Ching-E (Nobel) Ang
Senior Lecturer in Philosophy
Office: LA 246
Education
PhD, Philosophy (2009), University of Florida
MA, Philosophy (2004), University of Florida
BA, Philosophy (2001), National University of Singapore
My philosophical interests are in normative ethics, moral psychology, as well as certain areas of bioethics such as the ethics of stem cell research. Recently, I have also developed an interest in Continental philosophy, in particular, the philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. I am currently trying to work out what a Sartrean ethics would look like.
Even though I enjoy thinking about philosophical problems, I enjoy thinking and talking about philosophical problems with other people even more. In particular, I very much enjoy teaching Introduction to Philosophy, and getting students to form a connection with the ideas and methods of different thinkers from different philosophical traditions.
I am also an avid chess player. I am keenly aware that there is a strong connection between chess and philosophy which draws me to both activities, but I have yet to really figure out exactly what that connection is. Perhaps this is a start: There is no room for existential angst within a chess game. All the pieces know what their roles are, and the end goal (checkmate) is always crystal clear!
Recent Publications
"Positive Freedom as Exercise of Rational Ability: A Kantian Defense of Positive Liberty", The Journal of Value Inquiry, Volume 48, Issue 1 (March 2014), pp. 1-16, DOI:10.1007/s10790-013-9399-4.
"Procrastination as Rational Weakness of Will," The Journal of Value Inquiry, Volume 46, Issue 4 (2012), pp. 403-416, DOI: 10.1007/s10790-013-9357-1.
Courses Taught
4425/5525: Existentialism
4400/5500: Philosophy of Art
2230: Medical Ethics
1103: Introduction to Ethics
1101: Introduction to Philosophy