ENN Podcast: New Voices in the History of Philosophy
The New Voices podcast consists of conversations about women philosophers and individuals from other groups who have been underrepresented in the history of European and Western philosophy: their views, what is interesting and unique about them, and how they fit in to the periods that they were apart of. In Season 4, PhD students Jacinta Shrimpton and Nan Lin step into the role of hosting and producing, continuing the work of the original hosts, Haley Brennan and Olivia Branscum. They talk with historians of philosophy about what it is actually like to learn about and promote these ideas as a philosopher today: what benefits there are, what challenges there are, and just how to get going on this work. Follow our new podcast through the RSS feed on Podbean, or by subscribing to the New Voices in the History of Philosophy channel on iTunes or Spotify.
Introductions to episodes will be cross-posted on the ENN Blog.
Introductions to episodes will be cross-posted on the ENN Blog.
Season 4: Episode 7: Hedwig Dohm's Feminist Philosophy: Interview with Katie Brennan
In this episode, Jacinta Shrimpton speaks with Katie Brennan, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Salve Regina University, about the 19th-century German feminist philosopher Hedwig Dohm. Brennan speaks about Dohm’s diverse philosophical modes, from salon-hosting to political essays to novellas, and how her participation in the urgent and burgeoning feminist discourse of her time shaped her philosophical approach. Dohm draws on distinct areas of philosophy, such as rights and existentialism, leading to a unique conception of human nature that Brennan is currently in the process of reconstructing. We speak about several of Dohm’s texts, with ongoing reference to her novella Become Who You Are, which still resonates today. Finally, Brennan wraps up the episode with some research advice, and reflections on the methodological challenges she’s faced while researching the under-served Dohm.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 4: Episode 6: Sophie de Grouchy's Moral Philosophy: Interview with Getty Lustila
In this episode, Nan Lin speaks with Getty Lustila, Assistant Teaching Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Northeastern University, about the work of Sophie de Grouchy, an 18th and early 19th century philosopher whose contributions to moral and political thought have often been overlooked. Best known for her translation of Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Grouchy didn’t just translate—she developed her own ideas on sympathy, ethics, and politics in The Letters on Sympathy. The discussion explores Grouchy’s place in the sentimentalist tradition, her engagement with questions of morality and human nature, and why her work matters for understanding the history of ethics. We discuss how she builds on and departs from Smith’s ideas, the role of sympathy in shaping moral and political life, and the broader intellectual context in which she was writing.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 4: Episode 5: Literature and Moral Philosophy: Interview with Lauren Kopajtic
In this episode, we are happy to welcome Lauren Kopajtic, whose work explores the profound connection between literature and moral philosophy. Lauren shares her insights into how novels and plays—from the works of Joanna Baillie to Jane Austen—stimulate moral imagination and contribute to moral education. Together, we discuss key ideas like “sympathetic curiosity” and the cognitive and psychological capacities that literature cultivates, helping us better understand human character and moral judgment. Lauren also highlights the philosophical influences behind her research, including the moral philosophy of Adam Smith, and how these ideas resonate in literary studies. Whether you’re a lover of literature, a student of philosophy, or simply curious about the educational power of stories, this conversation offers thought-provoking perspectives on how art shapes our ethical lives.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 4: Episode 4: Catharine Trotter Cockburn's Moral Philosophy: Interview with Ruth Boeker
In this episode, Nan Lin speaks with Ruth Boeker, Associate Professor in the School of Philosophy at University College Dublin, about Catharine Trotter Cockburn, an influential moral philosopher from the early modern period. Boeker introduces Cockburn’s life and work, discussing her own interest in Cockburn and what makes her a key figure in early modern philosophy. The discussion explores Cockburn’s views on human nature, moral motivation, morality’s ties to religion, and her thoughts on education. Boeker also addresses current scholarship on Cockburn, highlighting both well-studied and under-explored areas. Finally, Boeker leads us through Cockburn’s views on education and moral philosophy. This conversation offers a chance to appreciate the depth and lasting relevance of Cockburn’s philosophy.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 4: Episode 3: Ottobah Cugoano’s Thoughts and Sentiments: Interview with Aminah Hasan-Birdwell
In this episode, Jacinta speaks with Aminah Hasan-Birdwell, Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Emory University, about 18th-century Fante-British abolitionist and philosopher Ottobah Cugoano. We focus on his essay Thoughts and Sentiments, discussing its broad-ranging and interconnected critique of slavery, law, labor, and colonization. Hasan-Birdwell considers the breadth of Cugoano’s perspective, explaining that he takes into account not only the suffering of the individual, but also the health of society, examining not just British society but the morality of nations across the globe. Hasan-Birdwell concludes the episode by offering advice to early-career scholars commencing research on similarly marginalized philosophers.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 4: Episode 2: Catharine Macaulay's philosophy of education: Interview with Elena Gordon
