Peg O'ConnorFaculty
I fell hard for Wittgenstein as an undergraduate philosophy major. I was simultaneously perplexed, charmed, befuddled, dubious, challenged, and so importantly, engaged by Wittgenstein's writings. Who could resist someone who wrote "What is your aim in philosophy? To shew the fly the way out of the fly-bottle." Years later (how many I will not say), his philosophy still guides my philosophical pursuits. Wittgenstein is my intellectual companion in all my work.
My interest in Wittgenstein is happily and productively combined with ethical matters. I have published two books on Wittgenstein and ethics. The first is Oppression and Responsibility (2002) and the second is Morality and Our Complicated Form of Life (2008). I am also the co-editor of Feminist Interpretations of Ludwig Wittgenstein (2002).
I regularly teach PHI 147: Applied Ethics, a course in which we explore the moral depth of many of our common ordinary practices and activities. I enjoy teaching this course so much because we focus on acquiring skills that enable us to engage in moral inquiry and transform moral disagreements in productive, useful, and respectful ways.
My recent work brings philosophical insights to issues of addiction, recovery, and trauma. I have two recent books, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (2022) and The Sober Philosopher Workbook for Exploring Addiction and Creating Recovery (2023), with Wildhouse Publications. My other book on addiction and recovery is Life on the Rocks: Finding Meaning in Addiction and Recovery (2016). I am presently working on two projects with the working titles, "Hindering the Essential Arts of Personhood: The Moral Crisis of Childhood Trauma" and "Recovering Charater: Knowing How to Belong to Yourself." I also have blog with Psychology Today titled, "Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken." The address is: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/philosophy-stirred-not-shaken
You can find me on Instagram and TikTok as #thesoberphilosopher
My website is https://pegoconnorauthor.com/
Education
B.A. Wesleyan University, 1987M.A. University of Minnesota, 1993Ph.D. University of Minnesota, 1996
Areas of Expertise
Feminist Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Wittgenstein, and Addiction
Interests
Courses Taught
FTS-100 (FTS:The Good Life), GWS-212 (Oppression/Privilege), PHI-147 (Applied Ethics), and PHI-212 (Oppression/Privilege)
| Synonym | Title | Times Taught | Terms Taught |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWS-118 | Feminist Controversies | 16 | 2018/SP, 2017/SP, 2016/SP, 2015/SP, 2014/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, and 2008/SP |
| PHI-246 | Ethical Theory | 12 | 2024/SP, 2022/FA, 2022/SP, 2021/SP, 2020/SP, 2017/FA, 2016/FA, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2012/FA, and 2010/FA |
| WOM-118 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 10 | 2007/SP, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2003/FA, 2003/SP, 2002/FA, 2001/FA, 2001/SP, and 2000/FA |
| GWS-380 | Coll:Feminist/Pop Cult | 9 | 2017/FA, 2016/FA, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2012/FA, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2008/FA, and 2007/FA |
| PHI-247 | Applied Ethics | 9 | 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2011/SP, 2008/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, and 1999/FA |
| PHI-115 | Formal Logic | 8 | 2009/FA, 2008/FA, 2007/FA, 2006/FA, 2004/JN, 2003/SP, 2001/SP, and 1999/FA |
| PHI-108 | Great Philosophers | 7 | 2024/SP, 2023/SP, 2022/SP, 2021/SP, 2020/FA, 2020/SP, and 2013/FA |
| PHI-147 | Applied Ethics | 7 | 2023/FA, 2022/FA, 2021/FA, 2021/SP, 2020/FA, 2019/FA, and 2015/FA |
| WOM-380 | Colloquium: Special Topic | 6 | 2006/FA, 2005/FA, 2003/FA, 2002/FA, 2002/SP, and 2001/SP |
| FTS-100 | FTS:The Good Life | 5 | 2023/FA, 2022/FA, 2002/FA, 2001/FA, and 2000/FA |
| PHI-136 | Formal Logic | 5 | 2021/FA, 2020/FA, 2019/FA, 2017/FA, and 2016/FA |
| PHI-102 | Racism and Sexism | 5 | 2007/SP, 2004/SP, 2002/SP, and 1999/FA |
| PHI-371 | SEM:Suffering | 4 | 2024/SP, 2019/FA, 2016/SP, and 2013/SP |
| PHI-104 | The Individual and Community | 4 | 2000/SP and 1999/SP |
| PHI-248 | Gender, Knowledge, Reality | 3 | 2023/FA, 2020/SP, and 1999/SP |
| PHI-202 | Modern Philosophy | 3 | 2010/SP, 2009/SP, and 2000/SP |
| PHI-290 | Philosophical Methods | 2 | 2023/SP and 2022/SP |
| GWS-260 | Global Feminisms | 2 | 2009/FA and 2007/FA |
| GWS-248 | Gender, Knowledge, Reality | 1 | 2023/FA |
| PHI-244 | ST:Philosophy of Trauma | 1 | 2023/SP |
| PHI-370 | Sem: Wittgenstein | 1 | 2021/FA |
| PHI-103 | Mind and Matter | 1 | 2011/SP |
| PHI-210 | Commodity Culture | 1 | 2006/JN |
| WOM-268 | Career Exploration | 1 | 2006/JN |
| POL-399 | Thesis | 1 | 2004/SP |
| POL-380 | Feminist Political Thought | 1 | 2004/SP |
| NDL-224 | Just Food | 1 | 2003/JN |
| WOM-360 | Feminist Theories | 1 | 2001/FA |
| PHI-116 | Radical Social Commentary | 1 | 2000/JN |