Professor Nelson works primarily in bioethics, b
ut is interested in a number of areas — particularly moral theory (concentrating currently on the surprising results that occur when moral psychology meets the fiction of Jane Austen) and the more speculative reaches of the philosophy of language. She attempts to bring to bioethical questions resources from areas of philosophy that the current discussion tends to overlook. This has been rewarding in thinking through questions in reproductive ethics, pondering the just allocation of medical resources, and considering moral issues involved in caring for demented people. She is also interested in philosophical issues that arise from thinking about intimate relationships — particularly families and family-like contexts.
Professor Nelson's personal web page: http://www.msu.edu/user/jlnelson/
E-mail: jlnelson@msu.edu