Two things seem true about modern professional life. One, most professional activities nowadays (legal ones, anyway) are backed by a code of conduct—roughly, a set of written guidelines instructing participants how to behave to realize certain values their professional institution accepts. Professional societies like the American Philosophical Association have a Code of Conduct. Universities and colleges have codes ..read more

“Refusal is simultaneously a negation of access to information and resources, as well as an affirmation of sovereignties.” Rachel Flowers I am an Indigenous philosopher, and my research explores the various types of relations between Indigenous people and those who claim to be their allies. Relations are significant to many Indigenous communities. Not only do we ..read more

Comedian Dusty Slay tells a story about trying to purchase some DVDs at a flea market. The DVDs are cheap: three for five dollars. He selects six DVDs. Unfortunately, the person running the store is not very good at basic math. Dusty gets into an awkward exchange trying to convince her that he isn’t trying ..read more

The origin story for this course is a bit unusual. State law in California requires students in the California State University system to engage in “comprehensive study” of American history and government, including “the historical development of American institutions and ideals.” Courses meeting this requirement are usually structured like surveys in American history: Instructors have ..read more

When preparing my poster for the AAPT/APA conference in New York in January 2024, I had to consider not only what topics would interest fellow educators but also what might be aesthetically appealing to spark curiosity and conversation. I try to incorporate the same factors in planning my syllabi and individual classes. Including what appeals ..read more

Ideas about technological knowledge (in contrast to technical knowledge and to scientific knowledge) in philosophy of technology provide a powerful lens through which to consider the relationship between engineering and embodiment. For some philosophers of technology, technology is defined as extensions to one’s body (Brey 2000). But not all bodies are the same, nor do ..read more

Were I writing this essay a year or two ago, I’d have started it this way: When disagreements arise, the first impulse for many of us is to give direct arguments in favor of our own viewpoint. In other words, you give reasons directly for some conclusion in the expectation that the audience will share ..read more

Somewhere almost in the middle of the Eurasian continent, on the wuthering planes of Central Kazakhstan, in Astana, our university arose just 13 years ago as an attempt to provide world-class education, attracting professionals across the world. All the courses are taught in English, making the general community at least trilingual: Kazakh, Russian, and English ..read more

Myisha Cherry has entitled her recent book Failures of Forgiveness: What We Get Wrong and How to Do Better. The occasion for forgiveness is some form of wrongdoing, whether grand or minuscule in scale. Cherry’s subtitle suggests that analytically, the text will identify that beyond the wrongdoing that creates the context for possible acts of ..read more

Since its 1989 debut, The Simpsons has been a leviathan in the entertainment ecosystem. With over 762 episodes over 35 seasons, the show holds the titles of the longest-running American animated series, the longest-running American sitcom, and the longest-running American scripted primetime television series. Over its runtime, it’s evolved to stay relevant and conform to ..read more