About Me
I received my PhD in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022 and my BA in Philosophy from Rutgers in 2016.
For several years I have dreamt about creating an online school through which I can share my passion and knowledge of philosophy with as many people as possible.
I remember what it was like when I first fell in love with philosophy.
On the one hand, I felt my world suddenly expand with new ideas and concepts I had never even knew existed. It was incredibly exciting.
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On the other hand, I felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the history of philosophy, and didn't quite know where to start. That is why I chose to major in Philosophy as an undergraduate.
Studying philosophy at one of the world's leading philosophy departments helped me immeasurably.
Unfortunately, not everyone has this opportunity. As a first-generation low-income college student, I understand first hand the ways in which socioeconomic inequalities can affect our ability to pursue the education we truly desire.
Studying philosophy as an undergraduate was very expensive and stressful for me, but I felt so strongly about the subject that I had to take a leap of faith. I was fortunate that, after many hours alone in the library, my decision paid off and I was able to receive a full scholarship to pursue my PhD at the University of Pennsylvania.
Earning my PhD gave me an even greater gift than the ability to study and understand philosophy — it gave me the skills and expertise necessary to teach it to others.
Although I have loved teaching philosophy courses at the University of Pennsylvania, I have come to realize the many ways in which teaching philosophy within the walls of the university simply reinforces the barriers that made my journey more stressful and difficult than it should have been.
That is why I have decided to create Paul Musso Philosophy.
It is my dream to create an online community in which there are no arbitrary barriers to the study of this wonderful subject. I am so incredibly excited to share everything I have learned along the way with as many people as possible.
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-Paul Musso