Brie Gertler
Encyclopedia
Brie Gertler is a philosopher who works primarily on problems in the philosophy of mind
. A mind-body dualist
, she is presently a teaching associate professor at the University of Virginia
. Her special interests include introspection
, consciousness
and mental content.
Among Gertler's other fields of study are epistemology and the philosophy of language
. She has edited Privileged Access (2003), an anthology of papers on self-knowledge, and co-edited (with Lawrence Shapiro
) "Arguing about the Mind" (2007), a reader in the philosophy of mind.
in June 1989 and an MA at the University of Pennsylvania
three years later. In June 1997, she was granted a PhD by Brown University
.
Gertler first found employment as an assistant professor at The College of William & Mary, where she worked from 1997 to 2001, before moving on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, where she earned tenure. She moved to her present position in 2004.
- and Russ Shafer-Landau-edited Reason & Responsibility, Gertler contributed a paper in support of dualism. It explored the fundamentals of the mind-body problem and defended her philosophy against charges of "spookiness". Her argument is founded on the claim that, in feeling pain, we know the essence of the mental state of pain.
Philosophy of mind
Philosophy of mind is a branch of philosophy that studies the nature of the mind, mental events, mental functions, mental properties, consciousness and their relationship to the physical body, particularly the brain. The mind-body problem, i.e...
. A mind-body dualist
Dualism
Dualism denotes a state of two parts. The term 'dualism' was originally coined to denote co-eternal binary opposition, a meaning that is preserved in metaphysical and philosophical duality discourse but has been diluted in general or common usages. Dualism can refer to moral dualism, Dualism (from...
, she is presently a teaching associate professor at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. Her special interests include introspection
Introspection
Introspection is the self-observation and reporting of conscious inner thoughts, desires and sensations. It is a conscious and purposive process relying on thinking, reasoning, and examining one's own thoughts, feelings, and, in more spiritual cases, one's soul...
, consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
and mental content.
Among Gertler's other fields of study are epistemology and the philosophy of language
Philosophy of language
Philosophy of language is the reasoned inquiry into the nature, origins, and usage of language. As a topic, the philosophy of language for analytic philosophers is concerned with four central problems: the nature of meaning, language use, language cognition, and the relationship between language...
. She has edited Privileged Access (2003), an anthology of papers on self-knowledge, and co-edited (with Lawrence Shapiro
Lawrence Shapiro
Lawrence Shapiro is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States. His research focuses in the philosophy of psychology. He also works in both the philosophy of mind, and philosophy of biology....
) "Arguing about the Mind" (2007), a reader in the philosophy of mind.
Education and employment
Gertler has written numerous papers on her research and is a seasoned book reviewer. She received an BA with High Honours in Philosophy from Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college in the United States with an enrollment of about 1,500 students. The college is located in the borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia....
in June 1989 and an MA at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
three years later. In June 1997, she was granted a PhD by Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
.
Gertler first found employment as an assistant professor at The College of William & Mary, where she worked from 1997 to 2001, before moving on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, where she earned tenure. She moved to her present position in 2004.
"In Defence of Mind-Body Dualism"
To the thirteenth edition of the Joel FeinbergJoel Feinberg
Joel Feinberg was an American political and social philosopher. He is known for his work in the fields of ethics, action theory, philosophy of law, and political philosophy as well as individual rights and the authority of the state...
- and Russ Shafer-Landau-edited Reason & Responsibility, Gertler contributed a paper in support of dualism. It explored the fundamentals of the mind-body problem and defended her philosophy against charges of "spookiness". Her argument is founded on the claim that, in feeling pain, we know the essence of the mental state of pain.
Awards
- University of Virginia Summer Grant (Summers 2005, 2007).
- Fellow, Institute for Research in the HumanitiesHumanitiesThe humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
, University of Wisconsin (Autumn 2004: declined). - University of Wisconsin Summer Research Funds (Summers 2002, 2003).
- College of William and Mary Summer Grant (Summer 2000).
- NEH Stipend to attend a seminar on folk psychologyFolk psychologyFolk psychology is the set of assumptions, constructs, and convictions that makes up the everyday language in which people discuss human psychology...
, led by Robert Gordon UniversityRobert Gordon UniversityRobert Gordon University is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Building on over 250 years involvement in education, it was granted university status in 1992. Robert Gordon University currently has approximately 16,407 students at its two campuses at Garthdee and the City Centre, studying on over 145...
(Summer 1999). - NEH Summer Grant (Summer 1998).
- Brown University President's Award for Teaching Excellence (Spring 1996).