Career highlights
ARC Discovery grants:
- on modern recoveries of the idea of philosophy as a way of life
- on religion and politics
Book Camus, Philosophe reissued in paperback due to favorable critical reviews
Book Slavoj Zizek, A Little Piece of the Real reissued by Routledge, 2017
Book (with G. Boucher) The Times Will Suit Them shortlisted for 2018 John Button book award.
Over 750 citations as of December 2019.
Over 30 articles in Tier 1 journals across several disciplines.
Being plenary speaker at 2019 Stoicon event in Athens, the home of Stoicism
Meeting Juliusz Domanski and speaking at testimonial in Warsaw, June 2019, and liaising directly with Ilsetraut Hadot on the translation of Pierre Hadot's Selected Essays (Bloomsbury, 2020).
Research interests
A/P Sharpe has an eclectic array of research interests. Increasingly, he works on classical philosophy and modern receptions thereof, and the early modern period, up to and including the French enlightenment. He is interested in the history of Western receptions of its classical past, and the rich ethical legacy left by Stoic and academic schools in particular.
A/P Sharpe has expertise in Lacanian and Freudian psychoanalysis, and the use of psychoanaytic theory to read comedies, tragedies, and more contemporary cultural forms like 'Reality television'. He has published one single-authored and one coauthored book on Slavoj Zizek's work, and with Joanne Faulkner, Understanding Psychoanalysis.
In the past, he has published on aesthetics, the theory of ideology, eschatology and political theology, and critical theory. He has written on a host of different thinkers: for instance John Macdowell, Jacques Lacan, Montaigne, Voltaire, Maimonides, Pierre Hadot, and Epictetus.
He is 2017-19 working on a project looking at the critical theory tradition's relationship with the enlightenment. He is also part of a group of researchers at Deakin looking at the return of the Far Right globally.
Affiliations
Australasian Society of Continental Philosophy
Teaching interests
lecturer in philosophy
history of ethics
political philosophy
philosophy as a way of life
humanism as an educational program and ideal
psychoanalysis and social theory
Units taught
ASP215: Philosophies of Happiness and the Good Life: Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, early modern and modern philosophers address virtue, passions, love, pleasure, fame, publicity, egoism and altruism, lying, and torture.
ASP224: Freud and Philosophy: Freud, Lacan, and their applications to social issues: feminism, gender, race, authoritarianism, narcissism and social media.
Honors units (since 2006): Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Bacon, the enlightenment, Hegel, intellectual vices (2019)
Knowledge areas
Modern receptions of classical Greek philosophy: Leo Strauss, Pierre Hadot, Albert Camus, as well as Nazi receptions of antiquity.
Hellenistic philosophy
Roman philosophy
Enilghtenment philosophy
Psychoanalysis
20th century European philosophy
Albert Camus
Professional activities
Dr Sharpe has spoken at several Melbourne and Geelong philosophy cafes, delivered many lecture series at the MSCP, and been involved in several community groups. He has previously been Honors coordinator in Philosophy, Discipline convenor of the Philosophy group, and Associate Head of School or Research, and is the Coconvenor of EPHI (European Philosophy and History of Ideas) at Deakin..
Media appearances
Matthew has appeared many times on community, local and national radio. These appearances include:
October 2019: on the philosopher's zone, talking about Freud and philosophy
October 2019: on Soul Search, on Stoicism as a way of life
August 2018: on Adelaide ABC, talking about fascism
April 2018: taking about Voltaire's meeting with Benjamin Franklin
2015: on Philosopher's Zone, Radio National, talking about the enlightenment
2013: on Philosopher's Zone, talking about Camus
2008: community and national radio in connection with book with Geoffrey Boucher, The Times will suit them
Research groups
Governance and Development, Alfred Deakin Institute
Awards
2019: Arts-Education Faculty Commendation, High Student satisfaction, ASP215 teaching.
2019: School of Humanities and Social Sciences commendation for high eVALUate (student satisfaction) results, ASP215 teaching.
2018: School of Humanities and Social Sciences commendation for high eVALUate (student satisfaction) results, ASP215 teaching.
2018: ARC Centre for Excellence in History of the Emotions project grant ($4000) on Francis Bacon, rhetoric, and the emotions.
