Research
A New Heuristic for Climate Adaptation with Karen Kovaka
(published in a special issue of Philosophy of Science, 2023)
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My colleague and I argue on behalf of a new heuristic for deliberating about climate adaptation strategies, wherein traditional associations with naturalness (interpreted as human independence) are discarded in favor of more specific criteria involving a potential strategy’s power, maturity, and commitment.
(published in a special issue of Philosophy of Science, 2023)
Link to article
Link to PDF
My colleague and I argue on behalf of a new heuristic for deliberating about climate adaptation strategies, wherein traditional associations with naturalness (interpreted as human independence) are discarded in favor of more specific criteria involving a potential strategy’s power, maturity, and commitment.
Justifying Nature-based Solutions
(published in Biology and Philosophy, 2023)
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Link to preprint
This paper considers whether the concept of nature-based solutions, a set of mitigation and adaptation strategies with ever-growing popularity, is a useful and well-motivated category to guide future climate and conservation efforts. I argue that, although such strategies cannot truly be prioritized on biodiversity grounds, nature-based solutions may nevertheless play a vital aesthetic role in developing a healthier relationship between humans and the nonhuman world.
(published in Biology and Philosophy, 2023)
Link to article
Link to preprint
This paper considers whether the concept of nature-based solutions, a set of mitigation and adaptation strategies with ever-growing popularity, is a useful and well-motivated category to guide future climate and conservation efforts. I argue that, although such strategies cannot truly be prioritized on biodiversity grounds, nature-based solutions may nevertheless play a vital aesthetic role in developing a healthier relationship between humans and the nonhuman world.
Subjective Experience in Explanations of Animal PTSD Behavior
(published in Philosophical Topics, 2020.) Winner of the Marjorie Grene Prize.
Link to article
Link to preprint
I argue that we have good epistemic reason to hold that some animals can experience genuine Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that this not only puts pressure on accounts which hold that animal behavior can be fully explained without reference to subjective experience, but also creates important ethical obligations on behalf of humans.
(published in Philosophical Topics, 2020.) Winner of the Marjorie Grene Prize.
Link to article
Link to preprint
I argue that we have good epistemic reason to hold that some animals can experience genuine Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that this not only puts pressure on accounts which hold that animal behavior can be fully explained without reference to subjective experience, but also creates important ethical obligations on behalf of humans.
Dimensional versus Conceptual Incommensurability in the Social and Behavioral Sciences with Eugene Vaynberg, Jacqueline Wallis, and Michael Weisberg
(published in Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 2023)
Link to article
The authors of the target article, in developing their approach for “integrative experiment design," utilize several concepts that have received significant attention from philosophers of science. Our commentary examines Almaatouq and colleagues’ use of one of these concepts: incommensurability. We employ theoretical analysis to further clarify the incommensurability problem (as conceived by Almaatouq et al.) while also developing a challenge to the target article’s proposed solution.
(published in Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 2023)
Link to article
The authors of the target article, in developing their approach for “integrative experiment design," utilize several concepts that have received significant attention from philosophers of science. Our commentary examines Almaatouq and colleagues’ use of one of these concepts: incommensurability. We employ theoretical analysis to further clarify the incommensurability problem (as conceived by Almaatouq et al.) while also developing a challenge to the target article’s proposed solution.
Dissertation
Defining Nature:
An Ameliorative Account of Nature as Reciprocal Relations
An Ameliorative Account of Nature as Reciprocal Relations
My dissertation is an ameliorative project aimed at reconceptualizing the terms “nature” and “natural” in a way that promotes a healthier relationship between humans and the nonhuman world. Drawing on feminist and indigenous philosophies, as well as work in ecology and conservation science, I argue in favor of giving up the currently dominating conception of nature in Western conservation and environmentalism, a view which conceives of nature in terms of its independence from humans.
