Recent News

Co-Hosted Talk with NOYCE, Ari Edmunson (UC Berkeley), "What is Moral Philosophy Good for? Reflections on Teaching the “Human Contexts and Ethics of Data”"

Nov 13, 2024

The Philosoophy Department is co-hosing a speaker the NOYCE School of Applied Computing. Dr. Ari Edmundson (Department of History/School of Data Science, UC Berkeley) will be presenting "What is Moral Philosophy Good for? Reflections on Teaching the “Human Contexts and Ethics of Data”

Time/Location: Thursday, November 14, 11:10-12:00, 20-231 (Engineering East)

Abstract: Moral philosophy occupies an odd position in the world of “data ethics.” On the one hand, certain strands of moral philosophy shape the worldviews of powerful Silicon Valley insiders, especially those associated with industry-centered visions of “AI Safety.” On the other hand, influential critical voices in academia and activist circles tend to eschew the tradition of moral philosophy altogether, with some going as far as to reject the very word “ethics” in favor of supposedly more emancipatory rhetoric of “justice.” But moral philosophy obviously has more to offer contemporary data ethics than self-serving justifications for the interests of Silicon Valley capital, retaining a reservoir of critical potential for fostering more reflective and responsible forms of professional data practice. Reflecting on over six years of experience teaching and designing the “Human Contexts and Ethics” program at the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Ari Edmundson will discuss the complex politics of moral philosophy within contemporary data ethics education, and suggest how moral philosophy can collaborate with interdisciplinary scholarship in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) to expand the possibilities of ethical life in the datafied world.

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Professor Eleanor Helms wins Distinguished Teaching Award!

Oct 28, 2024

Congratulations to Professor Eleanor Helms, who was awarded a Distinguished Teaching Award during AY 2023-2024 for her excellence in teaching at Cal Poly!

Eleanor Helms' students see her passion in her teaching style and her genuine interest in students' perspectives. A student nominator wrote that “Professor Helms focuses on guiding discussions; rather than providing viewpoints for students to agree with or dispute, she asks for students' views on a subject, then facilitates a discussion that allows for a deeper understanding of both the subject and material involved. Helms is kind and thoughtful towards students, and always comes to class and office hours with a calm and level temperament, while still maintaining enthusiasm in the course subjects. “Professor Helms is truly a kind and thoughtful professor; she is thoroughly knowledgeable and passionate about her work and areas of study and she is incredibly well-spoken and professional, with an unparalleled understanding of her areas of specialty,” wrote a student nominator. “To see a professor with such a degree of enthusiasm for their work is a motivation to me to pursue a further career in academia, with the hope to continue to learn from others with the same passion and fascination with their studies.”

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