Emanuele Costa is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. His work is at the intersection of early modern philosophy and metaphysics, and he has recently published his first monograph, The Structure of Spinoza’s World (Oxford University Press, 2025).
What are you most proud of in your professional life?
I have recently received one of the sweetest teaching evaluations ever—a student who clearly connected with my pedagogical approach and said that my course helped them fulfill their aspirations in our graduate program—“not just learning more about philosophy through studying philosophy but, moreover, to learn more about the world through studying philosophy.” I admit that I teared up. I take great pride in my teaching, and I work to improve my classes every semester; I have spent two summers studying pedagogy to become a better communicator and a more mindful practitioner of the art of sharing knowledge.
What are you working on right now?
I’m writing a Cambridge Elements on how Spinoza received and handled elements from the scholastic tradition, especially in metaphysical terms. All too often he is seen as an “exception” or someone who breaks the historical continuum of early modern Europe—I like to highlight his connection with the milieu that surrounded him.
Besides that, I have a long-term project on the political dimension of the epistemology of a few philosophers from the seventeenth century. I want to compare approaches and solutions, because I am fascinated by the way they are all working on the same question: how to build epistemic practices that ensure political stability despite deep disagreement.
Name a trait, skill, or characteristic that you have that others may not know about.
I don’t know who still does not know this, since I will talk about it with anyone who will listen, but I am a dart fanatic. I have a team in the Nashville league, and I have played a few tournaments (seldom placing, though). I really enjoy the sport; you have to be completely mindful at the line, eliminating all distractions, even regulating your breathing; so I like to joke that it’s like doing meditation, but you still get to banter with friends.
Which book has changed your life? In what ways?
Augustine’s Confessions. I think it was the first time that I realized that I was not the only person on Earth having the kind of deep, fundamental questions about the universe, the structure of things, morality, and all the rest. I was twelve years old, and it started me on the journey of understanding that philosophy aims to be.
What are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I am about halfway through The History of the Siege of Lisbon by José Saramago. I have loved a few of his other books, and I was very curious to read this one because it seems much more intimate, careful, and immersive—so far, I’m not disappointed. And it’s hilarious to read it as a writer—the main character’s struggles are so familiar and exhilarating.
What advice do you wish someone had given you?
Philosophy is a job. Of course, when at first one enters graduate school with wide eyes and pure desire for knowledge, the passion for the “mission” of thinking, writing, and teaching seems all-encompassing. But after a couple of flirts with burnout, I learned how important it is to remind yourself that, even if this is the job you love, it is still just a job like many others. It is crucial to learn to leave the job at the office, the library, or the classroom. Bringing it home might seem automatic; after all, one only needs their own mind to philosophize. But it can be destructive. Academics don’t have normal working hours, which means that technically you could always be working. And if you do not learn to place boundaries around your private life, you can be entirely consumed by this profession. Finding joy away from the job and protecting it is crucial for succeeding as a human, before succeeding as a professional.
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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 Arts 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, she likes to spend time outside and with her pets, friends, and family.
