Sam Young

Undergraduate Student

Sam Young, a white male with blonde hair, smiling.
Pronouns
He/Him/His

Hometown
Stillwater, MN

Contact

Email: [email protected]
Office: 511 Bruininks Hall

Education:
Philosophy B.A. & Political Science Minor, University of Minnesota (2024–2028)

Research Interests:
My research interests include moral, ancient, and political philosophy. I am primarily interested in the question of how to live a good life. I recently completed a Summer 2026 UROP Project where I studied the history of metaphors for the divided self, most notably Plato’s Chariot Metaphor and Jonathan Haidt’s Elephant and Rider. I applied these metaphors to the pursuit of eudaimonia, or the good life, and examined how these metaphors inform well-being in the digital age. I specifically focused on trends such as doomscrolling and hyper-optimization cultures like looksmaxxing and biohacking. I intend to pursue further research on the philosophy of well-being in the future.

My Advice for How to Get Involved in Research:
The best way to get started with research is to connect with your professors. Although it may be daunting, attending professors' office hours, setting up meetings, and reaching out via email is the most effective way to get started. Approach research with a genuine curiosity and passion for your field of study, and opportunities will present themselves. The University of Minnesota offers many incredible research opportunities; take advantage of them!