My research interests are mostly in metaphysics, with connections to the philosophy of science, the philosophy of mind, and the history of philosophy. My dissertation contained papers on properties, grounding, and the persistence conditions of social groups. I am now working on papers on social scientific methods and the metaphysics of social kinds.
Published:
“How Groups Persist.” Synthese 2021
Abstract: How do groups of people persist through time? Groups can change their members, locations, and structure. In this paper, I present puzzles of persistence applied to social groups. I first argue that four-dimensional theories better explain the context sensitivity of how groups persist. I then exploit two unique features of the social to argue for the stage theory of group persistence in particular. First, fusion and fission cases actually happen to social groups, and so cannot be marginalized as “pathological.” Second, it is implausible that groups spatially coincide pre-fission. This means that theories that depend on pre-fission spatial coincidence, such as some endurance theories and the worm (perdurance) theory, cannot explain fission cases. All things considered, the stage theory offers the best explanation of how groups persist.
Penultimate draft (Please cite published version)
Published:
“How Groups Persist.” Synthese 2021
Abstract: How do groups of people persist through time? Groups can change their members, locations, and structure. In this paper, I present puzzles of persistence applied to social groups. I first argue that four-dimensional theories better explain the context sensitivity of how groups persist. I then exploit two unique features of the social to argue for the stage theory of group persistence in particular. First, fusion and fission cases actually happen to social groups, and so cannot be marginalized as “pathological.” Second, it is implausible that groups spatially coincide pre-fission. This means that theories that depend on pre-fission spatial coincidence, such as some endurance theories and the worm (perdurance) theory, cannot explain fission cases. All things considered, the stage theory offers the best explanation of how groups persist.
Penultimate draft (Please cite published version)
In 1943, the Eagles and the Steelers combined to form a team affectionately know as the "Steagles". They split again the following year, but both teams consider the Steagles part of their record. Image source: www. philadelphiaeagles.com
Work under review:
A paper arguing against fundamental laws of metaphysics (draft available on request)
A paper exploring the relationship between dispositionalism and grounding (draft available on request)
A paper on Rosen’s account of real definition (draft available on request)
Work in progress:
A paper on social causation and holism (to be presented at the Philosophy of Social Science Roundtable 2022)
A paper on the emic/etic distinction and the exportation of social kinds to different times/worlds