Courses Taught at Tufts University

New & Coming Soon:

Seminars in Philosophy: Philosophy and Black Holes (Spring 2025) [Syllabus coming soon]

Course description: From Interstellar to the 2019 photo splashed across the front of newspapers, black holes have captured the popular imagination. But what are these mysterious objects, and how do we know? In this course, we will explore diverse philosophical issues related to the study of black holes: how should we understand ideas like "event horizon" or "singularity"?; how can we make sense of scientists claiming to "observe" objects that emit no light?; and what does the study of black holes reveal about the nature of scientific inquiry? We will begin by demystifying black holes: what they are, how they form, and the groundbreaking discoveries that have led to our current understanding of them. Together, we will grapple with the epistemic challenges presented by black holes, and examine the innovative methods that scientists use to investigate them: gravitational waves, the Event Horizon Telescope, so-called "analog experiments", and more! As we delve deeper, we will engage with the broader philosophical questions that emerge concerning the nature of scientific representation; the use of models and simulations in empirical science; the differences between "experimental" and "observational" or "historical" sciences; and the social responsibilities of scientists.

Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (Planned: Fall 2025) Sample syllabus

Course description: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming our world, sparking both hopes for revolutionary advancements and fears of dystopian futures. This course invites students to explore the profound philosophical questions that arise from the development and application of AI technologies: Can AI ever be truly conscious, or is it simply mimicking human behavior? As AI takes on roles in our homes and workplaces, how will it reshape our social and moral landscapes? Are we prepared for the ethical challenges posed by autonomous systems like self-driving cars and AI-driven weapons? And who bears responsibility when these systems cause harm? By engaging with classic and contemporary readings, alongside thought-provoking science fiction, students will critically examine these issues and more. The course will also encourage hands-on experimentation with AI tools, challenging students to reflect on their experiences and consider the real-world implications of AI in society. This course will equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills to critically engage with ongoing debates about AI. [This course description was revised in August 2024 using ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2024)]

Previously Taught:

Philosophy of Technology (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025) Sample syllabus

Course description: Technology is integrated into every aspect of our lives. Computers of all shapes and sizes are part of our daily routines, and we now socialize, shop, do our banking, get our news, and even meet potential dates online. Medical innovations have the capacity to alter the course of a person's life, but access to life-saving interventions is contingent on a patient's physical and social position in the world. Emerging AI applications such as Stockfish, IBM Watson and ChatGPT have the ability to perform many tasks as well or better than humans. In this course we will explore how emerging technologies transform the world we live in and how ethical issues arise through these interactions. In doing so, we will be guided by questions such as: what values shape the design and implementation of a technology? Whose life is made better and whose life is made worse? To what extent do we control emerging technologies, and to what extent does it control us? Some topics that we will cover include: social media and identity; privacy and big data; weak and strong artificial intelligence, and transhumanism. Drawing from a range of literature, this course will engage students in interdisciplinary discussions about the opportunities and pitfalls of emerging technologies.

Philosophy of Science (Fall 2023, Fall 2024) Sample syllabus

Course description: This course provides a survey of issues central to the philosophy of science, with the broad goal of giving students better insight in what science is, how it works, and what role it plays in our society. This will include classic topics such as demarcation problems (what is science vs. pseudoscience?) realism vs. antirealism (what can science tell us about what is out there?) explanation (what is a good scientific explanation?) and the role of values in science (what kinds of epistemic and social values guide science?). Alongside these topics, we will also explore newer directions, including discussions of data, measurement and experiment, models and simulations, and the social epistemology of science. We will also consider the relationship between general philosophy of science and the philosophy of particular sciences (biology, physics, etc.), especially in light of recent trends towards increased specialisation.

Courses Taught at the University of Notre Dame

Digital Technology, Society, and Ethics (Fall 2017) Syllabus

Robot Ethics (Summer 2018, Online)
​​Co-taught with Jude Galbraith

Course Description: This course investigates ethical issues in both the development and application of robot technologies. Through a combination of selected readings and films, interviews with experts, and an innovative use of media, you will develop critical thinking and reasoning skills applicable to this domain and beyond. Topics covered: Introduction to Robot Ethics; Frameworks for Ethical Judgment; Cost-Benefit Analyses; Autonomous Weapons; Self-Driving Cars; Asimov’s Three Laws; Ethics; Programming for Robots Healthcare and Robotics; Prosthetics and Human Enhancement; Robots as Friends and Lovers; Privacy; Technological Unemployment; Robot Rights; Will there be an AI Singularity?; Technological Virtue; Religious Perspectives on Robot Ethics

Courses Taught as Teaching Assistant

Introduction to Philosophy

University of Notre Dame, Spring 2017
Instructor: Jeff Speaks

Summer Leadership Seminar: Science, Ethics, and Responsibility (Pre-College Program)

University of Notre Dame, Summer 2016
Instructors: Jessica Baron and Don Howard