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Black and white photo of Dessa singing into a microphone

Dessa Hits a Career Milestone with Orchestra Hall Performance
Philosophy alum Dessa’s sold-out orchestral debut was met with broad acclaim. The concert’s narrative about jettisoning old love was fueled, in part, by a neuroscience collaboration with the University’s Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. Associate Professor Cheryl Olman (psychology) and researchers Andrea Grant (radiology) and Philip Burton (CLA) started working with Dessa last November to turn her brain into art for an evening of entertainment and education.

Most Philosophers Favor Efforts To Broaden The Discipline
Last year, Valerie Tiberius, professor of philosophy at the University of Minnesota, conducted what she called “The Value of Philosophy Survey.” Over 2,500 philosophers responded to the survey, which asked 24 questions, and in her Presidential Address at the Central Division meeting of the American Philosophical Association (APA) last month, Professor Tiberius discussed the results.
Portrait: Roy T. Cook in his office, sitting in front of shelves full of comic books

The Lego Philosopher
Roy T. Cook doesn’t look like a stereotypical philosophy professor. He doesn’t smoke a pipe, have a beard or wear tweed jackets. Instead, he has a tattoo on his arm depicting the panels on the chest of the R2-D2 “Star Wars” droid.
Side by side portraits: Roy Cook and Chris Nagel

Graffiti, DJs, and Comic Books
Both Chris Nagel and Roy T. Cook spend a lot of time thinking about underappreciated art forms. Nagel argues that street art challenges popular notions of what art is, and holds that DJ sets are no less musical works than is Beethoven’s Fifth. Cook explores the philosophical implications of popular art, including comic books, designer toys, and LEGO sculptures.
Maddy Gluek from philosophy headshot

The Practical Side of Philosophy
Maddy Glueck finds her studies in sociology and philosophy to be complementary. Her research assistantship over the summer gave her the opportunity to apply the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills she developed in both disciplines towards a positive end. Though unsure of her future plans, her studies have provided her with a readiness that is, as she puts it, “good for life in general”, wherever it might lead her.
Image of Melanie Bowman from the Department of Philosophy

Knowledge and Wild Rice Research
Philosophers have long grappled with the question: What is knowledge? But Melanie Bowman considers a different question: How does knowledge belong? Rooting disagreement and misunderstanding between wild rice researchers and the Anishinaabe people in differing attitudes towards knowledge, Bowman highlights the role that one’s conception of knowledge plays in one’s worldview.
Photograph of professor Naomi Scheman

Naomi Scheman: The Study of Trust

What is trust and what is considered trustworthy? Naomi Scheman develops the concept of trust based on philosophical theories and practice. At the University, Scheman evaluates how various University communities experience and create trust. Her passion and commitment are shown through her work with individuals who merge academia and activism.