Rich Eva is a philosophy PhD scholar at Baylor University with major analysis pursuits in social & political philosophy and ethics, particularly utilized ethics. He serves because the philosophy division’s graduate scholar physique president and graduate college consultant. He earned his B.A. from Princeton University with honors in philosophy.
What excites you about philosophy?
My process as a thinker is to make clear mysterious and shadowy issues. Analysis and instructing are two methods of conveying these mysteries to others and welcoming them alongside within the means of illumination. I can’t consider a extra thrilling endeavor!
What are you engaged on proper now?
I’ve been fascinated about politicization: What’s it? When is it good and when is it unhealthy? This leads me to marvel concerning the ethics of boycotting, advantage signaling, and moralizing (i.e. utilizing issues to make ethical factors). There’s a lot to unpack right here, however I feel philosophers can present some wanted nuance and readability to well-liked debates on these points. I’ve additionally been fascinated about the connection between property rights and privateness rights, in addition to whether or not competitiveness may be regarded as a advantage.
What’s your least favourite sort of fruit and why?
Blueberries are superior, and raspberries are scrumptious, however strawberries are within the incorrect class. Maybe my plebeian palate prevents me from appreciating strawberries’ subtleties. Nonetheless, “straw” appears to be an acceptable descriptor of such berries.
What are your targets and aspirations outdoors work?
My spouse and I’ve a joint aspiration of instructing on the similar college sometime—perhaps even co-teaching a category on ethical improvement and advantage ethics. She is an occupational remedy PhD scholar researching pediatric improvement. I even have aspirations of competing in a triathlon and producing a music album with one in every of my buddies.
Who’s your favourite thinker and why?
I recurrently change my thoughts on this query, however at the moment I’ll say Plato! I do know, stereotypical thinker reply. Certainly, I do love him for the stereotypical causes. Plato’s Socrates gives a incredible instance of the philosophical life: a life motivated by questions, marvel, and advantage; a life virtually inhibited by a scarcity of acceptance, awkwardness, and even poverty. However my different purpose for loving Plato is that he was an avid and achieved wrestler! “Plato” was really his wrestling nickname which means “broad-shouldered.” Plato noticed wrestling because the bodily manifestation of philosophical discourse; as a school wrestler myself, this resonated with me. You may learn extra about this here when you’re .
The place would you go in a time machine?
Why will we assume that point machines place us in our supposed place in house? We must always assume that time machines solely transfer us by way of time, not house. However it is a downside as a result of issues are all the time shifting relative to at least one one other. So, if time machines all the time positioned you in the identical house relative to the earth’s middle, and also you went again in time, you might find yourself within the ocean. If the time machine locations you again in time relative to the solar, you’ll find yourself in outer house. That mentioned, I wish to journey one-millionth of a millisecond into the longer term, simply to be secure.
This part of the APA Weblog is designed to get to know our fellow philosophers somewhat higher. We’re together with profiles of APA members that highlight what captures their curiosity not solely contained in the workplace, but additionally outdoors of it. We’d love so that you can be part of it, so please contact us through the interview nomination form here to appoint your self or a good friend.