In this episode Nan Lin speaks with Dr. Elena Gordon, a postdoctoral researcher in philosophy at McGill University, about 18th century philosopher Catharine Macaulay. We principally focus on her philosophy of education and explore Macaulay’s dual role as a historian and philosopher, her views on reason, sympathy, and the relationship between humans and animals, as well as her unique stance on educational reform. Dr. Gordon also reflects on Macaulay’s feminist perspective and offers advice for young researchers interested in reviving the voices of forgotten thinkers.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 4: Episode 1: Germaine de Staël’s life and philosophy: Interview with Kristin GjesdalIn this episode, Jacinta Shrimpton speaks with Kristin Gjesdal, Professor of Philosophy at Temple University, about 19th century philosopher Germaine de Staël. We discuss Staël’s account of the passions, with a focused look at fanaticism and happiness, followed by a discussion of her abolitionism, and whether Staël could be classified as the first existentialist. The episode concludes with Gjesdal’s reflections on how to include Staël in history of philosophy courses, together with her advice to scholars (particularly early career scholars) who are interested in beginning to research understudied figures.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 3Season 3: Episode 4: Chinese Cosmopolitanism: Interview with Shuchen XiangIn this episode, Haley Brennan speaks with Shuchen Xiang, professor of philosophy at Xidian University, about her new book, Chinese Cosmopolitanism: The History and Philosophy of an Idea. In discussing the book, we talk about historical Chinese accounts of a metaphysics of harmony, and how that metaphysics of harmony informs thinking about social identity and difference. We also discuss the aims and process of comparative philosophy.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 3: Episode 3: Kant, Race, and Racism: Interview with Huaping Lu-Adler In this episode, Haley speaks with Huaping Lu-Adler, associate professor of philosophy at Georgetown University, about her new book titled 'Kant, Race, and Racism: Views from Somewhere'. In the course of our conversation about the book, we discuss what it means to philosophize from a particular perspective, the compatibility of Kant's moral theory and his racist claims, the ways that our contemporary philosophical canon has its origins in Kant's writings, and the importance of community for philosophical work.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 3: Episode 2: Madeleine de Scudéry's Illustrious Women: Interview with Allauren Samantha ForbesIn this episode, Olivia speaks with Allauren Samantha Forbes, an assistant professor in philosophy and gender and social justice at McMaster University. We discuss the thought of the French philosopher and novelist Madeleine de Scudéry, who lived from 1607 to 1701. Though most historians of philosophy know Scudéry for her later philosophical dialogues, our conversation focuses on an earlier publication: 1642’s Illustrious Women or Heroic Harangues. Allauren argues that this collection of fictional speeches by real women from antiquity – all of whom are limited in some way by hierarchical power structures – is an educational philosophical text that articulates various manifestations of patriarchal power and exemplifies ways of subverting it. We also talk about ideas for teaching Scudéry and Allauren’s own background as a philosopher working in the history of feminism.
For works mentioned in this episode see the post on the ENN blog. Season 3: Episode 1: Anton Wilhelm Amo: Interview with Dwight K. Lewis, Jr.In this episode, Haley speaks with Dwight K. Lewis Jr., assistant professor in the philosophy department at the University of Minnesota. We talk about the life and works of the 18th century philosopher Anton Wilhelm Amo, including his account of kinds of prejudice, and his views on justice as a tool and paradigm for reasoning. We also talk about the different contexts and manifestations of political resistance, and the need for varied mediums for philosophical ideas.
For works mentioned in this episode, see the post on the ENN blog. Season 2Season 2: Episode 7: Recovering Indigenous Andean Philosophy:Interview with Jorge Sanchez PerezIn this episode, Olivia speaks with Jorge Sanchez-Perez, a former post-doctoral fellow in the Extending New Narratives in the History of Philosophy project who is currently an assistant professor in philosophy at the University of Alberta. We discuss Jorge’s post-doctoral research on the Huarochirí manuscript, which is one of the few surviving records of indigenous Andean philosophy in the Quechua language, and talk about the metaphysical ideas Jorge has worked to uncover in the text. Jorge also offers some advice for people interested in studying indigenous philosophy in an academic context that can sometimes be hostile to indigenous methodologies and traditions.
For works mentioned in this episode, see the post on the ENN Blog. Season 2: Episode 6: The Political Philosophy of Frederick Douglass: Interview with Phil YaureIn this episode, Olivia speaks with Phil Yaure – assistant professor of philosophy at Virginia Tech University – about the political philosophy of Frederick Douglass. Douglass was born into slavery, but eventually became one of the most influential black abolitionists of the 19th century after escaping his enslaved condition and learning to read and write. Phil’s research focuses on Douglass as a political philosopher, with special concern for Douglass’s conception of the US constitution as an anti-slavery document and his belief that citizenship is a function of one’s contribution to a polity (in contrast to thinking of citizenship as a status that is conferred upon someone by the powers of the state). Phil argues that Douglass considers abolitionist resistance itself to be a way of contributing to American society, which leads to the conclusion that enslaved people fighting against the injustice of slavery make themselves American citizens in doing so. We also discuss the philosophical value of the autobiography genre, and Phil offers listeners some recommendations for where to begin if they want to incorporate Frederick Douglass into their history of philosophy courses.
