Jeanne Proust

Jeanne Proust has studied Humanities, Philosophy and Visual Arts in Bordeaux, Berlin, and Paris. She has been teaching Philosophy for the last 11 years in the US. Her PhD dissertation focused on the pathologies of the willpower, both in philosophical and psychological perspectives, but her interests are wide: among many fields, she does research in Ethics, Philosophy of Technologies, Bioethics, Feminist theory, and Aesthetics.

While teaching at different universities in New York, Jeanne is advocating for a widening of philosophical education beyond the academia frontiers by participating in different events open to the general public. She taught at Rikers Island as a volunteer, and regularly gives public talks in philosophy, leading her to recently produce her own podcast, "Can You Phil It?”. She also collaborates with artists on her photography, drawing and painting works.


Past Olios with Jeanne Proust


Think Olio x humhum "on Friendship"

humhum & Olio are hosting a unique two-hour virtual connection experience that weaves together an engaging and informative lecture led by Philosopher Jeanne Proust and the team at humhum with breath, mindfulness, movement, and guided conscious dialogue to invite meaningful, and playful exchanges with other attendees.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Dec. 1, 2021, 6 p.m.

Disability and Perfectionism

This olio explores the concept of normality, by looking at disability theory and eugenics. What is disability? How has it been defined in bioethics, for instance? What are the moral issues that arise when facing the possibility of so called, genetic "enhancement" in a world that is now introducing gene editing tools like CRISPR?

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

April 19, 2021, 6:30 p.m.

The Bioethics of Birth and Living: An 8-Week Course

As biomedical advances have extended the realm of possibilities, how do we grapple with the moral and ethical quandaries of living and dying? Join us for an eight-week OlioCourse, exploring applied ethics and philosophy, as they relate to death and dying. We’ll draw on diverse media – poetry, philosophical inquiry, fiction, storytelling, and film to form our own ethical standards

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

March 30, 2021, 7:30 p.m.

Stoicism Symposium: Jeanne & Massimo in Conversation

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” - Marcus Aurelius Philosophers Massimo Pigliucci and Jeanne Proust will question quotes like this one and Stoicism in general to shed light on its modern day application. Participants will have a chance to ask questions in a free flowing forum live on zoom.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

March 5, 2021, 6 p.m.

The Tyranny of Happy: Contemporary Over-Performance

In this Olio, we will explore the manifestations and possible reasons for the repulsion people feel for their suffering peers, and how that repulsion might be connected to the pressure for performance in a narcissistic “burnout society”.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Jan. 21, 2021, 7:30 p.m.

The Good Life? An 8-week Journey

How should I live my life? What is good? Can I reach happiness and how? What should I want in order to live a good life? In this new experimental format, we will dedicate 8 weeks to explore ethical questions about fulfillment, pleasure, ego, and stoicism.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Oct. 20, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Am I Normal?

The contradictory injunctions of being different, being yourself, and being 'normal' raise questions regarding mental health, and morality. Is normal better – healthier and/or more virtuous - than abnormal? What even is 'normal' behavior and a 'normal' life?

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Sept. 24, 2020, 8 p.m.

Cancel Culture

Just like #MeToo, many movements have demanded greater accountability from public figures; leading to public humiliations, and have led to a source of great debate over the intricacies of internet ethics. Can free speech go too far and be weaponized? Or is free speech precisely the thing targeted by cancel culture?

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Aug. 9, 2020, 2 p.m.

Truth & Certainty

We are nowadays all confronted with a very uncertain future, and it seems that our primary reaction to it is discomfort. Where is this discomfort coming from and what does it say about our relationship with the future? Is uncertainty always a dreadful thing? Why do we seek certitude?

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

July 16, 2020, 8 p.m.

Internet Omnipresence & Critical Thinking

In this experimental seminar, we will focus on technologies’ pervasive role in society, by exploring how the internet and social media affect our cognitive abilities, and our mental capacities for critical thinking.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

June 22, 2020, 8 p.m.

