Ave Maria University |
|||||||||||
|
Dr. Sarah Byers
 |
|
PhD, University of Toronto
MA, University of Toronto
Dissertation directors: Brad Inwood, John Rist
**Research Leave-of-Absence 2006-7
Philosophy of late antiquity, especially Augustine and stoicism; ancient and medieval philosophy; history of ethics; history of metaphysics; historical philosophy of religion.
Peer-Refereed Articles:
"Augustine and the Cognitive Cause of Stoic 'Preliminary Passions' (Propatheiai),"
Journal of the History of Philosophy XLI.4 (October 2003), 433-48.
Abstract: Thirty-three passages from sermons spanning twenty-seven
years show that Augustine had a well-developed theory of preliminary
passions, and that his theory contained an innovation: while he agreed with
the Stoics that preliminaries occur without assent of the mind, he posited
that they do have a cognitive cause: doubt.
"Life as 'Self-Motion': Descartes and the 'Aristotelians' on the Soul as the Life of
the Body," Review of Metaphysics 59.4 (June 2006), 723-55.
Abstract: Tracks the reception of Aristotle's definition of biological life in the
early modern period (Descartes, Gassendi, Henry More, Fromondus, Bourdin,
Mersenne), including the Coimbra and Toletus handbooks. Argues that by
'self-motion,' Aristotle had intended self-induced qualitative change; in the early
modern period it was believed that he had meant local motion (and this was a
misunderstanding, not merely a disagreement).
"The Meaning of Voluntas in Augustine," Augustinian Studies 37.2 (2006), 171-89.
Abstract: Argues that Augustine uses the term "will" (voluntas) to render the Stoic
concept "impetus" toward action (horm^e). There was need of such a demonstration,
for although much ink has been spilt over the sense of “will” in Augustine’s texts,
interpretations have varied greatly. This article uses books twelve and fourteen of the
De Civitate Dei, book eight of the Confessiones, and the De Libero Arbitrio. It concludes
with suggestions about texts and authors that could have influenced Augustine’s
usage.
Courses Taught:
'Core curriculum' (required) courses: Intro; Ethics; Classical Metaphysics.
Upper-Level: Plato; Augustine; Logic; Philosophy of Religion.
Back to Faculty