Computational Social Philosophy Seminars

Computational Social Philosophy Seminars (CSPS) is a regular international online seminar series, focusing on research that uses or engages with the use of computational tools to address questions in social philosophy.

Upcoming Seminar Presentation

All seminars are on Mondays at 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET / 4:30pm London / 5:30pm Berlin.

Click here to register.

Date: November 24, 2025

• Speaker: Kathleen Creel

• Title: Homogenization and the set of Equally Good Models

• Abstract: Contrary to traditional deterministic notions of algorithmic fairness, we argue that fairly allocating scarce resources using machine learning often requires randomness.  A common strategy for surfacing multiplicity in algorithmic decisions is to create a set of equally good models, the “Rashomon set”. The Rashomon set of equally good models promises less discriminatory algorithms, reduced outcome homogenization, and fairer decisions through model ensembles or reconciliation. However, we argue from the perspective of allocation multiplicity that these promises may remain unfulfilled. When there are more qualified candidates than resources available, many different allocations of scarce resources can achieve the same utility. This space of equal-utility allocations may not be faithfully reflected by the Rashomon set, as we show in a case study of healthcare allocations. We attribute these unfulfilled promises to several factors: limitations in empirical methods for sampling from the Rashomon set, the standard practice of deterministically selecting individuals with the lowest risk, and structural biases that cause all equally good models to view some qualified individuals as inherently risky.

For a complete list of past and upcoming seminar presentations see the Talks page.