Eric kept hearing good things about Philosofarian. He'd seen the Wit & Wisdom flyers, heard Seth and Gad's names around the community, and filed it away. What finally moved him to get involved was watching the fractures spreading across the country reach into local life here. He believes philosophy is one of the few things that can actually help people think together when everything else is pulling them apart.
Philosophy has been a through-line in Eric's life for decades. He holds degrees in philosophy and biology from Oregon State, completed most of a graduate program in applied ethics, and was once headed toward a PhD in philosophy before medicine redirected him. That turned out to be one of the best decisions of his life, but the pull toward philosophical engagement never left.
The medicine he practices is rooted in ancient texts and centuries of debate about the body, health, and the human relationship to the natural world. Eric is co-owner of Watershed Wellness, an integrative medicine clinic in Astoria, and a practicing acupuncturist and herbalist. Philosophy isn't abstract for him. It's how he makes clinical decisions. It’s how he understands his patients, and how he tries to live.
He brings a lot of experience:
Former board member and chair of Solace, a national organization that helped transgender Americans secure funding for gender-affirming care
Board service with the Oregon Acupuncture Association
Eleven years teaching at National University of Natural Medicine, including a course called "Ways of Knowing"
Eric grows Chinese medicinal herbs on his property in Astoria and sits regularly at Great Vow Zen Monastery. He considers Zen practice the ground of everything else he does.
