William Conner

I’m Will. I work primarily in epistemology with a focus on social epistemology. I also work in philosophy of mind, primarily focused there on questions about perception. In my current research, I’m especially interested in a species of what we might call ‘bad belief’ — specifically, morally objectionable beliefs. The underlying mission of my research is to figure out how to use the tools of epistemology to discern in greater detail why many people have morally objectionable beliefs, with an eye ultimately towards determining how best to prevent the formation and spread of such beliefs. In addition to my work in epistemology and philosophy of mind, I have interests in metaethics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of science, and ancient Greek philosophy. Before coming to Pitt, I studied philosophy and classics at Wake Forest University, where I wrote my undergraduate honors thesis on Kant and Parfit on personal identity.

Outside of philosophy, I enjoy cooking, playing the guitar, and doing things outside — hiking, biking, camping, and kayaking, really anything!