alex does philosophy

My MA Thesis at the UM 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.”

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.

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.

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.