In its place, I propose a novel account called Nature as Reciprocal Relations, where to be nature/to be natural is to stand in or foster reciprocal relations with other entities. On this account, a bird, tree, or whole ecosystem counts as nature not because it is separate from humans, but because it participates in reciprocal relationships. In contrast to Nature as Independence, certain non-native species, human-influenced ecosystems (i.e. New York subway cars dumped at the bottom of the ocean and now teaming with life), and even genetically-modified organisms may be considered just as natural as their “wild” counterparts, depending on the quality of their relationships. Insofar as humans engage in reciprocal relations with the entities around us, we are part of nature too. The account allows for an interactive relationship between humans and other parts of nature, while still being action-guiding by distinguishing between those things which are more and less natural. By connecting the presence and cultivation of reciprocal relations with planetary health, I argue that an understanding of nature which centers relationships, rather than independence, can help us to better structure and meet our modern environmental goals.
The final part of the dissertation explores the practical effects of NaRR, including its implications for conservation, climate change policy, animal ethics, and its connection with important and influential environmental movements like ecofeminism.
In its place, I propose a novel account called Nature as Reciprocal Relations, where to be nature/to be natural is to stand in or foster reciprocal relations with other entities. On this account, a bird, tree, or whole ecosystem counts as nature not because it is separate from humans, but because it participates in reciprocal relationships. In contrast to Nature as Independence, certain non-native species, human-influenced ecosystems (i.e. New York subway cars dumped at the bottom of the ocean and now teaming with life), and even genetically-modified organisms may be considered just as natural as their “wild” counterparts, depending on the quality of their relationships. Insofar as humans engage in reciprocal relations with the entities around us, we are part of nature too. The account allows for an interactive relationship between humans and other parts of nature, while still being action-guiding by distinguishing between those things which are more and less natural. By connecting the presence and cultivation of reciprocal relations with planetary health, I argue that an understanding of nature which centers relationships, rather than independence, can help us to better structure and meet our modern environmental goals.
The final part of the dissertation explores the practical effects of NaRR, including its implications for conservation, climate change policy, animal ethics, and its connection with important and influential environmental movements like ecofeminism.
Work in progress
Animal Mental Disorders? The Case of Stereotypies
Animal stereotypies are commonly defined as behaviors that are repetitive, unvarying, and without apparent goal or function. They are also overwhelmingly present in captive animals. I consider the causal, behavioral, and neurophysiological similarities between animal stereotypies and human obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ultimately arguing that, whether or not stereotypies should be considered instances of OCD, they are nevertheless properly characterized as some kind of mental disorder.
Animal stereotypies are commonly defined as behaviors that are repetitive, unvarying, and without apparent goal or function. They are also overwhelmingly present in captive animals. I consider the causal, behavioral, and neurophysiological similarities between animal stereotypies and human obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ultimately arguing that, whether or not stereotypies should be considered instances of OCD, they are nevertheless properly characterized as some kind of mental disorder.
Applying Mental Disorder Categories to Animals
This paper engages with literature in philosophy of psychiatry, considering methodological challenges and worries about the feasibility of applying human (and plausibly at least partially social) categories like “mental disorder” to nonhuman beings.
This paper engages with literature in philosophy of psychiatry, considering methodological challenges and worries about the feasibility of applying human (and plausibly at least partially social) categories like “mental disorder” to nonhuman beings.
Future directions
Environmentalism and Art
As I continue to work through a conceptual understanding of a better human-nature relationship, I intend to draw on my background in community-engaged research as well as the performing arts in order to expand the project in a new direction. My aim will be to examine the potential of art to serve as a means to both reflect on our current relationship with the natural world, as well as facilitate the kind of reciprocal relationship that my account of nature indicates is necessary for a healthier environmental future.
As I continue to work through a conceptual understanding of a better human-nature relationship, I intend to draw on my background in community-engaged research as well as the performing arts in order to expand the project in a new direction. My aim will be to examine the potential of art to serve as a means to both reflect on our current relationship with the natural world, as well as facilitate the kind of reciprocal relationship that my account of nature indicates is necessary for a healthier environmental future.