Biography

Plato and Aristotle agreed that we cannot begin to reach for the fruits of philosophy—scientific knowledge, wisdom, self-understanding—without the feeling of wonder. When motivated by power, fame or wealth, truth-seeking inquiry will likely amount to little more than clever sophistry. Wonder, they thought, is the one and only starting point of philosophy.

My PhD thesis investigates how Plato and Aristotle understand wonder and its role in philosophical life. What provokes wonder? Does it persist in the proper culmination or realisation of philosophy? And in what circumstances can the feeling be deceptive or even dangerous?

This research builds on my interest in Pierre Hadot’s idea of ancient philosophy as a way of life and expands on my master’s thesis on wonder in Plato’s Theaetetus. As a tutor and research assistant of many years at my home university in Tasmania, I am also interested in how aspects of my project can be used to advocate for the humanities, defend the virtues of basic research, and inspire learning in the classroom, lecture theatre, and beyond.

Previous Education

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen Ancient Philosophy 2019
University of Tasmania [No major] 2015