2018: two Research Excellence ADI grants for publication in Tier One journals.
2011 Deakin Arts Faculty Research Award (B/C Level).
2010 Deakin Arts Faculty Research Award (B/C Level).
2014-2018: CI in ARC Discovery grant "Reinventing Philosophy as a Way of Life".
2013-2018: CI in ARC Discovery team "Religion and Political Thought"
2008, 2010: Faculty teaching commendations, high student satisfaction results.
Projects
On Pierre Hadot and the history of Western conceptions of nature and the good life
On the normativity and realities of the French enlightenment, beyond its polemical criticisms
On the nature of the Far Right, the reasons for its resurgence, and the role of philosophical and intellectual movements and figures in the same.
On critical theory and its relationship with the ideas of the enlightenment
Publications
The times will suit them: Postmodern conservatism in Australia
G Boucher, M Sharpe
(2020), pp. 1-272, The Times will Suit Them: Postmodern Conservatism in Australia, A1
Camus as Philosopher amongst Philosophers
Maciej Kałuża, Peter Francev, Matthew Sharpe
(2020), Vol. 5, pp. 1-28, Brill's companion to Camus : Camus among the philosophers, Leiden, The Netherlands, B1
Modern Rebellion before the Terror: Reading Diderot after Camus
Matthew Sharpe
(2020), Vol. 5, pp. 91-112, Brill's companion to Camus : Camus among the philosophers, Leiden, Germany, B1
Pierre Hadot: Stoicism as a Way of Life
Matthew Sharpe
(2020), pp. 260-280, French and Italian Stoicisms: From Sartre to Agamben, London, Eng., B1
In the crosshairs of the fourfold: critical thoughts on Aleksandr Dugin's Heidegger
Matthew Sharpe
(2020), Vol. 21, pp. 1-21, Critical horizons, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Pierre Hadot, Albert Camus and the orphic view of nature
M Sharpe
(2020), Continental Philosophy Review, C1
Thoughts on Philosophy and Evil
Matthew Sharpe
(2020), Vol. 12, pp. 65-100, Journal of Camus Studies, Jacksonville, Ill., C1
Camus as Philosopher amongst the Philosophers: Brill's Companion to Camus
Peter Francev, Maciej Kaluza
(2020), Leiden, A7
Camus' 'midday thought', a precursor to speculative realism?
Matthew Sharpe
(2019), pp. 160-177, Why do things break?, Newcastle on Tyne, England, B1
Matthew Sharpe
(2019), pp. 163-174, Routledge handbook of the philosophy of evil, London, Eng., B1
Matthew Sharpe, Kirk Turner
(2019), pp. 187-198, Routledge handbook of psychoanalytical political theory, London, Eng., B1
Wherewith to draw us to the left and right: on reading Heidegger in the new millennium
Matthew Sharpe
(2019), pp. 77-110, Confronting Heidegger: a critical dialogue on politics and philosophy, London, Eng., B1
Zizek's Kant, or the Crack in the Universal (Politicizing the Transcendental Turn)
Matthew Sharpe
(2019), Vol. 1, pp. 33-55, Zizek Studies: The Greatest Hits (So Far), Bern, Switzerland, B1
Killing the father, Parmenides: On Lacan's anti-philosophy
Matthew Sharpe
(2019), Vol. 52, pp. 51-74, Continental philosophy review, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, C1
Home to men's business and bosoms: philosophy and rhetoric in Francis Bacon's Essayes
M Sharpe
(2019), Vol. 27, pp. 492-512, British journal for the history of philosophy, Abingdon, Eng., C1
From Amy Allen to Abbé Raynal: critical theory, the enlightenment and colonialism
M Sharpe
(2019), Vol. 20, pp. 178-199, Critical horizons, Abingdon, Eng., C1
M Sharpe
(2018), Vol. 456, pp. 139-164, Contro-parolo: Foucault e la parrēsia, Milano, Italy, B1
Ilsetraut Hadot's Seneca: spiritual direction and the transformation of the other
M Sharpe
(2018), pp. 104-123, Ethics and self-cultivation: historical and contemporary perspectives, New York, N.Y., B1
The demise of grand narratives? Postmodernism, power-knowledge, and applied epistemology
M Sharpe
(2018), pp. 318-331, The Routledge handbook of applied epistemology, New York, N.Y., B1
The being of the Volk: state, Führer and 'the political' in Heidegger's seminars during the Kairos
M Sharpe
(2018), pp. 199-217, Law and philosophical theory: critical intersections, London, Eng., B1
Camus and forgiveness, after the fall
M Sharpe
(2018), pp. 149-163, Phenomenology and Forgiveness, London, Eng., B1
Towards a phenomenology of Sagesse: uncovering the unique philosophical problematic of Pierre hadot
M Sharpe
(2018), Vol. 23, pp. 125-138, Angelaki: journal of the theoretical humanities, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Rhetorical action in the Rektoradsrede: calling Heidegger's Gefolgschaft
M Sharpe
(2018), Vol. 51, pp. 176-201, Philosophy & rhetoric, University Park, Pa., C1
The topics transformed: reframing the Baconian prerogative instances
M Sharpe
(2018), Vol. 56, pp. 429-454, Journal of the history of philosophy, Baltimore, Md., C1
On reading Heidegger-after the "Heidegger case"?
