What were your favorite philosophy courses at UCLA?
Philosophy of Psychology and Kant with Tyler Burge.
Are there any philosophical issues, readings, or topics that have stayed with you since graduation?
I am currently working on a thesis on the nature of reality and perceptual/representational content formation, using traditions in the philosophy of mind, psychology, cognitive science, and quantum mechanics.
Have you read any philosophy recently that you would recommend?
- Origins of Objectivity by Tyler Burge.
- Representation and Reality by Hilary Putnam.
- Naming and Necessity by Saul Kripke.
- Physicalism and the Mind by Robert Francescotti.
- The Interface Theory of Perception by Donald Hoffman.
What was your first job or endeavor after UCLA?
My first job after graduating from UCLA is the job I currently hold now, I am currently an instructor at San Diego State University (SDSU). I teach critical thinking and composition, in the philosophy department at SDSU. Being an instructor has been the most rewarding job I have had. The interactions with my students alone has consistently justified my choice to pursue a career in academia.
What lessons or skills from philosophy do you use in your career?
I am currently an instructor at San Diego State University, I teach critical thinking to undergraduate students. The skills that I honed at UCLA (especially argumentative and literary critiquing) have been helpful in my approach to teaching. The rigours of philosophical instruction at UCLA has allowed me to teach critical thinking strategies, effectively, to young students that are looking to start/pursue (or, are interested in) further study into philosophy.
Do you have advice for current students or recent graduates about how to take advantage of and continue their philosophical education?
The best advice I can give to current students is to get to know their instructors/professors as much as they can. While your instructors are a wealth of knowledge and information, and seem to be just another mode of access to that information, they are also quite interesting people. The best times I’ve had at UCLA were not only the classes I enjoyed, but the time I invested in speaking and getting know some of my professors.