Research Areas

Within the field of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, I gravitate toward ethics/politics and aesthetics.  Three of my books have been devoted to Plato's Republic (a monograph; an edited collection; and a translation for which I served as editor).  In ancient aesthetics Plato's critique of "the poets," Plato's own literary artistry, and Aristotle's Poetics have been abiding concerns.  I also maintain an independent interest in modern philosophical aesthetics.  In this area, I have published a monograph on social communication and storytelling and an article on the philosophy of gardens.  My current project is a book-length study of "Plato the Writer" — the title of an existing article of mine that amounts to a manifesto for the larger project.