Research
As a researcher, I specialize in ethical adaptation to climate change. Under the supervision of Stephen M. Gardiner, I completed a dissertation on the minimal conditions under which humans can be virtuous and happy. This retrieval of virtue ethics contributes to contemporary discussions about the aims of mitigation and adaptation, especially in the discourse of sustainability and human development. Virtue ethics is uniquely equipped to deal with the moral complexity and unpredictability of worldly circumstances, but it is also theoretically underdeveloped to do so. In this vein, I have published a framework for ethical adaptation, addressing how and why to radicalize moral concepts for Anthropogenic climate change. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, I have published on ethical adaptation and public health, as well as teaching through times of crisis. Currently, I am working on two projects: developing a realistic approach to climate hope, and adapting the conception of flourishing for sustainable human development.
Hole, Benjamin, Janzen, Monica, and Ilea, Ramona, “Radically Hopeful Civic Engagement,” Teaching Philosophy, Special Issue: Teaching in Times of Crisis (published online first). https://doi.org/10.5840/teachphil2022512173.
Janzen, Monica, Hole, Benjamin, and Ilea, Ramona, “Civically Engaged Philosophy as a Way of Life,” American Association of Philosophy Teachers Studies in Pedagogy, Special Issue: Teaching Philosophy as a Way of Life, Vol. 6. https://doi.org/10.5840/aaptstudies20232354.
Hole, Benjamin, and De Luz, Majestik, “An Imaginary of Radical Hope: Developing Brave Space for Class Discussion,” Teaching Ethics, Special Issue: Teaching Environmental Ethics, Vol. 22, 1: 83-96. https://doi.org/10.5840/tej20221011119.
Hole, Benjamin, “Radically Hopeful Thinking for a Wicked Covid-19 Problem,” Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia, Special Issue: Pandemic Thinking, 2021, Vol. 77: 751-768. DOI:10.17990/RPF/2021_77_2_0751.
Hole, Benjamin, “Radical Virtue and Climate Action,” Environmental Ethics 43, 2021, 99-117, https://doi.org/10.5840/enviroethics202142718.
Hole, Benjamin, “Aristotle’s Account of Moral Perception (EN.VI.8) & Nussbaum’s Priority of the Particular Thesis,” Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia, Special Issue: The Good in Ancient Philosophy, Contemporary Retrievals, 2021, Vol. 77 (1):357-380, DOI:10.17990/rpf/2021_77_1_0357.
Hole, Benjamin, “Minimum Circumstances Necessary for Virtue and Happiness,” Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia, Special Issue: Contemporary Issues, Virtue Ethics, 2020, Vol. 76 (1): 237-260, https://doi.org/10.17990/RPF/2020_76_1_0237.
