Dr Sam Clark

PhD Supervision Interests

Moral philosophy, especially value theory, human nature, human flourishing, the self.

Political philosophy, especially anarchism, socialism, utopianism.

Capitalism.

History of moral and political thought, especially Hobbes, Hume, Godwin, Mill, Kropotkin.

Literary form in philosophy, especially autobiography, dialogue, utopia.

Research Interests

I work on the nature, conditions, and political significance of human flourishing (aka well-being, welfare, the good life), and on various kinds of text - utopias, dialogues, autobiographies - which investigate these issues. I am particularly interested in capitalism's relation to human flourishing. I have published a book, Living Without Domination, and articles in journals including Res Publica, Philosophy, Inquiry, and Ratio.

Current Teaching

Michaelmas term 2012:

• PPR.202 Ethics
• PPR.450 What is Philosophy?

Lent 2013:

• PHIL100 Introduction to Philosophy: Political Philosophy of Capitalism segment
• PPR.309 Practical Philosophy: Capitalism as an Ethical Problem
• PPR.459 Ethics & Governance

See here for free-to-download audio of various lectures I've given in the last few years.

Office Hours

Lent 2013: Tuesdays, 11am-12noon & Thursdays, 11am-12noon. These are open door drop-in sessions, with no appointments required or given. If you can't make either time, email me suggesting an alternative.

Note: I will not be available in the Tuesday slot in week 1.

Additional Information

Convenor, Part I studies in Philosophy.

To first-year philosophy students: most of your questions are answered on the PHIL100 Moodle page. If yours isn't, post a question on the forum, email me, or drop into my office hours.

Other Interests and Hobbies

Apart from philosophy, I enjoy reading poetry and history, listening to jazz and other experimental music, and spending time with my wife Em and son Hal.

• The Genres Project

  01/01/2012 →
  Throughout the history of philosophy as an academic discipline, scholars have tended to focus almost exclusively on the content or meaning of philosophical works, with very little attention to the for ... Read more»

• Autobiography as Ethics

  01/01/2010 →
  Autobiographies enact a distinctive and valuable form of ethical reflection: the autobiographer steps back from the immediate and quotidian; considers how she has come to have her individual attitudes ... Read more»

• Civic Health: Public Lectures

  25/04/2012
  Civic health: four public lectures on living well together   What is a sick society, and what would a healthy society be? What relations does civic health require between citizens? What must citizens ... Read more»

• Talk: 'Pleasure as Self-Discovery', Institute of Education, London

  27/04/2011
  Dr Sam Clark (PPR) will be speaking at the Institute of Education, London, on 'Pleasure as Self-Discovery'. ... Read more»

• Lancaster University Philosophy Society: talk on comradeship, individuality, and soldiers' autobiographies

  22/03/2011
  Dr Sam Clark (PPR) will give a talk on the philosophy of comradeship and individuality, drawing on some soldiers' autobiographies, at the University Philosophy Society, on Tuesday 22 March. ... Read more»

• Civic Health: public talks on living well together 2: Good Work

  (Speaker) 16/5/2012
  Activity: Public lecture/debate/seminar
  Read more»

• Civic Health: public talks on living well together 1: Civic Health & Civic Vitality

  (Organiser) 9/5/2012
  Activity: Public lecture/debate/seminar
  Read more»

• Dialogues in Philosophy

  (Organiser) 20/9/2012 → 21/9/2012
  Activity: Participation in conference
  Read more»

• Civic Health: public talks on living well together 3: Solidarity, Vulnerability, & Civic Health

  (Organiser) 23/5/2012
  Activity: Public lecture/debate/seminar
  Read more»

• Civic Health: public talks on living well together 4: Living Well Within Limits

  (Organiser) 30/5/2012
  Activity: Public lecture/debate/seminar
  Read more»

• Work in Utopia

  (Organiser) 4/7/2013
  Activity: Public lecture/debate/seminar
  Read more»