Josh WilburnView profile
Professor
Josh Wilburn is a Professor and Department Chair of Philosophy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University. His academic work spans Ancient Greek Philosophy and the History and Philosophy of Race and Racism, with a focus on Plato's engagement with gender and race stereotypes and Black American perspectives on race. Education: B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies, The University of Texas at Austin (2005) Ph.D. in Classical Philosophy, Princeton University (2011) Wilburn's research centers on Ancient Greek Philosophy, particularly the intersections of race, gender, and politics in Plato's dialogues. He examines how early Greek ideas about race and gender relate to political and psychological theories, including studies on Amazon warrior women in Plato's Laws . Additionally, he explores the history of Black American thought on race, with a focus on Langston Hughes. His recent courses include "Lovecraft Country and African American Philosophy" and "Plato and Black Feminist Thought". His recent publications (2021-2024) predominantly focus on Plato's psychology and political philosophy, especially the concept of thumos (spirited part of the soul), and increasingly engage with race and gender through the lens of Black feminist thought. He has also published on Gorgias and the Sophists, bridging classical scholarship with contemporary social issues. Scientific Awards: None listed. Advising and Grants: Information about students advised and research grants is not provided. Labs and Teams: No specific labs or research teams are mentioned.












