Patrick Williamson

Uehiro Scholarship for Future Generations

Joining us from: Australia
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​DPhil Philosophy (2022)

I am a third-year DPhil student in Philosophy. My research examines our obligations of beneficence (our obligations to 'do good') and our obligations of non-maleficence (our obligations to 'do no harm'). I am especially interested in how obligations of both sorts should be understood when we find ourselves making decisions in conditions of risk and uncertainty. My research has important implications in a wide range of areas – it informs how we should think about topics as diverse as rescue, effective altruism, healthcare, climate change, and future generations. I am originally from regional Australia, and would not have been able to pursue my studies in practical ethics without the generous support of the Uehiro Foundation, for which I am deeply grateful. I am also extremely thankful for the opportunity to connect with so many other Uehiro scholars working on diverse and important issues in practical ethics.