In this episode of the True Crime & Philosophy series of The Philosophemes Podcast, we examine the tragic case of Courtney Clenney through the lens of Aristotle’s virtue ethics.
What does it mean to have a tyrannical soul? And how might ancient philosophy help us understand the development of character in the context of modern violence?
Courtney “Tailor” Clenney, an Instagram and OnlyFans model with over two million followers, has been charged with second-degree murder for stabbing her boyfriend, Christian “Toby” Obumseli, to death in their luxury apartment in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood on April 3, 2022.
Clenney claims she acted in self-defense during yet another intense argument in what she describes as a “violent and toxic” relationship.
While avoiding any claims of guilt or innocence, this episode considers the moral and psychological dimensions of Clenney’s behavior—both alleged and documented.
Drawing on Aristotle’s account of virtue, vice, and character formation, we explore how a soul can become disordered, and what that means for ethical responsibility.
We also reflect on Clenney’s publicly reported diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder,
considering how impulsivity and emotional volatility complicate questions of agency and moral evaluation.
This is not just a story about crime—it’s a study of character.
And, it’s a glimpse into the dangerous ideas brought into focus by forensic philosophy.
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The Philosophemes Podcast. Deep roots. Dangerous ideas. The Canon, remixed.
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