About me

Hello! My name is Harry Alanen, and I am a philosopher. I am currently updating this website. Please see below for a brief overview on my current research, and my educational background. If you have any questions, please, don’t hesitate to contact me.

For a more detailed overview, please see my CV.

Research

My current research is on Aristotle’s conception of desire and goodness. This research is sponsored by a post-doctoral grant from the Alfred Kordelin Foundation.

I am currently unaffiliated, but based in Helsinki, Finland. During the 2023-24 academic year I will be a visiting Fulbright Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh, also sponsored by a grant from Ella & Georg Ehrnrooth Foundation.

My research interests include ancient philosophy, philosophy of mind and action, ethics, and the history of philosophy.

Education

In November 2022 I finished my DPhil in Philosophy at the University of Oxford (New College). My thesis – “Aristotle on Action and Agency” – was supervised by Ursula Coope, and examined by Stevie Makin and Michail Peramatzis.

During my time on the DPhil I have worked as a Stipendiary Lecturer in Ancient Philosophy at Christ Church, teaching undergraduates topics ranging from Early Greek Philosophy to Philosophy of Mind. In 2018 I spend a summer at University of Leipzig, as a Visiting Doctoral Fellow, while in 2017 I spent a term at Yale, working with David Charles.

Prior to the DPhil I completed the MSt in Ancient Philosophy at Oxford, and before that a BA in Philosophy at University of Helsinki – my hometown.

Contact me

If you have any questions or just want to say hello please feel free to email me.

I also have profiles on the following websites (but I seldomly check these):