Philosophers & Pornography

We expect porn to show us exactly what we dread about it: the truth of our desire. The easy access to obscenity on our smartphones and the content of mainstream hardcore porn raises many ethical questions. We'll be discussing issues around porn’s role in gender and race discrimination, and about the impact of porn on sexuality.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

May 14, 2020, 8 p.m.

​Pornography & Prostitution: Philosophers Facing the Sex Industry

Do pornography and prostitution directly lead to the sexual objectification of women by men? These two phenomena and trades of the sex industry are obviously different, but there seems to be a tacit agreement about their common immorality. Why have prostitution and pornography so often been believed by the majority of people to be harmful? Join us for a two-part series as we delve into it.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

May 7, 2020, 8 p.m.

At Home

What is it to have a home? Homebirds, homebodies, homelovings: what are the benefits of a stay-at-home life? Mona Chollet takes us on a journey about how time and space have been transfigured, even disfigured, in today's ultra-productive society.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

April 14, 2020, 7 p.m.

FOMO

Here we are, all of us; confinement has suddenly become a quasi-universal condition. In these specific circumstances, do we still experience FOMO? In this online Olio, we'll try to identify the experience of FOMO, in a sociological approach to the phenomenon.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

March 26, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Freedom & Romance

This Olio path aims to bring participants to an understanding of the nature and history of philosophy through debate and discussion. This month: Should we distrust love? Can love be considered a duty? What impact does love have on the autonomy of both the lover and the beloved?

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

March 11, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Love & Friendship

This Olio path aims to bring participants to an understanding of the nature and history of philosophy through debate and discussion. This month: Should we distrust love? Can love be considered a duty? What is true friendship?

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Feb. 5, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Social Contracts

This month's philosophy path will explore Government and Social Contracts. Join philosopher, Jeanne Proust to discuss some questions like: Do humans need a government? Is the government's use of force legitimate?

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Jan. 15, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Time

The first Olio at Strand in 2020! Come celebrate the New Year with us as Jeanne Proust aptly discusses the concept of 'Time' through a philosophical lens.

Venue: None

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Jan. 10, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Time

The first Strand Olio of 2020! Come celebrate the New Year with us as Jeanne Proust aptly discusses the concept of 'Time' through a philosophical lens.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Jan. 10, 2020, 7 p.m.

Public Philosophy: How, Why, and for Whom?

How can a philosopher shape her pedagogy – her andragogy (art and science of helping adults learn) – in order to convey specific content without falling into oversimplification nor condescendence? Join us in a beautiful prospect heights apartment to be a part of the conversation.

Venue: Living Room

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Dec. 12, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Buying and Purchasing Sex: The Philosophy of Prostitution

In this Olio, we will explore different arguments and moral feelings that have been conveyed by philosophers around the topic of prostitution.

Venue: Living Room

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Nov. 12, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

*Sold Out* The Fear of Leisure

Why do we fear leisure and love work so much? In this Olio with philosopher, Jeanne Proust, we will discuss psychological, social, economical and political views that challenge our praising of work over leisure.

Venue: Threes Brewing // Greenpoint

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Oct. 22, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Philosophy Club | "God is Dead"

We've all heard Nietzche's quote "God is Dead" but not many of us have had the opportunity to unpack these words with a scholar of his work and examine it in the context of 2019 modernity. Join Jeanne Proust for an intimate living room session where we discuss our understandings and misunderstandings of these ideas.

Venue: Living Room

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Aug. 21, 2019, 8 p.m.

The Tyranny of Happy: On Contemporary Over-Performance

In this Olio, we will explore the manifestations and possible reasons for the repulsion people feel for their suffering peers, and how that repulsion might be connected to the pressure for performance in a narcissistic “burnout society” we live in.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Aug. 15, 2019, 7 p.m.

