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My overarching interest is how we create and uphold a reasonable sense of what morality involves – for you and me and us, here and now. Abstract principles are important. But they always leave problems of practical judgment, and they don't decide people's roles and responsibilities. Deciding these involves freedom, creativity, and power. This is about taking responsibility for how we live together, and for morality itself.
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Two philosophers are especially important to me: Immanuel Kant and Hannah Arendt. As much as their specific ideas, I admire their determination never simply to accept the terms of any debate. As Kant put it, what right do we have to the concepts we rely on? Taken-for-granted framings often lead us astray, both in theory and in practice. I hope to write more about this in the future.
My research projects page describes some collaborations I've been involved in, which have sparked my writings in applied ethics. They have also led to my more recent interest in corporations – for example, how businesses affect diets, health, and food systems. |
Writings grouped by topic: Responsibility Hannah Arendt Kantian ethics & politics Medical & research ethics Obesity & public health |