Heather Salazar - Associate Professor of Philosophy

Education

Ph.D., Philosophy, University of California, Santa Barbara
M.A., Philosophy, University of California, Santa Barbara
B.S., Psychology, Arizona State University
B.A., Philosophy, Arizona State University

Background

My research focuses on a cluster of related issues surrounding the nature, origin, and force of our obligations to ourselves and others. Within this general domain, my current work is on enlightened self-interest both within Western perspectives (neo-Kantian constructivism and philosophical psychology) and Eastern traditions (Yogic philosophy and Buddhism). I argue that as people become better acquainted with themselves and the world, that natural motivations for caring about others often converge with philosophical arguments for governing our relationships with respect, kindness, and love. My teaching often centers on these issues within my classes in Ethics and Personality, Ethics, Ethics Across the Continents, Business Ethics, and Modern and Contemporary Philosophy.

Interests

Metaethics
Normative Ethics
East-West Comparative Philosophy
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophical Psychology
Philosophy of Language
Business Ethics