Daniel Brennan

My research is in the areas of political and social philosophy and also in the philosophy of sport.

I have 2 books: 'The Political Thought of Vaclav Havel' with Brill; and, 'Surfing and the Philosophy of Sport' with Lexington Books, as well as numerous chapters in edited collections, journal articles, as well as popular magazines in film, and in surf culture.

I am working on three principal research projects:

My first research project explores and exposes philosophies of resistance that promote violence, messianic gestures, and sacrifice as the best form of resistance.
My second research project elaborates a philosophy of resistance that emphasises the political and social significance of actions that are not usually deemed to be political, such as friendship, small acts of kindness, and the development of virtues. The focus in this exploration is on how these kinds of non-political actions can be considered as meaningful acts of resistance in oppressive conditions.
My third research project employs phenomenology to expose political and social situations where questions of the appropriateness of resistance can be posed.
I have a book with Brill, 'The Political Thought of Vaclav Havel' as well as articles with Hypatia, Symposium, Screening the Past, and other journals.

I also research in the philosophy of sport, as regards surfing. I have published a feminist critique of professional surf culture, and also on the social and cultural significance of big wave surfing. I am currently working on a book on Surfing and the Philosophy of Sport ahead of surfing's inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.