My research in philosophy of biology and related domains attempts to understand scientific practice and concept use from a methodological, epistemological, and semantic point of view. This includes investigating the change and diversity of scientific practices, as well as critically scrutinizing the intersection of science and society based on environmental and social values.
I am particularly interested in evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), molecular biology, systems biology, and (most recently) neuropsychiatry.
Upcoming course:
Fall 2020 (Tuesday Thursday 12:30–1:50pm)
PHIL 405 (Topics in Philosophy of Mind) / PHIL 505 (Philosophy of Mind) – Intuitions, Conceptual Engineering, and Experimental Philosophy
This seminar is on metaphilosophy, where in addition to looking at conflicting philosophical methods we will also encounter different visions of the primary aims of philosophy. One philosophical method is to rely on intuitions. In the specific context of conceptual analysis and the 'method of cases,' we will scrutinize accounts of concepts that promise to support philosophy as armchair practice using intuitions. In contrast, experimental philosophy uses psychology-style methods. Apart from experimental philosophy results that challenge the reliance on intuitions, we also discuss what positive role experimental philosophical may have. Whereas traditional conceptual analysis aims at articulating the concepts we happen to possess, the rising philosophical approach of 'conceptual engineering' intends to put forward the most effective philosophical concepts, which may include discarding or modifying current concepts. The examples of conceptual engineering we will look at include the concepts of gender and race.
Prerequisite: At least *6 in PHIL, *3 of which must be at the 200-level, or consent of Department.
Fall Term 2020Prerequisite: consent of Department.
Fall Term 2020