The Philosophy and the History of Ideas (PHI) group brings together researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and philosophical traditions. Together, we deliver projects that develop new connections in the field and explore the transformative power of philosophy
PHI facilitates a research environment that seeks to develop new connections between the history of philosophical thought, abstract thinking about concepts, theoretical reasoning about the world and its contents, and empirically-engaged practical reasoning about individual and collective activity. PHI has four research streams:
Exploring the capacity for natural, political and artificial entities to act, make choices and exercise control.
Analysing subjective experiences, awareness and human consciousness to understand the nature of selfhood and identity.
Encouraging public and inclusive discourse, dialogue and deliberation to understand the phenomena of human life.
Investigating how values, theory and lived experiences shape individual identities and contribute to the fabric of society.
When you study a PhD or postdoctoral research with the Philosophy and the History of Ideas group, you'll be supported by renowned researchers.
PHI is fundamentally outward facing, interacting with Australian society and culture through various forms of public engagement. Our researchers critique and engage with contemporary thought and are regular contributors to the Australian media landscape.
Racism is an urgent problem in Australian society, yet its existential effects remain poorly understood. This project, led by Dr Helen Ngo, seeks to develop a new understanding of racism’s deep impact on one’s sense of self and place, reframing racism as not only a political problem, but also an ontological one. In doing so, it aims to guide more robust anti-racist efforts in the pursuit of a more racially just society.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots based on dead internet users are becoming a reality, while deepfake technology can be used to make the dead appear to live again. This ARC-funded Discovery Project, led by Associate Professor Patrick Stokes and Dr Adam Buben (University of Leiden, Netherlands), aims to explore the ontological and ethical questions of digital immortality and create guidelines for the ethical reuse of ‘digital remains’.
Steered by our group convenors, our members span from early to mid and senior career researchers. They bring a range of disciplinary expertise based on decades of combined experience.
Associate Professor Stokes is an associate professor of philosophy in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. His work sits at the intersections of the Continental and Analytic traditions, with research interests in 19th and 20th century European Philosophy, personal identity, narrative selfhood, moral psychology, death and remembrance, and philosophy of religion.
Dr Christopher Mayes is a senior lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. His research interests include history and philosophy of healthcare, sociology of health and food, and bioethics.
Associate Professor Geoff Boucher, Associate Professor Writing, Literature and Culture
Dr Sean Bowden, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy
Dr Petra Brown, Lecturer in Philosophy
Dr Tamara Browne, Senior Lecturer, Health Ethics, Law And Professional Development
Dr Leesa Davis, Lecturer in Philosophy
Associate Professor George Duke, Associate Professor in Philosophy
Tim Deane-Freeman, Casual Academic, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr Cathy Legg, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy
Dr Michele Lobo, Honorary Fellow
Dr Christopher Mayes, Senior Lecturer, Philosophy
Dr Helen Ngo, DECRA Research Fellow
Associate Professor Antonia Pont, Associate Professor of Writing, Literature and Culture
Professor Jack Reynolds, Professor of Philosophy
Dr Marilyn Stendera, Visitor
Associate Professor Patrick Stokes, Associate Professor in Philosophy
Professor Miguel Vatter, Professor in Political Science
External members
Russell Grigg
John Lippitt
Talia Morag
John Morss
Pierre-Jean Renaudie
Susana Viegas
Daniela Voss
James Williams
Ashley Woodward
Take an in-depth look at our latest research, available in a variety of formats and publications. For a full list of publications visit the profile pages of our researchers.
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