alex does philosophy

Alexandra De Las Mercedes Benitez

Welcome!

Born and raised in Miami, I completed my B.A. at Florida International University and my M.A. at the University of Miami.

Currently, I am an adjunct lecturer at FIU, where I have the honor of introducing students to a broad range of philosophical questions.

My current areas of interest include (but are not limited to) social epistemology, feminism, and ethics.

I’m also a proud mom to a spunky Havanese!

Recent Projects & Presentations

Philosophy is full of opportunities to travel, but I’ve been honored to join some events closer to home. Below are some pictures of me in action!

69th Florida Philosophical Association Conference in St. Petersburg, FL.

I was granted the opportunity to showcase Mi Gente: An Epistemic Observation of Cuban Americans and their Voting Habits. The aims of my paper were to list firsthand observations of both good and poor epistemic habits practiced by the Cuban American community. I also argued for possible ameliorations that I believed would reduce political and epistemic hostilities, while highlighting tools that will help us maintain a sense of identity within the United States’ fight for truth and clarity. My goal was to encourage younger generations to break free of the deception of party loyalty, reverse and prevent the effects of inflammatory content, and to reflect on themselves so that they may become competent interpreters of the world.

11th Annual Quest for Peace, Miami Dade College Kendall Campus.

I provided my case for the impact of a shifting American epistemic hegemony, where the focus of my concern was about our unwillingness to meaningfully engage with evidence and how it will come to erode alliances, destroy our soft power, and create a reputation for instability.

70th Florida Philosophical Association Conference in St. Augustine, FL.

I presented a discussion about David Hume’s An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. While most notable for his epistemological and metaphysical accounts, Hume also famously dealt with the repercussions of going against the church through his writings. I argued for the following comparison- those who align themselves with feminism are deprived of their ability to feel likeable, relevant, and understood. The aim of this paper was to cause as great an interruption as possible to the harms enabled by a global culture frequently informed by patriarchy. In support of my arguments, I heavily engaged with Sections VI and VII with a concentrated interest in discussions of custom and cause and effect.

About My M.A. Thesis at the UM

My thesis put forth that, “within the framework of epistemic injustice, individuals with privilege are capable of imposing self-directed epistemic disadvantages. Their inherited stances and lack of adequate reflection repeatedly hinder their knowledge practices as agents, interpreters, and educators. Since they lack the relevant experiences of toil that prompt questions about self and the world, I also argue that they bear the responsibility of an imperfect duty to object to their own ignorance. I will advocate that the amelioration of these poor habits comes by way of cultivating the epistemic virtues of intellectual humility, open-mindedness, and curiosity. As potential motivators, I propose both interpersonal obligations and obligations to the self. Through their privilege and failure to realize their epistemic potential, they have become disconnected from a full sense of self and deprive the world from what it stands to benefit from their reaching such a state.”
From Privilege, Knowledge, and Obligations: A Discussion on Epistemic Responsibility

Why Philosophy? My Inspiration for Living an Examined Life.

My family arrived in the United States as political refugees from Cuba in the 1960s. Their sacrifices and hard-earned wisdom are embedded in everything I pursue. My research aims to introduce a new era of Latinidad in philosophy, with the goal of making future generations confident in their ability to construct authentic identities and meaningfully engage with truth.