Dr Elisabeth Thorson
Philosopher
Elisabeth is a philosopher at Durham University. Her main field of research is within early modern British philosophy, in particular John Locke and the relationship between theology and politics in 17th century Europe.
Elisabeth also works on the revival of classical thought such as Platonism, Epicureanism, and Natural Law Theory in the 17th century.
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Elisabeth completed her doctoral thesis Between Empiricism and Platonism: the Concept of Reason in Locke's Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy, the University of York in 2018.
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Elisabeth was previously associated with the University of York, where she lectured 2018-2020
Bristol Natural Philosophy
Workshop
University of Bristol, England, UK
4 October 2025
Speakers:
John Callanan, Stephen Harrop, Stephen Howard, Tzu Chien Tho, Elisabeth Thorson
Selected Publications
Forthcoming
Toleration and Early Modern Platonism
by Elisabeth Thorson
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​in Platonism and Early Modern Philosophy
edited by Douglas Hedley, Sam Kaldas, & Charles Taliaferro,(CUP 2026)
Locke Against Extremism: Christ, Humble Epistemology, and Toleration
by Elisabeth Thorson
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​in Locke and Religion Volume 5 of Studi Lockiani
edited by Diego Lucci (2024)
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Locke on Cognitive Bias: Of the Conduct of the Understanding and diseases of the mind
by Tom Stoneham and Elisabeth Thorson​
in The Lockean Mind​ e dited By Jessica Gordon-Roth, Shelley Weinberg (2021)
Book Review:
The Enlightenment,
by Ritchie Robertson
https://aspectsofhistory.com/book_reviews/the-enlightenment-by-ritchie-robertson/
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2024 John Locke Conference
​June 26-28, 2024
Durham University, Durham, UK
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Organisers: Elisabeth Thorson and He Cui
Keynote Speakers:
Tim Stanton (York)
Jennifer Smalligan Marusic (Edinburgh) www.thejohnlockesociety.com/workshop-series
Women, Dignity, and Reason in the Early Modern Period
(1600 — 1800)
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Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
2–3 December 2024
on
"Right Reason and Platonism in 17th Century Women Philosophers​"​​
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Selected Talks
Australia, December 2024
September-October 2022
Research&Projects
Research Projects
"Do not go where the path may lead. Instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail"