Philosophy Logos
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1 - Words from the Chair 12 - Undergraduate Philosophy Conference 2 - Current Undergraduate Student: Abram Feldman 13 - Continuing Conversations 4 - Former Undergraduate Student: Seth Rokosky 13 - The Annual Fink and Bingham Awards 6 - Current Graduate Student: Kate McFarland 14 - Society for Exact Philosophy Conference 8 - Former Graduate Student: Roy Cook 14 - Words About Emeriti 10 - Dubrovnik Conference 14 - Undergrad Updates 11 - Under the Trees: Third Annual Undergrad Retreat 15 - Words About Students 12 - Vagueness Workshop 16 - Words About Faculty WORDS FROM THE CHAIR at irregular times throughout the day the calendar change seems rather — “in order to maximize the efficient peripheral. use of classroom space” we’re told, though some harbor the suspicion This autumn (or was it really late that the change was designed simply summer), we had the pleasure of to confound those who have grown welcoming to campus a wonderful accustomed to the old schedule. new colleague and five very Far more disorienting, though, is promising new graduate students. the complete renumbering of all of Professor Christopher Pincock joins our courses. I doubt that any of our us from the University of Missouri. faculty members are fluent in the new Chris specializes in the philosophy of numbering system; perhaps a few could science, with strong research interests be labeled “minimally bilingual.” Most in the philosophy of mathematics and of us are still at the “look it up in the the history of analytic philosophy. His foreign language phrase book” stage. particular area of recent research is focused on the role of mathematics There will be other adjustments for in science. Albert Einstein said, Don Hubin, chair, Department of Philosophy us to make, of course. But, disruptive “The most incomprehensible thing as the calendar conversion has been, about the world is that it is at all “That was it?! That was our whole it changes nothing about the core comprehensible.” The way that we summer?” I think faculty and students of what we do here: push forward comprehend the world, at least at the all had that reaction as we gathered the frontiers of knowledge and most fundamental level, is through back on campus in late August to understanding, ignite in our students mathematics. In his recently published begin Ohio State’s first school year a life-long love of learning, develop book, Mathematics and Scientific on the semester calendar in anyone’s their ability to critically examine Representation, Chris explores the recollection. the world around them, and train role that mathematics plays in our the next generation of professional scientific knowledge through its The new calendar will take some philosophers to do these things even role in scientific representations of getting used to by those who have better. When you’re in a classroom the world. been here for a while. Classes begin with a room full of inquisitive thinkers, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES “Welcoming, because I to class were always thoughtful, and I very much enjoyed {Continued} WORDS FROM THE CHAIR knew it was something our office hour conversations.” I could spend a long time reading about and Abram considers all his courses useful and engaging. Last year, the most highly-regarded (Franklin & Marshall, London 11] and the annual Undergraduate studying, and terrifying He took further logic coursework with Stewart Shapiro, ranking of philosophical departments, School of Economics, University Philosophy Conference [see 12]. And, because it almost assured history with Allan Silverman, and ethics with Justin D’Arms. the Philosophical Gourmet Report, of St. Andrews), who is primarily those of us who are involved in the me I would never receive a The philosophy program also helped him prepare for ranked The Ohio State University interested in logic, the foundations OSU Center for Ethics and Human satisfying answer to all of his future career as a physician. Medical ethics, taught Department of Philosophy the best of mathematics, formal epistemology, Values Innovation Group oversaw my questions.” by Dr. Nakano, felt like a treat to him — “talking about department in the world for the and decision theory; Evan Woods an extraordinarily ambitious and, borderline ethical cases in medicine is something I would study of philosophy of mathematics. (Allegheny College), whose current we’re happy to say, successful year- When Abram enrolled at do in my free time!” Abram said. This achievement is the result of the interests include the history of long, university-wide “conversation” Ohio State as a philosophy highly significant research of Stewart analytic philosophy, philosophy on immigration—the Immigration major, his decision about Beyond philosophy and formal education in general, Shapiro, Neil Tennant, and Lisa Shabel. of language, and logic; and Kevin COMPAS [see 13]. which class to take first Abram is involved in many activities. He is