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RECENT PUBLICATIONS
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| Philosophy And Salvation in Greek Religion | Modernity and Plato | Parmenides, Plato and Mortal Philosophy | Reading the Fifth Veda | When the Goddess was a Woman |
RÉSUMÉ
My research focuses on the problem of mortality in ancient Greek philosophy, especially as this problem informs Greek ontology, epistemology, and ethics. I am specifically concerned with themes such as the mortal soul, the erotic longing of mortals, their desire for transcendence, and the mortal journey as these are thematized in the works of Parmenides, the Pre-Socratics, and Plato. In addition to my record of serious scholarship in ancient Greek philosophy, I have also done significant work in Indian philosophy. For a full list of my publications, please download my résumé.
SOME OF MY RECENT ARTICLES
Translator’s introduction from Modernity and Plato: Two Paradigms of Rationality. Rochester: Camden House, 2012.
Chapters 4 and 5 from my book Return from Transcendence: Parmenides, Plato and Mortal Philosophy. London: Continuum, 2011.
A translation of Parmenides’ Peri Phuseos from my book Return from Transcendence: Parmenides, Plato and Mortal Philosophy. London: Continuum, 2011.
“Derrida, Textuality, and Sacrifice.” Southwest Philosophical Studies 29 (2007): 9-19.
“Initiation into the Mysteries: Experience of the Irrational in Plato.” Mouseion III.6 (2006): 407-423.
Review of Heidegger’s Platonism by Mark Ralkowski. International Journal of the Platonic Tradition 6.1 (2012): 128-138.
TEACHING INTERESTS
I am interested in teaching core courses in ancient philosophy from the Pre-Socratics through Plato and Aristotle down to the Neoplatonic tradition to undergraduate students. I have already successfully taught courses on Pre-Socratic philosophy, Greek tragedy, Homer, Plato, Aristotle, and Neoplatonism at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (see below). In addition to these core courses on ancient philosophy, I am also interested in offering introductory philosophy courses, either covering a specific period (e.g., ancient philosophy or modern philosophy) or organized around a specific theme (e.g., ethics, nature, the soul). I have also taught courses in non-Western philosophy, comparative philosophy, and philosophy of religion and would consider offering these based on the department’s needs and student interest.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I have been teaching continuously since Spring 2002. Currently, I teach a 5/5 course load. My teaching can be divided into five broad areas: (1) Ancient Philosophy, (2) History of Philosophy, (3) Political Philosophy & Ethics, (4) Non-Western Philosophy, (5) Philosophy of Religion, and (6) Volunteer-Work.
1. Ancient Philosophy: Homer: Philosophy of Mortality, Aphrodite’s Argument: Reason and Eros in Plato and Ancient Poets, Greek Tragedy, Dialogues of Plato, Plato, Aristotle, Mysticism, Mythology
2. History of Philosophy: Philosophical Aesthetics, Art and Philosophy from Renaissance to Modernity, Death and Meaning: Plato, Augustine and Nietzsche, Introduction to Philosophy (multiple sections), Philosophy of Literature, and Approaches to Religion (multiple sections). I will also be teaching Christian Theology in Spring 2013.
3. Political Philosophy & Ethics: Human Nature, Ethics, Justice and Human Rights.
4. Non-Western Philosophy: Indian Epic in Philosophical Context: The Mahabharata, Indian Philosophies, Hinduism (multiple sections), Eastern Philosophy/ Eastern Religions (multiple sections).
5. Philosophy of Religion: Death and Meaning, Nature of Religion (multiple sections), Religious Meaning of Death (multiple sections), Religious Experience, Religion & Film, and Comparative Religion.
6. Volunteer-Work: Summer reading groups in Plato’s Republic, the Mahabharata, and independent studies on the Bhagavadgita; teaching Sanskrit to interested students each semester; talks as part of the Religion Forum at Hunter College; inviting Richard Sorabji and other scholars to give talks to the Philosophy Club; guest-lectures at other institutes.
For a complete list of past courses, please see: Academic Appointments and Courses Taught.
RECENT SYLLABI
Plato: Philo 380 (taught Spring 2009)
Aristotle: Philo 381 (taught Spring 2009)