Jesse Hamilton is a Ph.D. student in Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania. His primary research areas are in ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of science. Previously, Jesse served in the U.S. Army and worked in finance.
What excites you about philosophy?
There’s something so exciting to me about looking around and asking: what is this thing, problem, phenomena, or practice; and how should we think about it? I spent most of my adult life outside of academia and didn’t really question the world around me. I accepted everything for what it was and didn’t think much of it. Something I do now, and where I hope to contribute to the field, is to reflect on my experiences in the military and in business and think critically about the assumptions, beliefs, and structures that underpin those institutions.
Which book changed your life? In what ways?
I wouldn’t be where I am now if not for Peter Singer’s Practical Ethics. While in the U.S. Army, I spent a year as an embedded advisor to the Iraqi Army in Fallujah, Iraq. In addition to being terribly violent, war is a morally treacherous environment. I often tell people that there was a moral dilemma lurking around every corner in Fallujah, literally and figuratively. And it wasn’t long before I felt that I was losing my humanity. So, when I was home on mid-tour leave, I went to the philosophy section of a local bookstore, hoping to find something to ground my morality. I didn’t know much about philosophy, and “practical ethics” seemed like the kind of book I needed. Looking back, it’s hard to say if I directly applied anything from the book to my decisions on the ground in Fallujah, but it did spark a lifelong interest in philosophy.
What are you working on right now?
Besides a few papers, I’m currently running a philosophy reading group with a few friends in my Ph.D. program. But it’s not a typical reading group — our goal is to bring together philosophy professors and graduate students with a diverse group of people outside of academia to discuss topics of philosophical interest. I think both groups benefit. Philosophy has a lot to offer to the general public, and the general public has a lot to offer to us as philosophers. The view of the world from the armchair or the so-called “ivory tower” may not be as clear as we think, and the non-philosophers offer keen insight into real-world issues that academics may not be privy to.
What is your favorite thing that you have written?
I wrote an opinion piece in the Tampa Bay Times on military service members’ allegiance to the Constitution in the wake of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Like many Americans, I was appalled and concerned for the future of our democracy. At the time, many people were worried that the military might get involved, or worse, choose sides. Having served in the U.S Army for almost nine years, I knew the force of each service member’s oath to the Constitution. To be sure, some former service members broke their oath that day at the Capitol. But on the whole, I was confident most service members would remain apolitical before and after the inauguration. Thankfully, that’s what happened.
What is your favorite film of all time? Why?
Without a doubt, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, a western starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Katherine Ross. It has all the elements of a great movie — a captivating plot, stellar acting, subtle humor, original music, and beautiful scenery. On a more personal level, I’ve always found something enchanting about life in the West. My great-grandfather was a cowman in the Dakota Territory during the 1880s, and I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live that sort of life.
What cause or charity do you care about most?
I live in Philadelphia and care deeply about our community. I volunteer with Action Tank, a veterans service organization that aims to tackle tough problems, like opioid addiction, gun violence, vanishing tree canopy, and other issues related to social determinants of health in the Philadelphia community.
Which superpower would you like to have?
I want the ability to Φ. I’m not sure exactly what that entails, but it seems like philosophy’s thought experiment superheroes — legends like Smith, Jones, X1, and X2 — can all Φ. And although mere mortals like me can obviously not Φ with ease, that’s clearly not as cool as being able to Φ.
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.
