Jesse Gray is an early career researcher studying shifting responsibilities among healthcare professionals and patients with the introduction of mobile health technologies. You can learn more about this project here.
What is your favorite book of all time? (Or top 3). Why? To whom would you recommend them?
Reasons and Persons is one of the most enjoyable, and intellectually fulfilling books that has ever been written. Parfit’s distinctive writing style, commitment to clarity, and passion for analyzing what it is that truly matters, make it a must read for all. The pithy title and mystifying cover artwork put one in the mood for deep reflection, even before a single page has been turned. The book is a bit daunting, and at times quite challenging, which make the completion of it all the more satisfying.
What excites you about philosophy?
Everything! Early in my philosophy career I was more certain about my beliefs than was warranted. This certainty often led to a greater understanding of the subject material, as my beliefs and thoughts were often undermined through simple philosophical examples. Much of my philosophy career has been “try and revise,” and although this can be at times uncomfortable and downright frustrating, I truly value it. Epistemic revisions open up a fresh world to explore, and lead to collaboration with others. It’s rarely a bad day when I find out I was wrong—or even better, half-right.
What technology do you wish the human race could discover/create/invent right now?
I wish we could develop or create technologies that would enable us (as a species) to be more reflective and critical of our own beliefs—rather than by default being critical of the beliefs of others. Technologies such as genetic engineering, brain computer interfaces, or for those who prefer environmental solutions, a more effective education regiment, would be welcome.
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would that be and why?
I find the thought of being someone else unsettling in many ways. My chief worry is that I would no longer exist, “I” would not be “them,” whoever that person would be. Less worrisome, but still deeply unsettling, is that if I somehow survived, and could enjoy being another person for just one day, what would it be like if that person did everything I hated, but they enjoyed, in that day? Would “I” now love attending the rodeo? Would “I” be first in line for the latest romcom? Or would “I” be spending my day writing an article—that I would rather have not written?
I was once told by an undergraduate advisor that “philosophy will ruin your life.” In some ways he was wrong, but in many ways he was right.
What is your favorite thing that you’ve written?
My first solo publication, “Radical Enhancement as a Moral Status De-Enhancer,” is perhaps my favorite publication thus far. It presents a novel and original argument that radical human enhancement is likely to lead to a reduction in moral status, contrary to the conventional wisdom that suggests moral status will be increased. Outside of the central thesis, it gave me an avenue to explore the intersection of biology, technology, and philosophy, which is becoming ever more useful in contemporary society.
What are you working on right now?
I have recently joined the Disruptive Innovations in Medicine (DIME) team at the University of Gent in Belgium. I will be exploring how responsibility shifts between healthcare professionals and their patients, with the introduction of new mobile healthcare technologies, clinical decision support tools, assistive robots, virtual chatbots, and mobile applications. These innovations all serve to transform the patient-doctor relationship, and will quite possibly change who is responsible when beneficial or adverse events occur. I find this project especially exciting, as it gives room to make theoretical contributions in the area of responsibility, as well as practical contributions for healthcare actors and patients.
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.
