He first was as an adjunct faculty member, then a visiting assistant professor and finally was put into his current tenured position.
Gimbel reflected on faculty members who served as mentors to him when he first arrived at Gettysburg College. One of these faculty members is emeritus professor of philosophy Kerry Walters, who Gimbel says showed him what being a life changing teacher looked like. Gimbel also credits professor emeritus of mathematics Dave Flesner and professor emeritus of physics Larry Marschall for helping him to build interdisciplinary bridges.
“I love to work and play with others,” explained Gimbel, who has had the opportunity to team-teach with colleagues from departments such as mathematics, chemistry, health sciences and sociology.
“THAT is what the liberal arts is all about—connecting ideas and discourses which creates the opportunity to find connections you never could have imagined beforehand, but after seeing them you cannot see the world the same way again,” noted Gimbel.
When asked about the philosophy behind his teaching method, Gimbel says it is derived from the many Grateful Dead concerts he has attended: “…there is something magical about improvisation, in exploring beyond where the script takes you.”
Gimbel uses this philosophy to create a discentering classroom environment, and he completes this by allowing his students to ask anything they want during the first five minutes of class.
“I don’t know what they’ll ask and they don’t know how I’ll respond. No one owns it,” Gimbel explained. “It is completely live…like a jamband, I know the song and can come back for the verse and chorus when I need to, but can then let it percolate and see where the minds in the room take it.”
Gimbel says there is a philosophy of everything, which is why next semester he’ll be teaching on the philosophy of sports, history of Jewish comedy and a seminar on the history and philosophy of quantum mechanics.
All these classes stem from Gimbel’s interests: he was a lacrosse goalie in college, tried stand-up for about five years and calls quantum mechanics his “nerd love.” Gimbel also takes interest in the professional-development of his students. He shared that his favorite teaching memories are those where he has completed research with his students.
“There is something indelible about bringing your minds together to create a product that lives on,” said Gimbel.
What has been especially meaningful for Gimbel is his ability to stay in touch with former student co-authors, some of whom continue to be his partners in thought to this day.
Gimbel concluded, “I suppose what is most important is that teaching creates memories, but also ongoing relationships.”
This article originally appeared on page 6 of the December 2023 edition of The Gettysburgian’s magazine.