M Sharpe
(2018), Vol. 19, pp. 334-360, Critical horizons, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Bibliopolitics: the history of notation and the birth of the citational academic subject
Matthew Sharpe, Kirk Turner
(2018), Vol. 25, pp. 146-173, Foucault studies, Kelvin Grove, Qld., C1
Slavoj žižek: A little piece of the real
M Sharpe
(2017), pp. 1-273, Slavoj Zizek: A Little Piece of the Real, A1
Introduction: European thought, after the deluge
R Jeffs, M Sharpe
(2017), Vol. 25, pp. 1-24, 100 years of European philosophy since the Great War: crisis and reconfigurations, Cham, Switzerland, B1
1750, casualty 1914: lest we forget (the preKantian enlightenment)
M Sharpe
(2017), Vol. 25, pp. 251-276, 100 years of European philosophy since the Great War: crisis and reconfigurations, Cham, Switzerland, B1
What of all the others? On recovering the Enlightenment
M Sharpe
(2017), pp. 61-87, Rethinking the Enlightenment: between history, philosophy and politics, Lanham, Md., B1
Fearless?: Peter Weir, the sage, and the fragility of goodness
M Sharpe
(2017), Vol. 41, pp. 136-157, Philosophy and literature, Baltimore, Md., C1
Guests, hosts, strangers: far from men and Camus' Algerians
M Sharpe
(2017), Vol. 21, pp. 326-348, Film-Philosophy, Edinburgh, Scotland, C1
Camus and the virtues (with and beyond Sherman)
M Sharpe
(2017), Vol. 61, pp. 679-708, Philosophy today, Charlottesville, Va., C1
Socrates reborn? Philosophy, after the disciplines
M Sharpe
(2017), Vol. 47/48, pp. 305-323, Arena journal, Fitzroy, Vic., C1
Traversing the fantasy: Critical responses to Slavoj Zizek
G Boucher, J Glynos, M Sharpe
(2017), pp. 1-268, Traversing the Fantasy: Critical Responses to Slavoj Zizek, A7
100 Years of European Philosophy Since the Great War: Crisis and Reconfigurations
Matthew Sharpe, Rory Jeffs, Jack Reynolds
(2017), Cham, Switzerland, A7
Lacanian psychoanalysis and critical theory
M Sharpe
(2016), pp. 560-588, Edinburgh companion to critical theory, Edinburgh, Scotland., B1
M Sharpe
(2016), Vol. 14, pp. 25-37, Philosophy as a literary art: making things up, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Comedy and the agency of the letter in a midsummer night's dream
M Sharpe
(2016), pp. 133-155, Lacan, psychoanalysis, and comedy, Cambridge, Eng., B1
Albert Camus' hellenic heart, between Saint Augustine and Hegel
M Sharpe
(2016), Vol. 9, pp. 242-268, Brill's companion to the reception of the classics in international modernism and the avant garde, Boston, Ma., B1
M Sharpe
(2016), Vol. 8, pp. 375-403, Journal of classical receptions, Oxford, Eng., C1
There is not just a war: recalling the therapeutic metaphor in western metaphilosophy
M Sharpe
(2016), Vol. 55, pp. 31-54, Sophia, Berlin, Germany, C1
On Roland Boer's Marxism and theology
M Sharpe
(2016), Vol. 4, pp. 171-178, Critical research on religion, London, Eng., C1
Socratic ironies: reading Hadot, reading Kierkegaard
M Sharpe
(2016), Vol. 55, pp. 409-435, Sophia, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, C1
M Sharpe
(2016), Vol. 2016, pp. 25-52, Pli: the Warwick journal of philosophy, Warwick ,Eng., C1
On a neglected argument in French philosophy: Sceptical humanism in Montaigne, Voltaire and Camus
M Sharpe
(2015), Vol. 16, pp. 1-26, Critical horizons, Leiden, The Netherlands, C1
M Sharpe
(2015), Vol. 15, pp. 106-117, Parrhesia: a journal of critical philosophy, Parkville, Vic., C1
M Sharpe
