Victor Kumar

Victor Kumar is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of Graduate Placement at Boston University. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Arizona, with prior postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Michigan and University of Toronto. His research focuses on ethics, cognitive science, evolutionary theory, epistemology, feminist philosophy, and philosophy of race. He leads the Mind and Morality Lab and contributes to the Moral Psychology Research Group. Notable work includes the 2022 Oxford University Press book A Better Ape (co-authored with Richmond Campbell) exploring moral evolution. He received the Peter Paul Career Development Award in 2018, the first philosopher to do so at BU. His teaching areas include Medical Ethics, Cognitive Science, and Ethics courses.

Education:

• B.Sc. Psychology & Biology, Dalhousie University
• B.A. Philosophy, Dalhousie University
• M.A. Philosophy, University of Alberta
• PhD Philosophy, University of Arizona

Research Interests: Kumar examines how cognitive science and evolutionary theory reshape understanding of moral psychology, with emphasis on moral progress, moral luck, nudges, and moral learning. His interdisciplinary approach bridges philosophy with empirical sciences, addressing societal issues like meat consumption reduction and anti-prejudice initiatives.

Awards:

• Peter Paul Career Development Award (2018)

Lab & Groups: Directs the Mind & Morality Lab and participates in the Moral Psychology Research Group, fostering collaborative research on moral cognition and social ethics.