Research Highlight: Adrienne Duke

Learn more about Adrienne and her work on her website.

How would you describe your research program?

I work in the philosophy of psychiatry, and my dissertation provides an evaluative account of mental disorder, which is a departure from much of the current thinking that mental disorder must involve a biological dysfunction. By contrast, my account allows that normal or expected emotional pain (without any evidence of dysfunction) will sometimes constitute a disorder. Beyond building this conception of mental disorder, my research program broadly involves various questions relating to mental disorder, including what and how to diagnose and treat it. 

What issues or questions in philosophy are you most excited by?

I know that if I get mad when I read or encounter a philosophical or ethical problem then I am probably interested in it. And I get mad about a lot of things, including, but not limited to: mental illness, psychiatric practice, general medical practice, war, business, misogyny, fatphobia, patriarchy, etc.

What got you first interested in philosophy? How did you get from that initial spark to the subject of your recent/current work?

I was an indignant little girl raised in deep East Texas who attended private, evangelical schools. I was fairly certain everyone I knew was wrong about most things, but I had no way to prove it, so I threw myself into my studies. I was very interested in theology and began to hone my communication skills through participation in the speech and debate team. My high school education culminated in a senior thesis on Biblical inerrancy, in which I argued that the Bible was, much to the ire of the school board, an errant document. Aside from my academic frustrations, I felt a strong desire to serve others, so attending West Point and commissioning as an Army Officer fulfilled that desire. I studied philosophy as a cadet, but my focus throughout those years was on leadership. Over time, I found myself intellectually dissatisfied with life in the Army. While deployed to Syria in 2018, I began researching philosophy PhD programs and studying for the GRE. Once I began at Duke in 2020, I was able to exhale a little bit and channel my anger and frustration into curiosity. I also discovered my love for teaching undergraduates, which combines my need for intellectual stimulation with my desire to serve others. I tell this story to show that philosophy, for me, is not just a profession, but a way for me to make sense of my life and help add value to other lives.

Who is/are your favorite philosopher(s)? Why?

I really enjoy Kate Manne's work. She's insightful and writes about important topics in an accessible way.

What are you currently working on?

My dissertation.

What's next? Any ideas for projects in the pipeline?

Regaining my sanity after the single-minded pursuit of finishing this dissertation and its defense. I am ready to be less defensive and more curious again. (I also want to write about how fatphobia in the Army may cause eating disorders, but I am too tired to think much about this right now). 

What project/paper/collaboration/etc. are you proudest of so far?

I am most proud of my teaching. I have taught five sections of Intro to Philosophy at Duke, two sections of Intro at NC State, and four sections of Business Ethics at NC State, for a total of 342 youths corrupted as a primary instructor while in grad school.

Do you have any particular work habits, like working at a specific coffee shop, or listening to a particular type of music, or rewarding yourself with a specific snack or workout? (In other words, how do you specifically work best?)

I work best on a schedule. Give me a timeline and deliverables, no matter how arbitrary, and I will get it done regardless of the circumstances. Unstructured working time with an open-ended timeline is my personal hell. (You are welcome to laugh at me for knowing this about myself and still pursuing a PhD, where a dissertation is the ultimate open-ended, unstructured project).