Damon Young

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Western Philosophy
Contemporary philosophy
Name
Damon Young
Birth 1975
School/tradition Continental philosophy
Main interests Aesthetics, Asian Philosophy, Rights, Democracy, Spirituality, Environmental Philosophy, Martial Arts
Notable ideas Philosophy of Distraction

Damon Young (born 1975, Melbourne) is a philosopher, and author of literary essays, fiction and poetry. He is an Honourary Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne.[1]

Contents

[edit] Work

Young is a philosopher, essayist and public speaker. He has also published works of poetry and fiction. His book Distraction: A Philosopher's Guide to Being Free, will be published in September 2008.

Young regularly lectures for institutions and the public, including the National Gallery of Victoria, Geelong Grammar, and Methodist Ladies' College.

His academic works cover topics from aesthetics and democracy to masturbation and martial arts. He has also written on spirituality, environmentalism, drama, narrative theory, language and disability.

[edit] Influences

Young often cites writers, poets and artists in his work. Notable influences include Henry James, Marcel Proust, Nikos Kazantzakis, T.S. Eliot, Friedrich Nietzsche and Henri Matisse. Academically, Young regularly draws on Aristotle, Nietzsche, Karl Marx and the broad tradition of process philosophy.

[edit] Film and radio

While completing his degree in Philosophy and Literature, Young was cast as 'Giancarlo's man', in the Jackie Chan martial arts comedy, Mr. Nice Guy.[2]

He appeared fortnightly on radio in 2007 as the 'footy philosopher' on SEN1116, with broadcaster Francis Leach.

Young has a keen interest in rap music and soundscapes. His station-break 'fillers' have been broadcast on 3RRR 102.7, and an early rap demo appeared on 3PBS 106.7.

[edit] Trivia

Young's name is Greek (Δάμων). His parents took the name from the ancient Greek legend, Damon and Pythias.

[edit] Selected works

[edit] Books

[edit] Literary essays

  • 'On Fiction and Philosophy', Meanjin' 67 3 (2008), forthcoming.
  • 'The Languorous Siesta: On Summer Reading', Meanjin 66 4/67 1 (2007/8): 62-8.
  • 'Sparta for Our Times: Why 300 in 2007?', Meanjin 66 2 (2007): 174-8.
  • 'Faith Without God: Kazantzakis and Faith', Meanjin 65 4 (2006).
  • 'Facing Nietzsche's Demon', Meanjin 64 3 (2005): 15-19.

[edit] Poetry

  • 'Beauty' and 'Ground Control' in Around the Block (Preston: Flat Chat Press, 2007).
  • 'The Idea of a Great Gallery', Overland 179 (2005): 41.
  • 'Howard Watches the Oscars and Weeps With Joy', Overland 174 (2004): 124.

[edit] Fiction

  • 'The Lesson', Meanjin 67 3 (2008), forthcoming.

[edit] Academic essays

  • Damon Young, 'Bowing to Your Enemies: Courtesy, Budo and Japan', Philosophy East and West 59 2 (2009), forthcoming.
  • 'The Fine Arts of Distinction: Bourdieu on Society and Art', The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Art 7 2 (2006).
  • 'Being Grateful for Being: Being, Reverence and Finitude', Sophia 44 2 (2005): 31-53.
  • 'Knowing Thyself...In Private: Masturbation and Philosophy', Sexuality and Culture 9 4 (2005): 58-80.
  • 'The Democratic Chorus: Culture, Dialogue and Polyphonic Paideia', Democracy and Nature 9 2 (2003): 221-235.
  • 'Not Easy Being Green: Process, Poetry and the Tyranny of Distance', Ethics, Place and Environment 5 3 (2002): 189-204.
  • 'Stealing the Voice of Orpheus: Process, Language and Narrative Justice', Concrescence 3 1 (2002): 1-12.
  • 'The Mortal Blessings of Narrative: Death, Poetry and the Beginnings of Cultural Change', Philosophy Today 45 3/4 (2001): 275-285.
  • Damon Young & Ruth Quibell, 'Why Rights Are Never Enough: Rights, Disability and Understanding', Disability and Society 15 5 (2000): 743-760.
  • 'Quantum Karma : Semantic Superficiality in New Age Religions', Democracy and Nature 4 2/3 (1999): 95-112.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Damon Young's staff page at the University of Melbourne.
  2. ^ Damon Young's actor page on imdb.com.

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