Academic interests
- Neo-Aristotelian Theories of Virtue
- Moral Psychology
- Ancient Philosophy
- Philosophy of Skill
My PhD project explores the Aristotelian idea that a virtuous person enjoys virtuous activity. On this view, you have to habituate your emotional inclinations so that they harmonize with your rational convictions of what is good and valuable to pursue in order to be fully virtuous. By doing this you will find pleasure in acting just, brave and temperate. Aristotle contrasts this to the continent, or self-controlled person, someone who finds themselves not really wanting to do the right thing but who is capable of doing it nonetheless through strength of will.
The distinction between the fully virtuous and the self-controlled person has been challenged by many contemporary virtue ethicists, who argue that complete harmony between emotional inclinations and rational convictions is unattainable and is thus an unrealistic moral ideal, and that we should recognize that acting virtuously can sometimes involve sacrificing something that is genuinely valuable. My aim is to defend a modified version of the distinction in light of these objections.
Background
- Master in Philosophy, UiO, 2019. Thesis: On Virtue and Skill
- Bachelor in Philosophy, UiO, 2016
Awards
- Georg Morgenstierne's award, UiO, IFIKK, 2019