Rutgers Philosophy Newsletter
Spring 2010
Ernie Sosa wins inaugural Rescher Prize for systematic philosophy. Inside: Distinguished Rutgers epistemologist Ernest Sosa has been named International Affairs- Rutgers the first recipient of the Rescher Prize for Contributions to Systematic 3 philosophers lead programs Philosophy. The award is named after Nicholas Rescher, a prolific around the nation and world. Pittsburgh philosopher. The University of Pittsburgh will give the award every two years to “an individual who has made substantial contributions to philosophy”. It carries a $25,000 prize. Sosa will receive the prize at a ceremony in Pittsburgh on November 12th. Sports- Erik Hoversten reports 4 Sosa is currently the Board of Regents Professor of Philosophy at on our department’s IM Rutgers. He has long been a leading figure in epistemology and teams. metaphysics. In 2005 Sosa gave the Locke Lectures at Oxford, and his recent work has focused on developing virtue epistemology (among many other topics). Reacting to the Rescher prize A peek inside the student-led 6 announcement, Sosa reports: “The news that I'd be awarded this undergraduate journal, Arete. prize came as quite a surprise. I can only hope to be worthy of it some day." Necessary Existence and Inconvenient Truths… Philosophers tackle issues ranging from modal metaphysics to environmental policy.
ZIMMERMAN ORGANIZES and food for the duration of the MAJOR WORKSHOP IN PHIL. research seminar. Two Rutgers RELIGION: graduate students—Blake Roeber and Meghan Sullivan— Dean Zimmerman and Michael have been selected as Rota (from the University of St. participants this June. Thomas) have received a major grant from the Templeton A BUSY SPRING OF COLLOQUIA: Foundation to start the St. Thomas Summer Seminar in There is never a shortage of Philosophy of Religion and talks or conferences around the Philosophical Theology. The department, and this spring has Above: Peter Klein and Jerry Seminar takes place over three been no exception. The Fodor lead a lunch discussion weeks in Minnesota. colloquium schedule has been with undergraduates. (See p.6) Zimmerman hopes the program especially busy, including two Below: Barry Loewer chats with will fill a needed role in training named lectures. Rutgers alum Quayshawn Spencer after a talk philosophers of religion: “Only a Jacob Ross (USC) began the on philosophy of biology. few graduate programs include semester with a talk on faculty with enough expertise in normativity and commitment. philosophy of religion to offer Tim Williamson (Oxford) much by way of coursework; delivered the annual Mesthene but many current graduate lecture on February 18th, students and recent Ph.D.s arguing for necessitism—the have a great deal of interest in doctrine that everything the subject. So we're trying to necessarily exists. Quayshawn bring the best faculty who work Spencer (MIT) brought the in the area into contact with department up-to-speed on the best younger scholars. (We recent developments in race had 181 applications for the theory. Glenn Shafer (Rutgers summer seminar this year, Business) shared recent work on which suggests that there's a lot game theoretic probability. of younger people out there Jesse Prinz (CUNY) argued for who want to do philosophy of the AIR theory of consciousness. religion.)” Speakers include David Albert (Columbia) Peter van Inwagen, Alvin delivered the Class of 1970 Plantinga, Roger White, and lecture on quantum mechanics Tom Kelly. Participants receive and philosophy. Christian List stipends along with housing (LSE)will round out the semester.
