Due to the corona-crisis it is not possible to get to know the new colleagues of ESPhil, therefore I would like to introduce Benjamin Mullins. Benjamin is a PhD candidate at Erasmus School of Philosophy. We would like to welcome Benjamin in the ESPhil community and hope to meet him soon at the campus.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised on the Somerset/Wiltshire boarder, UK. Notable for – amongst other things – Stonehenge, Cheddar Cheese, Glastonbury Music Festival, and Thomas Hobbes. However, as a rebellious teenager I left home and moved to London, where I've spent the last 12 years or so. Nowadays I'm not sure where my allegiance lies; somewhere between the two maybe(?), say ... Woking Train Station
Where did you do your studies/What did you study?
I studied philosophy, both as an undergraduate and a postgraduate, at the University of London. Mainly at Birkbeck College but at King's College too.
Why did you choose Erasmus School of Philosophy to do your PhD?
Coming to ESPhil was more of a proximate decision. What really attracted me was the project itself, and its promotor(!), Constanze Binder. I would have been happy pursuing such research in most places, but coming to ESPhil was an added bonus; like discovering the chocolate at the end of an ice-cream cone, it was a win-win.
What is your research about?
The project of which I'm a part, comprises two main themes: (i) environmental and economic sustainability and (ii) theories of value. It seeks to assess links between the two, such as freedom, responsibility and the Good Life.
What are your expectations of the PhD?
Mostly panic and self-doubt. But I'm sure there'll be plenty of highlights along the way also.
What are your first impressions of the Erasmus University and the city Rotterdam?
My first impressions of Erasmus University have only been positive. Having had just the UK system to measure it against, I'm really impressed. And I'm really grateful to be here.
My first impressions of the city are more ambivalent. When discussing Rotterdam, almost everybody mentions its architecture. But, first pass, if it's a choice between the Unilever-type buildings (seen here) or 17th century-Dutch-style town houses, then I incline toward places sympathetic to latter. But I'm happy to be convinced otherwise!