Rosalind Chaplin is a PhD Candidate at UC San Diego. In September of 2021, she will become a Bersoff fellow at NYU. In July of 2022, she will join UNC-Chapel Hill as an Assistant Professor. She has wide-ranging interests in Kant’s theoretical philosophy, early modern philosophy, and contemporary moral psychology.
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently finishing my dissertation, which is on Kant’s criticisms of traditional metaphysics and the role of the antinomies in his so-called “indirect” argument for transcendental idealism. Kant famously holds that transcendental realism entails four contradictions corresponding to each of the four antinomies. For example, in the first antinomy, he argues that if transcendental realism is true, then the world must be both finite and infinite in spatiotemporal extent. I’m interested in exactly why Kant thinks contradictions like this follow from transcendental realism and exactly how transcendental idealism provides an escape from them. In brief, I argue that two claims are at the heart of Kant’s views here. First, he thinks things in themselves must be fully metaphysically determinate in their magnitude properties. Second, he thinks spatiotemporal objects are indeterminate because of the way in which they depend on our minds. So claims about determinacy explain why transcendental realists get embroiled in the antinomies, and claims about indeterminacy explain why transcendental idealists can escape them.
On the moral psychology side of things, I’m currently writing a paper on reactive attitudes and the way in which they sometimes manifest a partial, and not a non-egoistic, concern. The standard Strawsonian view says that attitudes like resentment, gratitude, pride, and shame are manifestations of self-concern, but I’m hoping to show that they’re better understood as manifestations of partial concern. These manifestations of partial concern can be self-oriented, but they can also express the special concern we have for those with whom we stand in close relationships (family members, friends, romantic partners, etc.)
What excites you about philosophy?
I love that in philosophy, one has the opportunity to be both extremely specialized and extremely broad. One can work on questions that almost no one has a stake in, but one can also work on questions that almost everyone has a stake in. I also love that there are always new questions needing answers in philosophy, and even the most well-worked-over problems seem to admit of new and potentially better solutions.
What’s your favorite quote?
When I graduated from college, I moved to Seattle and took up rhythm tap as a hobby. I completely lucked into a class with Anthony Peters, who turned out to be a really extraordinary teacher for beginners. He knew exactly which fundamentals we needed to learn, and in which order, and he also left us with innumerable little bits of wisdom. My favorite was a reminder he would issue at least once per class before counting us into the music: “Remember, loose and relaxed, because it just works better that way.” I remind myself of this often and find it surprisingly applicable to non-dance situations. The point isn’t to stop focusing or to stop trying hard; it’s just that if you can find a way to stay relaxed while focusing and trying hard, things typically do go better.
What would your childhood self say if someone told you that you would grow up to be a philosopher?
My childhood self wouldn’t be sure what a philosopher is, but she’d worry about it being compatible with becoming the next Mia Hamm. My high school self would ask if being a philosopher also meant that I had to be a teacher, and then she’d be horrified. For a reason I can no longer remember, my high school self thought that teaching was the one thing I could definitively rule out. Now I love teaching, so I guess people change!
What cause or charity do you care about most?
The National Down Syndrome Congress. My brother has Down Syndrome, and the NDSC provides a truly wonderful community and resource network for people with Down Syndrome and their friends and families. In fact, even if you have no personal connection to the Down Syndrome community, I’d encourage you to take a look at the NDSC’s website (especially if you are interested in anything related to the philosophy of disability or disability rights!). It’s a charity that is doing real, tangible good in the world, and they have many thoughtful programs and initiatives worth learning about.
What’s your poison? (Favorite drink.)
Anything with Campari: Negroni, Boulevardier, even Campari on the rocks.
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.
