Alexandra Cunningham is an MA student in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Calgary, who previously completed a BA in philosophy and great books at St. Thomas University. She primarily works on epistemology, although she also enjoys the philosophy of mind and Platonic philosophy.
What excites you about philosophy?
My favourite thing about doing philosophy is the communication skills it gives me. Good philosophy challenges you not only to articulate yourself clearly, but to think clearly. I enjoy making complex problems understandable, and communicating verbally and in writing in a plain and accessible way. Philosophy constantly tests me to do this.
What are you working on right now?
I have just completed my coursework for my MA degree, and so I’m currently getting started on my thesis. Right now, I’m researching a couple of topics at a high level so that I can zero in on something that really captures my interest. Epistemology is my main area of research. I’ve spent the last year working on a paper on epistemic paternalism and familiarizing myself with that debate, so I’m considering furthering my work on that during my thesis. I’m also reading up on animal epistemology and the extent to which different animals can be said to have knowledge, beliefs, and epistemic status. Finally, I’m considering working on the challenges expertise poses in epistemology.
At the same time, I’m also developing a few papers from the last year in order to shape them into something presentable. I’m co-authoring a paper with my fiancé on evidentialism, tweaking a paper on Plato’s Phaedrus and its connection to pedagogy and trivialization, and working on a paper discussing the categorical bottleneck account in the literature on natural kinds.
And finally, I’m also getting started on my applications to PhD programs in philosophy that I’ll be submitting later this year.
If you could wake up tomorrow with a new talent, what would you most like it to be?
It often takes me a very long time to get through texts, so I’d love to be able to wake up one day and be able to speed-read—or even just read at a faster pace—while still digesting all of the words and ideas properly!
What do you like to do outside work?
I sew—a lot! I spend a lot of time working creatively with textiles. In fact, I sew or knit most of what I wear. I also have a new and mostly leisurely small business designing and selling sewing patterns. Making your own clothes, accessories, and homewares teaches you a lot about the time and effort that goes into creating these things, and about ethical consumption in these industries. In addition, I like to do portrait paintings in oils and, when I’m home, go hiking or driving with the dog.
What is your favorite book of all time? (Or top 3). Why? To whom would you recommend them?
My favourite book (poem) is the Odyssey by Homer. I could re-read this text a thousand times, and never tire of it. Its lessons on family, home, Greek culture and hospitality, and human life in general are consistently revealing. I guess that’s my take on whether I prefer the Odyssey or the Iliad. I would recommend the Odyssey to anyone at all. My other favourites are Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—I was lucky enough to take a seminar on The Inklings—and White Noiseby Don DeLillo.
What is your favorite film of all time?
My favourite film is probably Zodiac (2007). I enjoy true crime, mystery, thriller, horror, and slow-burn movies, and Zodiac expertly combines all of those elements. I’ve seen it many times, and I always thoroughly enjoy watching it. Between the historical accuracy and the way David Fincher subverts an audience’s expectations of a movie’s anticipated payoff, I’d recommend Zodiac to anyone open to a film more about questions than answers.
What would your childhood self say if someone told you that you would grow up to be a philosopher?
My childhood self would honestly not be surprised at all. Since I was very young, I’ve always been drawn toward reading, thinking, and writing. In fact, as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to work in the humanities. There was a time when I wanted to be an English professor, but my interest in literature was usually philosophically motivated. So, I’d say becoming a philosopher wasn’t too much of a stretch!
This section of the APA Blog is designed to get to know our fellow philosophers a little better. We’re including profiles of APA members that spotlight what captures their interest not only inside the office, but also outside of it. We’d love for you to be a part of it, so please contact us via the interview nomination form here to nominate yourself or a friend.
Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall is an editor at the Blog of the APA who currently teaches philosophy, religion, and education courses solely online for Montclair State University, Three Rivers Community College, and St. John’s University.
Thanks for the interesting interview. It was valuable to hear you talk about how philosophy helps augment communication skills. Over nearly 40 years, I’ve found that it has helped me with written and verbal persuasion, as well as focusing analytical challenges. It has sustained my career, allowing me to distill and succinctly communicate information for a lifetime.
What an exquisite article! Your post is very helpful right now. Thank you for sharing this informative one.