📖 Overview
Carrie Jenkins is a philosopher and writer who serves as a Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia. Her academic work focuses on the nature of love, romance, knowledge, and reasoning, combining analytical philosophy with personal narrative and social critique.
Jenkins gained broader recognition with her 2017 book "What Love Is: And What It Could Be," which explores the dual nature of love as both a biological phenomenon and a social construct. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges philosophy, psychology, and anthropology while challenging conventional views about romantic relationships.
Beyond her scholarly work, Jenkins has published poetry and creative non-fiction, including "Sad Love: Romance and the Search for Meaning" (2023). She is known for addressing complex philosophical concepts through accessible writing that connects academic theory with lived experience.
Jenkins has contributed significantly to public discourse on polyamory, relationship diversity, and the intersection of emotion and reason. Her work has appeared in various academic journals and popular media outlets, including Aeon, The Globe and Mail, and The Washington Post.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Jenkins' ability to blend academic philosophy with personal experience and relatable examples. Many found "What Love Is" offers fresh perspectives on relationships without being prescriptive.
Positive feedback focuses on:
- Clear explanations of complex ideas about love and relationships
- Honest discussion of polyamory and relationship structures
- Balance between scholarly research and personal narrative
Common criticisms include:
- Some sections become too technical for general readers
- Desire for more concrete conclusions rather than open-ended analysis
- Occasionally repetitive arguments
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: "What Love Is" - 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: "What Love Is" - 4.1/5 (150+ reviews)
"Sad Love" - 4.3/5 (50+ reviews)
One reader noted: "Jenkins makes philosophical concepts digestible without oversimplifying." Another commented: "The academic portions sometimes overshadow the more engaging personal elements."
📚 Books by Carrie Jenkins
What Love Is: And What It Could Be (2017)
A philosophical examination of romantic love that combines metaphysics with scientific research and personal experience.
Sad Love: Romance and the Search for Meaning (2023) An analysis of romantic love's relationship with sadness, exploring how melancholy and romance intersect in modern relationships.
The Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and How to Heal the Conflict (2021) An exploration of parent-child estrangement, examining both social research and personal accounts of family disconnection.
Shopping for Spirits (2020) A collection of poems addressing themes of consumerism, spirituality, and modern existence.
Second Person (2007) A poetry collection exploring perspective and personal identity through verse.
Sad Love: Romance and the Search for Meaning (2023) An analysis of romantic love's relationship with sadness, exploring how melancholy and romance intersect in modern relationships.
The Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and How to Heal the Conflict (2021) An exploration of parent-child estrangement, examining both social research and personal accounts of family disconnection.
Shopping for Spirits (2020) A collection of poems addressing themes of consumerism, spirituality, and modern existence.
Second Person (2007) A poetry collection exploring perspective and personal identity through verse.
👥 Similar authors
Rebecca Goldstein writes philosophy-focused novels that explore metaphysics and consciousness through narrative. Her work combines academic philosophical concepts with personal relationships and character development, similar to Jenkins' integration of philosophical themes.
Susan Stebbing produced accessible works on logic and critical thinking for general audiences. She focused on bringing philosophical clarity to everyday reasoning, paralleling Jenkins' approach to making complex concepts approachable.
Simone de Beauvoir examined relationships, love, and gender through both philosophical treatises and autobiographical works. Her analysis of interpersonal connections and social constructs shares common ground with Jenkins' exploration of romantic relationships.
Mary Midgley wrote about ethics and human nature while challenging traditional philosophical assumptions. Her work bridged academic philosophy with practical concerns about how humans live and relate to each other.
Sophie Grace Chappell combines analytical philosophy with discussions of personal identity and relationships. Her writing addresses both academic audiences and general readers while examining how philosophical concepts apply to real life experiences.
Susan Stebbing produced accessible works on logic and critical thinking for general audiences. She focused on bringing philosophical clarity to everyday reasoning, paralleling Jenkins' approach to making complex concepts approachable.
Simone de Beauvoir examined relationships, love, and gender through both philosophical treatises and autobiographical works. Her analysis of interpersonal connections and social constructs shares common ground with Jenkins' exploration of romantic relationships.
Mary Midgley wrote about ethics and human nature while challenging traditional philosophical assumptions. Her work bridged academic philosophy with practical concerns about how humans live and relate to each other.
Sophie Grace Chappell combines analytical philosophy with discussions of personal identity and relationships. Her writing addresses both academic audiences and general readers while examining how philosophical concepts apply to real life experiences.