Sherry L. Ackerman, Ph.D.
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Sherry L. Ackerman, Ph.D. [1], is Professor of Philosophy at College of the Siskiyous, in Northern California, USA as well as an internationally acclaimed dressage clinician. As an active scholar with the International Society for Neoplatonic Studies [2], she has authored numerous papers and journal articles [3]. She is also one of the American equine industry’s leading proponents of eco-spirituality and nature mysticism.
In 2008, Dr. Ackerman published Behind the Looking Glass (ISBN 978-1847184863) [4], offering a fresh perspective in the ongoing, contemporary deconstruction of the Carroll Myth. Ackerman exposes a Carroll who, having lost belief in the theological and mythological master plots of earlier eras, turned toward the imaginative fiction of wonderlands rife with philosophical content in response to his instinctive hunger for cosmic coherence and existential order. The image of Carroll as a dreary Victorian conservative gives way to that of a man with wide intellectual parameters, an inquiring mind and bold, far-sighted vision. The book offers a thorough examination of the nineteenth century Neoplatonic Revival in Great Britain, with special emphasis upon its influence on the writings of Lewis Carroll. Conciliatory points between revived Neoplatonism, theosophy and spiritualism are identified. Dr. Ackerman is affiliated with ContrariWise: The Association for New Lewis Carroll Studies.
In 2008, Dr. Ackerman also published Dressage in the Fourth Dimension [5] (ISBN 978-1577316237), Second Edition. The original version of this book had been a pioneer work in awakening dressage consciousness. Now, in a Second Edition, the book requires readers to de-construct every assumption that they have ever held…to ask ‘Why?’ and to become okay with not-knowing. Ackerman posits that humanity’s alienation from Nature can no longer be ignored. She claims that the enormity and immediacy of the crisis is evident. Ackerman’s concept of the fourth dimension requires the reader to leave the analytic, objective mind behind and enter into the mystery of inspiration, encouraging an environmental renaissance.
Dr. Ackerman sponsors a Blog [6] that maintains a thread dedicated to a discussion of the Neoplatonic Revival in nineteenth century Great Britain, especially as it pertained to the work of Lewis Carroll and other writers and authors during that period. The discussion, naturally, widens into an exploration of Neoplatonism in all of its forms, as well as the writings of Plotinus and the perennial philosophy. The Blog also maintains a thread dedicated to issues of eco-spirituality, nature mysticism and the possibilities for an environmental renaissance. The role of animals, as well as other aspects of nature, in facilitating human transformation are explored.
Dr. Ackerman is fervent about philosophical relevancy and teaches away from the twin dangers of abstract reason and uncontrolled irrationality. In following Nietzsche, Dr. Ackerman participates in phenomenological psychology and actively “experiments with her life”.
Dr. Ackerman lives in Mount Shasta, California at Shastao Philosophical Hermitage [7]where she studies, writes and teaches. She enjoys making studio art, playing early music, hiking and skiing.
