معرفی
Robert J. Howell is the Yasser El-Sayed Professor of Philosophy and Department Chair at Rice University's Department of Philosophy. He holds a PhD from Brown University (2002) under Jaegwon Kim and Ernest Sosa. His research focuses on consciousness, subjectivity, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics of technology. Howell has authored influential books such as Consciousness and the Limits of Objectivity (2013) and Self-Knowledge and the Elusive Subject (2023), and co-edited key texts like Consciousness and the Mind-Body Problem: A Reader. Current projects include investigations into the self, monism in philosophy of mind, and ethical implications of emerging technologies. He collaborates with scholars like Torin Alter on monism and tech ethics. Howell’s work bridges analytic philosophy with continental phenomenology, emphasizing the elusive nature of self-awareness and the role of philosophy in guiding technological progress.
Education:
- PhD in Philosophy, Brown University, 2002
Research Interests: Howell explores the intersection of consciousness and metaphysics, arguing for subjective physicalism to reconcile physicalist commitments with introspective data. He critiques the elusiveness of the self while affirming cogito-level self-awareness. His tech ethics work addresses AI, social media, and the societal impact of rapid technological advancement. He also engages with debates on monism, idealism, and physicalist ontology.
Grants & Collaborations: Collaborations include work with Torin Alter on monism and co-authoring The God Dialogues. His interdisciplinary approach reflects engagement with both historical figures (e.g., Kant, Hume) and contemporary issues like ego-depletion in marketing ethics. No specific grants mentioned in the text.
Labs/Teams: No dedicated lab mentioned, but his research group engages in philosophy of mind and tech ethics discussions. Active in academic publishing and cross-university collaborations.
