Sebastian Purcell is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland, where he also serves as Director of the Honors Program. His research specializes in ancient philosophy (particularly Aristotle), ethics, moral and political philosophy, Latin American philosophy, and comparative world philosophies, with a strong focus on Aztec (Nahua) thought, conceptions of the good life, virtue ethics, and how pre-modern traditions offer insights into happiness, relationality, and living well amid uncertainty.
He approaches philosophy comparatively, drawing parallels between Greek traditions and indigenous Mesoamerican ones, such as contrasting Aristotelian eudaimonia with Nahua neltiliztli (a worthwhile or rooted life not centered on personal happiness or pleasure). His work often highlights Aztec moral realism, acceptance of human imperfection, and an “outward path” emphasizing communal action, relational self-cultivation, and practical wisdom over inner redemption.
Articles and papers published in the Journal include:
- “Existence and Liberation: On José Mariátegui’s Postcolonial Marxism” (Volume 3, Issue 1 – Summer, 2012)