Jacob Sparks

Jacob Sparks is an active Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Holding a PhD from Bowling Green State University (2018), he maintains a robust research program at the intersection of traditional philosophical inquiry and contemporary technological challenges.

His research spans Moral Epistemology, Meta-Ethics, and Applied Ethics, with particular focus on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Technology Ethics. Key interests include moral justification frameworks, human agency models in AI systems, and business ethics with emphasis on market semiotics and commodification critiques. His work consistently bridges theoretical philosophy with practical applications in emerging technologies.

Analysis of his publication record (2017-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) foundational work in moral epistemology examining how moral beliefs are justified, (2) critical engagement with AI ethics focusing on human-centered approaches and moral agency models, and (3) applied ethics investigations into business practices, medical ethics, and pandemic response protocols. His most cited works demonstrate increasing engagement with AI ethics since 2020.

His professional activities include collaborations with researchers like Athmeya Jayaram and Ava Wright across multiple publications. While no formal advising relationships are documented in the provided materials, his scholarly output demonstrates significant engagement with both theoretical and applied ethical dilemmas.