Tutor information
Martin Ovens
Born and educated in Wales, Martin Ovens (Wolfson College, Oxford) has taught courses in philosophy and religious studies since 1997, first for Cardiff University and then for OUDCE from 2005. He is the Editor of Culture and Dialogue, an international, peer reviewed journal of cross-cultural philosophy (published by Brill). His research is based on interest in the relationship between skepsis and creativity. Among his publications are papers on comparative philosophy, scepticism and aesthetics. Current projects include work on Owen Barfield and political philosophy.
Courses
From Duns Scotus and John Locke to Iris Murdoch, we explore the lives and work of key philosophers most closely associated with the University of Oxford, serving as an introduction to various philosophical domains, including logic, ethics and metaphysics.
We explore Plato's concept of 'philosopher-king' in relation to historical examples. By discussing critiques of the concept and associated ideas in modern political philosophy, we determine whether a philosopher-ruler is possible or desirable today.