Ryan E. McCoy

Ryan E. McCoy teaches philosophy as an adjunct instructor at Belmont University. His interests lie in the history of philosophy, primarily ancient philosophy, as well as 19th and 20th century continental philosophy. Within these historical periods, his research focuses on questions concerning the value of knowledge, truth, and the epistemic norms that respond to these values, as well as how these values guide our actions and figure into our ethical concerns to live well.

In the classroom his introductory courses largely draw on Pierre Hadot’s conception of philosophy as a way of life. Readings focus on conceptions of the Good Life and spiritual practices in ancient authors like Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Epictetus, and Sextus Empiricus, as well as challenges to living well posed by contemporary figures like Marx, Nietzsche, and Adorno.