My research is focused broadly on the concept of ecological ethics, or the moral relationships between human animals and their biotechnologies, nonhuman animals, and the natural environment.

My current research projects include:

The Justification of Environmental Value
Theories of environmental ethics have been developing in the western world, especially in the comparatively-untrammeled United States, since the 1940's. In the current age of ecology, environmentalism is as important as and more relevant than it ever was.  Yet, theories of environmental value are inadequate for at least one of two reasons:  either they fail to offer a sufficient scope, or they fail to offer sufficient justification.  What sorts of strategies for justification exist? What sort of justificatory strategies are needed? My dissertation research attempts to work out a novel, immanent, and scientifically-responsible theory of environmental value that overcomes these two problems.  This novel approach is grounded in a semiotic theory of meaning.

On the Scope of Moral Valuation in Peirce's Semiotics
The theory of signification of American pragmaticist and semiotician C.S. Peirce has led to a rich and complex theory of meaning and value. This project, central to Jonathan's working dissertation, explores zoo- and bio-semiotics to determine the scope of valuation allowed by that theory. Two competing views are at stake: either the Peircean teleological metaphysic broadens the scope of valuation to include all living beings based on their ability to signify, or this teleological approach attributes value only to beings higher on the phylogenetic scale based on a more restrictive semiotic reading. Implications for applied ethics are considered. Related papers are under consideration in Biosemiotics and Semiotica.

Bioethics Seminar Series
Part of the vision of the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue is a strengthened role in engagement and the pursuit of new interdisciplinary opportunities. The Series actively pursues these two main goals. The series gives philosophers, policy-makers, and scientists the opportunity to discuss current issues and establish a strong rapport. With the support of fourteen separate sponsors, the Series continues to press the issue of ethics in science and technology at Purdue and to build opportunities for engagement between philosophy, policy, and science at a campus-wide level. Hosting internationally-recognized scholars brings new perspectives to the Purdue community on these issues. As representing the Philosophy Department, the Series seeks to present traditional philosophical questions in ways that will both engage and inform the University community at large. (www.purdue.edu/bioethics)

The Implications of Pharmacogenomics for Animal Ethics
Pharmacogenomics, the root of personalized medicine, should be supported by those concerned with animal welfare; for, its continued development may lead to a decrease in the scope and intensity of animal testing for medical purposes.

The Tree of Life and Philosophy: The Phenomenological Roots of Terrence Malick (co-edited with Vernon W. Cisney)
This book project aims to produce a volume of essays on Terrence Malick's 2011 film "The Tree of Life", working to draw out philosophical themes from this important piece of cinema, including environmental themes. Leading international scholars in philosophy of film, phenomenology, and media studies are drawn together to speak to these issues.

Baudrillard's Simulated Ecology
Postmodern cultural theorist and philosopher Jean Baudrillard offers us a notoriously hyperbolic semiotic theory pointing toward the rise of simulacra, or groundless representations. This paper, currently under consideration with Sign Systems Studies, argues that this theory has important implications for the consideration of environmental value for the postmodern thinker.

The Terrorism of Jean Baudrillard
Utilizing the postmodern semiotic theory of Jean Baudrillard, Beever explores the root and meaning of terrorism. He argues that, among the many forms of violence, the proliferation of the image is a subtle and violent virulence of signs: the exploitation of the signified through the proliferation of the “murderous image”.  Violence on this level is the violence endemic to terrorism. This project explores Baudrillard’s conception of symbolic violence as the virulence of signs and help us come to terms with the semiotic foundation of terrorism.

RCR/Ethics
Although often conflated, responsible conduct of research (RCR) programs are not programs in ethical education. We can and should more carefully distinguish between these two approaches to careful scientific and social research.

Case Studies in Ethics, Policy, and Science (co-edited with Nicolae Morar)
This edited book explores the relationships between ethics, policy, and science that are central to an ecological bioethics. Specialists in a range of issues including nonhuman animals, the environment, and biotechnologies are brought together to develop this richer conception of bioethics.