Nathaniel Goldberg Publishes New Book The professor of philosophy’s book, “Philosophy of the History of Philosophy,” was published in November.

By Abby Harlan
December 17, 2025

Nathaniel Goldberg, professor of philosophy at Washington and Lee University, has released a new book, “Philosophy of the History of Philosophy,” that hit bookshelves on Nov. 27.

Printed by Bloomsbury, the book examines the fundamental relationship between philosophy and its own history, offering a comprehensive analysis of how philosophers should approach historical philosophical works and why those who don’t specialize in the history of philosophy would, and would not, benefit from studying it. Drawing on a half-century of scholarship, the book provides a systematic framework for understanding the value of engaging with philosophy’s past.

This is Goldberg’s second solo book, joining “Kantian Conceptual Geography,” which was published in 2015. He has also partnered with professor of English Chris Gavaler to co-author three books: “Superhero Thought Experiments” (2019), “Revising Fiction, Fact, and Faith” (2020) and “Revising Reality” (2024).

Goldberg has been with the W&L faculty since 2008. He received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Brandeis University, a Master of Arts in philosophy from Tufts University and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Georgetown University.

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