Curriculum Vitae

Leigh Duffy
February, 2020
Email: [email protected]

Education
PhD, Philosophy, 2009. University at Buffalo. (SUNY)
Dissertation: “Modal Illusions: Making Sense of the Necessary A Posteriori”
Abstract: My dissertation focused on the question of modal illusions or illusions of possibility. I argue
against two prominent explanations of the phenomenon, including the Kripkean view that has been
dominant in the history of analytic philosophy. I then propose a better way of understanding why a
person might believe that the impossible is possible. My explanation makes use of the distinction
between epistemic possibility and metaphysical possibility. According to my account, mind-body
dualism is a modal illusion and can be explained away with this theory.
Supervisor: James Beebe
Committee: James Beebe, John Kearns, and Michael McGlone
BA, Philosophy and English, 2000. Geneseo State University (SUNY)

Areas of Specialization
Philosophy of Mind, Epistemology, Meaning of Life, Yoga and Philosophy
Areas of Competence
Emotion Theory, Ancient Philosophy, Buddhism, Logic
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor. Buffalo State College (SUNY). Buffalo, NY. 2019-present
Zen Buddhism
Introduction to Philosophy (two sections)
Meaning of Life (two sections)
Western Ideals of Excellence (for the Honors Program) – HON 300 level
Ancient Philosophy
Yoga and Philosophy

Visiting Assistant Professor (Temporary full-time). Buffalo State College (SUNY). Buffalo, NY. 2014-2019
Senior Seminar on Personal Identity or the Nature of the Self – 400 level
Senior Seminar on Justification, Truth, and Belief (Advanced Epistemology course) – 400 level
Philosophy of Mind – 300 level (one section)
Emotion Theory – 300 level (two sections)
Ancient Philosophy – 300 level (three sections)
Philosophy and Yoga (five sections)
Introduction to Philosophy (ten sections)
Introduction to Logic (three sections)
Meaning of Life (eleven sections)
Western Ideals of Excellence (two sections for the Honors Program) – HON 300 level
Reflections on Life through Reflections of Life (one section of Meaning of Life paired with
Introduction to Theatre in a “Learning Community”)

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Academic Appointments (continued)
Adjunct Professor. Buffalo State College (SUNY). Buffalo, NY. 2009-2014
Philosophy of Mind – 300 level (one section)
Philosophy and Yoga (one section)
Women and Philosophy, team-taught (one section)
Introduction to Philosophy (nine sections)
Meaning of Life (six sections)
Introduction to Mathematical Logic (two sections)
Research Fellow. Experimental Epistemology Research Group (EERG). University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY.
2010- 2012. Experimental philosophy research on epistemology, modal illusions, and cognitive science
of religion. Responsibilities include research, collecting data, analyzing data, and contributing to
scholarly articles.

Adjunct Professor. Geneseo State University. Geneseo, NY. Fall 2009

Writing Seminar: Humans as Emotional Beings (two sections)
Adjunct Professor. Trocaire University. Buffalo, NY. Summer 2009
Introduction to Philosophy (one section)
Instructor with full responsibility for all courses. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. Fall 2005-Fall 2008
Critical Thinking (four sections)
Introduction to Logic (three sections)
Introduction to Philosophy (two sections)
Graduate Assistant. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2004-2005
Research Assistant. Samuel Capen Research Assistantship. NEH Institute on Latin American
Philosophy. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. Summer 2005
Teaching Assistant. Geneseo State University. Geneseo, NY. Spring 2000
Introduction to Deductive Logic. Responsible for tutoring students, grading homework and exams.
Awards
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Award. Presented by student leaders in Student Success at Buffalo State
College. SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. 2014-2015
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. State University of New York. 2012-2013
Excellence in Teaching Award. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2009
Graduate Student Retention Scholarship. University at Buffalo Philosophy Department. Buffalo, NY. 2007

Publications
“Up in the Air as Philosophy: Buddhism and the Middle Path” in The Palgrave Handbook on Popular Culture
as Philosophy. Forthcoming 2020.
“Action and Inaction: Reasons to Act in The Bhagavad Gita.” Cultura, International Journal of Philosophy of
Culture and Axiology (peer reviewed). June 2019
“Yoga, Ethics, and Philosophy.” Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion (peer reviewed). 2017
“Anything is Possible?: Explaining False Beliefs About Possibility.” Grazer Philosophiche Studien –
International Journal for Analytic Philosophy (peer reviewed). 2016

