PirateQ 
Dr. Alexander Crist
Dr. Alexander Crist may be a full-time instructor in PSC’s Humanities and Social Sciences Department, but he’s quick to share the credit when it comes to his teaching.
“I want to give a shout-out to Dr. Tracy Peyton and the English and Communications Department for the great work they do,” Crist said, noting his appreciation for the opportunity to teach a few English classes each year alongside his philosophy courses.
Crist joined PSC in the fall of 2023, moving to Pensacola after earning his doctorate degree in Philosophy from Texas A&M – one of his greatest accomplishments to date. While trained to pursue scholarly research, Crist said it was teaching that captured his heart.
“I fell in love with teaching,” he said. “My work with students is the most important and fulfilling activity I pursue.”
That passion doesn’t stop when the semester ends. Crist is currently drafting a book and co-organizes the Pensacola History of Philosophy Reading Group (P-HOP) with fellow PSC faculty member Dr. Tom Barber. The group meets at the downtown branch of the West Florida Public Library to explore and discuss foundational texts in the history of philosophy. Those interested in joining are invited to email him at acrist@pensacolastate.edu for summer meeting details.
Along those lines, Crist admires “any individual who genuinely pursues a philosophical life as a lover of wisdom.”
“This is no easy task,” he explained. “It requires an uncompromising commitment to the truth and the inherent dignity of others. It takes intellectual, moral, and existential courage. It might require great sacrifice in decisive moments.”
His self-reflection runs deep. “I admire such individuals because they throw me back upon myself, as it were, and force me to examine my own life,” he admits. “Am I living up to these virtues that I admire in others? Though I try, I am often far from the mark.”
Crist will be a panelist, with others, in the next Hot Topics and Hot Coffee event hosted by the Robinson Honors Program next Tuesday, April 15, at 3 p.m. in Bldg. 15 to discuss controversial issues related to health and healthcare, and he encourages all to attend.
He also invites students to explore the discipline of philosophy firsthand.
“The spirit of philosophy lives in dialogue,” Crist said. “A back-and-forth discussion about the course material is a significant component of my in-person classes. Participating in this semester-long conversation can be an incredibly enriching experience.”
When he’s not deep in philosophical thought, you might find Crist reading, working out, or enjoying Pensacola’s sunshine. His ideal day with an out-of-town visitor? A relaxing afternoon at the beach, followed by dinner at his current favorite downtown spot—Union Public House.