My name is Benjamin Winokur, though most people call me Ben. I will be Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Ashoka University during the 2022-2023 academic year. Previously, I was Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at York University (where I received my Ph.D in philosophy in 2021) and Adjunct Professor of Business Analytics at Seneca College.

Prior to my doctoral studies, I received an M.A in philosophy from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2014, and a B.A with joint honours in philosophy and peace and conflict studies from the University of Waterloo in 2013.

Most of my research takes place at an intersection of contemporary analytic epistemology and philosophy of mind. First, I investigate whether, when, how, and to what extent human beings have self-knowledge of their current mental states. Often, this research requires developing theories about the natures of the mental states at issue. Second, I explore the instrumental value and functions of such self-knowledge. Third, I consider social-epistemic questions about self-knowledge, such as whether it explains the trust that others seem to owe us when we attribute mental states to ourselves, and whether self-knowledge differs fundamentally from our knowledge of other minds.

I also have wider interests in various kinds of epistemological skepticism, social epistemology, digital epistemology, and epistemic normativity. These interests often bleed into philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, and (less often) metaethics. You can learn more about my research here.