Research Postgraduate students

Richard Caves

PhD Student

Richard Caves

My research

In my thesis, I plan to defend the view that there is one metaphysically privileged sense of existence. Although this is not the ordinary English sense of existence, I believe there is a straightforward way to get a grip on the concept: this is not, as some have claimed, 'esoteric metaphysics'.

I intend to examine how this metaontological position affects theory choice in first-order ontological debates, and its potential to make radical ontologies such as mereological nihilism and Priority Monism considerably more attractive.    

I'm also very interested in metaphysical issues in the philosophy of mind, including supervenience, physicalism and consciousness. My research interests outside metaphysics include the philosophy of language, epistemology, ethics, the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of physics.

Supervising me are Dr Elizabeth Barnes, Dr Ross Cameron and Professor John Divers. I'm extremely grateful to the AHRC for funding my research.    

About me

Having done my undergraduate degree at Leeds, I was lured back to the department by its lively and stimulating research environment. After completing my MA, I decided to stay on at Leeds for my PhD in order to work with the people I'm now lucky enough to have as my supervisors.

When not doing or teaching philosophy, I'm usually to be found writing fiction or wandering in the forest.

Qualifications:

  • MA Philosophy (Distinction), University of Leeds 2010
  • BA Philosophy and Religious Studies (First Class Honours), University of Leeds 2008 

Awards and Prizes

  • AHRC Studentship (2010-2013): full fees and maintenance for my doctoral studies.
  • University of Leeds "Collection of Small Endowed Awards" Scholarship (2009-2010): full fee and maintenance for my MA. 
  • School of Joint Honours Arts and Social Sciences Prize (2008): for graduating top of my school.
  • Leslie Barnard Prize (2008): for the best undergraduate dissertation in my department.

Teaching

I have been a tutor on the following modules at Leeds:

  • Introduction to Philosophy (Autumn 2009, 2010)
  • Introduction to Ethics (Autumn 2009, 2010)
  • The Mind (Spring 2010, 2011)
  • Introduction to the History of Philosophy (Spring 2010, 2011)

I'll be continuing my teaching work in Autumn 2011 (modules TBC).

Other responsibilities

  • CMM Graduate Conference 2011: Member of the Organizing Committee
  • CMM Graduate Conference 2011: Reviewing Submissions
  • Leeds PG Seminar: Chair (occasional, from 2010 onwards)