History of Philosophy (with emphasis on Medieval Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy and here especially 13th century metaphysics and ethics), Feminist Philosophy, Aesthetics
Dr. Antolic-Piper’s main areas of research are in the history of philosophy, specifically medieval and ancient philosophy. In particular, she is studying the early 13th century reception of Aristotle’s Metaphysics and Nicomachean Ethics in thinkers such as Roger Bacon and Robert Kilwardby. Her main interests here are in these authors’ arguments concerning the subject-matter of metaphysics as well as the ethical, psychological and epistemological foundations of metaphysics. She is also interested in the early 13th century reception of Avicenna in the Latin world; here, specifically in the influence of Avicenna’s metaphysics on conceptions of metaphysics, cosmogony and practical philosophy. She is currently working on an article on the ethical ideal of contemplation in early 13th century commentaries on Aristotle’s Metaphysics.
Other areas of interest are in aesthetics and ethics where she is preparing an article on the possibility of justifying the use of literature in philosophy, and here especially the use of poetry in ethics. In addition, she is highly interested in issues in the fields of philosophy of mind and feminist philosophy; in particular, in issues pertaining to the possibly gendered dimensions of our concepts of moral responsibility, shame, and guilt.