For works mentioned in this episode, see the post on the ENN Blog. Season 2: Episode 5: Podcasting as Scholarship: A Conversation with Élaina Gauthier-Mamaril of Philosophy Casting CallIn this special collaborative episode, Haley and Olivia speak with Élaina Gauthier-Mamaril, a philosopher and podcaster who produces and hosts the Philosophy Casting Call podcast. Philosophy Casting Call shines a spotlight on thinkers, topics, and themes that are underrepresented in academic philosophy, which listeners will recognize as a mission dear to our own podcast as well. We highly recommend giving Philosophy Casting Call (and Élaina’s other podcasts) a listen! Our conversation focuses around the theme of podcasting as scholarship, but we reflect on a range of topics throughout, including getting started in podcasting, the differences between general-audience podcasting and podcasting for scholarly audiences, how podcasting has changed our other work in philosophy, and how each of our podcast journeys brought us to where we are today!
Season 2: Episode 4: Early Modern Women Philosophers of Science: Interview with Elliott Chen
In this episode, Haley Brennan speaks with Elliott Chen, New Narratives Post-Doc and Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Xavier University starting Fall 2022, about his work on two early modern women philosophers of science: Émilie du Châtelet and Laura Bassi. We talk about du Châtelet’s arguments against essential gravity and Newtonian attraction, and Bassi’s experiments with electricity. We discuss the differences between undertaking a project on a figure like du Châtelet, for whom there is now a growing body of literature, versus a figure like Bassi, who has received almost no philosophical attention. We talk about why it is worth taking on projects on figures like Bassi, how you get going on this kind of project, and the variety of work you can do. This episode is the second in a series of interviews with New Narratives Postdocs, past and present.
For works mentioned in this episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog Season 2: Episode 3: Genealogies of Black Philosophy: Interview with Dalitso Ruwe
In this episode, Haley Brennan speaks with Dalitso Ruwe, Assistant Professor of Black Political Thought at Queen’s University, about his project of locating and understanding genealogies of Black and African philosophy. We talk about 18th century ontological and Biblical arguments against slavery, the relationship between practical and intellectual revolutions, and what it means to disrupt a system. We also discuss the value of each person’s own philosophical genealogy, and how to find philosophical content in a text. This episode is the first of a series of interviews with New Narratives Postdocs, past and present.
For works mentioned in this episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog. Season 2: Episode 2: Black Feminist Critiques of De BeauvoirIn this episode, Haley Brennan talks with Kathryn Sophia Belle, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Penn State University and founder of the Collegium of Black Women Philosophers, about Black Feminist critiques of Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex. We talk about her upcoming book on the topic, with chapters on Claudia Jones, Lorraine Hansberry, Maria Stewart, Anna Julia Cooper, and Audre Lorde among others. We also talk about the philosophical-historical origins of the concept of intersectionality and the triple oppression thesis, what it looks like to offer alternative accounts to Beauvoir’s, and creating the spaces and projects that you need in academic philosophy.
For works mentioned in this episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog. Season 2: Episode 1: Simon WeilIn this episode, Olivia Branscum speaks with Nic Bommarito, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Simon Fraser University. We discuss the French philosopher Simone Weil (1909-1943), focusing especially on what she has to teach us about the moral value of attention and the true uses of education. Nic and I also talk about his work in Tibetan Buddhist thought and his experiences studying figures and traditions that have been excluded from mainstream histories of philosophy.
For works mentioned in this episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog. Season 1Episode 7: Nísia FlorestaIn this episode, Olivia Branscum speaks with Nastassja Pugliese, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. We talk about the life, work, and reception of the nineteenth-century Brazilian philosopher, Nísia Floresta Brasileira Augusta (born Dionísia Gonçalves Pinto in 1810). Nastassja and I talk about Nísia’s philosophy of education, her enlightenment critique of slavery and colonialism, and the common misconception that Nísia translated the work of Mary Wollstonecraft. Though only one of Nísia’s essays has been translated into English, listeners can find some of her writings in French and Italian, and should keep an eye out for Nastassja’s forthcoming introduction to Nísia with Cambridge University Press.
