Claire Horisk

Claire Horisk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Missouri, within the College of Arts and Science. Her academic career spans over two decades, including roles at Grinnell College and extensive research in philosophy of language and feminist philosophy. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.A. from the University of Oxford.

Horisk’s research focuses on truth theory, semantics, and the intersection of language with feminist theory. Key themes include deflationism, truth-conditional semantics, and the pragmatic dimensions of language use. Her work explores how language conveys meaning beyond explicit statements, such as through jokes and derogatory expressions.

Her publications span foundational topics in philosophy of language, including articles in Philosophical Studies, Philosophical Quarterly, and Mind & Language. She has received numerous awards, including the 2015 Alumnae Anniversary Award for contributions to women’s education and the 2012 Tribute to Women Honoree for promoting gender equity.

Horisk teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on logic, philosophy of language, and gender studies. She has advised numerous students and served on thesis/dissertation committees, contributing to the academic development of future scholars. Her professional service includes roles on departmental committees, grant panels, and mentoring early-career philosophers.

Her current projects include a book on the pragmatics of demeaning jokes, exploring how such humor conveys derogatory messages through conversational implicature. This work bridges philosophy of language with ethical and social critique.