Summary of doctoral thesis: My thesis studies the writings on happiness and pleasure of the French philosopher, scientist and érudit Pierre Gassendi (1592–1655). The major early modern scholar and reviver of Epicurus, Gassendi wrote in a sophisticated Latin and took a historical approach to philosophy, citing a very wide range of ancient sources. In particular, his moral philosophy (first published in his critical edition of and commentary on Diogenes Laërtius X) was developed largely through the interpretation and evaluation of ancient philosophy, especially Epicurus, a version of whose hedonism he defended. The thesis also seeks to understand Gassendi’s contribution in context, by comparing it with other Renaissance and 17th-century discussions of pleasure, happiness and Epicurean ethics.
Other research interests: the history of philosophy, especially of moral philosophy and of early modern European philosophy; social and moral philosophy (including political philosophy, metaëthics, ethical theory and practical ethics); metaphysics; modern intellectual history; reception of ancient philosophy.