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RUTGERS AROUND THE WORLD: BUNZL TAKES ON THE INCONVENIENT TRUTH: Faculty and graduate students are venturing far and wide over the For the last three years, Martin summer and coming school year. Bunzl has been directing the We continue to exchange scholars Rutgers Initiative on Climate and with the Arche Institute at the Social Policy University of St. Andrews. In July, (www.csp.rutgers.edu), which he Jason Stanley is co-organizing founded. Here he reflects on another CEU Summer School in some of the challenges and Budapest—this year focusing on opportunities for a philosopher meaning, context, and intention. wading into the arena of climate Above: Andy Egan inaugurates He’ll be joined by Ernie Lepore, change debates: Friday Grad-Prof research talks one of many distinguished with “Three Grades of Self speakers on the program. In “Working on climate change has Involvement.” Below: Jason August, Ernie Sosa (our been a shock for me, if only Stanley admires the official motto distinguished Rescher Prize because I suddenly have to of office 215A winner!) will lead the Fifth Cologne traffic in facts!... The issue offers a Summer School in Philosophy in textbook instance of the problem Cologne, Germany. Finally, Bob of choice under both uncertainty Matthews and Frankie Egan are and ignorance. We don’t know among four Americans invited to the probability of worst-case the Hebrew University’s Institute for climate scenarios or their cost. Advanced Study in coming Spring Much of the discussion of climate 2011 to join a working group on change policy assumes, computation and cognitive erroneously I think, that we can neuroscience. proceed using an expected utility analysis either ignoring NEW FACULTY JOIN THE worst case scenarios or by DEPARTMENT: extending a calculus based on less extreme outcomes for which The Rutgers Philosophy family is we can assign both costs and expanding next year. Branden probabilities.” Fitelson (formerly of Berkeley) will department. The department The CSP promotes philosophically move into 1 and 3 Seminary this provides donuts and drinks. In informed research on these fall. Branden works in formal March, Andy Egan was chosen as issues. In line with this project, epistemology and philosophy of the first speaker, and he delivered Bunzl is at work on a book of science. From the other side of a lecture on different appoaches philosophical reflections on the globe—Jonathan Schaffer to de se content. A lively climate change policy. and Susanna Schellenberg discussion followed that continued (formerly of ANU) will join the DE SE AND DONUTS- THE at Charlie Brown’s pub long after department in the Spring. In the FACULTY/GRAD RESEARCH the talk. In April, Frankie Egan (no hiring coup of the decade, FRIDAYS PROGRAM KICKS OFF: relation) followed up by leading a Rutgers gets three presentation on computational Schaffer/Schellenbergs for the In addition to the usual busy theories of mental representation. price of two—Jonathan and colloquia and graduate talk Egan argued against essentialist Susanna just had their first child, program, this Spring the theories of mental content and Ezra. Congratulations guys! department has begun to offer sketched a model where Additionally, Alec Walen (formerly Friday Faculty-Graduate pragmatic considerations influence of Maryland) will take up a part- research talks. Once a month a the assignment of representations. time appointment here and at the different faculty member gives a Once again, debate continued law school in Camden. Alec works presentation to the graduate long after at Charlie Brown’s. Is a in ethics and philosophy of law; community on a current research theme developing? you may remember him from the project. The talks are designed Fall colloquium series. to give participants a broad
sense of projects going on in the
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Inner Lives and Inner Tubes… Catching Up with the Grad Program
Incoming PhD students visit—(clockwise) Alex Anthony, Lucy Jordan, Tara Rhoades, Stephanie Leary and Ed Green.
PROSPECTIVE PHD STUDENTS VISIT THE DEPARTMENT: Seven philosophers March 24-26th, twelve prospective Philosophy PhD students visited from around the U.S. Rutgers to meet members of the department and experience the intellectual life around 1 and 3 Seminary Place. Visitors came and world will join from a wide-range of undergraduate universities with interests ranging from metaethics to philosophy of physics to philosophy of the department as law. Jason Stanley organized admissions for the department this year. Some admitted students were unable to come, but for Ph.D. Students in those who made the trip, it was a fun and philosophically-packed 2010, after a very week. Highlights include a talk on resemblance theories of pictorial semantics by Gabe Greenberg, a dinner in the Soviet competitive Non-Conformist wing of the Zimmerli Art Museum, and a blowout final party at Dean Zimmerman’s house. admissions season.
Seven students accepted offers to join the 2010 Philosophy PhD cohort: Alex Anthony (from Wesleyan), Edwin Green (from Rutgers), Lucy Jordan (from University of Southern California), Stephanie Leary (from University of Washington, Seattle), Tara Rhoades (from University of Delaware), Una Stojnic (from University of Belgrade) and Christopher Weaver (from Northern Illinois). Welcome to the department—we hope at least one of you is also a good goalie!
