Department of Philosophy

International Center of Ontological Research

At the intersection of Philosophy and Information Science

2/25/18

Ontology is a foundational discipline of philosophy that has its origins in ancient Greece. Today, the demand for trained ontologists is becoming a distinct career path for our graduates. UB is a world center of research in applied ontology, opening the doors for our graduate students to successful careers in informatics and data science in fields such as biomedicine, finance, defense and security. Start a new career by earning an M.A. in Philosophy with a focus in ontology.

Diversity isn’t what divides us. Division is what divides us.

8/31/18

Ryan Muldoon's new paper was commissioned by The Knight Foundation for its series on media and democracy. The work is about how thinking about faction can help guide practical solutions to combat misinformation. Read the paper.

8/31/18 See the Latest News

Interdisciplinary Activities in Humanities and the Arts

8/15/18

Under the direction of Jorge J. E. Gracia, the Samuel P. Capen Chair sponsors the annual Capen Lectures to provide opportunities for our students to meet with distinguished speakers from a variety of disciplines.

2/7/18 Access audio and multimedia from recent Capen Lectures

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Events

Anjan Chakravatty

"TWO PROJECTS FOR SECULAR HUMANISM"
Pauk Kurtz Memorial Lecture
October 18, 2018
Thursday, 4:00pm, 107 O'Brian

Faculty Publications

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Debating Race, Ethnicity, and Latino Identity: Jorge J. E. Gracia and His Critics
6/21/18
The philosopher Jorge J. E. Gracia engages fifteen prominent scholars on race, ethnicity, nationality, and Hispanic/Latino identity in the United States. Their discussion joins two traditions: the philosophy of race begun by African Americans in the nineteenth century, and the search for an understanding of identity initiated by Latin American philosophers in the sixteenth century. Debating Race, Ethnicity, and Latino Identity: Jorge J. E. Gracia and His Critics, is by Iván Jaksic. Published by Columbia University Press.
Inner Virtue
6/21/18
What does it mean to be a morally good person? Nicolas Bommarito's book, Inner Virtue, provides a new theory of moral virtue and vice. The work examines a neglected area of philosophical study (the moral status of states disconnected from action), while drawing on sources in non-western philosophy, empirical work and memoir. Published by Oxford University Press.
Building Ontologies with Basic Formal Ontology
7/21/18
Building Ontologies with Basic Formal Ontology by Robert Arp, Barry Smith and Andrew D. Spear, is an introduction to the field of applied ontology with examples derived particularly from biomedicine, covering theoretical components, design practices, and practical applications. Published by MIT Press.
Social Contract Theory for a Diverse World: Beyond Tolerance
6/21/18
Ryan Muldoon's book, Social Contract Theory for a Diverse World: Beyond Tolerance, develops a unique approach to social contract theory that focuses on diverse perspectives. It offers a new moral stance that Muldoon calls, "The View From Everywhere," which allows for substantive, fundamental moral disagreement. Published by Routledge.

Faculty News

Faculty Research

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student and alumni news

Jason Adsit named seventh president of Mount Saint Mary College

In a unanimous vote that followed a national search, the board of Mount Saint Mary College selected Jason Adsit as its seventh full-time president. See the news article. He graduated from UB in 2002 with a PhD in Philosophy. Adsit's dissertation, directed by Peter Hare, is an investigation of Apologies.