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
Talk
Scottish Seminar in Early Modern Philosophy XIII (SSEMP XIII)
University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK
15–16 May 2025
on
"Philo, Right Reason, and Platonism in 17th Century Women Philosophers​"​​
Selected Publications
Locke Against Extremism: Christ, Humble Epistemology, and Toleration
by Elisabeth Thorson
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​in Locke and Religion Volume 5 of Studi Lockiani (2024),
edited by Diego Lucci
Locke on Cognitive Bias: Of the Conduct of the Understanding and diseases of the mind
by Tom Stoneham and Elisabeth Thorson​
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in The Lockean Mind
Edited By Jessica Gordon-Roth, Shelley Weinberg
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)
​​​​​​
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
Selected Talks
September-October 2024
Research&Projects
Research Projects
"Do not go where the path may lead. Instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail"