Tim O'Keefe

Tim O'Keefe is a Professor of Philosophy at Georgia State University's College of Arts & Sciences, specializing in ancient philosophy with a focus on Hellenistic thought. He serves as Affiliate Faculty at the Jean Beer Blumenfeld Center for Ethics, reflecting his expertise in ethical theory within ancient philosophical traditions.

Dr. O'Keefe earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997 and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy and English in 1990. This dual background informs his nuanced approach to ancient philosophical texts.

His research primarily centers on Epicureanism, where he has established himself as a leading scholar through two major publications: Epicurus on Freedom (Cambridge University Press, 2005) and Epicureanism (University of California Press/Routledge, 2009). His work extends to examining connections between Epicureanism and other Hellenistic schools, including the Cyrenaics, Pyrrhonian skeptics, and various sophists. Currently, he is developing a comprehensive framework showing how ancient hedonists, skeptics, and sophists form a distinctive ethical tradition opposed to the Platonist-Aristotelian-Stoic mainstream.

His scholarly output demonstrates consistent productivity across multiple subfields of ancient philosophy, with particular emphasis on ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics within Hellenistic contexts. The trend in his recent publications shows increasing focus on comparative analysis between different ancient philosophical schools rather than isolated examination of single traditions.

Dr. O'Keefe's teaching and research contribute significantly to the Philosophy Department's strengths in historical and systematic philosophy. While specific grant information isn't provided in the available materials, his sustained publication record suggests successful research support.

Students interested in ancient philosophy, particularly Hellenistic thought, would find Dr. O'Keefe's expertise valuable for coursework and potential research supervision. His office is located at 25 Park Place, Room 1639, and he can be contacted at tokeefe@gsu.edu.