Justin Barney

Justin Barney
Faculty Specialist
Location:
510 Sprau Tower, Mail Stop 5338
Mailing address:
Department of World Languages and Literatures
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5338 USA
Office hours:
Office Hours

TR 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Education:
  • PhD., Classical Studies, University of Michigan, 2022
  • M.A., Philosophy, University of Michigan, 2021
  • M.A., Comparative Studies, Brigham Young University, 2015
  • B.A., Classical Studies, Brigham Young University, 2012
Research Interests:
  • Ancient Philosophy
  • Greek and Roman Religion; Mythography and Mythological Interpretation
  • Herculaneum Papyrology
Bio:

Dr. Justin Barney is a faculty specialist in Classics in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at Western Michigan University.

His research focuses primarily on the intersection of philosophy and religion in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. His dissertation, Plato and Aristotle on the Efficacy of Religious Practice, examines why Plato and Aristotle advocated for traditional religious practice despite their unconventional theological views. He continues to write on philosophical treatments of myth and religious cult, and is currently co-editing a collected volume entitled Ritual Efficacy in the Ancient Mediterranean.

Dr. Barney also works on issues surrounding the Herculaneum Papyri, a collection of philosophical texts preserved by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. He collaborates with other faculty members on campus to develop digital tools that assist in the reconstruction and reading of these important works.