Assistant Professor of Philosophy
B.A. St. John’s College Annapolis; M.A. Loyola University Chicago; Ph.D. DePaul University
cfcoates@sewanee.edu
Cameron Coates specializes in Ancient Greek Philosophy. In particular, his research explores how Greek philosophers and scientists understood the nature of life and death. Prof. Coates’ recent publications focus on Aristotle’s approach to those topics: his theory of the soul, his conception of the basic life functions of metabolism and reproduction, and his analysis of the causes of natural death. Currently Prof. Coates is working on a book project about how Aristotle defines life. He is also interested in how these ancient theories continue to shape contemporary approaches to defining life. In addition to courses on Ancient Philosophy, Prof. Coates has recently taught classes on South Asian Philosophy, the history of political economy, and philosophy of the self. For more information about Prof. Coates’ research and teaching, please see his home page here.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
- “Aristotle’s Ontology of Death”. Epoché: A Journal for the History of Philosophy 30 (1), 73-90. 2025.
- “Aristotle’s Causal Definitions of the Soul”. Ancient Philosophy 44 (2): 449-467. 2024.
- “Aristotle on the Unity of the Nutritive and Reproductive Functions”. Co-authored with James G. Lennox. Phronesis 65 (4): 414-466. 2020.
- “Cosmic Democracy or Cosmic Monarchy? Empedocles in Plato’s Statesman”. Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek Political Thought 35 (2): 418-446. 2018.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
- Ancient Greek Philosophy
- South Asian Philosophy
- 20th century Continental Philosophy
