Amanda holds an MA in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a primary interest in aesthetics, ethics, and the places where they overlap.
Education
MA Philosophy — University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022
BA Philosophy — University of Central Oklahoma, 2018
Areas of Expertise
3 Contested Dialogues of Plato (Authentic or Not?)
Some scholars believe these Platonic dialogues were not written by Plato at all. Why are these three dialogues contested?
4 Must-Read Works by Søren Kierkegaard (Father of Existentialism)
Kierkegaard managed to write a lot during his lifetime. What are his most notable works?
Is Plato’s Republic a Feminist Work?
There’s an argument to be made for feminism in Plato’s Republic. But is it a convincing one?
Immoral Art: Hume’s “Rough Heroes” Problem
Fiction is an art that tangles beautiful prose with immoral depictions. Do these depictions also aesthetically flaw the work?
Plato’s Philebus: What Is False Pleasure?
According to Plato, pleasure isn’t just a simple feeling—it’s something that can be true or false. How could this be?
The Paradox of Fiction: Is it Irrational to be Moved by Fiction?
In response to the paradox of fiction, some philosophers argue that it is irrational to be moved by fictional works. Could they be right?
Wittgenstein’s Solipsism: Where Language & Limits Collide
Solipsism is often regarded as an absurd idea, but Wittgenstein’s version might be the key to making it convincing.
Derrida’s Deconstruction in Literary Analysis: A Detailed Guide
Deconstruction has both fierce critics and staunch defenders. How did it start, and what makes it so controversial yet appealing?
The Ethicist’s Toolbox: Jeremy Bentham’s Hedonic Calculus
Can happiness be measured and predicted? This article takes a look at the philosophy of Jeremy Bentham, who proposed his Hedonic Calculus could do precisely that.
Locke’s and Hobbes’ Social Contract Theories Explained
How does a legitimate government form? Where does political authority come from? This article will explore one idea in political philosophy that attempts to answer these questions — social contract theory.
The Ethicist’s Toolbox: Kant’s Categorical Imperative
How can I be a morally good person? This article explores the categorical imperative, one potential answer to that important question given by 18th-century philosopher Immanual Kant.