Field of Philosophy

“Joseph Alexander Leighton after graduating from Trinity College in Toronto served with distinction at Hobart College in the dual roles of Chaplain and Professor of Philosophy. He became head of the Department of Philosophy at the Ohio State University, where he served until his retirement.

Early writings of Dr. Leighton are focused on metaphysical and theological problems, under the influence of Bosanquet, Royce and the German Idealists. The movement of his thought was away from the more subjectivistic and abstractly rationalistic aspects of idealism toward more objectivistic and empirical viewpoints. Man and the Cosmos presents and defends his conclusions in the field.

His Field of Philosophy continues to be valuable as an elementary textbook, and has passed through numerous editions.
To an exceptional degree Dr. Leighton succeeded in developing and applying his varied talents to the service of his generation and oncoming generations”.
Albert R. Chandler
Department of Philosophy
The Ohio State University
College of Arts and Sciences