William A. Bauer

William A. Bauer is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at North Carolina State University (since 2010). He holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2010), an MA in Philosophy from Miami University (2005), and prior degrees in Biology and Humanities. His research focuses on the metaphysics of science, particularly causal powers and dispositional properties, and applied ethics in bioethics and AI ethics. Bauer has published extensively on topics like agency in AI, personhood, and scientific reasoning, including a 2022 monograph Causal Powers and the Intentionality Continuum and a 2024 co-edited volume Artificial Dispositions.

Education:

• PhD in Philosophy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2010)
• MA in Philosophy, Miami University (2005)
• MA in Humanities, California State University-Dominguez Hills (2001)
• BA in Biology (Honors), Illinois Institute of Technology (1996)

Research Interests: Bauer bridges metaphysics and ethics through work on causal powers in science and ethical challenges posed by AI. His bioethics research addresses issues like personhood and animal welfare, while his AI ethics work explores moral agency in artificial systems. He critiques and develops frameworks for ethical AI governance and societal integration.

Awards:

• Outstanding Lecturer Award, NC State College of Humanities and Social Sciences (2019-2020)
• Chancellor’s Graduate Fellowship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2005-2007)
• Hinman Graduate Fellowship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2008-2009)

Labs/Groups: Bauer contributes to the interdisciplinary Center for AI in Society and Ethics (CASE), co-editing the AI & Society special issue on embedding AI in society. His teaching spans ethics, logic, metaphysics, and research ethics, emphasizing critical thinking and philosophical exploration.