Lydia W. Barry (Ph.D. Boston College) is assistant professor of philosophy at Gannon University. She specializes in ancient Greek philosophy, especially Plato and the relationship between philosophical, political, and poetic rhetoric in the Platonic dialogues.
Her current book project draws from her dissertation and explores the threat that relativistic sophistry poses to both philosophical thinking and democratic life. The project underscores the difficulty of discerning between philosophy and sophistry and argues that this difficulty poses an ongoing but necessary challenge that remains pertinent today. Her 2024 articles, "Aporia in Action" (Ancient Philosophy) and "Socrates in Dialogue with Simonides," (winner of the Review of Metaphysics dissertation essay contest), in addition to her 2021 article "Common Origins of Philosophical and Political Power in Plato's Gorgias" (Plato Journal) reflect this ongoing inquiry.
Dr. Barry has a second project in development on the relationship between philosophy and erotic desire in the Platonic dialogues. She argues that the erotic nature of philosophy complicates Platonic metaphysics by disrupting linear interpretations of philosophical ascent imagery in the dialogues, drawing from poetic sources to clarify her position. In particular, Sappho's poetry provides a helpful foil to traditional Platonic metaphysics of eros, which helps to disclose the erotic nature of philosophy that she is developing. Her 2025 article, "'Flesh by Now Old Age': Sapphic Hymns to Mortal Beauty," develops this line of thinking.
Additional teaching and research interests include aesthetics, continental philosophy, feminist philosophy, moral & political philosophy. A historian of philosophy by training and passion, she teaches across the history cycle: ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary philosophy.
Personal Profile (for the curious student):
Outside of teaching and research, Dr. Barry explores Erie's natural beauty and art scene. She runs year-round, enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking in the warmer months, and continues to dabble in winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing. Dr. Barry has also formally trained in a wide variety of visual and performing arts since childhood--these days, she knits and crosstitches almost daily, and spends the weekends attending galleries, concerts, and theatre performances. In the spring and summer, you'll also find her cheering on the Seawolves at UPMC park.
Dr. Barry lives by Sappho's words, "The most beautiful thing of all is whatever someone loves." She loves to hear about what her students are doing outside of the classroom, and can very easily be persuaded to catch a show, game, or presentation, if she can!