New Voices in the History of Philosophy

In this episode Jacinta speaks with Dr Geneviève Barrette, postdoctoral researcher at Mcgill University, about Marguerite Porete, a turn-of-the-fourteenth-century mystic thinker. We focus on the context and content of Porete’s only surviving work, an edification treatise entitled The Mirror of Simple Souls.

In this episode, Jacinta speaks with Dr Katie Brennan, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Salve Regina University, about the 19th-century German feminist philosopher Hedwig Dohm. Brennan speaks about Dohm’s diverse philosophical modes, from salon-hosting to political essays to novellas, and how her participation in the urgent and burgeoning feminist discourse of her time shaped her philosophical approach. Dohm draws on distinct areas of philosophy, such as rights and existentialism, leading to a unique conception of human nature that Brennan is currently in the process of reconstructing. We speak about several of Dohm’s texts, with ongoing reference to her novella Become Who You Are, which still resonates today. Finally, Brennan wraps up the episode with some research advice, and reflections on the methodological challenges she’s faced while researching the under-served Dohm.

Welcome to this episode of the podcast. Today, we’re discussing the work of Sophie de Grouchy, an 18th and early 19th century philosopher whose contributions to moral and political thought have often been overlooked. Best known for her translation of Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Grouchy didn’t just translate—she developed her own ideas on sympathy, ethics, and politics in Letters on Sympathy. Our guest, Getty Lustila, explores Grouchy’s place in the sentimentalist tradition, her engagement with questions of morality and human nature, and why her work matters for understanding the history of ethics. We discuss how she builds on and departs from Smith’s ideas, the role of sympathy in shaping moral and political life, and the broader intellectual context in which she was writing.

In this episode, we are happy to welcome Lauren Kopajtic, whose work explores the profound connection between literature and moral philosophy. Lauren shares her insights into how novels and plays—from the works of Joanna Baillie to Jane Austen—stimulate moral imagination and contribute to moral education. Together, we discuss key ideas like “sympathetic curiosity” and the cognitive and psychological capacities that literature cultivates, helping us better understand human character and moral judgment. Lauren also highlights the philosophical influences behind her research, including the moral philosophy of Adam Smith, and how these ideas resonate in literary studies. Whether you’re a lover of literature, a student of philosophy, or simply curious about the educational power of stories, this conversation offers thought-provoking perspectives on how art shapes our ethical lives.

In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Ruth Boeker, a leading scholar in early modern philosophy, focusing on the often-overlooked contributions of women philosophers. The discussion centers around Catharine Trotter Cockburn, an influential moral philosopher from the early modern period. Dr. Boeker will introduce us to Cockburn’s life and work, sharing how she became interested in Cockburn and what makes her an important figure among early modern thinkers. We will delve into Cockburn’s moral philosophy, exploring key issues such as human nature, moral motivation, and the relationship between morality and religion. Dr. Boeker will also address the current state of literature on Cockburn, highlighting areas that have been explored and those that still need attention. Finally, we’ll explore Cockburn’s views on education and moral philosophy. This insightful conversation offers an opportunity to discover the depth and relevance of Cockburn’s philosophy today.

In this episode Jacinta speaks with Aminah Hassan-Birdwell, Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Emory University, about 18th Century Fante-British abolitionist and philosopher Ottobah Cugoano. We focus on his essay "Thoughts and Sentiments on the Evil and Wicked Traffic of the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species," discussing its broad-spanning and interconnected critique of slavery, law, labour and colonization. Hassan-Birdwell considers the breadth of Cugoano’s perspective, explaining that he takes not only the suffering of the individual into account, but the health of their society, and looks not merely at British society, but the morality of nations across the globe. Hassan-Birdwell concludes the episode by offering advice to early career scholars commencing research on similarly marginalised philosophers.

In this episode, Dr. Elena Gordon, a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University, delves into the overlooked yet significant contributions of Catharine Macaulay to the philosophy of education. We explore Macaulay’s dual role as a historian and philosopher, her views on reason, sympathy, and the relationship between humans and animals, as well as her unique stance on educational reform. Dr. Gordon also reflects on Macaulay’s feminist perspective and offers advice for young researchers interested in reviving the voices of forgotten thinkers.

In this episode, Jacinta Shrimpton talks with Kristin Gjesdal, Professor of Philosophy at Temple University in Philadelphia. They discuss the 19th century philosopher Germaine de Staël's account of the passions, her abolitionism, and the existentialist themes that run through her work.

In this episode, Haley speaks with Shuchen Xiang, professor of philosophy at Xidian University, about her new book, “Chinese Cosmopolitanism: The History and Philosophy of an Idea”. In discussing the book, we talk about historical Chinese accounts of a metaphysics of harmony, and how that metaphysics of harmony informs thinking about social identity and difference. We also discuss the aims and process of comparative philosophy.

In this episode, Haley speaks with Huaping Lu-Adler, associate professor of philosophy at Georgetown University, about her new book titled 'Kant, Race, and Racism: Views from Somewhere'. In the course of our conversation about the book, we discuss what it means to philosophize from a particular perspective, the compatibility of Kant's moral theory and his racist claims, the ways that our contemporary philosophical canon has its origins in Kant's writings, and the importance of community for philosophical work.