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Publications (continued)
“The Chicken and the Egg-sistential Crisis” in Orange is the New Black and Philosophy. Ed., Richard Greene
and Rachel Robison-Greene. Open Court Publishing. 2016
Review of Kartina Hutchison’s and Fiona Jenkins’ (eds.) “Women in Philosophy: What Needs to Change?”
(Oxford, 2013) in Journal Of Value Inquiry. January 2015
Review of Louise M. Antony’s (ed.) “Philosophers Without Gods: Meditations on Atheism and the Secular
Life” (Oxford, 2010) in Journal of Value Inquiry. February 2014
“What’s Wrong With Childhood Today?” Philosophy Pathways (peer reviewed). January 2014
http://www.philosophypathways.com/newsletter/issue182.html
“How to Find Balance through Yoga and Aristotle’s Teachings” in Yoga – Philosophy for Everyone:
Bending Mind and Body. Ed., Liz Stillwaggon Swan. Wiley-Blackwell. 2011
“Modal Illusions.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (peer reviewed). 2010
http://www.iep.utm.edu/mod-illu/

Works Under Review

“What Would it Take to Be Enlightened?”
“Moral Norm Violations and Counterintuitive Concepts in the Cognitive Science of Religion: Experimental
Philosophy Meets Experimental Theology.” (With James Beebe)
“Unlikely but Not Impossible: New Contributions to the Minimal Counterintuitiveness Debate in the Cognitive
Science of Religion.” (With James Beebe)

Works in Progress
“Is Anything Possible? No! But It Doesn’t Matter”
“Yoga Philosophy” in Yoga Teacher Training Manual. Ed., Sara Szeglowski. (forthcoming, seeking publisher)
Professional Presentations
“Possible or Probable? The Consequences of False Beliefs About Possibility.” Cave Hill Philosophy
Symposium. Conversations XV: Language – Uses and Misuses. Department of History and Philosophy,
University of the West Indies. Barbados. April, 2020
“Up in the Air as Philosophy”. Buffalo State College Philosophy Department Colloquia. SUNY Buffalo State
College. Buffalo, NY. March, 2020
“Is Anything Possible? No! But It Doesn’t Matter.” Invited speaker at Conversations Across the Disciplines,
SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. November, 2019
“What Would it Take to Be Enlightened?” Invited speaker at the City of Good Neighbors Philosophy
Conference. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. April, 2019
“Yoga Philosophy.” Invited speaker at Shine Yoga. Hamburg, NY. January, 2019
“Action and Inaction: Reasons to Act in The Bhagavad Gita.” Buffalo State College Philosophy Department
Colloquia. SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. March 20, 2018
“The Nature of the Self in Yoga Philosophy.” Invited speaker at Shine Yoga. Hamburg, NY. January, 2018
“Action and Inaction: Reasons to Act in The Bhagavad Gita.” Buffalo Women in Philosophy conference.
SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. October 2017
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Professional Presentations (continued)
“Action and Inaction: Reasons to Act in The Bhagavad Gita.” Invited speaker at Ashtanga Yoga Buffalo
Summer Conference. Ashtanga Yoga Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. August 19, 2017
“The Ethics and Philosophy of Yoga.” Buffalo State College Philosophy Department Colloquia. SUNY Buffalo
State College. Buffalo, NY. April 15, 2016
“The Ethics and Philosophy of Yoga.” Society for Indian Philosophy and Religion. American Philosophical
Association Pacific Meeting. San Francisco, CA. April 1, 2016
“Motherhood and the Profession” (with Julie Kirsch). Buffalo Ladies in Philosophy conference. SUNY Buffalo
State College. Buffalo, NY. September 2015
“The Chicken and the Egg-sistential Crisis: Orange is the New Black and the Meaning of Life.” Buffalo State
College Philosophy Department Colloquia. SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. March 2015
“Can My Virtual Life Add Meaning to My Life?’” Buffalo State College Philosophy Department Colloquia.
SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. November 2013
“The Meaning of ‘Life’ and the “Meaning of Life.” Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association
National Conference. Philosophy and Popular Culture Division. Washington, DC. March 201
“Anything is Possible?: Explaining False Beliefs About Possibility.” Northwest Philosophy Conference.
Portland, OR. November 201
“Balance in Yoga and Aristotle’s Ethics.” Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association National
Conference. Philosophy and Popular Culture Division. San Antonio, TX. April 2011
“Balance in Yoga and Aristotle’s Ethics.” Buffalo State College Philosophy Department Colloquia. SUNY
Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. November 2010
“Unlikely but not Impossible: New Contributions to the Minimal Counterintuitiveness Debate in the Cognitive
Science of Religion.” Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Baltimore, MD. October 2010
“Epistemic Possibility Accounts of Modal Illusions.” Buffalo State College Philosophy Department Colloquia.
SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. October 2009
“Similarity Accounts of Modal Illusions.” Society for Student Philosophers Panel. American Philosophical
Association. Vancouver, Canada. April 2009
“Conceivability Accounts of Modal Illusions.” Presentation. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. April 2008
“Conceivability Accounts of Modal Illusions.” Geneseo State University Philosophy Department Colloquia.
Geneseo State University. Geneseo, NY. April 2008
“Quasi-Absolutism and the Frege-Geach Problem.” 8th Annual Graduate Student Philosophy Conference.
Michigan State University. East Lansing, MI. March 2007
“Knowledge of Substance in Aristotle’s Metaphysics.” Midsouth Philosophy Conference. University at
Memphis. Memphis, TN. February 2007

