Lou Marinoff

Lou Marinoff is a Commonwealth Scholar and professor of philosophy and Asian studies at The City College of New York. Marinoff's academic career focuses on the intersection of ancient wisdom and contemporary issues, with expertise in philosophy of science, decision theory, computer modeling of rational and moral agency, global ethics, Chinese philosophy, Indian philosophy, Buddhism, and philosophical practice. He earned a doctorate in philosophy of science at University College London after studying theoretical physics at Concordia and McGill universities. Marinoff completed postdoctoral research at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and held a lectureship at University of British Columbia before joining The City College of New York.

Marinoff is the author of "Plato, Not Prozac," an international bestseller translated into 27 languages, which explores how philosophical uncertainties, rather than chemical imbalances, often underlie life's challenges. The book contributed to the development of philosophical counseling and positioned Marinoff as a prominent figure in applied philosophy. His additional works include "Therapy for the Sane," "The Middle Way," "The Power of Dao," "The Big Questions," and "The Inner Philosopher," co-authored with Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda. These publications introduce philosophical traditions from both Eastern and Western perspectives to a broad audience.

Marinoff is the founding president of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association and editor of its journal, "Philosophical Practice." He co-founded the International Conference on Philosophical Practice and has contributed to the advancement of philosophical counseling worldwide. Marinoff's work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine and The Economist. He has conducted workshops on ethics and values for leaders in political, business, religious, and cultural sectors.

Marinoff has collaborated with international forums and think tanks, including World Economic Forum in Davos, Aspen Institute, Horasis in Zurich, Biovision in Lyon, Festival of Thinkers in Abu Dhabi, and Strategic Foresight Group in Mumbai. He has appeared in five documentary films and publishes on topics such as human conflict, philosophy of war and peace, artificial intelligence, and dehumanization. Marinoff's work bridges classical and contemporary philosophy, as well as Eastern and Western traditions, providing insight into the philosophical dimensions of modern life.