My path to philosophy.
My path to philosophy starts as a child. I remember being enthralled by The Book of Think, which I received as a present from my parents. The book discussed how thought could make massive challenges achievable and distant goals possible.
As I progressed through high school and college, I learned more about the history of thought and how much it has shaped our world. To this day, the power of innovation and critical thought to address entrenched problems, help us to understand, and produce better ways of living still impresses me.
Me during a 2022 trip to San Francisco to see my family.
My teaching, research, and other work is dedicated to promoting the value of philosophical thought. I have taught for over a decade, and in countries around the world, on topics as varied as logic, social and political philosophy, and applied ethics. While I am primarily trained in the philosophical traditions originating in continental Europe and the English-speaking world, I relish the opportunity to learn more about other theories. Currently I am teaching classes at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX.
As a researcher, I focus on the intersections between systems theory and social and political philosophy. My first book, as well as several articles, explores the relationship between radical change and complex, adaptive systems. I argue that any understanding of the world is a system, and as such is subject to the principles of systematicity as described by mathematics, physics, and biology, among other fields of study. Moreover, given the complexity of our world, it is pointless to reduce it to simple axioms and try to get it to obey. We should understand political and social phenomena as holistic, and as requiring an adaptive, dynamic response to produce a healthy, sustainable system that works for all.
On occasion, I write a public philosophy piece. My interests include humanities advocacy, racial justice, and fair treatment for all peoples by focusing on the needs of those not represented by governments and economic institutions.
I am also the editor-in-chief of the APA Blog, and was the editor in charge of research and diversity/inclusion for several years prior to that. In those positions, I focused on starting new series to address issues of representation in philosophy, highlighting the work of young scholars and newly published authors, and sharing new ideas among the Blog’s readership.
When I am not working, I enjoy outdoor activities, board games, and spending time with friends and family. Most recently, I’ve gone camping, hiking, and kayaking in the parks of Texas, played Scythe and Chronicles of Crime, and explored some of the local coffeeshops in the Huntsville, TX area.
In addition to my parents, I have two sisters and a cat named Hannah (after the philosopher Arendt).