Undergraduate Work

I am originally from Portland, Oregon. I attended Lewis & Clark College, a small liberal arts college located in the Southwest Hills of Portland, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree—double-majoring in Philosophy (with Honors) and English. My philosophical studies were focused on the history of philosophy and, in particular, Ancient philosophy. My honors thesis, “Why Socrates Mocks His Interlocutors,” focused on the use of shame and mockery in Plato’s “early” dialogues. I had the opportunity to present this work at several professional conferences, including an International Symposium held in Pyrgos, Greece and the American Philosophical Association’s (APA) Pacific Division Meeting.

My literary studies were broad-based, including the works of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Romantic poetry, and American literature prior to WWII. My thesis, “Wordsworth’s Principled Uncertainty: Lamenting Reason in ‘Lines Written in Early Spring,’” focused on the philosophical aspects of William Wordsworth’s popular (but oft-overlooked) classic.

School: Lewis & Clark College (Portland, OR)
Degree: BA (2005)
Majors: Philosophy (with Honors) & English

Philosophy Honors Thesis: “Why Socrates Mocks His Interlocutors”
Advisor: Nicholas D. Smith

English Thesis: “Wordsworth’s Principled Uncertainty: Lamenting
                    Reason in ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’”
Advisor: Kurt Fosso



Graduate Work

I am currently in my sixth year of graduate studies at the University of Arizona, pursuing a Doctorate in Philosophy. My primary interests lie in contemporary ethics, focusing on the applied medical ethics. I am currently working on a dissertation project involving assisted suicide and end-of-life issues. I’m also interested in the history of philosophy. I enjoy Ancient philosophy most of all, particularly the early dialogues of Plato, Plato’s Republic, and the Presocratics.

While I have a general interest in the history of philosophy, I am also interested in philosophy of religion, the metaphysics of death, philosophy and literature, and the philosophy of punishment.

For a more detailed list of my graduate course work and teaching experience, please see my curriculum vitae.

School: University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
Degree Seeking: Ph.D.
Department: Philosophy

Major Specialty: Contemporary Ethics
Committee: Mark Timmons; Michael Gill

Minor Specialty: Ancient Ethics
Committee: Julia Annas; Rachana Kamtekar