Profile

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy with academic responsibilities for admissions, outreach and widening participation. I am currently acting as Director of Student Experience and Progression. I have taught a wide range of topics in philosophy, mainly in the history of philosophy and the philosophy of value, particularly ethics and aesthetics. My research focuses on the 19th century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, especially his pessimism, but recently also his moral and political philosophy.

Current Teaching

• PH3A7Link opens in a new window - Philosophy of EvilLink opens in a new window (Term 1)
• PH368Link opens in a new window - Philosophy of ReligionLink opens in a new window (Term 2)

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

Publications

‘Proust and Schopenhauer'. In The Proustian Mind, by Anna Elsner and Tom Stern. Routledge, forthcoming.

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

'The Standard Interpretation of Schopenhauer's Compensation Argument for Pessimism: A Non-Standard Variant', European Journal of Philosophy.Link opens in a new window

‘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.

‘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.).

Online

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

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

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

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

'The semi-satisfied life'Link opens in a new window (Aeon)

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

'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)

Work in progress

Books

The Schopenhauerian Mind (in the Routledge Philosophical MindsLink opens in a new window book series), co-edited with Timothy Stoll.

Administration

• Acting Director of Student Experience and Progression
• Outreach and Widening Participation Lead
• Teachers and school leaders are welcome and encouraged to inquireLink opens in a new window about outreach and engagement with Warwick Philosophy Department

Contact

Email:

David dot Bather dot Woods at warwick dot ac dot uk

Office: S2.38 (Social Sciences)

PhilPeople ProfileLink opens in a new window