Stacy S. Chen is a PhD candidate and SSHRC doctoral fellow in the Department of Philosophy and Joint Centre for Bioethics at the University of Toronto. Her research interests are in clinical ethics and global health ethics, informed by her background in international relations and bioethics.
Professional Website: www.stacyschen.com
What are you working on right now?
My doctoral research explores how decisions can be shaped in medical decision-making, and how this shaping impacts the physician-patient relationship and the process of informed consent. A central topic of my work is that the validity of a choice is not determined only by the nature of the options, but also by how the decision-making environment is constructed. Beyond my dissertation work in clinical bioethics, I am also interested in public health ethics, especially issues related to patient advocacy for immigrant and minority communities.
What are you most proud of in your professional life?
Since I work mostly in applied ethics, many of my students have little to no prior experience with philosophy. It makes me proud when my students email me after the course to tell me they’re still thinking about concepts we discussed, even after the course ended, or when the medical students in my ethics seminars tell me that they felt the seminar helped them think through their role in the clinic in a way that they hadn’t considered before. I am glad to know that I have broadened their intellectual curiosity and have made some positive impact this way.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I grew up immersed in the arts, and I try very hard to continue carving out time for creativity and creation. Although writing a thesis is an act of creation, hurdles feel plenty, and breakthroughs feel rare. So, when I get stuck writing, I find comfort in returning to other forms of creativity. I’ve been a dancer and choreographer my whole life, and I’ve continued in this as a member of a dance company here in Toronto. I also love the visual arts, music, and musical theatre. So, I spend my time rehearsing for and performing in shows, attending shows, concerts, or the ballet, finding new artists, commiserating with friends over how expensive photography is these days, seeing films, visiting galleries… Support the arts!
What are your top 3 favourite films? Why? To whom would you recommend them?
Arrival, dir. Denis Villeneuve. It’s difficult not to give too much away, but I love a good plot-driven film that is also visually striking. I also enjoy that this seems to be a popular film amongst philosophers—I’ve had many a great conversation about what it says about free will, time, parenthood, etc. And I’m sure philosophers of language have much to say about it.
In the Mood for Love (花样年华), dir. Wong Kar-wai. This is just a genuinely gorgeous film. Every shot is framed perfectly, the camera work is engaging, and the colors are striking.
Black Swan, dir. Darren Aronofsky. For anyone pondering whether the pursuit of greatness will drive you insane. To be fair, the film seems to be of the opinion it probably will—but isn’t there something almost motivational about real passionate dedication? And, as a former ballet student, I also just love watching ballet in media.
Which books have changed your life? In what ways?
I consider reading When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi many years ago to be the catalyst for my interest in bioethics. I still can’t quite put into words the effect reading this had on me, so I’ll just say it jump-started my thinking about the relationship between medicine and the big questions. Reading The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje as an international relations student made me think about the relationship between states and individuals. It considers the arbitrariness of demarcations between peoples, and how cultures can connect and understanding can emerge even amidst violence. I also find a new favorite quote each time I revisit it—“He wants the minute and secret reflection between them, the depth of field minimal, their foreignness intimate like two pages of a closed book” is a real standout. Finally, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was recommended to me by my English teacher in school—who is probably the greatest influence on my taste in fiction—who promised I wouldn’t hate it when I viewed it with initial suspicion. He was right. It is a beautiful work of magical realism that became the basis of my love of the genre.
What’s your top tip or advice for APA members reading this?
My father has always told me to “be brave, see what happens,” and I think this is great advice. I’ve made connections with colleagues, friends, and colleagues that have become my friends, by simply striking up a conversation at a conference with someone who seems interesting or emailing them after an event. Talk to many people, seek out many perspectives—who knows what you might learn, or what impact you might be able to have.
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.
Jessica Castellani
Jessica Castellani had a unique high school experience attending Toledo School for the Arts, where she played in a percussion ensemble and steel drum band for six years. She earned her dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Toledo. Her primary focus was “the Self” and the mystical experience of losing it. She earned her Master of Arts in Philosophy from The University of Toledo as well, with a specialization in comparative philosophy, Eastern studies, and continental philosophy. She has taught World Religions and Introduction to Philosophy at The University of Toledo both in person and virtually. She is a member of the Buddhist Temple of Toledo, tutors students, and has worked in the service industry for over a decade. In her free time, she likes to spend time outside and with her pets, friends, and family.
