Areas of Focus
Short Intellectual BioWhen I began my undergraduate studies at Albion College (a wonderful liberal arts school 50 miles west of Ann Arbor, Michigan), I knew exactly what I wanted to be. I would, most definitely, become … a scientist.Well, like most college students, I changed my mind. While on the path to becoming a scientist, a physicist in particular, I stumbled into a philosophy of science course and discovered that it was really the questions about science rather than the practice of science that piqued my interest. This got me taking more philosophy courses, and, interestingly enough, the more philosophy courses I took, the more I enjoyed philosophy. The decision about what to do post-graduation was easy: the Ivory Tower
had treated me well so far, so why give up a good thing? And why not make
it even better by doing it in San Diego, California? I entered the PhD
program in philosophy at UCSD, eager to begin working in the study philosophy
of science and cognitive science – having been trained in the hardest of
the hard sciences, I just couldn't give up that scientific objectivity,
and phil sci/cog sci seemed like a "hard philosophy." But, alas, another
change of heart. I found myself becoming increasingly attracted to the
uncertainty of the fuzzy disciplines such as ethics, literature, and the
humanities. Moral theory was the way to go, and, under the guidance of
prominent moral philosopher David Brink, I went on to write my dissertation
on "The Normativity of Morality."
Current ResearchMy current research focuses on the intersection of moral theory and philosophical psychology, in particular issues surrounding practical reason. Within this topic, I have been focusing on the debate between neo-Humeans and neo-Kantians. Although I spent my dissertation defending a kind of naturalistic Humeanism, I have of late become convinced that there just might be something deeply right about Kant's moral psychology (though not his normative moral theory), especially with respect to Normativity.Publications
Some Current Projects
Personal InterestsWhen not waxing philosophical, I enjoy wilderness backpacking, urban hiking, downhill skiing, and trainspotting. You might also catch me competing in latin and ballroom dance, bluffing a kings-over-boat in a friendly game of poker (7-card stud and Texas hold'em being my poison of choice), or checking out the local music scene. As well, I am an avid film buff, my favorite directors including: David Lynch, Wong Kar Wai, David Cronenberg, and Stanley Kubrick.
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