Note to students: After you’ve watched the videos below, please compose a detailed question for each presenter. Please submit your questions at the bottom of this page by Wednesday, July 1st at 11:59pm (please still do this if you’ve missed the deadline; you will earn partial credit for a late submission).

The instructor of your section will select two student questions to bring into our full-group discussion on Thursday evening.


Philosophy in a Time of Coronavirus

Douglas Ficek, Ph.D.


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Douglas Ficek is Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of New Haven, where he teaches a wide variety of courses – from introductory courses on ethics and logic, to more advanced courses on the philosophies of race, religion, and liberation.  He currently researches the decolonial, liberatory philosophy of Frantz Fanon as well as the theoretical and practical problem of whiteness.  He has published articles and review essays in Radical Philosophy ReviewPhilosophy & Social Criticism, and Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews; he also contributed book chapters to Living Fanon: Global Perspectives (2011), edited by Nigel C. Gibson, and The Onion and Philosophy (2011), edited by Sharon M. Kaye.  He is currently writing a book on whiteness and idolatry.


19(‘s) Acts of Kindness and Altruism: How Pandemics May Bring out The Desire to Do Good

Kento Yasuhara, Ph.D.

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Dr. Yasuhara’s research involves the areas where mental health and criminal justice interact, such as evaluations involving mental state at the time of the offense, violence risk, and competency. Other research interests include current practices in determining defendant’s ability to understand the consequences of pleading guilty and public perception of mental illness as a risk factor for violence and criminal behavior. Additionally, Dr. Yasuhara currently serves on the executive committee of the American Psychology – Law Society as the web site editor.