Workshop on Practical Ethics and the Philosophy of Science
March 28-29, 2025 | UC San Diego
Biological conservation is heterogeneous, both in terms of goals and scope. This interdisciplinary gathering will bring together philosophers and scientists to engage in critical dialogues about the moral underpinnings of conservation, the value of biodiversity, and the implications of conservation practices. Both conceptual issues, such as what the purpose of conservation writ-large might be, and individual cases-studies will be discussed, with a focus on ethical issues underwriting conservation.
Organized by Derek Halm, Institute for Practical Ethics Postdoctoral Scholar
Participants
Craig Callender
UC San Diego
Colby Clark
University of Utah
Shermin de Silva
UC San Diego
Drew Dittmer
University of Missouri
Derek Halm (organizer)
UC San Diego
Natalie Jacewicz
University of San Diego
Elis Jones
Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research
Karen Kovaka
UC San Diego
Joaquin Loezhuertas
University of Utah
Roberta Millstein
UC Davis
Jay Odenbaugh
Lewis & Clark College
Andres Oechsle-Garzon
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
Carlos Santana
University of Pennsylvania
Annabelle Tao
New York University
Agenda
Day 1:
9:00 a.m. - Andres Oechsle-Garzon - Title TBD
9:30 a.m. - Elis Jones - “On the epistemic functions of ecosystems”
10:30 a.m - Colby Clark - "A puzzle for theories of ecological function"
11:00 a.m. - Jay Odenbaugh - "Conserving Ecological Function"
11:30 a.m. - Break
12:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Natalie Jacewicz - "Wild individuals"
1:30 p.m. - Drew Dittmer - “Wildlife Management”
2:30 p.m. - Karen Kovaka - "Evidence in Conservation"
3:00 p.m. - Shermin de Silva - "Anecdotes and case studies: What should count as evidence regarding the abilities of wild animals and how to conserve them?"
3:30 p.m. - Break
4:00 p.m. - Annabelle Tao - "Coevolution and the Unit of Selection"
4:30 p.m. - Joaquin Lopez Huertas - “Decolonial Cracks in Planning. Between Indigenous Re-existences”
Day 2:
9:00 a.m - Roberta Millstein - "A Bottom-Up, Integrated History and Philosophy of Science Approach to
Environmental Policy"
9:30 a.m - Carlos Santana - "Making nature count"
10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m - Closing Discussion
Image: Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), by Derek Halm