the former vice Chris’s research contributes to our Wutke (University of California, Davis), was not hard to make. president of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and has been department’s research profile in this whose primary interests lie in moral This coming year promises to be He chose Symbolic Logic an event coordinator for the World’s Longest Barbecue, area, and adds new dimensions to it. philosophy and political and legal philosophically bustling, as well. In Abram Feldman with Lisa Shabel. “I could hosted on the Ohio State campus for the last two years. philosophy. This is a great incoming addition to its regular colloquium not have had a better introductory course to philosophy Of the barbecue, he said that, “running it is both a lot Chris’s wife, Tansel Yilmazer, joins class and we look forward to the series and the additional colloquia – the topics were so closely entwined to the math and of fun and very stressful; fundraising, marketing, and Ohio State as an assistant professor in contributions they will make to the sponsored by the Center for Ethics physics I loved; Dr. Shabel was enthusiastic and a fantastic even making sure shifts are filled is quite difficult, but the the Department of Human Sciences. intellectual life of the department. and Human Values, the department instructor, and it simply made sense,” he says. experience as a whole has been very rewarding.” We’re pleased to welcome both Chris will host a conference of the Society and Tansel to Ohio State. Last year was an active one for the for Exact Philosophy [see p. 14] in Lisa felt that Abram was a model student. She said, He has also participated in medical research, last year department. In addition to the mid October, and a mini-conference “Abram is a dream philosophy student. He is super smart, in cardiac electrophysiology at the Cleveland Clinic We also are delighted to welcome usual active colloquium series, we on Spinoza, organized by Tamar always engaged, and witty, and this past year in family our new graduate students: Mauro conducted or collaborated to produce Rudavsky, late in October. We look to boot. I am so fortunate medicine and hepatology Corneli (McGill University and other events. The department forward to an exciting year. to have had him in three THE PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM at MetroHealth Hospital in Concordia University), who is hosted a workshop on vagueness classes during his time here Cleveland. interested especially in early analytic [see p. 12], which brought together Please let us hear from you; we are ALSO HELPED HIM PREPARE at Ohio State.” philosophy and the philosophy of leading linguists and philosophers always interested in what our alumni FOR HIS FUTURE CAREER AS A For the last two years he also mathematics; Jenni Ernst (University to address the fascinating issues are doing. If you have a chance to From there, philosophy has worked at the Ohio State of Utah, University of Phoenix, and surrounding the semantics and visit campus, we hope you will stop PHYSICIAN. MEDICAL ETHICS, only got better for Abram. Hillel as a chef, cooking kosher Arizona State University), whose main pragmatics of vague terms. Other by the department for coffee and He took two history of TAUGHT BY DR. NAKANO, food for all patrons of the philosophical interests run toward department-related activities of the conversation. The welcome mat is philosophy courses with Lisa, café, and has been a general metaethics, moral psychology, and year include the third annual Dan always out! FELT LIKE A TREAT TO HIM, which reinforced how he felt manager for the custom philosophy of mind; Matt Souba Farrell Undergraduate Retreat [see “TALKING ABOUT BORDERLINE about the major and about designed clothing company what a great teacher Lisa ETHICAL CASES IN MEDICINE IS Azilli Ltd. was. He considers Advanced SOMETHING I WOULD DO IN MY Philosophy of Mind with Abe Two of his favorite non- Roth the culmination of his FREE TIME!” ABRAM SAID. academic activities are CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE ABRAM FELDMAN philosophical experience: it Friendship Circle and tutoring. Abram Feldman is going to be a fourth-year student in engineering related job. He searched for a major that was was exactly what he was waiting for – an investigation of Friendship Circle is a program run by Chabad that pairs the Honors Program at Ohio State pursuing a major in different from his usual scientific pursuits, but that did not the mind! college-age adults with children with disabilities to simply philosophy and a minor in cognitive science. He says his stray very far away from what really interested him: logic, hang out and have fun. “It is very enjoyable every week to time in the philosophy department “has been a pleasure.” cognition, and the brain. Abe said, “Abram was a great student. The advanced class go with another student and hang out with our friend to he was in was conducted in a seminar style: less lecture, do whatever he wants,” Abram says.