Charlie Jarrett
It is with deep sadness that we pass along the news that Charles (Charlie) E. Jarrett, longtime professor of philosophy at Rutgers University Camden, died on January 15, 2026. He was 77.
Charlie published widely on the influential seventeenth century Enlightenment philosopher Spinoza, including on his ethics, metaphysics, logic, philosophy of mind, and implications for law, pluralism, religion, language, and other subjects. Later in his career he wrote an introduction Spinoza’s thought, Spinoza: A Guide for the Perplexed. He earned a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Florida in 1970 and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of California Berkeley in 1974. He lectured around the United States and in Canada, Finland, Israel, and Italy, was active in numerous philosophical societies, and won fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Harvard University.
Charlie was a beloved teacher and mentor who made a profound impact on generations of students. Many former students maintained friendships with him over decades and went on to careers in philosophy themselves. He taught at Rutgers for 35 years, from 1977 to his retirement in 2012, following two years at the University of Alberta in Canada. His courses ranged from logic, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics to ethics, political philosophy, rationalism, modern philosophy, problems of identity, and philosophy of law. A brilliant instructor who inspired and connected with his students, Charlie could be found deep in philosophical conversation long after class was over, often on the quadrangle over a cigarette.
He was also a leader on campus, serving as Department Chair, President of the Faculty Senate, and on numerous standing and advisory committees including the President’s Faculty Advisory Committee. He created and for many years advised the campus’s undergraduate Philosophy Society, forming a lively venue for discussion, outings, and friendship. He was generous with his time to other faculty members, especially as a mentor to those starting out. He will be greatly missed by colleagues lucky enough to have worked with him.
Charlie was born in Bethesda Maryland in November of 1948 to Dr. Thirl Jarrett and Gertrude Jarrett. Thirl was an officer in the Navy and the family moved to Pensacola Florida during Charles’ elementary school. Thirl was stationed in Pensacola until retirement at which point he opened a medical practice in St. Petersberg Florida, which is where Charles spent his high school years.
Charlie was a devoted family man. He shared 54 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Della, and was a loving father to Alex Jarrett (and daughter-in-law Stella Jarrett), Amy Jarrett, and Julie Froelich (and son-in-law Michael Froelich). He was a proud and adoring grandfather to his five grandchildren – Benjamin, Adrian, Elizabeth, Poppy, and Sadie – delighting in their curiosity and accomplishments.
The obituary from his family can be found here: https://www.forevermissed.com/drcharles-e-jarrett/about