OlioHouse | Words, Labels, & Power

Is there a specificity of human language? Can we say that animals have language? What is the relationship between words and the world? Is it able to describe reality adequately? Can we think without language? Do different languages convey different worldviews? What happens when we can’t find the rights words to say? Are there things that we can’t express/communicate?

Venue: OlioHouse | Wassaic, NY

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

June 8, 2019, 2 p.m.

Composing Beauty: Mapplethorpe’s Quest for Perfection

In this Olio, Jeanne Proust engages participants in an expansive conversation about Robert Mapplethorpe’s work, through the lens of aesthetics and the famed photographer’s quest for perfect beauty.

Venue: BAM Fisher

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

May 29, 2019, 7 p.m.

The Ethics of Lying

We're back at Nowadays to launch our new philosophy club! We'll be diving into the deep human value and virtue of Truth and we'll ask when is it ethical to lie? Are some lies necessary to keep the fabric of our society together?

Venue: Nowadays

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

May 21, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Desire

What is the connection between desire and happiness? Can we be happy without desire? And why do have desires that lead to unhappiness? Join philosopher Jeanne Proust as she walks us through different schools of thought on 'desire' at Berg'n Beerhall.

Venue: Berg'n

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

April 24, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Olio Breakfast Club | Death & Bagels on a Sunday Morning

Think Olio x Greenberg's Bagels team up to bring you a boozy breakfast club where we'll discuss death on a Sunday morning. Philosopher, Jeanne Proust will lead the discussion and bagels, coffee and mimosas are included in your ticket.

Venue: Greenberg's Bagels @ North 3rd St. Market

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

April 7, 2019, 10:30 a.m.

OlioHouse Weekend | Desire & Free Will

Why does our will disobey us? What is happening when we go against our intentions? Let's gather at OlioHouse to investigate the nature of will in an original way, questioning the blurry frontiers between the normal and the abnormal, the healthy and the morbid.

Venue: OlioHouse | Wassaic, NY

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

March 16, 2019, noon

Philosophy Club | What Can't we Say?

This our members only Philosophy Club where we'll gather in a beautiful Bed-Stuy apartment to explore the limits of language in our everyday communication as well as in the scope of modern political correctness. BYOB!

Venue: Living Room

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

March 13, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Friendship Over Romance

​ We tend to talk about love as the type of personal relationship we should primarily seek and thrive for. But Isn’t friendship much more crucial in our lives?

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Feb. 15, 2019, 7 p.m.

* Sold out* Living Room Salon | Our Struggle with Free Will

What happens when we choose, when we decide something over something else? And even if we say that we are indeed free to decide what we want, is this freedom such a great thing to have ?

Venue: Living Room

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Jan. 22, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

What We Call Evil

What happens when we qualify an action or someone as being evil? What causes this moral judgment, and what effects may this judgment have?

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Nov. 2, 2018, 7 p.m.

Communities and Their Pitfalls

Artists from HangNight™️ line the walls of the Strand while Jeanne Proust teaches an Olio on community from a radical perspective.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Oct. 12, 2018, 7 p.m.

Olio Series | The New Deadly Sins

We will focus on a brief critical history of the traditional typology of the "Deadly Sins", before discussing together the ways we might modernize it.

Venue: Nowadays

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Oct. 9, 2018, 7 p.m.

Immoral Art?

Can the aesthetic experience conceivably free itself from any ethical consideration?

Venue: Mathew Gallery

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

July 22, 2018, 3 p.m.

Happiness?

There seems to be no objective definition for happiness. We might consider happiness as a universal wish – though without any possible universal agreement on what will cause it.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

May 25, 2018, 7 p.m.

The Problem of Evil

Should we use the term ‘evil’ in our moral, political, and legal discourse and thinking, or is evil an outdated or empty concept which should be abandoned?

Venue: Nowadays

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

April 24, 2018, 7:30 p.m.

Questioning the Origins of Sexual Desire

Where does desire come from? And what is at play when we question the origins of sexual desire?

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Feb. 23, 2018, 7 p.m.


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Olio: A miscellaneous collection of art and literature.