With a dual degree in philosophy and applied physics, I am a philosopher and a scientist. My research and teaching interests lie at the intersection of philosophy of science, philosophy of computation, metaphysics, and applied ethics. My main area of specialization (AOS) is philosophy of science: I work on unification, explanation, and model-based reasoning. In philosophy of physics, I investigate space-time models of unified field theories, the philosophical assumptions of quantum gravity (string theory, especially string dualities), and semi-classical models in quantum physics. My Ph.D. thesis explored unification and explanation in spacetime theories (e.g. Kaluza-Klein models).
I have a steady interest in the philosophical aspects of cognitive science and computational science (numerical simulations, machine learning, and evolutionary computation). I have recently been investigating the relatively new area of ‘computational ethics’ (or ‘machine ethics’) and models of artificial moral agency based on machine learning.
I conduct research and teach on those topics which have a major impact on our world and on how we pass it to future generations: philosophy of computation and information (mainly AI), philosophy of emerging technologies, as well as topics such as laws of nature, models, perspectival realism, trust, and unification. See my Research page and a list of recent Conferences.
This academic year I am very excited to teach courses in philosophy, ethics, logic, and critical thinking, in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and in the Philosophy Department at Old Dominion University. In recent years I have been affiliated with the Master of Liberal Arts and Science program at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, and with the Philosophy and Religion Department at the Western Carolina University. See the comprehensive list of classes on my Teaching page.