Academic Profile

About Me

I am currently a Ph.D. student at UCSD working primarily in the philosophy of science and epistemology. My research is focused on the development of machine learning (ML) systems and their impact on the sciences. In one branch of my work, I explore how scientific communities interact with algorithmic tools, and how these tools affect the dynamics of knowledge production. The other branch focuses on how algorithmic tools bear on traditional problems in the philosophy of science, such as scientific representation, confirmation, and modeling. Much of my work is interdisciplinary, drawing on methods and insights from computer science, statistics, and network science, aiming to advocate for modeling and simulation as philosophical methods. Prior to philosophy, I did research in computational geography, training deep neural networks (DNNs) to provide insights into environmental and social impacts on communities.

Research Interests

Philosophy of Science
Formal and Social Epistemology
Agent-Based Modeling and Network Science
Probability and the Metaphysics of Science

Selected Publications

Epistemic Monocultures and the Effect of AI Personalization

O'Brien, Joseph D; Rubin, Hannah; Wong, Kekoa; Fazelpour, Sina (2025)

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, vol. 47

Journal Site

A multi-glimpse deep learning architecture to estimate socioeconomic census metrics in the context of extreme scope variance

Runfola, Dan; Stefanidis, Anthony; Lv, Zhonghui; O'Brien, Joseph; Baier, Heather (2024)

International Journal of Geographical Information Science

Journal Site

Works in Progress

Statistical Practice in the Sciences Draft in Progress

This work explores current statistical practice and its relations to traditional debates in philosophy of science.

Algorithmic Tools and Scientific Communities Draft in Progress

We explore the effects of AI usage on scientific communities through agent-based models.

In-Silico Clinical Trials Draft in Progress

A introductory paper on in-silico methods in the biomedical sciecnes, and how philosophers of science ought to think about the development of these tools.

Siloing Effects in the Sciences Draft in Progress

Using agent-based modeling, this work explores how academic siloing effects scientific progress in cross-disciplinary research endeavors.

Teaching

PHIL 14: Intro to the Nature of Reality - Fall 24 (TA)
PHIL 120: Symbolic Logic - Fall 24 (TA)
PHIL 10: Introduction to Logic - Winter 25 (TA)
PHIL 174: Data Ethics - Spring 25 (TA)
PHIL 28: Ethics in Society II - Summer 25 (TA)

Curriculum Vitae

Download my complete CV for detailed information about my academic background, research experience, publications, and achievements.

Download CV (PDF)

Contact Information

Email: j3obrien[at]ucsd[dot]edu