Jason Breen

Background

About Jason Breen

I’m a philosopher working at the crossroads of human rights, law, applied ethics, and socio-technical systems because I believe understanding how we define and justify our moral communities is more urgent than ever, especially as new technologies challenge the frameworks we’ve long relied on. My teaching and research explore how philosophical traditions, spanning from the Enlightenment to postcolonial thought, shape our understanding of rights and justice. I engage with applied ethics topics, such as just war theory, environmental ethics, and bioethics, while also examining how emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), create both new risks and opportunities for advancing human rights in practice. To deepen my engagement with these challenges and build stronger bridges with technologists, I’m actively developing skills in AI governance, data analysis, SQL, Python, and Tableau — tools that complement my philosophical expertise by expanding my research capabilities and enhancing my ability to contribute to meaningful policy discussions. Recently, I designed a 12-week Human Rights curriculum that combines both ideal and non-ideal theory, tackling pressing normative questions about international aid, sanctions, and military intervention. The course also addresses the real-world complexities involved in applying human rights norms across different countries and contexts. This curriculum reflects my commitment to connecting rigorous philosophical analysis with practical challenges, helping students grasp not only what justice looks like in theory but also how it can be pursued responsibly in practice. I’m motivated by a desire to bring clarity and critical thinking to conversations about responsible governance and human dignity. I want to work with organizations that value thoughtful, informed approaches to ethics and policy, where interdisciplinary collaboration leads to real, positive change.