Michelle Kosch

Michelle Kosch is a Professor of Philosophy at New York University's College of Arts & Science. She earned a PhD in Philosophy from Columbia University and a BA in Government from Harvard College. Her research focuses on 18th-20th century European philosophy, particularly Kant, German Idealism (Schelling, Fichte), Kierkegaard, and Beauvoir.

• Education: PhD in Philosophy (Columbia), BA in Government (Harvard)
• Current Projects: Two book projects on Simone de Beauvoir's ethical thought and Fichte's political philosophy during the Jena period

Research Interests: She specializes in Kantian and post-Kantian European philosophy, with a focus on German Idealism, Kierkegaardian ethics, and contemporary relevance of these traditions. Her work explores intersections between autonomy, rationality, and historical philosophical systems.

Recent Publications: Her articles analyze Fichte's theories of rational agency and drives, Schelling's moral psychology, and Kierkegaard's ethical framework in Either/Or. She has also published on the relationship between Schelling's metaphysics and Kierkegaard's religious ethics, and the role of autonomy in Fichte's normative ethics.

Teaching: For Spring 2026, she will teach a Graduate Seminar on Simone de Beauvoir and an Undergraduate Seminar on Søren Kierkegaard. Her teaching connects historical philosophical texts with contemporary ethical debates.