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
- PH3A7Link opens in a new window - Philosophy of Evil (Term 1)
- PH3C4Link opens in a new window - Schopenhauer (Term 2)
Winner of a Warwick Award for Personal Tutoring Excellence 2024
Winner of a Warwick Award for Teaching Excellence 2021
Commended in the University of Warwick Kindness on Campus Awards 2021
Academic writings
'A Schopenhauerian Solution to Schopenhauerian Politics'. In The Schopenhauerian Mind, edited by David Bather Woods and Timothy Stoll. Routledge, 2023.
The Schopenhauerian Mind, co-edited with Timothy Stoll. Routledge, 2023.
‘Proust and Schopenhauer'. In The Proustian Mind, 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 Philosophy (2022) 30 (3): 961-976.
'Schopenhauer's Sexual Ethics'. In Schopenhauer's Moral Philosophy, edited by Patrick Hassan. Routledge, 2021.
‘Seriously Bored: Schopenhauer on Solitary Confinement’, British Journal for the History of Philosophy (2019) 27 (5): 959-978.
‘Schopenhauer on the State and Morality’. In The Palgrave Schopenhauer Handbook, edited by Sandra Shapshay. Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.
'A Note on Schopenhauer’s Misinterpretation of Petrarch', Jahrbuch der Schopenhauer-GesellschaftLink opens in a new window (2017): 147–153.
‘Großbritannien’. In Schopenhauer-Handbuch, edited by Daniel Schubbe and Matthias Koßler. J.B. Metzler Verlag, 2014 (1st Ed.), 2018 (2nd Ed.).
Work in progress
Arthur Schopenhauer: The Life and Thought of Philosophy's Greatest Pessimist (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 Profile
Public writings
‘How to think for yourself’ (Psyche)
'What Arthur Schopenhauer learned about genius at the asylum'Link opens in a new window (Psyche)
'The Promise of Pessimism' (Institute of Art and Ideas)
'The semi-satisfied life' - an essay on Schopenhauer on happiness (Aeon)
'The best books on Arthur Schopenhauer' (Five Books)
'Schopenhauer's The World as Will and Representation' (Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, Teaching and Learning Resources)
Podcast/radio appearances
'One is a Whole' (Sideways, BBC Radio 4)
'Schopenhauer on Compassion' (Philosophy Bites)
'Resilience' (The Forum)
'The History of Philosophy: its value and limitations', 'Schopenhauer on Boredom, Loneliness and Compassion', and 'The Philosophy of Evil' (Common Room Philosophy)
Admin roles
- Admissions Tutor
- Outreach and Widening Participation Lead
Contact
Email:
David dot Bather dot Woods at warwick dot ac dot uk
Office: S2.38 (Social Sciences)
Advice and Feedback Hours:
Thursdays
11.30–12.30 and 14.30–15.30
