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42Essays on the Philosophy of Wilfrid Sellars
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60On the Philosophy of Technology, Past and FutureTechné: Research in Philosophy and Technology 1 (1-2): 18-22. 1995.
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82The question is how do Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs) give us access to the nano world? The images these instruments produce, I argue, do not allow us to see atoms in the same way that we see trees. To the extent that SEMs and STMs allow us to see the occupants of the nano world it is by way of metaphorical extension of the concept of “seeing”. The more general claim is that changes in scientific instrumentation effect changes in the concepts central to our understanding of scientific resu…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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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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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
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 |