Jeremy Leveque

B.A. (British Columbia), M.A. (Queen's) 
Ph.D. Candidate

Research Interests

Ontology and epistemology; social and critical theory; political economy; genetic commodification and engineering; ecological philosophy; philosophy of science; chaos theory; ethics

Current Project

Working under the supervision of Dr. Myra Hird, my doctoral research explores the relationship between political economy and the commodification and modification of human genes. Utilizing a combination of ecological and realist positions, I am investigating not only the underlying causes of the push towards greater levels of genetic modification but the possible ramifications of such an endeavour. While genetic modification has the potential to be beneficial, the decisions we make now, based on seemingly rational short-term interests, may be followed by profound unforeseen and unpredictable consequences. In the course of my research I hope to explore the philosophical and ecological questions surrounding this issue, exploring what a genetic redefinition of humanity would imply for our understanding of what it means to be human and our place in the planet’s ecology.

Education

• PhD Sociology (in progress) Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
• MA Political Studies (2008) Queen’s University, Kingston, ntario, Canada
• BA Political Science (2007) University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Teaching Experience

• Instructor Emc2 program
• Introduction to Ethics (Queen’s University, May 2009)

Teaching assistantships

• The Development of Social Theory (Dr. Frank Pearce, Queen’s University, Fall/Winter 2009-2010)
• Introduction to Political Theory (Dr. Andrew Lister, Queen’s University, Fall/Winter 2007-2008)