Dr. Benjamin B. Olshin, Ph.D. 

Dr. Olshin is a professor of philosophy, history, and history of science at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Initially, his work looked at Greek and Roman texts dealing with cartography and exploration in the Atlantic Ocean. Later, his research turned to early European maps and texts concerning Atlantic exploration, and as a Fulbright scholar, he studied Portuguese navigations and cartography in Lisbon, Portugal. A skeptic by nature, he is nonetheless interested in an open-minded attitude towards evidence, and believes that a "systems" approach is needed to sort out the many claims concerning early ventures into the oceans. Despite his European focus, Dr. Olshin has also written on early Chinese navigation and cartography.

Dr. Olshin was one of the most admired speakers at the 2008 Atlantic Conference, compelling the audience to consider not which people crossed the Atlantic but, instead, taking a step back and exploring the earliest evidence of deep-Atlantic voyaging. The proof of deep voyaging is irrefutable, making this a good place for diffusionists to begin. "Something inspired these voyagers to go out into Atlantic waters. So what inspired them?  Myths?  Strange islands they saw on maps that they wanted to witness for themselves?  What is important historically is that explorers even set out across the Atlantic at all, and we must conclude that they had some reason to do so."

Benjamin B. Olshin completed his Ph.D. in 1993 at the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, where he did his research in the history of early maps, navigation, and exploration of the Atlantic. He recently returend from Taiwan, where he was an associate professor of fine arts, design, and history of design. He continues to pursue his parallel interests in history, science, and the arts.

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