Jude Patrick Dougherty

Jude Patrick Dougherty (July 21, 1930 – March 6, 2021) was an American philosopher, Dean Emeritus of the School of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America, and Editor-in-Chief for 44 years of The Review of Metaphysics.

Personal life Jude was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Edward Timothy Dougherty and Cecelia Anastasia Loew. His sister was Inez Juanita Bowling. While a student at Catholic University, Jude met Patricia Ann Regan, who was studying nursing. On December 28, 1957, Jude and Patricia were married at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Hoopeston, Illinois, and were married 62 years before Patricia's death on December 8, 2020. Together, they had four sons and ten grandchildren. He died on March 6, 2021, in Potomac, Maryland. A Mass of Christian Burial took place on March 15, 2021, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The sermon was held by Msgr. Robert Sokolowski.

Career

In 1954, Jude earned his bachelor's degree from Catholic University, followed by a Master of Arts in 1955. He was subsequently an instructor at Marquette University, as well as Bellarmine College. In 1960, Jude received his Doctor of Philosophy from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Dougherty was an assistant and associate professor at Bellarmine College from 1960 to 1966. From 1966-76, Dougherty was an associate professor, and a professor from 1976 onwards at Catholic University. He was a visiting professor from 1974 to 1975 at Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven in Belgium. In 1967, Dougherty was named the first lay dean of the School of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America, a position he held for over 30 years. In December 1971, Jude became editor-in-chief of The Review of Metaphysics, a position he held for 44 years. Over 900 articles were published during his tenure, one of the longest-running editorships of a prestigious journal in history.

Dougherty's acquaintance and subsequent friendship with Polish prelate Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, a fellow philosopher, led to an invitation for the Cardinal to lecture at Catholic University in July 1976. Cardinal Wojtyła would become Pope John Paul II (and later Saint) in 1978, and visited Catholic University again in 1979.

Dougherty's published works include The Logic of Religion; The Good Life and its Pursuit; The Nature of Scientific Explanation; Wretched Aristotle: Using the Past to Rescue the Future; Western Creed, Western Identity: Essays in Legal and Social Philosophy; Jacques Maritain: An Intellectual Profile; Briefly Considered; Interpretations; Approaches to Morality; The Impact of Vatican II; The Theological Directions of the Ecumenical Movement; Recent American Naturalism: An Exposition and Critique; and Religion - Gesellschaft - Demokratie: Ausgewählte Aufsätze. In addition, Dougherty wrote numerous essays on various contemporary and philosophical topics over the years.

Dougherty held many leadership positions in multiple organizations. He was President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association (1974–75), President of the Society for Philosophy of Religion (1978–79) and President of the Metaphysical Society of America (1983–84). Dougherty was an emeritus member of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas since 1980. He was also a member of the American Philosophical Association (Program Chairman Eastern Division 1988, Executive Committee Eastern Division 1989-93), the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars (Executive Secretary 1994-97, Treasurer 1994-97), and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts since 1991. He was also the Founder and President-elect of the Kentucky Philosophy Association (1966), and President of the Washington Philosophy Club (1968–69). Dougherty was a trustee at Bellarmine College from 1972–75, and the University of Bridgeport from 1995 to 1999. He was also a member of the board of advisors for the Franklin J. Matchette Foundation since 1971.

Positions Emeritus member, Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas, since 1980 President, American Catholic Philosophical Association, 1974–75 President, Society for Philosophy of Religion, 1978–79 President, Metaphysical Society of America, 1983–84 Founder and President-elect, Kentucky Philosophy Association, 1966 President, Washington Philosophy Club, 1968–69 American Philosophical Association (Program Chairman Eastern Division 1988, Executive Committee Eastern Division 1989-93) Fellowship of Catholic Scholars (Executive Secretary 1994-97, Treasurer 1994-97) General Series Editor, Studies in Philosophy and the History of Philosophy, The Catholic University of America Trustee, Bellarmine College, 1972–75 Trustee, University of Bridgeport, 1995–99 Board of Advisors member, Franklin J. Matchette Foundation, since 1971 Member, European Academy of Sciences and Arts

Honors Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, 1999 President's Medal, The Catholic University of America, 1999 Cardinal Wright Award, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, 1994 Aquinas Medal, American Catholic Philosophical Association, 1994 Cardinal Gibbons Medal, The Catholic University of America Alumni Association Special Recognition Award, Graduate Student Association and the Undergraduate Student Government, The Catholic University of America, 1998 Jacques Maritain Scholarly Excellence Award, American Maritain Association, 2000 Fides et Ratio Lifetime Achievement Award, American Maritain Association, 2005 Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, The Catholic University of Lublin, 2000 Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, Thomas More College, 1995

Media Dougherty was a friend of Pope John Paul II for 30 years. In 2005 upon his death, Dougherty discussed the legacy of Pope John Paul II on CNN's Larry King Live, Fox News Channel, BBC World television, WJLA-TV and was interviewed by the Washington Post, Newhouse News Service, Scripps Howard News Service, Knight Ridder Tribune News Service Voice of America radio, the Washington Blade, the Sunday Bulletin, and the Fresno Bee.