معرفی
Prof Mahon O'Brien is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sussex's School of Media, Arts and Humanities. He holds a BA and MA in Philosophy from University College Cork and a PhD from Boston University. His academic career includes roles as Lecturer (2013–2017), Senior Lecturer (2017–2021), and Professor (2021–present) at Sussex, alongside postdoctoral research at University College Dublin. O'Brien's research focuses on 19th- and 20th-century European philosophy, particularly Martin Heidegger's work, with four books on the topic pending or published, including Heidegger on Ethics (2025). He also investigates ancient philosophy, feminist theory (collaborating with Luce Irigaray), and ethics of horseracing. Since 2018, he chairs the British Horseracing Authority's Ethics Committee, addressing issues like the air-cushioned whip's ethics, publishing impactful analyses in International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics. His teaching spans ethics, phenomenology, and continental aesthetics across multiple institutions.
Education:
- BA Philosophy & English Literature, University College Cork
- MA Philosophy, University College Cork
- PhD Philosophy, Boston University
Research Interests: Phenomenology, Heidegger's ethics, ancient philosophy, feminist theory, and applied ethics in horseracing. He critiques Heidegger's political legacy while engaging interdisciplinary debates on embodiment, gender, and animal welfare.
Impact & Grants: Shaped horseracing policies through evidence-based ethics reports. His 2021 article on whip usage influenced BHA's 2022 consultation report and led to podcast discussions. He edits journals, including a 2014 special issue of International Journal of Philosophical Studies.
Teaching: Over 20 modules taught worldwide, including ethics, continental philosophy, and interdisciplinary seminars at Sussex, UCD, and Boston University.
