Benjamin Yelle

Benjamin Yelle serves as a Teaching Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Northeastern University's College of Social Sciences and Humanities, specializing in ethical theory and practical moral dilemmas.

He earned his PhD in Applied Ethics from the University of Miami in 2014, establishing his scholarly foundation in value theory and practical ethics.

Yelle's research program integrates normative ethics—where he pioneers a subjectivist theory of well-being reconciling personal valuation with objective constraints—and applied ethics with focus on bioethical challenges in neurological degeneration. His scholarship extends to philosophy of technology, examining ethical implications of biotechnology, information systems, and virtual reality through courses like PHIL 1145. He also investigates happiness's normative role in conceptions of the good life, creating interdisciplinary connections between ancient eudaimonism and contemporary ethical frameworks.

As an active member of Northeastern's Ethics Institute, Yelle contributes to collaborative research initiatives while maintaining teaching responsibilities in undergraduate ethics education. His professional network includes departmental colleagues across philosophy and religious studies, supporting a robust academic environment for ethical inquiry.