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Complex Systems Theory: My original interests in philosophy centered on Ancient Greek metaphysics. Everything that I read and wrote connected to Plato’s theory of forms in one way or another. I wanted Plato to have an answer to Theseus’ Paradox. During my graduate coursework, I stumbled across complex systems theory. Eureka! The tension between flux and being that was once my philosophical anchor became the tension between openness and emergence. I ultimately decided to narrow my focus to the principles of complex systems theory, like hierarchical organization, contingency, and self-organization.

 

Island Biogeography Theory: When I arrived at the University of Kentucky to start my PhD, I was determined to work on Plato’s concept of the chō​ra from Timaeus. For some reason, I was drawn to the ontology of physical boundaries – the natural demarcation of individuals and qualities in space. Complex systems theory offered a way to engage this topic, but it often treats boundaries in geographical space as accidental and trivial. In island biogeography theory, I found a foothold that supported my interests in the spatialization of patterns and processes. Now, island biogeography theory is an area that I frequently revisit for inspiration before I start a new project.

Ecological Complexity: Complex systems theory combined with theoretical ecology to produce ecological complexity. I concentrate on two related areas of ecological complexity, ecological hierarchy theory and resilience theory. Ecological hierarchy theory follows Simon’s principles of near-decomposability and loose coupling to argue for a scale-dependent approach to the study of ecological patterns. Resilience theory similarly emphasizes scalar discontinuities and cross-scalar causal dynamics. Put simply, patterns emerge based on the scalar perspective used to interpret data yet transformations in a system that self-organizes at one scale affects systems at adjacent scales. This emphasis on scale resonates with my geographical inclinations.

 

Environmental Ethics & Policy: My interests in ecological complexity naturally lead me to topics in management ethics and policy. Resilience theory developed the concept of a social-ecological system (SES) to describe societies and ecosystems as integrated units. This raises a variety of interesting ethical questions about the assignment of values to specific aspects of SESs and what responsibilities we have to different classes of stakeholders (both human and nonhuman). On these issues, I typically argue for a pragmatist view that favors a care ethics framework (e.g., ecofeminism and Indigenous philosophies).

Selected Publications:

Recent / Upcoming Presentation:

  • "The function of geographical context in explaining ecological complexity," Presenter, American Association of Geographers, Honolulu, HI [2024]

  • "Scale dynamics and the question of artificity in solar radiation management (SRM) ethics," Presenter, International Society for Environmental Ethics (Pacific Meeting of the American Philosophical Association), Portland, OR [2024]

  • "Reviving the ethic of organic diversity for the species translocation debate," Presenter, Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, Cincinnati, OH​ [2024]

  • “The ethical blind spot inherent to tipping point explanations: A defense of the moral standing of topographical features in sustainability practices,” Presenter, Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, Portland, OR [2023]

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