Penelope Rush

BA (Hons), MLitt(Dist), PhD
Senior lecturer in analytic philosophy

Email: penny.rush@nd.edu.au
Phone: 02 8204 4175

  • Biography

    Having received her PhD in the Philosophy of Mathematics, under the supervision of Graham Priest, Penny has worked for over 15 years in higher education, teaching a wide variety of philosophical subjects. She currently edits the Philosophy of Mathematics 'Elements' series for Cambridge University Press. She was an Australian Postgraduate Award recipient and also won a full scholarship for a years' study at St Andrews University, Scotland, where she worked under Stephen Read for her main thesis.

  • Teaching Areas

    • Philosophy of Language
    • Philosophy of Science, Logic
    • Philosophy of Logic
    • Epistemology
    • Metaphysics
    • Critical Thinking
    • Philosophy of Mathematics, Ethics

  • Research Expertise and Supervision

    • Non-Classical Logic
    • Philosophy of Language
    • Epistemology
    • Philosophy of Mathematics
    • Formal Logic and Philosophy of Logic
    • Critical Thinking and Numeracy
    • Metaphysics

  • Books

    • Edited Collection: The Metaphysics of Logic, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2014

  • Book Chapters

      • ‘Logical Realism’, in The Metaphysics of Logic, Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 11-20.
      • ‘Introduction’, in The Metaphysics of Logic, Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 1-10.
      • ‘Foundational theory: A new conceptualisation of relevant ideas’, in Northcote, M and Gosselin, K (eds.) 2016, Handbook of Research on Humanizing the Distance Learning Experience, IGI Global Publishing, USA, pp. 1-25.

  • Journal Articles and Proceedings

      • “Metaphysical Optimism”, Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplements, Volume 82 (‘Metaphysics’), Cambridge University Press, UK, July 2018, pp. 365-393.
      • “Myriad Philosophical Methodologies”, Metaphilosophy, Vol. 47, Nos. 4–5, October 2016.
      • “Factivity, Consistency and Knowability”, with James Chase, Synthese, Vol. 193, No.11, 2016. DOI 10.1007/s11229-016-1253-3
      • “Isolation and Connection: The Experience of Distance Education”, International Journal of ELearning and Distance Education,  Vol 30, No. 2 (2015).
      • “Back to Basics”, New Philosopher, Issue 3, Feb 2014.
      • “Being a Philosopher”, New Philosopher, Issue 4, May 2014. ▪ “Objectivities”, Studia Philosophica Estonica, 5.1, (2012), pp. 1-16.
      • “Logic or Reason?”, Logic and Logical Philosophy, Volume 21 (2012), pp. 127–163.
      • “Where Meaning Is”, South African Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 29, No. 4 (2010), pp. 391-403.
      • “Four Basic Logical Issues” (With Ross Brady*), The Review of Symbolic Logic, Vol.2 (2009), pp.488-508.
      • "What is Wrong with Cantor's Diagonal Argument?" (with Ross Brady*), Logique et Analyse, Vol.51 (2008), pp.185-219.

  • Conference Papers

      • “Wide Open Listening: What is it really like to be a distance student?” full paper in proceedings for the Ascilite ‘Rhetoric or Reality’ conference, Dunedin New Zealand, 2014
      • “Social Media and the Abstract Self”, full paper in proceedings for the AiCE Conference, RMIT Melbourne 2013.  ▪ ANZSSA 2015. Title: ‘Live online academic skilling workshops’.
      • Ascilite ‘Rhetoric or Reality’ Conference, Dunedin, November 2014. Title: ‘Wide Open Listening: What is it really like to be a distance student?’
      • AiCS Computer Ethics Conference, Melbourne, December 2013. Title: ‘Social Media and the Abstract Self’. ▪ The Australasian Philosophy of Religion Association (2012). Title: ‘Realism, Tolerance and the Paradox of Independent Reality’.
      • School of philosophy Seminar Series Presentation (2008). Title: ‘Crispin Wright’s ‘Objectivities’’.
      • The Australasian Association of Logic Conference, Melbourne (2007). Title: ‘What’s Wrong With Truth Functional Semantics?’, with Ross Brady.
      • The Australasian Association for Continental Philosophy (2007). Title: ‘Where is Meaning?’
      • The Australasian Association of Logic Conference, Perth (2005). Title: ‘Logic and Thought’.
      • The Postgraduate Philosophy Conference, Melbourne (2001). Title: ‘Derrida and Mathematics’.
      • The Australasian Association of Philosophy Conference, Tasmania (2001). Title: ‘The Link between Mathematical Realism, Theology and Phenomenology’.
      • The Australasian Association of Philosophy Conference, Sydney (1998). Title: ‘A Reply to Current Trends in the Philosophy of Mathematics’.
      • The Australasian Association of Philosophy Conference, New Zealand (1997). Title: ‘If Gödel was a Rightward Realist’.

  • Original Creative Works

    • “Back to Basics”, New Philosopher, Issue 3, Feb 2014. ▪ “Being a Philosopher”, New Philosopher, Issue 4, May 2014.

  • Live Performances

    • (2014) Interviewed by Beth Matthews on Radical Philosophy, 3CR Community Radio, 11th July.
    • (2014) Interviewed by Richard Marshall at 3am Magazine, http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/the-metaphysics-of-logic/, December 5th.
    • (2018) Interviewed by Alex Malpass for ‘Thoughtology’ podcast, May 31st.  Lectures and Talks
    • (2015) ‘A Game with Symbols’: Guest Speaker for the Annual Berkeley Lecture, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland.
    • (2016-17) ‘Optimistic Metaphysics’: Guest Lecturer for the Royal Institute of Philosophy’s Annual Lecture series: Metaphysics.

  • In the Media

    • (2014) Interviewed by Beth Matthews on Radical Philosophy, 3CR Community Radio, 11th July.
    • (2014) Interviewed by Richard Marshall at 3am Magazine, http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/the-metaphysics-of-logic/, December 5th.
    • (2018) Interviewed by Alex Malpass for ‘Thoughtology’ podcast, May 31st.

  • Professional Affiliations

    • Advisory Board, Historical-Analytical Studies on Nature, Mind and Action, Springer (2015 - ).
    • Honorary Associate/Adjunct Researcher with the School of Philosophy, The University of Tasmania (2005-17).

  • Awards

    • (2016) International Journal of E-learning & Distance Education Editor’s Award for ‘Isolation and Connection: The experience of distance education’, Vol, 30 (2) – most outstanding publication.
    • (2013) Runner-up New Philosopher writing award (best non-fiction) November.
    • (2010) Visiting Fellowship to Arché project ‘Foundations of Logical Consequence’. Airfares and monthly stipend awarded.
    • (2007) Nominated for Teaching Merit Award, UTAS. ▪ (1995) The Australian Postgraduate Award – Full Scholarship for four years PhD work at an Australian University.
    • (1996-7) The General Accident Bicentennial Award – Full Scholarship for one year of postgraduate study at St Andrews University, Scotland