b. 1939
Robert Cummings Neville (b. 1939) is an American philosopher and theologian at Boston University, where he has served as Dean of Marsh Chapel. He is known for his systematic philosophical theology, his development of a metaphysics of creative ontology, and his extensive comparative work bridging Western and East Asian (particularly Confucian) philosophical traditions.
Developed a systematic philosophical theology grounded in the concept of ontological creativity as the ground of being
Authored the Boston Confucianism project, integrating Confucian ethics into Western philosophical discourse
Produced a multi-volume systematic theology: Axiology of Thinking, The Theology Trilogy, and Philosophical Theology series
Engaged comparatively with Xunzi and Mencius on human nature, arguing for Xunzi's relevance to contemporary moral philosophy
Served as president of the American Academy of Religion (1992)