Department of Philosophy
As part of its event series tgiFHI, the Franklin Humanities Institute is conducting interviews with its faculty speakers in order to familiarize broader audiences with the diversity of research approaches in the humanities, arts, and interpretive social sciences at Duke University. Dr. Felipe De Brigard is the Fuchsberg-Levine Family Associate Professor of Philosophy, and Associate Professor in the departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke University. He is also Principal… read more about Meet Your Humanities Faculty: Felipe De Brigard »
Professor Walter Sinnott-Armstrong joined Jonathan Maloney on Intelligent Speculation's 'Critically Thinking' podcast on July 31st to discuss 'Ethics, Argumentation, and Political Polarization.' The episode tackled a wide range of topics such as how science can't answer important questions on morality, values, etc., but it certainly can be used as an ancillary apparatus to help navigate these tough questions, how informal logic can help you to think better and help to identify fake news, conspiracy… read more about Professor Walter Sinnott-Armstrong Participates in Intelligent Speculation's Critically Thinking Podcast »
Felipe De Brigard, the Fuchsberg-Levine Family Associate Professor of philosophy and psychology and neuroscience, explains that nostalgia doesn’t need real memories because an imagined will suffice. Read the article at Aeon. read more about Nostalgia Reimagined »
Travis Knoll expected to be in Brazil this summer. A Ph.D. student in History, he planned to visit film and Catholic Church archives to further his work on the relationship between Catholic thought, modern Black movements and education policy. But COVID-19 intervened. Recognizing that many students’ plans for teaching, research trips and in-person internships were overturned, Provost Sally Kornbluth and Executive Vice Provost Jennifer Francis pledged that Duke would provide employment opportunities for Ph.D. students who… read more about Changing Their Summer Plans, Duke Ph.D. Students Find New Options for Virtual Employment »
COVID-19 is bringing new scientific, behavioral and cultural challenges every day. The DIBS Faculty Network consists of 200 interdisciplinary neuroscience researchers from across Duke’s Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Law; Pratt School of Engineering, Fuqua School of Business, and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Their research can help us understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is influencing people’s decision-making, behavior, choices, and physical and mental health. The following faculty interviews… read more about COVID-19: A Neuroscience Perspective »
Our colleague and friend Karen Neander has died after a long and valiant struggle with cancer. During her fourteen years at Duke, Karen served as the essential connecting thread between the famous philosophy of biology group here and the influential philosophy of mind and cognitive science group. She contributed extensively to both fields, and to their intersection, throughout her long and storied career. In her work and academic life, she presented a rare combination of philosophical rigor and wry wit. During her years… read more about Duke Flags Lowered: Philosophy Professor Karen Neander Dies »
Philosophy Honors Student, Sandra Luksic, has won Duke's Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Science and Cultural Theory's 2020 "Best Undergraduate Science Studies Senior Thesis" prize. Sandra's thesis was entitled, "Wittgenstein, Natural Language Processing, and Ethics of Technology". The prize for the winning thesis is $500 and the thesis itself can be viewed at https://cissct.duke.edu/teaching-learning/senior-thesis. read more about Philosophy Honors Student, Sandra Luksic, Wins Duke's Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Science and Cultural Theory's 2020 "Best Undergraduate Science Studies Senior Thesis" Prize »
This Fall, Benjamin Eva will join Duke University's Department of Philosophy as its newest Assistant Professor of Philosophy. Ben completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Bristol. He subsequently completed a one-year postdoc at the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy/LMU Center for Advanced Studies and in 2017, he received an Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellowship, joining the University of Konstanz from 2017 to 2019. His main research interests are in the philosophy of science,… read more about The Department of Philosophy would like to welcome its newest faculty member, Ben Eva »
Two Philosophy Department faculty members have written about the implications COVID-19 has on their research. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Chauncey Stillman Distinguished Professor of Practical Ethics, argued that moral messaging may be at least as effective as public health messaging when it comes to convincing the public to follow new public health regulations. As a result, Sinnott-Armstrong and his research group "are beginning to test potential effects of accepting or ascribing moral responsibility for causing or risking… read more about Philosophers Reflect on COVID-19 »
