J. McKenzie Alexander 2024

Contact details

Lakatos Building, room 5.01
Office: +44 (0)20 7955 6496
Fax: +44 (0)20 7955 6845
Email: jalex@lse.ac.uk

Brief biography

I am a Professor in Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method in the London School of Economics. From 2012 to 2018, I served as one of the Academic Governors on the Council of the LSE, as well as a member of the Court of Governors. From 2018–2021, I served as the Head of Department.

Before joining the department, I was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Department of Philosophy, University of California - San Diego (between 2000 and 2001). I also visited Carnegie Mellon University during the fall of 2003.

Although my primary field of research concerns evolutionary game theory as applied to the evolution of morality and social norms, more recently I have worked on the foundations of decision theory. I also have broad interests in the philosophy of science and social science.

Below is a short video in which I discuss evolutionary game theory and how it can be applied to questions of philosophy.

Another short video in which I discuss my views on how game theory can underpin an ‘objective but relative’ conception of morality, entitled “On the evolution of morality,” was released in January 2010. A popular article discussing some of the ideas in that video was published by IAI news. In addition, a recording of a public debate between myself, Dr Keith Jensen and Dr Andrew Pinsent on “The evolution of morality” is also available.

Upcoming talks

None scheduled.

Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
London School of Economics and Political Science
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE

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