I recently wrote a paper entitled “Nudging Towards Inclusivity: The Ethicality of Policies for the Promotion of Inclusion,” which was accepted for presentation at the Bay Honors Research Symposium at Stanford University and publication in the associated academic journal, Think You?!. One of the main topics of my work is the concept of a persuasive policy that is not manipulative. Since the promotion of inclusivity is so important in today’s society, I evaluated the complaint that some inclusion-promoting policies may be coercive and/or reduce autonomy. I worked on this project under the mentorship of Professor Jeremiah Bodnar in the Philosoph…
I recently wrote a paper entitled “Nudging Towards Inclusivity: The Ethicality of Policies for the Promotion of Inclusion,” which was accepted for presentation at the Bay Honors Research Symposium at Stanford University and publication in the associated academic journal, Think You?!. One of the main topics of my work is the concept of a persuasive policy that is not manipulative. Since the promotion of inclusivity is so important in today’s society, I evaluated the complaint that some inclusion-promoting policies may be coercive and/or reduce autonomy. I worked on this project under the mentorship of Professor Jeremiah Bodnar in the Philosophy Honors Program at Las Positas College.
My first memory of a philosophical question is of the day when my first-grade teacher handed out little orange UNICEF trick-or-treating boxes to collect money for families in poverty-stricken parts of the world. I remember wondering whether our lifestyle is ethical considering the impact that even small amounts of money can make on the lives of others. Since then, my list of questions and desire to pursue the answers has only grown. Even the research behind my paper was motivated by the desire to understand the ethicality of selective disclosure, positive or negative. With a better understanding now, I have started a non-profit organization MyNudge, through which I hope to spread positivity via means that are not psychologically manipulative.
Studying the nuances of various philosophical issues in the Honors Program has given me a chance to understand the richness of philosophy as a subject, and also its applicability to pressing societal problems.
Along with Philosophy, I have a strong background in the use of technology in data gathering and analysis. I look at artificial intelligence both from the perspective of technology and philosophy. If machines were to develop the intelligence of a human being, would they be different from humans or not? I can use my background to pursue quantitative research and data gathering/analysis in philosophy.
I am highly motivated to pursue open-ended projects in the field of philosophy.
