Joshua Wilburn

Joshua Wilburn

Research

Ancient Greek philosophy, history and philosophy of race and racism

My current research focuses on early Greek ideas about race and gender and how those ideas intersect with Greek views on politics, human biology, and psychology. I'm currently writing a paper on Plato's engagement with Greek mythic stereotypes about ancient Amazon warrior women. I also have an ongoing research project in the history of Black American perspectives on racism. My immediate focus is on Langston Hughes' depictions of the psychology and epistemology of Whiteness in his poetry, fiction, non-fiction and other works. Recent courses I have taught include: Lovecraft Country and African American Philosophy, Ancient Greek Medicine and Psychology, Philosophy of Race and Racism, Race and Gender in Early Greek Thought, and Plato and Black Feminist Thought.

Education

• B.A., Philosophy and Religious Studies, The University of Texas at Austin (2005)
• Ph.D., Classical Philosophy, Princeton University (2011)

Selected publications

• "Feminizing the City: Plato on Women, Masculinity, and Thumos" (co-authored with Kirsty Ironside), Hypatia (2024): 1-24. doi:10.1017/hyp.2023.124
• The Political Soul: Plato on Thumos, Spirited Motivation, and the City, Oxford University Press (2021)
• "Gorgias on Knowledge and the Powerlessness of Logos," Humanities 12, 9 (2023): 1-15. doi.org/10.3390/h12010009
• “Gorgias of Leontini,” Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.2869
• “Plato's Protagoras the Hedonist," Classical Philology 111.3 (2016): 224-44
• “The Problem of Alcibiades: Plato on Moral Education and the Many,” Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy 49 (2015): 1-38
• “Courage and the Spirited Part of the Soul in Plato's Republic,” Philosopher's Imprint 15.26 (2015): 1-21
• “Akrasia and the Rule of Appetite in Plato's Protagoras and Republic,” Journal of Ancient Philosophy 8.2 (2014): 57-91
• “Is Appetite Ever 'Persuaded'?: An Alternative Reading of Republic 554c-d,” History of Philosophy Quarterly 31.3 (2014): 95-208
• “The Spirited Part of the Soul in Plato’s Timaeus,” Journal of the History of Philosophy 52.4 (2014): 627-54
• “Moral Education and the Spirited Part of the Soul in Plato’s Laws,” Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy 45 (2013): 63-102
• “Tripartition and the Causes of Criminal Behavior in Laws ix,” Ancient Philosophy 33 (2012): 111-134
• “Akrasia and Self-Rule in Plato’s Laws,” Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy 43 (2012): 25-53

Citation index

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Courses taught by Joshua Wilburn

Fall Term 2022

• PHI2140 - Ancient Greek Medicine and Psychology