(2015), Vol. 4, pp. 37-68, Journal of early modern studies, Firenze, Italy, C1
Introduction: secularization and its discontents
M Sharpe, D Nickelson
(2014), pp. 3-19, Secularisations and Their Debates, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, B1
In the beginning was ... the story? On secularisation, narrative, and nominalisms
M Sharpe
(2014), pp. 109-130, Secularisations and their debates, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, B1
A just judgement? Considerations on Ronald Srigley's Camus' Critique of Modernity
M Sharpe
(2014), Vol. 120, pp. 43-58, Thesis Eleven, C1
The black side of the sun: Camus, Theology, and the problem of evil
M Sharpe
(2014), Vol. 15, pp. 151-174, Political Theology, C1
Georgics of the mind and the architecture of fortune: Francis Bacon's therapeutic ethics
M Sharpe
(2014), Vol. 43, pp. 89-121, Philosophical Papers, London, Eng., C1
Between Genet's Bordello and holy communion : Lacan on comedy in seminar V
Matthew Sharpe
(2014), Vol. 6-7, pp. 61-72, Journal of the Jan van Eyck Circle for Lacanian ideology critique, Maastricht, The Netherlands, C1-1
How it's not the Chryssippus you read : on Cooper, Hadot, Epictetus, and stoicism as a way of life
M Sharpe
(2014), Vol. 58, pp. 367-392, Philosophy today, Chicago, IL, C1
PUBLICIZING THE ESSENTIALLY PRIVATE: LEO STRAUSS'S PLATONIC ARISTOPHANES
Matthew Sharpe
(2014), Vol. 18, pp. 3-32, SYMPOSIUM-CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CONTINENTAL PHILOSOPHY, C1
M Sharpe
(2014), Vol. 2014, pp. 117-144, Journal of Camus Studies, C1
Name it and claim it: prosperity gospel and the global pentecostal reformation
M Sharpe
(2013), pp. 164-179, Handbook of research on development and religion, Cheltenham, England, B1
Restoring camus as philosophe: On Ronald Srigley's camus' critique of modernity
M Sharpe
(2013), Vol. 13, pp. 400-424, Critical Horizons, C1
Camus' Askesis: reading Camus in light of the Carnets (and his L'Impromptu des philosophes)
M Sharpe
(2013), Vol. 8, pp. 1149-1164, Philosophical practice, London, Eng., C1
Controlling the philosophical imaginary: reading Pierre Hadot with Luiz Costa Lima
M Sharpe
(2013), Vol. 54, pp. 225-240, Culture, theory & critique, London, Eng., C1
On eschatology and the 'return to religion'
M Sharpe
(2013), pp. 203-228, Arena journal, Melbourne, Vic., C1
The poetic presentation of philosophy: Leo Strauss on Plato's "symposium"
M Sharpe
(2013), Vol. 34, pp. 563-603, Poetics Today, C1
'More things in heaven and earth ...': The theological aufhebung of Roland Boer
M Sharpe
(2013), pp. 28-58, Arena journal, Fitzroy, Vic., C1-1
Revaluing megalopsuchia : reflections on the Alcibiades II
M Sharpe
(2012), pp. 134-146, Alcibiades and the Socratic lover-educator, London, U. K., B1
Sharing the moment : on the Olympic Games as spectacle
M Sharpe
(2012), pp. 273-286, The Olympics and philosophy, Lexington, Mass., B1
'To be or not ...' Lacan and the meaning of being in Shakepeare's Hamlet
M Sharpe
(2012), pp. 89-116, The literary Lacan : from literature to lituraterre and beyond, Calcutta, India, B1
Philosophy and the view from above in Alejandro's Amenabar's agora
M Sharpe
(2012), Vol. 6, pp. 31-45, Crossroads : an interdisciplinary journal for the study of history, philosophy, religion and classics, St Lucia, Qld., C1
Changing Aristotle's mind and world : critical notes on McDowell's Aristotle
M Sharpe
(2012), Vol. 2, pp. 804-821, Philosophy study, Libertyville, Ill., C1
