Remembering Connor Fraser

 

The Department of Philosophy and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities are mourning the death of Connor Fraser, a third year PhD student, who passed away on March 19, 2022, in London, Ontario.

As an Alumni and current student, having completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Western, Connor was a beloved member of our community. He was known by his professors as a kind, intelligent, and open-minded student. Connor was an active and inspiring presence in our philosophical community; he was a member of the EMRG Lab, part of the Rotman Institute of Philosophy on campus, and a dedicated and generous Graduate Teaching Assistant. He was working hard on his thesis, “Reflective Equilibrium as a Model of Good Reasoning Across Diverse Disciplines.”

We extend our condolences to his extended family, friends, students, and classmates.

 


 

Appreciations

“Every encounter with Connor Fraser was a philosophical opening, looking beyond the academic problem of the moment to the wider intellectual landscape. In his modest and unassuming way, Connor sought the links between specific philosophical issues and the larger philosophical, moral, and social domains from which, to his way of thinking, they could not be justly isolated. He embodied the idea of philosophy as a shared pursuit of reasoned inquiry, painstaking reflection, and critical but sympathetic engagement with disparate points of view. Bringing distinct perspectives to bear on common philosophical problems was the aim of his last work, and it is a loss for all of us that he wasn’t able to complete it. But the greater loss is that of Connor himself, a quietly inspiring presence in our philosophical community.” – Robert DiSalle

“I taught Connor in a number of undergraduate courses in moral philosophy. Connor was an excellent student to teach: intellectually curious and open minded, kind and collegial. He brought his curiosity and kindness to each meeting of our classes and to his assignments. He was a student to be proud of. I was never more proud and happy for him than when took on the challenge of reading a paper -- on Henry Sidgwick, no less -- in the International Virtual Colloquium for Undergraduate Philosophers, involving students at UWO, Texas A & M and Stockholm University. He was a kind and warm soul who will be missed.” – Anthony Skelton

"Connor and I participated in the same reading group. He was incredibly reliable, showing up for every meeting with a great understanding of, and thoughtful opinion on, John Rawls. In many ways, Connor made the reading group what it was, and I learned how to be a better Rawlsian through him. I miss being able to talk with Connor but am really grateful to have known him." – Jaclyn Rekis

“I didn't know Connor very well, personally, but I did know him through our TA-ships. Connor seemed like a very engaged and fair TA. His students were lucky to have him. Thinking of his family, friends, and others in the department at this time.” – Amy MacKinnon

“Connor was a friend and colleague who I got to know through the EMRG Lab’s Social Group meetings and through our mutual teaching assignments. He was knowledgeable about topics ranging from social epistemology and social ontology to political philosophy, and you could always count on him to passionately contribute towards our group discussions. He was also an energetic and passionate teaching assistant (TA), and I greatly enjoyed our discussions about Rawls during our time together TAing for a course on Intro to Philosophy. We will greatly miss his zeal and knowledge.” – Varun Ravikumar

"Connor was extremely kind and outgoing to everyone he encountered. He was also an  incredibly passionate and intelligent philosopher whose critical thinking skills shone in every occasion. 

We (Ashkan Parchizadeh and Aubrie Schettler) had the pleasure of partaking in some of the same graduate courses as Connor as well have the foremost pleasure of working alongside of him as a teacher’s assistant. He was the kind of graduate student that would always have an intelligent and relevant piece of information to say in our courses, such Toleration, and always graciously supported other graduate students’ thoughts. He had such a remarkable and immense interest and specialty in social epistemology and we had the pleasure of listening and learning about his passions inside and outside the classroom.  We also fondly remember Connor as being a studious, conscientious, organized, and helpful teacher’s assistant to all of his students. He went above and beyond what’s expected in the teacher’s assistant role.

His absence is a massive loss for our department and philosophical community and the world in general. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by everyone. Our hearts go out to his family." – Ashkan Parchizadeh & Aubrie Schettler