Research

My research has focuses on three areas: belief control, rationality, and social moral epistemology. 

My current focus is a book that I am writing on the origin of the notion of rationality in the 17th century, along with its development in the 18th century. The book is entitled, The Invention of Rationality and Faith's Retreat.

Regarding belief control, I've developed a number of empirical studies concerning the possibility of voluntary belief (with Liz Jackson). These are a response to the so-called psychological argument against doxastic voluntarism.  

Several years ago, I carried out a series of studies (in collaboration with Jonathan Spelman) on whether philosophical ethics is marked by widespread and balanced disagreement. I've found that it is not (see my "Ethics Data" page).  I am now working on developing a methodology for measuring ethicists moral judgments concerning the ethics of AI (with Erich Riesen). 

Book:

Locke's Twilight of Probability: An Epistemology of Rational Assent (Routledge, 2022)

(preview) (introduction)

Review by Giorgio Trianni: 

"Boespflug’s study stands as a thought-provoking contribution to Locke scholarship. By zeroing in on the centrality of assent, the book invites a critical reconsideration of Locke’s philosophical intentions. Additionally, Boespflug smoothly bridges Locke’s views with present-day developments in philosophy. The book’s engagement with contemporary debates is particularly praiseworthy: it skillfully avoids the pitfalls of anachronism while bringing Lockean ideas to bear upon current issues. If at times the arguments’ ambition invites further scrutiny – for example, regarding the claim that Locke’s [theory of rational probable assent] surpasses his theory of knowledge in importance – it is precisely this boldness that makes the work so intellectually stimulating. For these reasons, Locke’s Twilight of Probability should be of great interest not only to scholars of early modern philosophy but also to historically attuned scholars engaged in contemporary discussions on the epistemology of belief and testimony."

Work in Progress:            

“Doxastic Voluntarism” (with Liz Jackson) 

Entry for the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

“Moral Enthusiasm” 

Invited contribution to a special of Studi Lockiani on the theme “Locke and Religion"