James H. Moor, professor emeritus of philosophy at Dartmouth College and pioneer in the field of computer ethics, died last month.

Professor Moor is known as one of the founding fathers of computer ethics, owing to his influential 1985 paper, “What Is Computer Ethics?” He also worked on topics in nanoethics, the philosophy of artificial intelligence, philosophy of science, and philosophy of mind. He was recognized for his research on computing and philosophy with the K. Jon Barwise Prize in 2006. You can learn more about his research here and here.

Moor joined the Dartmouth faculty in 1972, after earning his PhD from Indiana University. He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and was an undergraduate at Ohio State University.

He died on September 11, 2024.

(via Patrick Lin)

(If you know James Moor’s birth year, please let me know it so that I can add it to this post. Thank you. UPDATE 1: Thanks to Patrick Lin for providing me with this information.)

UPDATE 2: A memorial notice was circulated via email at Dartmouth. Its contents are below:

Dear colleagues,

I am writing to let you know that James Moor, Daniel P. Stone Professor Emeritus in Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, died on September 11 at home surrounded by family.

An internationally recognized pioneer in the philosophy of computing, computer and AI ethics, and college teaching, Jim was beloved by his colleagues for his humility and kindness. His trailblazing and prescient scholarship proved to be stunningly relevant in our rapidly evolving digital age, and he leaves a lasting legacy at Dartmouth and around the world.

Jim earned a BA in mathematics at the Ohio State University in 1965 followed by an MA in philosophy at the University of Chicago. He served as a National Teaching Fellow at Findlay College for two years before earning his PhD in history and the philosophy of science from Indiana University in 1972.

Jim joined the Dartmouth faculty in 1972 as an assistant professor, primarily teaching Logic and Language, Philosophy of Mind, and Philosophy and Computers. He was promoted to associate professor in 1978, full professor in 1985, and he was appointed the Daniel P. Stone professor in Intellectual and Moral Philosophy in 2009.

In 1985, Jim authored a paper in the journal Metaphilosophy titled “What Is Computer Ethics?” that became a classic and established him at the forefront of the field of computer ethics. In the essay, he argued that computer ethics includes the following: the identification of computer-generated policy vacuums; clarification of “conceptual muddles”; formulation of policies for the use of computer technology; and ethical justification of such policies.

Jim’s many scholarly articles and book chapters that followed paved the way for the development of policies and guidelines for ethics in technology, with such titles as “The Future of Computer Ethics: You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” and “Why We Need Better Ethics for Emerging Technologies.” He also wrote extensively about the Turing Test, the philosophy of AI, and logic, with numerous articles in journals including Philosophy of Science, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, Philosophical Studies, and Journal of Philosophy.

Upon arrival at Dartmouth, Jim created a new model of logic instruction in which direct practice replaced lectures: Students read the textbook and did exercises on their own, tested each class day in the morning, and returned in the afternoon to review their answers with tutors and the professor, moving ahead at their own pace. Top-scoring students were recruited to return as tutors in later terms. President John Kemeny, a distinguished mathematician, called Jim to his office to ask if it was true that a new assistant professor was teaching a course without lectures. Jim came prepared with the final exams from before and after the new model, which showed that scores had gone up. Putting the students in the driver’s seat had made them better learners. Logic courses at Dartmouth have followed Jim’s innovative approach ever since.

Jim’s subsequent textbook, The Logic Book, first published in 1980 and accompanied by original software, was customized for the Dartmouth course—and it became a classic book for logic connoisseurs. The textbook remains widely used today, including here at Dartmouth. Associate Professor of Philosophy Timothy Rosenkoetter, who has taught with the book for years, calls it a “model for all of us teachers in how to explain difficult concepts.” He believes that the book stands among the most influential introductions to symbolic logic.

At Dartmouth, Jim’s classes were often oversubscribed. His course on philosophy and computers was especially popular, in addition to his logic classes.

“I watched Jim teach logic to Dartmouth students a number of times,” Rosenkoetter said. “He was excellent as they worked their way through a derivation at the chalkboard, helping them through a process of elimination to decide on the next step in the derivation. He was always a humane, friendly, welcoming presence.”

