Christopher Cowie

Dr Christopher Cowie is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Durham. Previously, he was a graduate student and Junior Research Fellow (JRF) at the University of Cambridge, and held fellowships at Harvard University and Stanford University. His research focuses on metaethics, moral philosophy, epistemology, and the philosophy of science, often addressing topics like paradoxes, biosignatures, and extraterrestrial intelligence.

• PhD in Philosophy from Princeton University
• JRF at Cambridge University
• Fellowships at Harvard and Stanford

Cowie's work critically examines moral error theory through arguments from paradoxes, debunking strategies, and nonnaturalist explanations. He also explores epistemic normativity, companions in guilt arguments, and methodological challenges in life detection. His publications include books and articles in leading journals such as Mind, The Journal of Philosophy, and Astrobiology.

Recent research trends emphasize interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly between philosophy and astrobiology, as seen in his co-authored work on life detection criteria. Cowie supervises PhD students including Brad Berwin and Charles Coatsworth, and his teaching and supervision reflect his commitment to rigorous philosophical inquiry and mentorship.