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My name is Benjamin Winokur, though most people call me Ben (as you should also feel free to do!). I am an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Macau. Prior to accepting this position, I was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Ashoka University from 2022-2023. Prior to that, I was an 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 from 2021-2022.
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 social epistemology, digital epistemology, epistemic normativity, zetetic normativity. These interests often bleed into philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, and (historically) metaethics. You can learn more about my research here.
I have taught philosophy courses across a wide range of topics, not all of which are tied to my research—everything from a graduate seminar on metaphilosophy to a lecture course on climate ethics, with many other courses in between. You can learn more about my teaching interests and experience here.