Russell Blackford

PhD, Faculty of Arts

Dr Russell Blackford with a PhD in Philosophy has made a rigorous contribution to some of society's big debates.

Fed up with what he saw as irrational responses and inadequate analysis clouding discussion of important social issues concerning emerging technologies, the Arts and Law graduate wanted to find a way to make a systematic and reasoned impact on the debate.

"I've become convinced of the need for rational criticism of popular, yet often harmful, assumptions about the world and society," he said.

"New technologies that could enhance human capacities are commonly greeted with hostility that cannot be rationally justified. We need to identify the real problems and avoid a public policy response based on doubtful moral theories or on vague anxieties about the future. My ambition to provide a philosophical critique of all this led me to pursue a doctoral program where I could focus on the issues."

At Monash Dr Blackford found he could unite his passions for law and public policy with more philosophical interests. And he has been able to add his voice to a global debate. He has published widely and delivered papers at several conferences, and has developed contacts and found collaborators around the globe. Early in his candidature he was offered, and accepted, an honorary Fellowship with the US-based Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, and has recently become editor-in-chief of its online peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Evolution and Technology.

But the biggest impact has been on his own world view. Shaped by research, the guidance of his academic supervisors and the work of his peers he now has a better understanding of the contribution he wants to make.

"My view of the world has been extended and deepened," he said. "I have a much better - and more fundamental, theoretically rigorous - account of how I see the world overall."