Biography

Anna Lännström is professor of philosophy at Stonehill College where she teaches ethics, moral psychology, philosophy of religion, ancient Greek philosophy, Buddhist thought, and mindfulness and Indian philosophy.  She’s the author of Loving the Fine, a book on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, as well as several articles on the religion of Socrates.

Her more recent research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning: How can we broaden philosophy to include insights from other traditions and disciplines, and how will doing so change our understanding of ourselves and the world?

She also writes public philosophy, asking how we can better integrate theory and practice, using philosophy to live better lives.  Why are we all increasingly stressed, distracted, lonely, and angry? Can techniques like yoga and meditation from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions help us live better lives, and if they can, how do we address the ethical challenges involved in borrowing such techniques?  She blogs for The Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, Medium and Thrive global.

Lännström was born and raised in Sweden. Before she came to Stonehill, she studied and taught philosophy at Boston University and served as the assistant director for the university’s Institute for Philosophy and Religion.

Education

  • Ph.D., Boston University. Dissertation topic: Aristotle’s ethics
  • M.A., Boston University, Thesis Topic: Speaking about Brahman in Advaita Vedanta
  • B.A., English Writing and Philosophy, State University of New York at Potsdam. Summa Cum Laude.

Courses Taught

  • Is God dead?
  • Mindfulness and Indian Philosophy
  • Ancient Greek Philosophy
  • Moral Psychology
  • Ethics and the Good Life

Selected Publications, Articles & Presentations

Philosophy of Yoga Course Stretches Students’ Perspectives and Limbs

A course that combines yoga and philosophy stretches students' perspectives and limbs while exemplifying Stonehill’s innovation-fostering culture.