Karim Shoaib

Biography

Background

I am a PhD student in Philosophy with interest in Metaphysics and the History of Philosophy.

Qualifications

MPhil in Philosophy (Dist), University of Cambridge, 2023

BA in Philosophy (First), University of Cambridge, 2022

Research summary

I work on puzzles concerning the notion of a First Principle, Ultimate Reality, or God. Ultimate Reality lies beyond reason, overturning the aims of philosophy from explanatory system building to mystical ascent. I primarily study these ideas in the context of Greek philosophy (e.g. Plotinus) and Islamic philosophy (e.g. Ismailism).

Past research interests

Kant, Wittgenstein

Organiser

Thinking About God: Historical Perspectives (2026)

See CfA: https://philevents.org/event/show/140130#:~:text=Historically%2C%20many%20philosophers%20have%20taken,in%20positive%20terms%20at%20all.

Papers delivered

 

‘Affirming the Ineffable: Direct Reference and Apophatic Theology’, Helsinki Analytic Theology Workshop, 2026

’Metaphysical Puzzles and Awe’, University of Edinburgh PhilSoc, 2025

‘Are There Limits to Thought?’ University of Cambridge, Grad Conference, 2023

’Modern Biology and the Teleology of Organisms’ University of Cambridge, Grad Seminar, 2023

’Number and Transcendental Synthesis in Kant’ University of Cambridge, Grad Seminar, 2022

’The Mystical I AM: Wittgenstein and the Truth in Solipsism’ University of Cambridge, Undergrad Conference, 2022

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