Commentator on Professional Presentations

“The Dispositionalist Gambit.” Northwest Philosophy Conference. Portland, OR. November, 2011
“Meanings of Implication” by John Corcoran. Buffalo Logic Colloquium. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY.
July 2008
“Kant’s Critique of Formal Logic.” Mid-south Philosophy Conference. University at Memphis. Memphis, TN.
February 2007
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Service Activities
Faculty Coordinator for Honor’s Program. SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY Fall 2019-Spring 2020.
Planned networking events for faculty across the disciplines, organized teaching workshops, facilitated
classroom visit program, among other day-to-day faculty related work
Faculty Advisor for Taylor Seymour’s Philosophy Honor’s Thesis, “Vaccinate Your Kids: Epistemological
Problems with the Anti-Vaccination Movement.” SUNY Buffalo State College. Fall 2019-Spring 2020
Committee Member. Technology Roundtable. SUNY Buffalo State College. 2019-2020
Presenter/Yoga Instructor. Buffalo State Honors Program Pop-Up Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness Classes.
SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. 2019-2020
Department Committee Member. By-Laws, Philosophy Department. SUNY Buffalo State College. Fall 2019
Committee Member. Faculty Welfare. SUNY Buffalo State College. Spring 2019
Moderator. Student Research and Creativity Celebration. SUNY Buffalo State College. May 2019
Faculty Advisor for Thomas Carr’s paper and presentation, “The Ethics of Punishment and Reform in
the U.S. Criminal Justice System.” Student Research and Creativity Council. SUNY Buffalo State
College, Spring 2019.
Faculty Advisor for Marissa Marinelli’s paper and presentation, “Epistemic Utility of Depression.” Student
Research and Creativity Council. SUNY Buffalo State College, Spring 2019.
Faculty Advisor for Jasmine Moran’s research, paper, and presentation, “The Philosophical and Psychological
Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation.” Early Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (EURO).
SUNY Buffalo State College. Spring 2019
Speaker. Phi Sigma Tau induction ceremony. SUNY Buffalo State College. Spring 2018.
Gave the faculty speech on the value of Philosophy at the second annual Philosophy Honor Society
induction ceremony.
Moderator. Student Research and Creativity Celebration. SUNY Buffalo State College. May 2018
Faculty Advisor for Julia Hamilton’s paper and presentation, “Yoga: The Missing Link in Hume’s
Bundle Theory”. Student Research and Creativity Council. SUNY Buffalo State College. Spring 2018
Faculty Advisor for E. Elise Cloutier’s paper and presentation, “The Search for Self: Temporal Identity and the
Bundle Theory”. Student Research and Creativity Council. SUNY Buffalo State College. Spring 2018
Committee Member for E. Elise Cloutier’s Philosophy Honors Thesis, “Authenticity as an Ideal: the Importance
of Creating, not Curating”. SUNY Buffalo State College. Spring 2018
Summer Research Fellowship Advisor. Advisor for Nolan Wall’s research and paper, “Sartre and the Sciences”.
SUNY Buffalo State College. Summer 2017
Committee Member. Student Enrichment and Retention. SUNY Buffalo State College. Fall 2016-Spring 2018
Committee Member. Fall Research and Creativity Committee. SUNY Buffalo State College. Spring 2016-
Spring 2017
Co-Founder. Women in Philosophy (WIP) Group. Informal support group for female philosophy majors. SUNY
Buffalo State College. Spring 2012-present
Faculty Advisor for Sarah Caputi, Carissa Handiman, Rachel Saathoff and Sam Wezowicz’s presentation and
website, “Where are the Women in Philosophy?” (With Kimberly Blessing). 15th annual Student
Research and Creativity Celebration. SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. May 2013

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Service Activities (continued)
Guest Coach, Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl. SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo NY. Spring 2013
Assistant for the Undergraduate Ethics Bowl Team. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2008

