
Philip Bunn
Assistant Professor of Political Science
History & Politics
On Faculty Since 2024
The study of politics is ultimately the study of human beings, their needs, their desires, and their nature. How can we image-bearers of God best live together in peace in our political communities? How have people done so in the past, and should we emulate them? It is sometimes said that politics is the "art of the possible," but what you think is "possible" in politics depends on what you take human nature to be. It is vital, then, for Christians with a biblical anthropology to make serious study of politics in both its theory and its practice, and Covenant presents students with an excellent opportunity to pursue that.
Education
- Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023
- M.A., UW-Madison, 2019
- BA, Patrick Henry College, 2017
Interests / Specialization
- American Politics
- History of Political Thought
- Liberalism
- Technology
- Politics and Literature
Selected Professional Work
- āThe Politics of Suicide: Miasma and Katharmos in Platoās Political Thought.ā 2024. With Richard Avramenko, Perspectives on Political Science, 53(2), 94-105.
- āFreedom and the Machine: Technological Criticism in Adam Smith's Thought." 2023. Political Research Quarterly, 76(1), 404-417.
- āSilicon Valley Stoics: Life-Hacking, Transhumanism, and Stoic Therapy.ā 2022. Political Science Reviewer, 46(1).
- āTranscendent Rebellion: The Influence of Simone Weil on Albert Camusā Aesthetics.ā 2021. Perspectives on Political Science, 51(1), 35-43.
- āCommunities Are All Thatās Substantial: Kurt Vonnegutās Post-liberal Political Thought." 2019. American Political Thought 8(4), 504-527.
Get to know your professor
Q. Favorite food?
A. It's a tough call between schnitzel and rouladen
Q. If you could teach any other major, what would it be?
A. Philosophy
Q. Personal Interests/Hobbies
A. Ukulele and book collecting (or hoarding, depending on who you ask)