Jay Odenbaugh

I am the James F. Miller Professor of Humanities and Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy at Lewis & Clark College. My main areas of research interest are in the philosophy of science (especially biology and psychology) and environmental philosophy. In the history of philosophy, I am especially captivated by the American pragmatists. Here is my CV.

My research has focused on foundational issues especially in ecology and conservation biology. I recently wrote a short book on models used in these sciences naturally titled, Ecological Models, published by Cambridge University Press. I also have an interesting the emotions — what they are, how they evolved, and are expressed. On that subject I have a book manuscript under review entitled In a Sentimental Mood: Emotion, Evolution, and Expression. It is interdisciplinary exploration of what psychology, behavioral ecology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology have to say about our emotions and their expression.

In the tradition of American pragmatism, I believe philosophy can be deeply practical. It is help us solve the “problematic situations” we face as John Dewey put it.  As recent examples, in 2009 I participated in a working group on the topic of "managed relocation" which is the deliberate movement of species due to anthropogenic climate change. This working group met to discuss the scientific, legal, and ethical challenges that managed relocation presents and our essay on the topic "Managed Relocation: Integrating the Scientific, Regulatory, and Ethical Challenges" has appeared in Bioscience. Here is a press release regarding the paper. In 2013, I participated in a conference and working group on de-extinction at Stanford University. In 2015, I participated in a workshop on denialism in science at Wake Forest University. In 2016, I participated in workshops at the Environmental Law Institute which brought together scientists, journalists, lawyers and one philosopher to discuss how to communicate scientific uncertainty more effectively. And, if you are curious, I was on the radio show Philosophy Talk in a discussion regarding the nature of wilderness and whether, and to what extent, Homo sapiens is simply another part of the natural world. I also gave a keynote address to the Fish and Wildlife Service conference here in Portland. Most recently, I have papers on the conflict between the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) and the barred owl (Strix varia) in the Pacific Northwest and on the philosophy and ethics of de-extinction.

William James noted, “A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.” To understand our beliefs and values is important not only for intellectual reasons but for deeply practical reasons. Beliefs and values have effects — some beneficial and some not. It thus is of profound importance to be responsible for one’s view of the world and my teaching is first and foremost an attempt to bring students to understand and respect that responsibility.