THINK OR SWIM! THE DEPARTMENT ADDS TO ITS INTRAMURAL SPORTS SEASONS:
Erik Hoversten has been organizing the department’s active intramural sports teams. We caught up with Erik for his take on the seasons so far:
“The Phenomenal Zombies ended their 2009 campaign with a 3rd place finish in the Intramural Soccer Coed-B division. They took a
(Continued)
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5-2 record into tournament some rough waters early on, play, and ousted EJB in a but finished the season with spectacular 3-2 game before even wins and losses. To a falling to the Marshmallow Puffs person they have found the in the semifinals 6-3. new experience to be a splendid romp in the pool. Although two thirds of their scoring output came from the Now as we finish the spring foot of player/coach Preston semester, we start our second Greene (24 goals), this years' year of intramural softball with Zombies were far from a one the Home Platos. This year we man team. Preston's magic was have a faculty ringer—Doug complemented by goal scoring Husak has joined the team on from Erik (8), Marco (2), Heather first base. We hope for a Above: Zombie leaderss Erik (1), and undergraduate Austin winning season and many trips Hoversten and Preston Greene Hennelly (1). Jenn, Karen, and to On the Border.” warm up before the soccer Mary anchored an ironclad playoffs. Below: Richard Dub wins defense, and Angela, Meghan, JOB MARKET CORNER: the 2010 Rutgers Crossword and Mike ably controlled the Challenge. midfield. Perhaps the best show Spring 2010 was one of the was put on by former smaller years for Rutgers grads philosophy undergrad Tim going on the job market; Hwang at goalkeeper, whose nevertheless, four secured reflexes put the nimblest felines tenure-track appointments. Will to shame. Starr received four job offers, and he will start as an assistant While the Zombies have professor at Cornell in 2011, traditionally relied on Preston's after taking a year as a Bersoff speed and dribbling skills, as the Post-Doc at NYU. Maya Eddon season progressed, they were (previously a post-doc at UMass able to incorporate much more Amherst) will start as an team-oriented ball control. On assistant professor at UMass in a number of occasions, scoring the Fall. She received three tenure track job offers. Alex plays were sparked by intricate passing in the midfield. The Jackson will start as an assistant adaptability of the Zombies is professor at Boise State reminiscent of the “total University. And Troy Cross football” mentality of the great (previously at Yale) will move to Dutch teams; this was perhaps a tenure-track position at Reed most evident in the voracious College. Finally, Jeff Glick has play of first year graduate accepted a visiting assistant student and native Dutchman professorship at the University of Marco Dees. Rochester.
The Zombies can certainly look DUB SWEEPS CROSSWORD on their 2009 season as a CHALLENGE: success, but just as certainly, they have their eye on the 2010 When not plumbing the depths season, which promises to bring of philosophy of psychology, even more thrills. What do we Richard Dub enjoys doing want? Brains! When do we crosswords. This avocation want them? Brains! earned him an iPad at the recent Rutgers Crossword The spring semester of 2010 saw Challenge, where he took first the introduction of a new sport prize for solving a giant puzzle in to the philosophy grad student twenty-seven minutes in front of repertory – inner tube water a live audience. polo. The Cogito Ergo Swim hit
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Undergrads Create Philosophy Journal Course
Max Mintz leads a discussion on the layout of the newest edition of the undergraduate philosophy journal.
