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31Small Talk: Nanotechnology and MetaphorSpontaneous Generations 2 (1): 90. 2008.The general topic I am addressing concerns the epistemological role of the use of metaphor in the philosophy of science. More specifically, I am concerned with the role metaphor plays in scientific and technological change. In the case in point, nanotechnology, I will explore the role of metaphor in changing our conception of the confirmation of the plausibility of theoretical notions. The basic idea is that metaphors either offer or suggest images that are meant to persuade one to change one’s …Read more
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Galileo, Human Knowledge, and the Book of Nature. Method Replaces MetaphysicsTijdschrift Voor Filosofie 57 (2): 359-360. 1995.
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6Doing Philosophy: Rescher's Normative MethodologyPoznan Studies in the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities 64 135-145. 1998.
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20The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Technology (edited book)Routledge. 2016.A volume of essays concerned with mapping out future domains in philosophy of technology, it will serve as an excellent text in a variety of courses. Since the future belongs to the young, in addition to established scholars there are many fresh voices featured. The scope of the essays range from data discrimination to space junk and beyond. This volume offers a glimpse into the future of philosophy of technology, laying out the land in contemporary philosophy technology. The organization maps o…Read more
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Human beings as technological artifactsIn John R. Dakers (ed.), Defining Technological Literacy: Towards an Epistemological Framework, Palgrave-macmillan. 2006.
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87The dilemma of case studies: Toward a heraclitian philosophy of sciencePerspectives on Science 9 (4): 373-382. 2001.What do appeals to case studies accomplish? Consider the dilemma: On the one hand, if the case is selected because it exemplifies the philosophical point, then it is not clear that the historical data hasn't been manipulated to fit the point. On the other hand, if one starts with a case study, it is not clear where to go from there—for it is unreasonable to generalize from one case or even two or three.
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45Reconsidering the legacy of Thomas kuhn; editor's introductionPerspectives on Science 9 (4): 371-372. 2001.
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49The myth of science educationStudies in Philosophy and Education 10 (1): 7-17. 1990.It is argued that the manner in which we teach science in the high schools represents an outdated positivistic conception of science. The standard presentation of a year of each of chemistry, biology and physics should be replaced by an integrated science plus history, philosophy, and sociology of science which would take a total of three years to complete. A proper appreciation for the true nature of science is essential to the continued health of the scientific enterprise.
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78Galileo, rationality and explanationPhilosophy of Science 55 (1): 87-103. 1988.It is argued that Galileo's theory of justification was a version of explanationism. Galileo's Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems is to be read as primarily a defense of his theory of the tides. He shows how, by assuming Copernican motions, he can explain the tides, thereby justifying the endorsement of Copernicus. The crux of the argument rests on Galileo's account of explanation, which is novel in its reliance on the use of geometry. Finally, the consequences of his use of geometry, and h…Read more
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11Philosophical Tools for Technological Culture: Putting Pragmatism to Work (review)Isis 94 202-202. 2003.
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24Wilfrid Sellars' Theory of ProbabilityPhilosophy Research Archives 2 445-482. 1976.Wilfrid Sellars attempts to deflect traditional objections to the straight rule of inductive acceptance by embedding it in a complicated system of levels. This system rests on a theory of probability in which the meaning of "probable" is reconstructed in the context of Sellars' general theory of practical reason. To say a statement is probable means, according to Sellars, that there is good reason for accepting the statement as true. In this paper I examine Sellars' attempt to resuscitate the st…Read more
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39The role of inductive generalizations in Sellars' theory of explanationTheory and Decision 13 (4): 345-356. 1981.
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24Hempel Versus Sellars on ExplanationDialectica 34 (2): 95-120. 1980.SummaryHempel's Deductive‐Nomological model of explanation is compared to Sellars' brand of essentialism. The source of their differences is shown to lie in their views on the explanatory role of inductively based generalizations. An adequate explanation requires a reasoned account of why an empirical generalization fails. On Sellars' view this entails concentrating on the nature of the things whose behavior is in question. We thereby remove ourselves from the misleading positivist methodology i…Read more
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5The Discovery of Kepler's Laws: The Interaction of Science, Philosophy, and Religion by Job Kozhamthadam (review)Isis 86 485-485. 1995.
Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
Areas of Specialization
Epistemology |
General Philosophy of Science |
17th/18th Century Philosophy |
Areas of Interest
Epistemology |
General Philosophy of Science |
17th/18th Century Philosophy |