Professor Jennifer Hawkins receives a Fall 2020 ACLS fellowship.The ACLS Fellowship Program awards fellowships to individual scholars working in the humanities and related social sciences. Institutions and individuals contribute to the ACLS Fellowship Program and its endowment, including The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Council's college and university Associates, and former Fellows and… read more about Jennifer Hawkins receives Fall 2020 ACLS Fellowship »
Adapting to remote learning means much, much more than taking a lecture online. On Monday, faculty and students began the process of relearning how to do the hands-on educational experience that Duke is noted for, even if they are a continent apart. The ingenious solutions that several have already developed are good indications that it will work. Below are some snapshots from moments during the first day of remote learning: Utterly Claymated Nicholas Professor Elizabeth Albright needed a good backdrop for her virtual… read more about Dispatches From the First Day of Remote Learning »
"Effects of sub-chronic methylphenidate on risk-taking and sociability in zebrafish (Danio rerio)" by Rebecca G. Brenner, Anthony N. Oliveri, Walter Sinnot-Armstrong, and Edward D. Levin has recently been published online. This paper is a revised version of Rebecca G. Brenner's undergraduate philosophy thesis. read more about Former Undergraduate's Philosophy Thesis Published in Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology »
Matthew Adler, the Richard A. Horvitz Professor of Law and Professor of Economics, Philosophy and Public Policy, has written a new book, Measuring Social Welfare: An Introduction, which examines the theoretical underpinnings of two social welfare function measures, utilitarianism and prioritarianism. The first, utilitarianism, originated with the 18th century philosopher and social reformer Jeremy Bentham, and advocates policy choices that would satisfy the preferences of the greatest number of people.… read more about Professor Matthew Adler publishes new book »
Duke Professor Walter Sinnot-Armstrong was recently featured on the Examining Ethics podcast in an episode titled, "Is It Possible to Be Too Good?". In this episode, Professor Sinnot-Armstrong explores the phenomenon of "Scrupulosity", a disease where patients become obsessive over morality. read more about Professor Walter Sinnott-Armstrong on Examining Ethics podcast »
Beischer Professor of Philosophy, David Wong, has been selected to receive the 2020 Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentoring. A committee of senior deans and students representing the major disciplines of The Graduate School selected Professor Wong from a highly competitive pool of nominees to receive this award, which recognizes faculty who exhibit a consistent record of mentoring practices. Dean Paula D. McClain will present Professor Wong with a $3,000 award at the 2020 Dean's Awards Reception on… read more about David Wong receives the 2020 Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentoring »
The Graduate School has announced the recipients of its 2020 Dean's Awards, which recognize outstanding efforts in mentoring, teaching, and creating an inclusive environment for graduate education at Duke. The recipients will be honored at a reception on Wednesday, March 25. Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring Faculty William Darity, Samuel DuBois Cook Distinguished Professor of Public Policy Jennifer Roizen, Assistant Professor of Chemistry David Wong, Susan Fox Beischer and George D. Beischer… read more about 10 Dean’s Awards Recipients Named for 2020 »
The exploration the public lives of the “first ladies” of America’s Christian evangelical megachurches and an intimate portrait of the joys and hardships of rural life in Appalachia are among the new noteworthy books by Duke authors this fall. Many of the books, including new editions of previous titles, can be found on the "Duke Authors" display shelves near the circulation desk in Perkins Library. Some are available as e-books for quick download. Most can also be purchased through the Gothic Bookshop. [Duke Today will… read more about Fall Books: Clean Hands, Aging Brains, Evangelical Women and Other Great Reads »
On May 12, 2019, Philospher Kwame Anthony Appiah was one of four distinguished scholars to receive an Honorary Degree at Duke's Commencement. Appiah is a Professor of philosophy and law at New York University and has taught at Yale, Cornell, Princeton, and Harvard. From 1990-91, he taught philosophy and literature at Duke. His works include, "In My Father's House: Africa in the Philosophy of Culture" and "Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers." He also writes The… read more about Philosopher Kwame Appiah Awarded Honorary Degree »
