Efren Alverio II is a PhD candidate in the Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University in Melbourne. His research focuses on how a sentimentalist account of human rights can bridge the gap between theory and practice. He has advanced degrees in philosophy from Claremont Graduate University and the University of the Philippines.
What excites you about philosophy?
Although I am excited by how philosophy can stretch one’s imagination and explore the limits of thought, I am more excited about how philosophers’ works can raise awareness about issues that really matter like global inequality, injustice, corporate greed, and climate change. Living in a time when resources are becoming awfully scarce, complicated by the majority being enchanted by populist rhetoric, I believe providing reasons for us to reconsider many of our ethical choices is extremely necessary. And philosophy can help us do this.
What are you working on right now?
As a philosopher from the Philippines, I am concerned about alleged reports that there are already more than 20,000 deaths related to the “war on drugs” waged by President Rodrigo Duterte. The official tally is hard to determine because the national police bars access to documents that pertain to their operations. But despite the horrific numbers and accounts on how ordinary “addicts” are killed, and the withdrawal of the Philippines from the International Criminal Court, Duterte still enjoys 79% across the board approval rating as of the first quarter of 2019. My current work tries to analyse the seeming disconnect between current trends in human rights philosophies with basic realities. Also, to address the problem of social apathy, I am exploring how to “tame” Richard Rorty’s sentimentalist account of human rights with Sharon Krause’s concepts of empathy and impartiality.
Which books have changed your life? In what ways?
Bertrand Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy made me fall in love with philosophy. Quine’s Two Dogmas of Empiricism still haunts me from time to time whenever I make strong philosophical claims. But no matter how philosophically unfashionable, I really love the Bible. Although a lot use it just to feel better or morally superior than others, for me, if interpreted correctly, the old book is a good source where one can learn how to be more sympathetic to the sufferings of strangers and even enemies. Derek Parfit’s Reasons and Persons is also one of my faves. For me, it shows how analytic philosophy can provide clarity to moral dilemmas.
Who is your favorite philosopher and why?
I really don’t have a favorite. Plato and Aristotle might rise from the dead if I don’t choose them. However, because I think that there is widespread apathy and hate in the public sphere, I choose Hannah Arendt. I think her work on how evil can be normalized is very relevant today.
What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote comes from Richard Rorty. He said: “These two centuries are most easily understood not as a period of deepening understanding of the nature of rationality or of morality but rather as one in which there occurred an astonishingly rapid progress of sentiments in which it has become much easier for us to be moved to action by sad and sentimental stories.”
What do you like to do outside work?
I like to watch Korean drama with my wife.
What’s your top tip or advice for APA members reading this?
Don’t be puffed up. We are not that special.
This section of the APA Blog is designed to get to know our fellow philosophers a little better. We’re including profiles of APA members that spotlight what captures their interest not only inside the office, but also outside of it. We’d love for you to be a part of it, so please contact us via the interview nomination form here to nominate yourself or a friend.
Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall is an editor at the Blog of the APA who currently teaches philosophy, religion, and education courses solely online for Montclair State University, Three Rivers Community College, and St. John’s University.
