I specialize in ancient Greek philosophy, with particular interest in Platonic dialogues and the relationship between philosophy, rhetoric, and poetry. My research concerns the distinction between sophistry and philosophy, in particular.
My current book project, based on my dissertation, explores the threat to democratic thinking and values posed by relativistic sophistry. The project probes the relationship between relativistic thinking and tyrannical or authoritarian impulses toward power as two sides of the same threat to democratic thinking, on the one hand, and genuine philosophical inquiry, on the other. My 2024 articles, "Aporia in Action" (Ancient Philosphy) and "Socrates in Dialogue with Simonides," (winner of the Review of Metaphysics dissertation essay contest), in addition to my 2021 article "Common Origins of Philosophical and Political Power in Plato's Gorgias" (Plato Journal) reflect this ongoing inquiry.
I am also developing an interest in the relationship between philosophy and erotic desire in the Platonic dialogues. On my reading, the erotic nature of philosophy complicates Platonic metaphysics by disrupting linear interpretations of philosophical ascent imagery in the dialogues. Because my interpretation draws heavily on dramatic and literary elements of Plato's dialogues, I also draw from poetic sources in clarifying my position. In particular, Sappho's poetry provides a helpful foil to traditional Platonic metaphyics of eros, which helps to disclose the erotic nature of philosophy that I am developing. I am currently preparing an article that explores the relationship between Platonic metaphysics traditionally construed and Sappho's poetry to pave the way for a longer project interrogating the relationship between the two writers on eros more deeply.
Outside of teaching and research, I love to explore Erie's natural beauty and art scene. I enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking in the warmer months, and have started to embrace wintersports like skiing and snowshoeing, and I run yearround. I have also formally trained in a wide variety of visual and performing arts since childhood--these days, I knit and crosstitch almost daily, and spend the weekends attending galleries, concerts, and theatre performances. In the spring and summer, you'll also find me cheering on the Seawolves at UPMC park.
I live by Sappho's words, "The most beautiful thing of all is whatever someone loves." I love to hear about what my students are doing outside of the classroom, and I can very easily be persuaded to catch a show, game, or presentation, if I can!