What I’m doing and have done
(Last updated: May 2022)
Overview
I work on moral and political philosophy, and teach in connected areas. I have other interests in Kant, the history of philosophy, and philosophical issues surrounding law and economics.
In my research, I aim to develop the view that legitimacy is based on the ability of political institutions to promote and achieve justice, rather than consent or public justification.
Areas of Specialisation: Political Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
Areas of Competence: Kant, Philosophy of Economics, Philosophy of Law, Political Epistemology
Work
9.2021-
Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (Postdoc)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
9.2020-8.2021
Postdoctoral Researcher
PluriCourts - Centre for the Study of the Legitimate Roles of the Judiciary in the Global Order
University of Oslo
8.2017-5.2020
DeOlazarra Fellow and Research Associate
Political Philosophy, Policy & Law program
University of Virginia
10.2015-9.2016
Stipendiary Lecturer
Moral and Political Philosophy
Merton College, Oxford
Academics
10.2012-2.2017
D.Phil. in Philosophy
Thesis: A Rationalist Theory of LegitimacyUniversity of Oxford
Passed without corrections
Supervisors: Ralf Bader, Leslie Green, and Jeremy Waldron
Examiners: David Miller and Laura Valentini
10.2010-6.2012
B.Phil. in Philosophy
Graduated with distinction.University of Oxford
Thesis: Against Justificatory Liberalism
10.2006-4.2010
B.A. in Philosophy & Economics
Overall Grade: 1.1.
Universität Bayreuth, Germany
Publications
The Intransparency of Political Legitimacy
Philosophers' Imprint, accepted.
Freedom to Roam
Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy 21 (2022), p. 209-233.
In Defence of Non-Ideal Political Deference
Episteme 19 (2022), p. 264-285.
DOI 10.1017/epi.2020.26.
Legitimate Power without Authority: The Transmission Model
Law and Philosophy 39 (2020), p. 119-146.
Indirect Instrumentalism about Political Legitimacy
Moral Philosophy and Politics 6 (2019), p. 175-202.
The Concept of Political Competence
Critical Review 30 (2018), p. 163-193.
Coordination cannot establish Political Authority
Ratio Juris 31 (2018), p. 49-69.
DOI 10.1111/raju.12193.
Political Anti-Intentionalism
Res Publica 24 (2018), p. 159-179.
Disjunctive Duties and Supererogatory Sets of Actions
Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplements 77 (2015), p. 67-86.
Work In Progress
Contact me for copies of the following papers.
The Asymmetry between Domestic and Global Legitimacy
Philosophical Competence, the Epistocratic Slide, and the Demands of Interdisciplinarity
Degrees of Legitimacy
What, if anything, is wrong with inflation?
Talks (not updated)
Coordination cannot establish Political Authority
- PPL Seminar, University of Virginia (October 2017)
Is there an epistemic argument for political liberalism?
- Research Seminar in Political Theory, Oxford (January 2016)
- MANCEPT Workshop, Manchester (September 2016)
Governmental Intentions Don't Matter for Legitimacy
- Oxford Graduate Philosophy Conference, Oxford (November 2014)
- Pavia Graduate Conference in Political Theory, Pavia (September 2015)
Imperfect Duties and Supererogation
- Royal Institute of Philosophy Annual Conference, ‘Supererogation’, Dublin (June 2014)
The Failure of Rights-Based Arguments for Voluntarism
- Harvard Graduate Conference in Political Theory, Harvard (October 2013)
Public Justification Views of Legitimacy as an Unappealing Hybrid (varying titles)
- Dissertation Workshop, Oxford (May 2013)
- CRNAP Workshop, Oxford (June 2013)
- Sciences Po Graduate Political Theory Conference, Paris (June 2014)
- Association of Legal and Social Philosophy (ALSP) conference, ‘Injustice’, Leeds (July 2014)
Justificatory Liberalism’s Basic Problem
- Ockham Society, Oxford (November 2012)
- Political Theory Workshop, Oxford (January 2013)
Teaching
Example materials are here, student evaluations here.
Seminars
Summer 2022
Rawls
LMU Munich
Summer 2022
Freedom of Speech
LMU Munich
Winter 2021
Disagreement
LMU Munich
Winter 2021
Applied Topics in Capitalism
LMU Munich
Fall 2019
Capitalism
University of Virginia
6.2019
Anarchism
Universität Bayreuth
Spring 2019
Capstone (Thesis) Course
University of Virginia
12.2018
Collective Welfare
Universität Bayreuth
Fall 2018
Philosophy of Economics
University of Virginia
Spring 2018
Capstone (Thesis) Course
University of Virginia
Fall 2017
Democracy
University of Virginia
12.2016
20th Century Libertarianism
Universität Bayreuth
1.2016
Moral Contractualism
With Annette Zimmermann.
Universität Bayreuth
1.2015
Modern Consequentialism
Universität Bayreuth
2013-2016
Advanced Introduction to Philosophy
Universität Bayreuth
12.2012
Democracy in Contemporary Political Philosophy
Universität Bayreuth
Lectures
2014
Philosophy of Economics
Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford
2013
Rights
With Marinella Capriati.
Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford
Thesis Supervision
2014/5
Bachelor's Thesis
Julian Ashwin (Hertford College, Oxford), The Philosophical Implications of Reflexivity in Economics
Tutorials
2013/4, 2014/5
Moral and Political Philosophy
Faculty of Law, University of Oxford
2013/4, 2014/5
Moral Philosophy (prelims)
The Queen's College, Oxford
2014/5
Moral Philosophy (revision class)
St Catherine's, Oxford
2013/4
Political Theory
With Marinella Capriati.
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Teaching Assistance
2009/10
Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
Universität Bayreuth
2009
Game and Decision Theory I
Universität Bayreuth
2008
Presentation and Writing Skills
Universität Bayreuth
2007/8
Introduction to Philosophy
Universität Bayreuth
Service
forthcoming
Special Issue of Moral Philosophy and Politics
Guest Editor
5.2022
Workshop: Ruling in a Wanton World: Arthur Applbaum’s Work and the Philosophy of Legitimacy Beyond the State
Co-Organiser
6.2020
PluriCourts Annual Workshop on the Political and Legal Theory of International Courts and Tribunals
Co-Organiser
5.2015
Oxford Political Theory Graduate Conference
Co-Organiser
5.2014-10.2014
Population Ethics: Theory and Practice
Research Assistant
Future of Humanity Institute, Oxford
10.2013-2015
Value Seminar
Co-Organiser
1.2013-6.2015
Ockham Society
Co-Organiser / Lead Organiser
2.2012-11.2012
Oxford Philosophy Graduate Conference
Co-Organiser / Reviewer
