…and it looks like I’ll have a lot on my plate this semester and in the Spring as well. I’ll probably be taking my comprehensive exams toward the end of the Spring semester, while I’m taking what will probably be my last graduate-level class: a philosophy seminar.
As for this semester: I’m teaching Intro. to Political Theory again. Here’s the syllabus. This semester I’m focusing on social contract theory and constitutional republicanism in theory and practice, and its proponents and critics (read: Thoreau, Spooner, Long, Rothbard). It should be interesting. I’m aiming to improve my teaching skills, shock my students out of their complacency, and get them thinking about important philosophical, ethical, and political issues from a fresh perspective.
Also this semester, I will be taking three classes. I’ll be taking Intensive Latin (4001) and, simultaneously, a graduate seminar on Roman political philosophy. ::rubs hands together gleefully:: Excellent! I’ll also probably be taking an independent study on Aristotle’s metaphysics, epistemology, and psychology/philosophy of mind. This last is partly in preparation for delving into Aristotelian-libertarian autonomy, the subject on which I hope to write my (delayed) M.A. philosophy thesis. Unfortunately, I have to find a new thesis advisor, as my previous one – James Taylor – received a great but unexpected job offer and left me all alone!
This semester I will also be working on a book review of Negotiating the Good Life: Aristotle and the Civil Society by Mark A. Young for the Journal of Value Inquiry. When I’m done with that I plan to get back to work on my “Ayn Rand, the Austrians, and Aristotelian Apriorism” article. And when I’m done with that I plan to get to work on my “Is Libertarianism Only a Political Philosophy?” One thing at a time though. Meanwhile, I think my “Life, Death, and Harm: A Neo-Aristotelian Account” is almost ready to be submitted (somewhere) for publication.
On a side note: Wow! That Negotiating the Good Life book is awfully expensive ($80!) for a mere two hundred or so pages. Academic publishers… sheesh! Am I glad I got a free review copy!
Geoffrey is an Aristotelian-Libertarian political philosopher, writer, editor, and web designer. He is the founder of the