On Thursday, May 17th, the Department of Philosophy's own, Stacey Meyers, received the Pillar of Excellence Award from Dean Ashby. Stacey was among 3 other staff members from across the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences to receive an award at the 3rd annual Staff Appreciation Reception. Stacey is a collaborator and role model who holds herself to the same standards of excellence that she expects from others. That spirit of excellence extends beyond the department throughout the building and the… read more about Stacey Meyers Pillar of Excellence Recognition »
In 1996, Fort Worth philanthropists Anne T. and Robert M. Bass gave Duke a generous gift to enhance the undergraduate experience through increased faculty-student interaction. The donation established the Bass Society of Fellows for Duke faculty members who have achieved "true excellence in both research and teaching, and are good university citizens." These faculty members receive named professorships and associate professorships created or partially funded by the Basses' gift. Annually, the society… read more about Felipe De Brigard Bass Society of Fellows Recognition »
On July 1st, Jennifer Jhun will join Duke University's Department of Philosophy as an Assistant Professor. Jennifer is a native of Oklahoma and completed her undergraduate work at Northwestern University. At Northwestern, she double majored in Economics and Philosophy thinking she would pursue a law degree but eventually changing her mind and deciding upon a PhD in Philosophy instead. Prior to coming to Duke, Jennifer was at the University of Pittsburgh for 8 years and then in 2016 went on… read more about The Department of Philosophy would like to welcome its newest faculty member, Jennifer Jhun. »
Bryce Gessell, a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy, has published a new translation of Essai sur l’Optique (Essay on Optics) by 18th-century French philosopher Émilie Du Châtelet. Read more here. read more about Ph.D. Candidate Gessell Publishes New Translation of Du Châtelet Essay »
A new award, which celebrates excellence in philosophy of physics, will be presented during a free, two-day campus event where the winner will be the featured speaker. The inaugural Du Châtelet Prize in Philosophy of Physics — supported by Duke University in collaboration with the publication Studies in History and Philosophy of Science — recognizes a U.S. or international graduate student or a recent Ph.D. for their previously unpublished work in philosophy of physics. This year, applicants were asked to… read more about Duke Recognizes Philosophy of Physics Prize Winner During Upcoming Campus Workshop »
Duke Philosophy PhD Candidate Ewan Kingston wrote for the Carnegie Council on three civil society strategies that can ratchet up climate ambition, including pressing domestically for ambitious pledges, comparing mitigation pledges, and facilitating means of implementation. The article also appears on the Ethics and International Affairs website. read more about Philosophy Grad Student on What Civil Society can do for Climate Change »
Wireless Philosophy (Wi-Phi) received a grant in the amount of $250,000 from the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH). Wi Phi's goal is to "introduce people to the practice of philosophy by making videos that are freely available in a form that is entertaining, interesting and accessible to people with no background in the subject." Wi Phi features Duke Philosophy PhD candidates Paul Henne (associate director) and Matthew Harris (content associate). Learn more about Wi Phi here, and read… read more about Wi Phi Receives $250,000 NEH Grant »
Duke University is pleased to announce the Du Châtelet Prize in Philosophy of Physics, an award that celebrates excellence in philosophy of physics and promotes breadth across the field both historically and philosophically. The prize — supported by Duke in collaboration with the Studies in History and Philosophy of Science — will be awarded next Spring to a U.S. or international graduate student or recent Ph.D. to recognize their previously unpublished work in philosophy of physics. The winner will receive $1,000… read more about Duke Announces New Prize for Philosophy of Physics »
Duke Philosophy professors Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and Dr. Vincent Conitzer and their Moral AI research were featured on Thrive Global. Read the story and watch their video here. read more about Researchers at Duke University weigh in on how Artificial Intelligence can help decision making »
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong featured in the Wall Street Journal - To Get Along Better, We Need Better Arguments. read more about Walter Sinnott-Armstrong Featured in Wall Street Journal »
Felipe De Brigard is featured on Duke Today and examines false memories, or why we're so sure of things we're wrong about read more about Felipe De Brigard: WHY YOU DIDN'T DO THAT THING YOU'RE SURE YOU DID »