PhD Candidate · Philosophy
Ramy Amin
I work on philosophy of science, computation, and AI, with a focus on computational explanation, physical computation, and the role of abstraction and idealization in cognitive and neuroscience.
Research
My dissertation investigates computational explanation in cognitive and neuroscience. I examine how computational models contribute to scientific explanation, as well as whether their explanatory success depends on the brain literally implementing computations. I defend a more deflationary account of how computational approaches explain.
Specialization
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of Computation / AI
Philosophy of Computation / AI
Competence
Philosophy of Mind
Metaphysics · Ethics
Metaphysics · Ethics
Dissertation
Deflating The Computational Mind
Publications
Papers & Chapters
FC
No Theory of Implementation: Computational Neuroscience and the Search for Physical Computation
Philosophy of Science Forthcoming
2026
Neurobiological Computation and the Challenge of Physical-Computational Equivalence
MetaScientia: Journal of the History and Philosophy of Science
↗ MetaScientia
2026
The Asymmetry of Uptake: Medicalization and Demarginalization of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Southwest Philosophy Review 42, no. 1 (2026): 53–63
↗ Southwest Philosophy Review
2021
On Phenomenal Concepts: The Ontological Question
Denken. Reden. Handeln: Nachträge zu einem Salzburger Symposium mit Georg Meggle. Universitätsbibliothek Salzburg, pp. 451–464
↗ Universitätsbibliothek Salzburg
Reviews & Commentaries
2024
Review of Mental Causation: A Counterfactual Theory by Thomas Kroedel (CUP, 2021)
PSA Newsletter, Short Read by Grads
↗ PSA Newsletter
Selected Translation
2019
Robert J.C. Young, "Fanon, Revolutionary Playwright" [Arabic translation]
Alif: Journal of Comparative Poetics, no. 39, pp. 173–192
↗ Alif no. 39 on JSTOR
Edited Volume
2020
Managing Editor, Alif: Journal of Comparative Poetics, No. 40: "Mapping New Directions in the Humanities"
↗ AUC Knowledge Fountain
Presentations
Talks
2026
No Theory of Implementation: Computational Neuroscience and the Search for Physical Computation
30th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association [PSA] — San Diego, CA
2026
Neurobiological computation and the challenge of physical-computational equivalence
Philosophy & Neuroscience @ The Gulf IX — Pensacola, FL
2026
No Theory of Implementation: Computational Neuroscience and the Search for Physical Computation
Midwest Philosophy and Computing Workshop — Lawrence, KS
2026
The Dual Mandate of Explainable AI
16th Biennial Congress of HOPOS — Columbus, OH
2025
The Asymmetry of Uptake: Medicalization and Demarginalization of Autism Spectrum Disorder
87th Annual Meeting of the Southwestern Philosophical Society — Savannah, GA
2025
Everything is a Continuum: From Single Neurons to Populations and Beyond
A Population Doctrine in Neuroscience Workshop — Pittsburgh, PA
2025
The only way out is not through: DNNs and the interpretability problem
Philosophy & Neuroscience @ The Gulf VIII — Pensacola, FL
2024
The Philosopher's Error: Levels, Causation, and Constraints
29th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association [PSA] — New Orleans, LA
2024
No Theory of Implementation: Physical Computation Between Biological Complexity and Idealization
Philosophy & Neuroscience @ The Gulf VII — Pensacola, FL
2024
Real or Not, It Matters Not: Newton's Gravity as Weak Emergence
15th Biennial Congress of HOPOS — Vienna, Austria
2024
Commentary on Fiona Macpherson's "A problem for determining the structural features of experience"
115th Annual Meeting of SSPP — Cincinnati, OH
2024
The Asymmetry of Uptake: Medicalization and Demarginalization of Autism Spectrum Disorder
33rd Annual APPE International Conference — Cincinnati, OH
2023
The Philosopher's Error: Levels, Causation, and Constraints
International Society for the History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Biology [ISHPSB] — Toronto, Canada
2023
A Taxonomy of Seemings
IRiS Ignite: An Annual Expo & Festival of Sensing — Cincinnati, OH
Posters
2026
Engaging Science: Transforming Graduate Education through Public Engagement with Science
30th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association [PSA] — San Diego, CA
Co-presented with colleagues from the Center for Public Engagement with Science, University of Cincinnati
2024
The Great Wars of Explanation: Mechanism, Dynamicism, and the Search for Properties
Philosophy of Science: Past, Present and Future — Minneapolis, MN
2024
No Theory of Implementation: Physical Computation Between Biological Complexity and Idealization
Philosophy of Biology at the Mountains [POBAM] — Salt Lake City, UT
Public Engagement
2026
Finalist, 3-Minute Thesis Competition
University of Cincinnati
2024
Does Knowledge Make Us Better People?
YouTubeScience on Tap — Cincinnati, OH
2024
Is Philosophy Dead?
YouTubePEWS Student Profiles — Center for Public Engagement with Science, University of Cincinnati
2024
The Allergic Experience: Philosophical Reflections on Immune Reactions
YouTubeScience on Tap — Cincinnati, OH
2023
Does Knowledge Make Us Better People?
Household Books — Cincinnati, OH
2023
Public Engagement with Philosophy in Egypt
Center for Public Engagement with Science — University of Cincinnati
Teaching
University of Cincinnati
PHIL 3042
Philosophy of Psychology
TA
American University in Cairo
RHET 1020
Research Writing: Creativity and Innovation
Instructor
RHET 1010
Freshman Writing: How do we know what's true?
Instructor
CORE 1010
Freshman Seminar: How do we know what's true?
Instructor