In the name of the father : understanding monotheism and fundamentalism
R Grigg, M Sharpe
(2011), pp. 81-87, The Antipodean philosopher ; volume 1 : public lectures on philosophy in Australia and New Zealand, Lanham, Md., B1
M Sharpe, D Townsend
(2011), pp. 131-148, Interpreting Nietzsche : reception and influence, New York, N.Y., B1
Reading Camus "with," or after, Levinas: Rebellion and the primacy of ethics
M Sharpe
(2011), Vol. 55, pp. 82-95, Philosophy Today, C1
M Sharpe
(2011), Vol. 50, pp. 413-427, Sophia, C1
G Boucher, M Sharpe
(2011), Vol. 72, pp. 64-79, New formations : a journal of culture / theory / politics, London, England, C1
M Sharpe
(2011), pp. 1-14, Internet encyclopedia of philosophy, [unknown], C1
The invincible summer: On Albert Camus' philosophical neoclassicism
M Sharpe
(2011), Vol. 50, pp. 577-592, Sophia, C1
'Only the present is our happiness' : on affects in ancient thought, in memorium Pierre Hadot
M Sharpe
(2011), pp. 144-156, Parrhesia : a journal of critical philosophy, Parkville, Vic., C1
M Sharpe
(2011), Vol. 50, pp. 141-158, Sophia, C1-1
On getting real : Stoicism and psychoanalysis
M Sharpe
(2011), pp. 201-204, Anthology of philosophical studies; Volume 6, Athens, Greece, E1-1
M Sharpe, J Faulkner
(2010), pp. 1-230, Understanding Psychoanalysis, A1
On Plato as origin and periagoge in Strauss and Arendt
M Sharpe
(2010), pp. 119-141, Legacy of Leo Strauss, Exeter, England, B1
M Sharpe
(2010), pp. 243-258, From Agamben to Žižek : contemporary critical theorists, Edinburgh, Scotland, B1
When the logics of the world collapse - Zizek with and against Arendt on 'totalitarianism'
Matthew Sharpe
(2010), Vol. 3, pp. 53-75, SUBJECTIVITY, C1
Who stole the cheese? Or: How postmodernism can grow your business
M Sharpe
(2010), Vol. 90, pp. 29-45, Man in India, C1
Zizek's communism and in defence of lost causes
M Sharpe, G Boucher
(2010), Vol. 4, pp. 1-7, International journal of Zizek studies, Leeds, England, C1
Then we will fight them in the shadows! : seven parataxic views, on Zizek's style
M Sharpe
(2010), Vol. 4, pp. 1-35, International journal of Zizek studies, Leeds, England, C1
Uncovering Euthyphro's treasure reading Plato's Euthyphro with Lacan
M Sharpe
(2010), Vol. 37, pp. 23-48, Helios, Lubbock, Texas, C1-1
"Critchley is Žižek": In defence of critical political philosophy
M Sharpe
(2009), Vol. 10, pp. 180-196, Critical Horizons, C1
Of diabolical evil, and related matters : on Slavoj Žižek's reading of Kant's practical philosophy
M Sharpe
(2009), Vol. 3, pp. 1-23, International journal of Zizek studies, Leeds, England, C1
M Sharpe
(2009), Vol. 14, pp. 535-547, European legacy, toward new paradigms, Oxford, England, C1
Is neoliberalism a liberalism, or a stranger kind of bird? On Hayek and our discontents
M Sharpe
(2009), Vol. 10, pp. 76-98, Critical Horizons, C1
Only Agamben can save us? Against the messianic turn recently adopted in critical theory
M Sharpe
(2009), Vol. 5, Bible and critical theory, Melbourne, Vic., C1
Resurrecting (meta-) political theology, or the abstract passion of Alain Badiou
M Sharpe
(2008), Vol. No.29/30, pp. 273-304, Arena journal, Australia, C1
Kant, or the crack in the universal : Slavoj Zizek's politicising the transcendental turn
M Sharpe
(2008), Vol. 2, pp. 1-20, International journal of Zizek studies, Leeds, United Kingdom, C1
In the name of the Father : God in Lacan, Judaic or Christian?
