Dr Joshua Hobbs

Dr Joshua Hobbs

Profile

I primarily work on global ethics and cosmopolitanism. I am especially interested in the role of emotions in understanding our obligations to distant others. Before joining the IDEA Centre I completed a PhD in Political Philosophy at the University of Leeds. Prior to this, I studied a Master's Degree in Political Theory at the University of Sheffield, and a BA(Hons) in Philosophy at the University of Nottingham.

I have a diverse professional background and have held a variety of jobs in a variety of countries; including a few years as an English Teacher in East Asia, time in the retail and events sectors in Australia and Edinburgh, and more colourful employment at a pawnbrokers in Melbourne, a game estate in the Scottish Highlands, and an avocado farm in WA. In my free time I enjoy hiking, wild camping and bouldering. 

Research interests

I am primarily interested in global ethics, especially the role of emotions in understanding our obligations to distant others, the motivation gap facing cosmopolitan duties, and the legitimacy of nudge and other techniques from behavioural economics as means to encourage moral action. 

I am also interested in issues related to community and belonging, moral demandingness, and attempts to create a more humanistic approach to ethics.

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • PhD, University of Leeds, 2018
  • Masters in Political Theory, University of Sheffield, 2012
  • BA(hons) Philosophy, University of Nottingham
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Professional memberships

  • Association for Social and Political Philosophy (ASPP)

Student education

I spent two years teaching English in South Korea where I developed a love of teaching. During my time at Sheffield I was fortunate to be able to develop this further through involvment with the award-winning outreach programme Philosophy in the City. Since coming to Leeds I have taught Political Philosophy in the Department of Politics and International Studies and now teach Applied and Interdisciplinary Ethics at the IDEA Centre. 

Office Hours:

Monday 13:00-14:00

Tuesday 9:00-10:00