robert elliott allinson (born 1942) is professor of philosophy and the former director of humanities at soka university of america (sua). he was previously a professor at the chinese university of hong kong. he received his b.a. in philosophy and literature from southern illinois university, carbondale with great distinction in the honours program. he received his m.a. in literature from the university of texas at austin and his ph.d. in philosophy with highest distinction in metaphysics and epistemology under his doctoral advisor, charles hartshorne, considered 'the leading metaphysician of the twentieth century' by the encyclopædia britannica.