Joshua Landy

Joshua Landy is the Andrew B. Hammond Professor of French Language, Literature and Civilization and Professor of Comparative Literature at Stanford University, with courtesy appointments in English and Philosophy. He co-directs Stanford's Literature and Philosophy Initiative and co-hosts the nationally syndicated radio show Philosophy Talk. From 2013 to 2019, he directed Stanford's Structured Liberal Education program.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Princeton University (1997)
• M.A., Cambridge University (1991)
• B.A. in French & German, Churchill College, Cambridge (1988)

Landy's research focuses on the intersection of philosophy and literature, emphasizing cognitive literary theory, French literary studies (particularly Proust), and film theory. He investigates how fiction trains mental capacities, engages with self-deception and depth in narrative, and explores literature's philosophical dimensions. His work bridges aesthetics, epistemology, and literary criticism, arguing for literature's role in shaping cognitive and ethical frameworks.

His recent publications reveal a trajectory from Proust studies to broader inquiries into fiction's cognitive and ethical functions. Key themes include narrative depth, mental training through literature, deception in memoirs, and philosophical interpretations of film. His articles consistently examine how formal literary properties engage readers' cognitive faculties and ethical reasoning.

Scientific awards include:

• Walter J. Gores Award for Teaching Excellence (1999)
• Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching (2001)
• Eleanor Loring Ritch University Fellow in Undergraduate Education (2024)

As co-director of the Literature and Philosophy Initiative and former director of Structured Liberal Education, Landy has shaped interdisciplinary curricula and mentored numerous students through innovative teaching programs. His nationally syndicated radio work extends his educational impact beyond Stanford.

Landy co-directs Stanford's Literature and Philosophy Initiative, which houses major tracks in Philosophy and Literature. He is a central figure in Philosophy Talk and frequently collaborates with scholars across disciplines through guest hosting and public intellectual engagement.