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David Bather Woods

Profile

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy. My research focuses on the 19th century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, especially his philosophical pessimism and his moral and political philosophy. I am currently writing a book about Schopenhauer’s life and work.

I have taught a wide range of topics in philosophy, including the history of philosophy, philosophy of religion, ethics, aesthetics, and most recently the philosophy of evil.

I have responsibilities for admissions, outreach, and widening participation; prospective students and their supporters, teachers, and school leaders are welcome to inquire with meLink opens in a new window about engaging with our department.


Current teaching

Winner of a Warwick Award for Teaching Excellence 2021Link opens in a new window

Commended in the University of Warwick Kindness on Campus Awards 2021Link opens in a new window


Academic writings

'A Schopenhauerian Solution to Schopenhauerian Politics'. In The Schopenhauerian MindLink opens in a new window, edited by David Bather Woods and Timothy Stoll. Routledge, 2023.

The Schopenhauerian MindLink opens in a new window, co-edited with Timothy Stoll. Routledge, 2023.

‘Proust and Schopenhauer'. In The Proustian MindLink opens in a new window, edited by Anna Elsner and Tom Stern. Routledge, 2022.

'The Standard Interpretation of Schopenhauer's Compensation Argument for Pessimism: A Non-Standard Variant', European Journal of PhilosophyLink opens in a new window (2022) 30 (3): 961-976.

'Schopenhauer's Sexual Ethics'. In Schopenhauer's Moral PhilosophyLink opens in a new window, edited by Patrick Hassan. Routledge, 2021.

‘Seriously Bored: Schopenhauer on Solitary Confinement’, British Journal for the History of Philosophy Link opens in a new window(2019) 27 (5): 959-978.

‘Schopenhauer on the State and Morality’. In The Palgrave Schopenhauer HandbookLink opens in a new window, edited by Sandra Shapshay. Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.

'A Note on Schopenhauer’s Misinterpretation of Petrarch', Jahrbuch der Schopenhauer-Gesellschaft (2017): 147–153.

‘Großbritannien’. In Schopenhauer-Handbuch,Link opens in a new window edited by Daniel Schubbe and Matthias Koßler. J.B. Metzler Verlag, 2014 (1st Ed.), 2018 (2nd Ed.).

Work in progress (WiP)

Schopenhauer: The Wisdom of Living (book, provisional title, forthcoming book with University of Chicago Press)

'Schopenhauer and the Frankfurt School' (chapter, forthcoming in The New Cambridge Companion to Schopenhauer, edited by Sandra Shapshay and Colin Marshall)

Some pre-prints are available on my PhilPeople ProfileLink opens in a new window


Public writings

How to think for yourselfLink opens in a new window’ (Psyche)

'What Arthur Schopenhauer learned about genius at the asylum' (Psyche)

'The Promise of Pessimism'Link opens in a new window (Institute of Art and Ideas)

'The semi-satisfied life'Link opens in a new window - an essay on Schopenhauer on happiness (Aeon)

'The best books on Arthur Schopenhauer'Link opens in a new window (Five Books)

'Schopenhauer's Link opens in a new windowThe World as Will and Representation'Link opens in a new window (Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, Teaching and Learning Resources)


Podcast appearances

'The Philosophy of Evil'Link opens in a new window (Common Room Philosophy)

'Resilience'Link opens in a new window (The Forum)

'Schopenhauer on Compassion'Link opens in a new window (Philosophy Bites)

'The History of Philosophy: its value and limitations'Link opens in a new window and 'Schopenhauer on Boredom, Loneliness and Compassion' Link opens in a new window(Common Room Philosophy)


Admin roles
  • Admissions Tutor
  • Outreach and Widening Participation Lead
  • Equality and Welfare Lead (Term 1, 2023/24)

Contact

Email:

David dot Bather dot Woods at warwick dot ac dot uk

Office: S2.38 (Social Sciences)

Advice and Feedback Hours:

10-11 Monday

11-12 Friday

Book time to meet with me

David Bather Woods