Julia Banks

My main philosophical interests combine cognitive science and moral theory. My current work explores the relationship between consciousness and moral rights, and this project is quickly expanding to include substantial research on moral rights and morally important features like agency, intentions, and interests, which may be present not only in humans but in (some) nonhuman animals and AI systems. In the past I have written about whether psychopaths are responsible for moral transgressions that arise from their psychopathy and explored (some of) the bioethical questions surrounding the use of deep-brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for psychopathy. In addition to these topics, I regularly find myself curious about questions across many areas of value theory including applied ethics/bioethics, legal and political philosophy, and metaethics.

Papers in Progress:
"Consciousness is Not Necessary for Moral Rights" (2026)