Dr. Christian Tarsney

Assistant Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Christian Tarsney. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Christian Tarsney works primarily in ethics, focusing on ethically motivated decision-making under conditions of uncertainty. He explores significant philosophical questions such as the relevance of tiny probabilities when considering extreme outcomes and the implications of uncertainty on basic moral principles. His interests also encompass how choices can influence the magnitude of future populations and the philosophical dilemmas associated with artificial intelligence, including what it means for an AI system to be 'deceptive' and the power-seeking behaviors of AI agents. Additionally, Tarsney is intrigued by the philosophy of time, particularly the concept of 'future bias,' which reflects a strong but difficult-to-justify preference for positive experiences in the future over those of the past. He earned a PhD from the University of Maryland and has held research positions at the University of Groningen's Centre for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Oxford's Global Priorities Institute, and UT Austin's Population Wellbeing Initiative.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of Toronto

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:93
Prerequisites
Appropriate four-year bachelor's degree Background in sociological theory and statistics preferred
Application Checklist
  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of reference
  • Statement of intent
  • Writing sample
  • Curriculum Vitae
Specialization Notes

Department of Sociology