Departmental

Manuel Vargas RI ’09

Manuel Vargas RI ’09, an associate professor of philosophy at the University of San Francisco, studies moral psychology and moral agency—and how these relate to free will and moral responsibility. At Radcliffe, he is writing a book about the structure and justification of moral responsibility.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a Radcliffe fellow?

Finding time to write in those small breaks between all the meals and talks and lectures happening throughout the Cambridge area.  

Which aspect of your work do you most enjoy?

Writing, or the act of figuring out what I can get away with claiming.  

What is your most treasured possession?

My Internet connection.  

Which trait do you most admire in yourself?

My endless capacity for inane replies to questions that invite self-humiliation.  

Who is your muse?

My wife, Stephanie Vargas.  

What do you consider your greatest success?

Consistently waking up to discover that I’m still here.  

Tell us your favorite memory.

Saying “I do” and having it reciprocated.  

Who are your heroes?

Personally: my parents and grandparents. Professionally: Michael Bratman, Sally Haslanger, G.E.M. Anscombe, and Nietzsche. Superheroically: Kurt Wagner.  

Describe yourself in six words or less.

Puzzled and pleased.  

What would your colleagues be surprised to learn about you?

I dislike gazpacho. I’ve worked as a professional video game tester. I really want to learn how to sew.  

Where in the world would you like to spend a month?

Any place that is quiet, temperature controlled, and free of department meetings.  

Whose tunes do you enjoy?

According to iTunes, Burial, The Mexican Institute of Sound, Rachid Taha, Marvin Gaye, and Depeche Mode. But I think Snoop Dogg ought to be in that group. And no, I’m not making any of that up, and yes, I hate poseur music.  

Name a pet peeve.

Bedbugs. I really dislike them and think the world would be objectively better if they immediately ceased to exist.  

If your life became a motion picture, who should portray you?

Jenette Goldstein.  

What is your fantasy career?

Philosopher.  

What do you see as the biggest hurdle to moral responsibility in today’s world?

An unsteady grip on what features of everyday circumstances enhance and degrade our ability to respond to moral reasons. If we knew more about what contributes to people being better or worse at responding to moral considerations, we could think about ways to construct social arrangements that foster responsibility. That said, I also think one should take policy prescriptions by philosophers with more than a few grains of salt.

Photo by Tony Rinaldo