For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog. Episode 6: British Women Philosophers of the 19th CenturyIn this episode, Haley Brennan talks with Alison Stone, professor in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University. We discuss the work of British women philosophers of the 19th century, including Frances Power Cobbe, Ada Lovelace, and Harriet Martineau. We cover a range of topics that these philosophers worked on, including animal rights, feminism, ethics, and philosophy of mind. In addition to these topics, we talk about the correspondence that these women had with each other, the influence they had on political movements in 19thc Britain, and where and how to look to find the philosophical writings of women in the period. We also discuss the way that perceived philosophical importance and impact varies across time and place, and how this affects which philosophers we research and teach today.
For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog. Episode 5: Emily Elizabeth Constance JonesIn this episode, Olivia Branscum speaks with Professor Gary Ostertag, Affiliated Associate Professor at the City University of New York and Professor of Philosophy at Nassau Community College. We discuss the life, context, and achievements of Emily Elizabeth Constance Jones, an early analytic philosopher who was working at the same time as people like Gottlob Frege and Bertrand Russell. Gary and I also talk about the positive philosophical value of writing about other people’s ideas, and the question of what it means to point out that Jones may have anticipated the work of Frege. Gary closes by offering some suggestions for where to start with reading Jones’s work.
Petru Rosu provided research for this episode. For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog. Episode 4: Africana Philosophy |
In this episode, Haley Brennan talks with Chike Jeffers, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Dalhousie University and Canada Research Chair in Africana Philosophy, about the history of Africana Philosophy. We talk about the work of, and what it is like to work on, figures including Anna Julia Cooper, W.E.B Du Bois, Edward Blyden, and Léopold Senghor. In the course of talking about these figures, we discuss the value of language to philosophy, identity, and culture, connections between the Africana tradition and current philosophical theories of race and oppression, the importance of being critical about why and how philosophical methods are appropriate for evaluating these texts, and what it means to read someone as a philosopher.
For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog.
For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog.
Episode 3: German Women Philosophers of the late 18th and 19th centuries
In this episode, Haley Brennan talks with Dalia Nassar, senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Sydney. We discuss the works of several German women philosophers in the late 18th and 19th centuries, including Germaine de Staël, Rosa Luxemburg, and Karoline von Günderrode. The women we discuss wrote on a wide range of topics: idealism, phenomenology, feminism, labour movements, workers’ rights, socialism, and environmental ethics. In addition to these topics, we talk about why it is that these women, who published and were discussed in their own time, have not received modern philosophical attention, the accessibility of their philosophical writings, the importance of being aware of the full range of philosophers writing and corresponding in Germany in the 19th century, and the variety of benefits that come from including the works of these philosophers in classes on German philosophy in the 19th century. We also talk about the value of being flexible and open about what counts as philosophical question, and the ways that philosophy can be applicable to real-world issues.
For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog.
For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog.
Episode 2: Medieval women and the contemplative tradition
In this episode, Olivia Branscum talks with Christina Van Dyke, professor emerita of philosophy at Calvin University, about women philosophers in the medieval Latin west. We discuss the contemplative and mystical traditions of philosophy in the middle ages, which focused on an engaged, practical search for truth rather than the abstract arguments that dominated other philosophical traditions. Many women medieval philosophers – such as Julian of Norwich, Angela Foligno, Catherine of Siena, Hadewijch, Margaret Ebner, and Hildegard von Bingen – were writing in the contemplative and mystical traditions, so recovering their work involves learning about different philosophical forms and genres. We also talk about the value of being yourself when pursuing academic philosophy.
Madeleine Birdsell provided research for this episode. For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog.
Madeleine Birdsell provided research for this episode. For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog.
Episode 1: Sor Juana Inés De la Cruz
In this episode, Haley Brennan talks with Sergio Gallegos Ordorica, an assistant professor at John Jay College, about the Mexican philosopher Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. We talk about how Sergio became interested in studying Sor Juana as a philosopher, how that study can be complicated by a background in analytic philosophy, some of Sor Juana’s views on love, shame, and the self, and how her identity as a Mexican women shaped her philosophy, including her views on how philosophy can be done absent institutional structures.
Marya Jureidini provided research for this episode. For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog
Marya Jureidini provided research for this episode. For works mentioned in the episode and some suggestions for further reading, see the post on the ENN blog
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New Narratives in the History of Philosophy Podcast
Our original podcast started as part of the New Narratives in the History of Philosophy Partnership Development project. We won't be updating this channel, and all new episodes will appear on the New Voice channel. We still think this series of short interviews with those researching women philosophers of the past by undergraduate, masters and doctoral students curious about these women thinkers is great! While research might have moved forward since these were originally recorded, the conversations are valuable for those just being introduced to these women. Each of us start in the same place as these interviewers: we're curious; we have questions that we don't know the answers to in advance. Learn something, get excited, find out how to learn more. Have a listen! You can access these episodes below, or through our RSS feed on Podbean (if you know how to use an RSS feed) or by subscribing to the New Narratives in Philosophy channel on iTunes.