Welcome to my little home on the web. Though somewhat ecclectic, my current research primarily concerns metaphysical and epistemological questions turned up by philosophical attention to science — "applied M&E", if you will. But I'm also intrigued by more "classical" problems in metaphysics and epistemology, such as the freedom of the will, the nature of physical objects, time, modality, and dispositional properties.
Recently, my research has focused on biological classification. My book on the metaphysics of species — quaintly titled 'Are Species Real?' — is slated to be published in Palgrave-Macmillan's "New Directions in the Philosophy of Science" series in the Fall of 2013). Thanks to a Scholar's Award from the National Science Foundation, I spent a large chunk of the 2010–11 academic year researching my second book — (even more tentatively) titled 'The Nature of Biological Kinds' — which develops a novel account of natural kinds suitable for understanding the vagaries of biological classification.
In my teaching, I mainly split my time between courses in Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Biology (including Ecology and Environmental Ethics), Ethical Issues in Science, and Metaphysics & Epistemology (I'm working on a hybrid text/anthology for this one). Aside from philosophy, I'm a committed though mediocre basketball and tennis player (and watcher), an avid guitar and piano player (and listener), a single-malt scotch, wine, and beer enthusiast, and an occasionally-professional photographer.
EducationPh.D., Columbia University (2006) Philip Kitcher, Achille Varzi (directors) B.A. (Highest Honors), Dartmouth College (2000) M.A., Columbia University (2002) |
Areas of SpecializationMetaphysics, Philosophy of Science (particularly philosophy of biology and chemistry) Areas of Teaching CompetenceEpistemology, Ethics and Science Policy, Environmental Philosophy, Logic |