معرفی
Tyler Fagan serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Elmhurst University, where he has been employed since 2012 after completing his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His academic journey includes progression from Visiting Assistant Professor (2012-2016) to his current position as Assistant Professor (2017-present).
Fagan's research centers on the intersection of cognitive science, moral philosophy, and legal theory. His work particularly examines how understanding executive function and cognitive development informs our conceptions of moral and legal responsibility. Key areas include animal cognition, child soldiers' culpability, legal insanity standards, and anthropomorphism in mindreading research. He approaches these topics through a distinctive interdisciplinary lens that bridges philosophical analysis with empirical findings from neuroscience and psychology.
Analysis of Fagan's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory examining how cognitive science informs responsibility attribution across diverse contexts. His work demonstrates particular expertise in translating complex neuroscientific findings into meaningful philosophical and legal frameworks, with special attention to developmental aspects of cognition and their implications for justice systems.
- Nominee, President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Elmhurst University (2018-19)
- Templeton Foundation grant for The Philosophy and Science of Self-Control Project (2015-16)
- Multiple recognitions for teaching excellence at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Fagan maintains an active research collaboration with Katrina Sifferd and William Hirstein, resulting in significant publications including the MIT Press book Responsible Brains: Neuroscience, Law, and Human Culpability. His teaching portfolio at Elmhurst University spans foundational courses in logic and critical reasoning to specialized offerings in environmental ethics, philosophy of religion, and contemporary philosophy. Fagan also contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives including the Honors Program and First-Year Program at the university.
