Daniel

I’m a postgraduate researcher at the University of Warwick where I teach on a number of modules and sit on the editorial board for a philosophical journal. I’ve been working privately since 2014 and have helped countless students achieve their goals. Philosophy is a collaborative endeavour; it’s a great pleasure for me to explore the big ideas of the last 3,000 years with my students, watching their own philosophical skills develop and grow. Feel free to get in touch with me with whatever help you might be looking for: A-Levels, undergrad, postgrad, applications, essays ideas, writing feedback. Write to me if you just want to talk things through, write even if you’re not sure what sort of help you’re after yet. I’m a very good tutor, I’m sure I will be able to help.

That’s it in a nutshell. If you would like to know some more details about me and my approach to teaching, please continue reading. Otherwise, I look forward to doing some philosophy with you!
My lessons are orientated around two key targets:

(i) understanding and retention of material
Philosophy is hard. My aim is not that you just memorise different theories – this will severely limit what you are able to do with your knowledge. Besides, it’s not interesting. Instead, I want to help you understand the philosophical theories you are grappling with, to see them in their best light, and appreciate what are the relative merits or shortcomings of the various criticisms they might face. We will DO philosophy together, that is, engage in a dialogue where we try to figure stuff out for ourselves, and not just because we’ve heard that such and such theory is either ground-breaking or rubbish. This is the fun way to do philosophy, the best way to improve your philosophical skills, and the best way to remember the relevant material in a form that is flexible enough that you can apply your knowledge to a variety of different assessment scenarios.

(ii) refinement of technique
Philosophy is hard. Writing philosophy is even harder. When we do philosophy, we’re not just looking for someone who can regurgitate information. Instead, we want to see philosophers who can think things through for themselves and develop their own cogent and persuasive arguments. I will push you to develop your ideas, consider the implications of the claims you make, and to work out the most precise and systematic way of presenting your views in your writing. I will teach you to defend your views and to criticise those of others. I will leave your essays covered in pedantic comments. It’ll be a little annoying. But you’ll learn.

Finally, if you’re interested in my own research: I specialise in 19th and 20th century post-Kantian (or ‘continental’) philosophy, especially the work of Martin Heidegger. I also have a strong on-going interest in Nietzsche, Foucault and political theory. Most of all, I love philosophy that has – as the kids say – skin in the game: philosophy that seeks to think about, challenge and improve the way we live and the people we are.

Availability: Weekdays

Willing to travel: 15 miles

Experience: Teaching since 2014. Experience both privately and working at universities.

DBS Check: Yes