ARETE HELPS STUDENTS DEVELOP collaborative and intimate, and advanced undergraduate AS PHILOSOPHERS, WRITERS much more effective.” The seminar on aspects of ancient AND EDITORS: students in the journal read philosophy relevant to her through submissions from all dissertation: “The Resolution of On a given Thursday afternoon, over the country and make Fallacy in Plato’s Euthydemus.” wandering through Bishop hard decisions about which House, you are likely to stumble arguments merit publication. PIZZA WITH PHILOSOPHERS on an intense discussion of Editors fight passionately for PROGRAM KICKS OFF: personal identity or aesthetic papers they believe in; as Jessie value. More often than not, this Koza puts it, “we fight to the Jerry Fodor and Peter Klein will be accompanied by a death!” Heather Katzoff enjoys kicked off a new monthly close critique of a student’s her work on the journal program for undergraduate writing. And more surprising, because of the broad sample philosophers on Feb 5th—the you won’t find any faculty of philosophy it offers: “There pizza with professors series. member leading the discussion. are so many different areas of One or two faculty members This course is run entirely by philosophy you won’t get a have lunch with undergraduate Philosophy undergraduates. chance to study as an majors and lead an open- Lead by Max Mintz, the Arete is undergraduate—for example, ended discussion on research Rutgers’ entirely student-run aesthetics—but you get to see questions they find intriguing philosophical journal. This little pieces of many topics in and how they found semester, fourteen students the journal.” The most recent themselves in academic and one graduate advisor edition of Arete debuts on May careers. The lunch series (Michael Johnson) meet weekly 3rd with an interdisciplinary provides an informal venue for to plan every production panel discussion featuring students to meet prominent aspect of the journal. They Dean Zimmerman, Mark Baker faculty members and learn receive 1.5 credits for their (from Rutgers Linguistics) and about careers in Philosophy. work, but more importantly, Dan Ogilvie (from Rutgers Larry Temkin followed it up with participants gain invaluable Psychology). a second session, sharing experience organizing, writing insights from his career in ethics. and editing philosophical SWANSON WINS UNDERGRAD The department hopes to make research. Michael Licciardi and TEACHING GRANT: these lunches an ongoing Nadia Saleh prize the class for tradition. the practice they get in writing Carrie Swanson has won a and editing. Saleh shares, “I’ve Dissertation Teaching award for had some editing experience 2010-2011. She will spend the and this is by far better—more summer designing an
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The incoming class of graduate A Letter from the Chair: The “Delta” and “Omega” houses, students is terrific. Our new as seen from Seminary Place. Our first year in Philosophy’s students come from around the new home in Seminary 1 and 3 globe (Belgrade, Canberra, is drawing to a close. We have and even New Brunswick). settled in pretty well. There are Thanks to our graduate pictures on the walls, the students who hosted them and espresso machines are to Jason who as admissions operating full time, and the director worked astonishingly library is taking shape. Next hard to recruit them. Our year (funding willing) we will fix graduating students did well on up the seminar room and the the market. Will Starr will be student lounge. We are aiming starting a tt position at Cornell, to turn the seminar into a Alex Jackson tt at Boise State, “smart class room” and we will and Maya Eddon tt at put a large screen TV in the University of Massachusetts, for grad lounge (not for the World just a sample. Thanks to Jeff Cup) so that we can show McMahan who took time off videos of philosophy events from his Guggenheim project to and also broadcast colloquia guide our students through the and seminars into the room. job search as placement activities and for a departmental director. fellowship and scholarship. So far the We had some great events this first two aims have been met. During year. In the last few months Our undergraduate program the next year we will be raising there was the showing of a film has also been flourishing. We money to endow a departmental on Heidegger (who says we are started “Meet the Faculty graduate fellowship. This is especially just an “analytic department”) Fridays” with pizza and important in these difficult times for philosophy. And the and a conference on state financing. Look for an undergraduate journal has Philosophy of Cosmology and announcement of this initiative on been humming along. It is very Quantum mechanics where we our web page. If you can help us out impressive. discussed outré matters get in touch with me at involving Boltzmann brains, dark [email protected] or Our graduate students have matter, and wave function 7329321321. ontology. The recruitment enormous initiative, from dinner and party at Dean’s leading reading groups to even Have a great summer, house was a blast. starting a blog: “Discovering Truths and Announcing Them.” Barry We made some stunning A list of the truths they have appointments this year. discovered will be in the next Branden Fitelson (philosophy of newsletter. science and formal epistemology) will be joining us That our new home looks so next fall and Susanna good and our programs run so Schellenberg (philosophy of well is mostly due to the hard mind) and Jonathan Schaffer work of our staff; Pauline, (metaphysics and Mercedes, Ann, and Stacey. They are really the backbones epistemology) will join us in Newsletter Credits, Etc. January. Alec Walen (ethics of our department. and Philosophy of law) will be Photos: All photos by Meghan Sullivan, When I took over as chair I had joining the law school in except (p.1, 5 (bottom)- Angela a number of aims. One was to Camden and part time with us. Harper). move us to College Ave, We will also welcome Matt another was to replace some Sports Desk: Erik Hoversten Walker from Yale who was the faculty losses by appointing only philosopher to receive an Climate Change Initiative/Faculty terrific middle career ACLS New Faculty Fellows post Liasion: Martin Bunzl philosophers, and a third was to doc. Matt works on Greek raise funds for departmental Editor: Meghan Sullivan ethics.