Introduction

The Doctoral Program

How to Apply

Financial Aid

Enrollment Opportunities

Events and Activities

Cave Series

Papers/Presentations

Dissertations

Placement of Graduate Students

Arnon Cahen
Dissertation (working) title: "The epistemic problem of perception: A nonconceptual solution to perceptual epistemic awareness. "

Dissertation Chair: Jose Luiz Bermúdez

Abstract:
Is perception a representation of the world as being a certain way, or is it merely a source of information for such representation? I argue for the former, though, breaking with tradition, I argue that having a perception need not, thereby, depend on the perceiver’s conceptual repertoire. Such an account, I argue, is superior to alternative accounts of perception in doing justice to perception’s epistemic role, its role in explaining action, and its characteristic phenomenology. The dissertation draws out further implications for philosophy of mind, the nature of representational content, the scope and limits of intentional explanations, and phenomenal consciousness.

David Bauman
Dissertation title: " Integrity, Moral Identity, and Why Moral Exemplars Do What is Right"

Dissertation Chair: Larry May

Abstract:
Integrity is a concept with an identity crisis. It can describe both a Mafia wise-guy who refuses to rat out his associates, and a company whistleblower who risks her job to protect the public. My dissertation attempts to resolve this identity crisis by answering the questions, "What is integrity?” and “Is integrity a moral concept?" I argue that the wise-guy has a “form” of integrity while the whistleblower has“substantial” integrity grounded on a deep moral commitment to the good of the human community. The whistleblower’s “identity-conferring commitments” are unique in that they constitute her moral identity and provide a primary motivation for moral behavior. If a person of integrity acts against her moral identity, she acts against her core self. I support my account of integrity by presenting real-life experiences of moral exemplars who maintained their moral identities in the face of adversity. I conclude the dissertation by addressing the objections of moral psychologists who question the existence and value of integrity. I argue that integrity does exist as evidenced by moral exemplars, and that societies benefit by pursuing it as a moral virtue, particularly in the face of opposing social forces.

Emily Crookston
Dissertation title: “John Locke on Obligation: Sensation, Reflection, and the Natural Duty to Consent”

Dissertation Chair: Larry May

Abstract:
In thinking about Locke’s natural law theory, I began to consider the relationship between this early moral view and his later political writings. Key to answering this inquiry is the relationship between moral obligation and political obligation. I argue that though Locke fails to develop a complete theory of moral obligation, a Neo-Lockean account incorporating Kant’s notion of reflective endorsement would remove at least one hurdle and be consistent with Locke’s other philosophical commitments. Further, it is this integrated account of moral obligation whereby individuals, in a sense, bind themselves to obey the natural law that explains political obligation. I then defend a unique interpretation of Locke’s consent theory of political obligation according to which individuals are bound by a natural duty to consent. Finally, I relate my historically informed view to the contemporary debate regarding political
obligation arguing that my account avoids many of the objections plaguing the prevailing approaches.

Sarit Smila
Dissertation title: "From Care to Virtue"

Dissertation Chair: Marilyn Friedman

Abstract:
I argue that special relationships foster the development of certain virtues. In particular I focus on caring as an important element in special relationships that motivates and provide the moral epistemology required for virtue. I also discuss other elements in special relationships that are conducive of virtue such as dependency. Dependency grounds our obligations to care for those who depend on us. I rely on empirical research in psychology that suggests that there is a connection between certain dependencies that we develop in infanthood and our capacity for caregiving behavior and virtuous behavior.