Diverse paths taken when faced with logical reasoning

Diverse paths taken when faced with logical reasoning

MIT Associate Professor Kevin Dorst Investigates Rationality Amid Ambiguity

In a world where disagreements are often perceived as indicative of irrationality, Kevin Dorst, associate professor of philosophy at MIT, delves into the intricacies of rational thought. His research explores how people apply rationality, or believe they do, and how this shapes our collective reasoning.

Through his work, Dorst is particularly intrigued by the complex interaction between ambiguity and rationality. Consider, for instance, two conflicting studies on the impact of a new housing development on local traffic. Despite both studies being meticulously conducted, each may have flaws that rational individuals interpret differently based on their prior beliefs.

This phenomenon, in turn, challenges the widespread Bayesian conception that people's views converge with the introduction of new evidence. Instead, Dorst's research suggests that rationality may contribute to rather than solve the issue of polarized opinions.

Dorst delves deeper into this topic in his paper "Rational Polarization," published in The Philosophical Review in 2023. He is currently writing a book that explores how individuals can adopt rational approaches but still arrive at disparate conclusions about the world. His work combines rigorous logical arguments, mathematically structured descriptions of thinking, and experimental evidence about cognitive processes to pursue a clearer understanding of rationality.

Dorst shares a lighthearted perspective on the openness of philosophy, "A question can be philosophical if it's important and we don't yet have settled methods for answering it, because in philosophy it's always okay to ask what methods we should be using."

A Missouri native, Dorst initially dabbled in philosophy as a means of following in his older brother's academic footsteps. He completed a bachelor's degree in philosophy and political science at Washington University in St. Louis. Inspired by his experience, Dorst went on to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy at MIT, where he specialized in exploring issues related to how humans reason and the extent to which they think rationally.

Dorst's academic journey saw him work closely with Roger White, Robert Stalnaker, Kieran Setiya of MIT, and Branden Fitelson of Northeastern University. After earning his Ph.D., he spent time as a fellow at Oxford University's Magdalen College before joining the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh. He returned to MIT as a faculty member in 2022.

As a teacher, Dorst values MIT's tradition of engaged instruction, appreciating the speed at which students grapple with theoretical questions and technical complexities.

Dorst's research, extensively published in philosophy journals, currently focuses on writing a book that delves further into the complexities of rationality, addressing issues such as hindsight bias, confirmation bias, overconfidence, and polarization. In addition, he is conducting more experimental research to better understand how people process information and perceive themselves as rational.

In a broader sense, Dorst aims to connect theoretical work on rationality with empirical research on polarization. His work could have implications for philosophy, cognitive science, and other fields, as he encourages researchers to consider how people process information and react to arguments.

1. Within the halls of MIT, where Kevin Dorst serves as an associate professor of philosophy, students engage in the intricate study of rational thought and its influence on collective reasoning.
2. Dorst's current research, extensively published in philosophy journals, includes an exploration of hindsight bias, confirmation bias, overconfidence, and polarization in the context of rationality.
3. Apart from his academic work, Dorst also shares insights into the field of philosophy, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and mental education-and-self-development by stating, "it's always okay to ask what methods we should be using."
4. The faculty at MIT, including Dorst and esteemed scholars like Roger White, Robert Stalnaker, Kieran Setiya, and Branden Fitelson, foster an environment that encourages the exchange of ideas, serving as intellectual mentors for undergraduate and graduate students alike.
5. In his published work, such as the paper "Rational Polarization" in The Philosophical Review, Dorst examines the role of research, including experiments on cognitive processes, in our understanding of rationality and its impact on society.
6. Kevin Dorst's book in progress delves deeper into the complexities of individual perspectives, offering practical advice on how to adopt rational approaches while navigating through the web of conflicting knowledge in various disciplines, including science and personal growth.

Read also: