Academic Program Manager, Philosophy
Pronouns: he/him/his
Office Location: Baker Hall 161-G
Email: pdoyle2@andrew.cmu.edu
To schedule a meeting: https://go.oncehub.com/PatDoyle
Pat is the advisor for students majoring in Philosophy, Logic & Computation, Linguistics, and Ethics, History and Public Policy. He also advises the minors of Ethics, Linguistics, Logic & Computation, Philosophy, and Societal & Human Impacts of Future Technologies (SHIFT).
How long have you been at CMU and how did you get here?
I've been at CMU since spring 2020. I came to CMU's Philosophy Department and the city of Pittsburgh via Erie, PA, where I lived and worked for the previous seven years. Before coming to CMU, I was a writing and literature instructor at Mercyhurst University.
What is something you love about Dietrich College and/or your department?
Once upon a time, I was an English major. So I hold the humanities near and dear. Yet the Philosophy Department completely turns everything I thought about the humanities on its head. CMU Philosophy is proof that the humanities and social sciences have real world application, from helping autonomous vehicles make better ethical decisions to informing policymakers on public health issues. "What can you do with a Philosophy degree?" you ask. At CMU, we say "What CAN'T you do with a Philosophy degree?"
What was your undergraduate major? How did you end up deciding on it?
Many moons ago when I was an undergrad, I studied Creative Writing. I didn't go to college thinking that I was going to write the great American novel, nor do I have plans to now. I studied Creative Writing because telling stories gives me joy, plain and simple. It didn't take more than an elective called "Reading Fiction" to convince me that I had found my tribe. I think the major found me before I found it.
What activities/hobbies do you like to do outside of work and/or what do you like to do to de-stress or unwind after a busy day?
When I'm not helping philosophers and linguists at CMU, I like to get outside for a run or hike or bike ride. I enjoy traveling and planning long, rigorous hikes or backpacking adventures--preferably in wooded, mountainous areas. I love music and reading books and living a simple, healthy life that is full of adventure and learning.