Professional Activities
Participant. Approved Applied Learning Workshop. SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. January, 2020.
Reviewer. Bentham Science Publishing. 2020
Participant. National Collegiate Honors Council Conference. New Orleans, LA. November, 2019
Reviewer. Cogent Arts and Humanities. 2019
Reviewer. The Southern Journal of Philosophy. 2016
Participant. Writing Workshop (Sue McMillan, leader). SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. 2013
Reviewer. Philosophy and Technology. 2011
Proofreader for John Corcoran. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2004-2011
Grading assistant. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2005-2008
Proofreader for various dissertations. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2007- 2008
Tutor, LSAT exams. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2006-2009
Tutor, Introduction to Deductive Logic. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2005 and 2007
Tutor, Advanced Logic. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2007
Treasurer, Graduate Philosophy Association. University at Buffalo Department of Philosophy. Buffalo, NY.
Fall 2005-Spring 2006
Winter Conference for Teaching Assistants Participant. Sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning
Resource University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. 2005

Professional Affiliations
American Philosophy Association. 2006-present
Buffalo Women in Philosophy (B-WIP) Group. Buffalo, NY. 2014-present
Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association. 2011-2016
Registered Yoga Teacher, 200 Hours. Registered with the Yoga Alliance. 2012-present
Center for Cognitive Science, University at Buffalo. 2006-2009
Society for Student Philosophers, 2005-2009
Graduate Philosophy Association. University at Buffalo Department of Philosophy. 2004-2009

Other Activities
Guest Lecturer. Shine Yoga Teacher Training. Hamburg, NY. January 2019
Volunteer. Buffalo State College Commencement Ceremonies. SUNY Buffalo State College. Buffalo, NY. May
14, 2016
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Other Activities (continued)
Invited speaker. Yoga and Philosophy for the Workplace. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY. November 2013
Presentation of yoga, yoga theory, and meditation to do in the work place stress reduction.
Invited speaker. Introduction to Yoga Practice and Philosophy Seminar, Defensive Arts Dojo. Hamburg, NY.
September 2012. Presented yoga philosophy, relating it to Western philosophy, and lead an hour-long
yoga practice.
Yoga instructor. Shine Yoga. Hamburg NY. Spring 2017-present
Yoga instructor. Defensive Arts Dojo. Hamburg NY. Fall 2012-Spring 2017
Yoga instructor. World Gym. Hamburg NY. Spring 2012-December 2013
Yoga teacher training. Healing Waters. East Aurora, NY. 2011-2012
Volunteer. Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Buffalo, NY. 2006-2009
Fulfillment Manager. National Science Teachers Association. Washington, D.C. 2001-2004 (for the duration of
time in between completing undergraduate degree and beginning work toward graduate degree)
Worked in publications for a non-profit teachers’ organization. Duties included writing, proofreading, and
website management and development.

Graduate Course Work

All course work was completed at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2004-2009.
Epistemology
Topics in Epistemology (audited) (Spring 2008, James Beebe)
Graduate Tutorial: the A Priori (Fall 2007, James Beebe)
Graduate Tutorial: Skepticism (Spring 2007, James Beebe)
Topics in Epistemology: the A Priori (Spring 2005, James Beebe)

Philosophy of Mind/Cognitive Science

Two-Dimensionalism (audited) (Fall 2008, Michael McGlone)
Introduction to Cognitive Science (Fall 2006, Stuart Shaprio)
Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology: Philosophy of Mind (Spring 2006, Michael McGlone)
Emotion Theory (Spring 2005, Carolyn Korsmeyer)
Logic
Graduate Tutorial: Logical Investigations (Spring 2007, John Corcoran)
Philosophical Analysis (Spring 2007, John Kearns)
Philosophy of Language (Spring 2006, John Kearns)
Logical Theory I (Fall 2005, John Kearns)
Modal Logic (Spring 2005, John Kearns)
Introduction to Logic for Advanced Students (Fall 2004, John Corcoran)
History of Philosophy
Topics in History of Philosophy: Berkeley, Locke, and Hume (Spring 2007, Kenneth Barber)
Aristotle (Fall 2006, Jiyuan Yu)
Plato (Fall 2005, Jiyuan Yu)
Ethics
Ethical Theories: Metaethics (Spring 2006, Kenneth Shockley)

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Graduate Course Work (continued)
Teaching
Supervised Teaching (Fall 2006, Kenneth Barber)
Supervised Teaching (Fall 2005, Kenneth Barber)
Teaching Philosophy (Spring 2005, Kenneth Barber)
Other
Writing Seminar (Fall 2008, Neil Williams)
Racial and Ethnic Identity (Fall 2004, Jorge Gracia)
Comparative Philosophical Issues (Fall 2004, Kah Kyung Cho)

References
James Beebe, Professor of Philosophy (University at Buffalo). 716-645-0153. [email protected]
Kimberly Blessing, Professor of Philosophy (SUNY Buffalo State College). 716-878-5136.
[email protected]
John Corcoran, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy (University at Buffalo). 716-645-0154. [email protected]
John Kearns, Professor of Philosophy (University at Buffalo). 716-645-8481. [email protected]

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