M Sharpe
(2008), Vol. 26, pp. 267-285, Psychoanalytische perspectieven, Ghent, Belgium, C1-1
Postmodern conservatism and reactionary recognition
A Vandenberg, M Sharpe, G Boucher
(2007), pp. 116-134, Recognition in politics: theory, policy and practice, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, B1
Supposing history were a woman, what then? Some timely meditations on tyranny
M Sharpe
(2007), pp. 186-209, Trauma, History, Philosophy, Newcastle, England, B1
Neuropsychoanalysis and the future of psychoanalysis
M Sharpe
(2007), pp. 313-323, Trauma, history, philosophy, Newcastle, England, B1
Maistre avec de Sade: Zizek contra de maistre
M Sharpe
(2007), Vol. 1, pp. 1-24, International journal of Zizek studies, Leeds, England, C1
A question of two truths? Remarks on Parrhesia and the 'political-philosophical' difference
M Sharpe
(2007), pp. 89-108, Parrhesia: a journal of critical philosophy, Parkville, Vic, C1
Even better than the real thing: sadism and real(ity) t.v.
M Sharpe
(2007), Vol. 4, pp. 1-9, Scan : journal of media arts culture, Sydney, N.S.W, C1
Matthew Sharpe
(2006), Vol. 24, pp. 95-123, Australian Feminist Law Journal, C1
The aesthetics of ideology, or 'the critique of ideological judgment' in Eagleton and Žižek
M Sharpe
(2006), Vol. 34, pp. 95-120, Political Theory, C1
A coincidentia oppositorium? On Carl Schmitt and new Australian conservatism
M Sharpe
(2006), Vol. 5, pp. 1-14, Borderlands, Adelaide, S. Aust., C1
The philosopher's courtly love? Leo strauss, eros, and the law
M Sharpe
(2006), Vol. 17, pp. 357-388, Law and Critique, C1
M Sharpe
(2006), Vol. 27, pp. 123-158, Arena journal, North Carlton, Vic, C1
Of words : on sartre and the unconscious - in good faith
M Sharpe
(2006), pp. 1-20, Journal of european psychoanalysis, Rome, Italy, C1-1
'In the name of the Father...' descartes, psychosis, God and 'reality'
M Sharpe
(2006), Vol. 4, pp. 214-232, Journal for Lacanian studies, London, England, C1-1
What's left in Zizek? The antinomies of Zizek's sociopolitical reason
M Sharpe
(2005), pp. 147-168, Traversing the fantasy: critical responses to Slavoj Zizek, Aldershot, England, B1
Aesthet(h)ics: on Levinas' shadow
M Sharpe
(2005), Vol. 9, pp. 29-47, Colloquy text theory critique, Melbourne, Vic, C1
Is there a minority report?, or: what is subjectivity?
M Sharpe
(2005), Vol. 2, pp. 4-14, Other voices, Philadelphia, PA, C1
A Few Good Men: Psychoanalysis, Abu Ghraib and (the) American Right
Matthew Sharpe
(2005), Vol. 10, pp. 168-185, Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society, C1
Irony and finitude: Zizek, Kundera and modernity
M Sharpe
(2004), Vol. 14, pp. 9-24, Antithesis, Parkville, Vic, C1
Funded Projects at Deakin
No Funded Projects at Deakin found
Supervisions
No completed student supervisions to report