Ilgin Aksoy holds a PhD in philosophy from Middle East Technical University and is completing a second PhD at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. His research focuses on metaphysics and the history of philosophy, with a particular interest in Spinoza.
Personal Website: PhilPeople
What excites you about philosophy?
I am simply obsessed with knowing and understanding how things work. I find it hard to move on without grasping how and why things are the way they are. Philosophy excites me because it offers the tools to pursue that kind of deep understanding.
What is your favorite thing that you’ve written?
My recent paper, “Is Spinoza a Dualist?”, published in the British Journal for the History of Philosophy, is my favorite. It revisits a simple question: Does Spinoza think reality comes in two basic categories, or just one? I argue for an unorthodox view that sees his metaphysics as comprising a single category of power, unified through a part–whole structure: Substance as one whole, with everything else as dependent parts within it. In doing so, it clarifies the roles of ontological dependence and mereology in Spinoza’s system, while engaging recent debates by scholars such as Melamed, Della Rocca, and Schaffer. The article is the product of several years of research, conference presentations, and teaching.
What are you working on right now?
Aside from trying to finish my PhD dissertation, I am working on two papers, both on Spinoza. One is a natural continuation of my previous publication on Spinoza’s holistic mereological ontology of powers. The other is a very fun project, co-authored with my former co-supervisor Corry Shores, exploring how Deleuze interprets Spinoza’s modality and epistemology with reference to gambling.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I am big into the outdoors. I love hiking, camping, mountaineering, rock climbing, biking, skiing, swimming, and simply being in the wilderness. A couple of years ago, I founded the Graduate Outdoor Society at my university, and since then, we have organized many wonderful outdoor activities to bring students together and build a sense of community. One of our main goals has been to help international students feel at home and blend into life here, using the outdoors as a means to connect and share experiences across cultures.
What are your goals and aspirations outside work?
Most of my goals and aspirations outside work are related to outdoor skills and experiences. I want to continue improving my rock climbing so I can take on more challenging routes. Recently, I’ve been getting into biking and even treated myself to a new bike, which I hope to ride across Canada one day. For the past year, I have been trying to put together a team for the Royal St. John’s Regatta, the oldest annual sporting event in North America, and I am hoping this will be the year I finally get to take part in that historic race. I also want to establish an outdoor association that brings together not only students but the broader community to explore nature, share skills, and make the outdoors more accessible to everyone.
Where is your favorite place you have ever traveled, and why?
Patagonia. Simply because mountains are my favorite, and I am drawn to the rugged beauty of the plains and the rocky landscapes.
Which superpower would you like to have?
I always wanted to be able to fly because I could be almost invincible, get to see the most breathtaking views, and also for the sheer joy of soaring through the air!
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.
Jessica Castellani
Jessica Castellani had a unique high school experience attending Toledo School for the Arts, where she played in a percussion ensemble and steel drum band for six years. She earned her dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Toledo. Her primary focus was ‘the Self’ and the mystical experience of losing it. She earned her Master of Art in Philosophy from the University of Toledo as well, with a specialization in Comparative Philosophy, Eastern Studies, and Continental Philosophy. She has taught World Religions and Introduction to Philosophy at The University of Toledo both in person and virtually. She is a member of the Buddhist Temple of Toledo, tutors students, and has worked in the service industry for over a decade. In her free time likes to spend time outside and with her pets, friends, and family.
