Allauren Forbes

Alumni

My research focuses on transformative relations like friendship, marriage, and education and how they underwrite one’s intellectual and political capacities in early modern philosophy. How do social forces like custom shape the ways in which people are able to think about themselves and others? Can certain relations – especially those traditionally thought to be oppressive or unavailable to women – promote freedom and virtue?

Regarding philosophy for the young: I think philosophy, when it goes well, is transformative and intellectually/affectively engaging. Getting younger folks interested in and excited about philosophy is good for their overall education, but so too is it good for philosophy to expand and accommodate new practitioners and perspectives. Plus, philosophy with the young is a tonne of fun!