Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 24, 2026

Eric T. Olson (philosopher)

Eric Todd Olson is an American philosopher who specializes in metaphysics and philosophy of mind. Olson is best known for his research in the field of personal identity, and for advocating animalism, the theory that persons are animals. Olson received a BA from Reed College and a PhD from Syracuse University. Olson is currently a professor of philosophy at the University of Sheffield.

Last revised
Jul 24, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
349 w
Citations
4
Source
Eric T. Olson
Philosophical work
EraContemporary philosophy
RegionWestern Philosophy
Analytic philosophy
Main interests
Metaphysics
Philosophy of mind
Personal identity
Notable ideas
Animalism

Eric Todd Olson is an American philosopher who specializes in metaphysics and philosophy of mind. Olson is best known for his research in the field of personal identity, and for advocating animalism, the theory that persons are animals.1 Olson received a BA from Reed College and a PhD from Syracuse University. Olson is currently a professor of philosophy at the University of Sheffield.2

Bibliography

Bibliography

  • The Human Animal: Personal Identity Without Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.3
  • What Are We? A Study in Personal Ontology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.4
  • Do We Have a Soul?: A Debate. With Aaron Segal. New York: Routledge, 2023.
Notes

Notes

  1. Blatti, Stephan (Fall 2020). "Animalism". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
  2. "Eric Olson | Philosophy | the University of Sheffield". November 25, 2021.
  3. Reviews of The Human Animal:
  4. Reviews of What Are We?: