Ryan Ratchford

PhD Thesis:

My research looks into the desirability of extremely long-lived lives. I argue the claims that these open-ended lives are necessarily boring and lack a sense of meaning without the finitude of death. I also explore how one's sense of personal identity, in the form of a self-narrative, is effected by longevity; and what a near immortal's self-narrative would look like.

Supervisors:

• Dr. Joel Smith
• Dr Stephen Ingram

Eductation:

I completed my First Class BA in Philosophy in 2020, and my MA in Philosophy with Distinction in 2021; both at the University of Manchester.

Contact Details:

[email protected]

Teaching Assistant:

• "Introduction to Ethics" - 1st Year course, Semester 1, 2022-2023
• "Ancient Greek Philosophy" - 1st Year course, Semester 2, 2023
• "Introduction to Ethics" - 1st Year course, Semester 1, 2023-2024
• "Introduction to Metaphysics and Epistemology" - 1st Year course, Semester 2, 2024

Past Talks:

"Do you really want to live forever? You should" 

• PhD Research Seminar (Manchester, UK, May, 2023)
• Open Minds XVI Conference (Manchester, UK, June, 2023)

Prizes and awards:

• Faculty of Humanities/School of Social Sciences - Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme 2020
• University of Manchester Philosophy MA Prize 2021

Other: 

I was a MA Student Rep and am currently a PhD TA Rep.

And I have been a part of the Dorothy Emmet Lecture Series Organising Commity for the last 2 years (2022-23), supported by the Local Partners Programe: Royal Institude of Philosophy.