Jim also edited many special issues of prestigious journals, such as Ethics and Information Technology and Minds and Machines, which he led as editor in chief from 2001 to 2010. He served as an editorial board member of Ethics and Information Technology and Information, Communications, and Ethics in Society. Additionally, he served as president of the Society for Machines and Mentality from 2001 to 2003; the International Society for Ethics and Information from 2004 to 2008; and the Northern New England Philosophical Association in 2013, among many other leadership roles in the field.

From 2010 to 2014, Jim served as a member of a National Academies of Science committee focused on the ethical and societal implications of advances in militarily significant technologies that are rapidly changing and increasingly globally accessible.

A sought-after speaker, Jim delivered presentations hosted by universities, professional organizations, and conferences around the world, including the American Philosophical Association, the World Congress of Philosophy in Montreal and Boston, the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, the first International Workshop for Foundations of International Ethics, which took place in Kyoto in 1999, and the Computer Ethics Philosophical Enquiry, with talks in Rotterdam, London, Lisbon, Boston, and at Dartmouth.

He led several conferences at Dartmouth, including the third annual International Conference on Computers and Philosophy in 1988, “The Future of the Turing Test: The Next 50 Years” in 2000, a workshop celebrating the 50th anniversary of the birth of the field of AI in 2006, and a conference on nanotechnology and human enhancement in 2007.

Associate Dean of the Arts and Humanities and Professor of Philosophy Sam Levey remembers taking part in the 2000 Turing conference, when Jim led Dartmouth’s participation in the Loebner contest to test Turing’s famous 1930 prediction that within 70 years, computers would succeed in the imitation game—passing as human in teletype conversation—at least 70% of the time. “So we ran a canonical version of the ‘Turing test’ here at Dartmouth,” Levey said. “As it happens, I signed up as a test subject and told Jim we would grind the machines into the pavement. Jim laughed and said, ‘I expect no less.’”

Jim garnered many honors and awards for his research, including fellowships and grants from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. He also received many awards from Dartmouth, including a senior faculty grant, ethics research grant, and Math in the Curriculum grants. In 2003 he was awarded the American Computing Machinery SIGCAS Making a Difference Award, and he received the American Philosophical Association Barwise Prize in 2006.

At Dartmouth, Jim was widely admired for his collegiality. Among his administrative roles, he served on the steering committee for the Program in Linguistics and Cognitive Science and as a member of the Dartmouth Skiway Advisory Committee.

“What especially stands out, when considering his many years of service to Dartmouth and its community, was Jim’s incredible integrity and humanity,” said Associate Professor of Philosophy Christine Thomas. “He was a real gem.”

Professor of Philosophy John Kulvicki recalls Jim’s infectious laugh and sense of humor “that actually made it fun to go to department meetings.” He says that Jim’s generosity and advice “changed his career” for the better. “He was a model for how I tried to help out junior colleagues later on. His presence made Dartmouth better and I have missed him since he retired,” he said.

“Jim told me once, discussing nanotech and a recent medical procedure, that his epitaph would read, ‘Born human, died a cyborg,’” Levey recalled. “Always an extra smile. Jim was a beloved member of our department and community, and a dear friend.”

Senior Lecturer of Philosophy Ann Bumpus also remembers Jim as a “super supportive and generous mentor” to junior faculty. “He was really friendly and always the first to welcome newcomers to the Philosophy department, making sure they felt at home in Thornton Hall and in the Upper Valley,” she said. “If new faculty or staff did not know how to ski, Jim would teach them. If they did know, Jim would show them the best trails.”

Similarly, Professor of Philosophy Susan Brison recalls Jim’s extraordinary warmth. “He was a wonderfully supportive colleague, a cherished friend, and a universally loved member of the department,” she says.

For many of his colleagues, Jim also set an inspiring example of work/life balance. He loved being with his family and teaching philosophy, and happily devoted ample time to both. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Marty Moor; his three daughters and their partners Wendy Wolfe (Mark), Kerry Moor Artman (Chris), and Michelle Moor Coulehan (Ben); his five adoring grandchildren; his sister Marilyn Trokey; and many extended family members who will all greatly miss his warmth, wit, and kindness.

The Dartmouth flag will be lowered on Monday, Nov. 25, and Tuesday, Nov 26 in Jim’s honor.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth

Elizabeth F. Smith
Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences