Josh May

Josh May is a Professor of Philosophy (primary) and Psychology (secondary) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He holds a BA from California State University, Sacramento, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses on neuroethics, bioethics, AI safety, and the philosophy of science, blending empirical findings from cognitive science and neuroscience with philosophical analysis. He has authored books such as Neuroethics: Agency in the Age of Brain Science (2023) and Regard for Reason in the Moral Mind (2018), exploring topics like moral agency, free will, and moral progress.

May’s interdisciplinary work includes a stint in the Cognition, Brain, and Autism lab at UAB during an Academic Cross-Training Fellowship (2020–2022). He teaches courses on bioethics, neuroethics, and moral philosophy, and has received the Outstanding Professor Award from UAB’s Early Medical School Acceptance Program in 2017. His contributions extend to editorial roles, such as on the board of Philosophical Psychology, and leadership in the Society for Philosophy and Psychology.

His research highlights the role of reason in moral judgment, countering skepticism with evidence from neuroscience and psychology. He explores how moral progress can be achieved through reasoning and social collaboration, addressing issues like climate change, factory farming, and mental health stigma. His public-facing work includes articles in The Boston Globe, Psyche, and WBUR’s Cognoscenti, as well as interviews and podcasts discussing ethics in neuroscience and AI.

May’s academic activities also include coaching UAB’s ethics debate team and participating in the Institute for Human Rights. His lab and team collaborations emphasize applying ethical insights to real-world challenges, such as neurodiversity and reducing meat consumption through psychological interventions.