#philosophy-of-science

#philosophy-of-science

Although there are always some philosophical assumptions behind this conclusion, it's an assumption that isn't contradicted by anything we've ever measured under any conditions: not with human senses, not with laboratory equipment, not with telescopes or observatories, not under the influence of nature alone nor with specific human intervention. Reality exists, and our scientific description of that reality came about precisely because those measurements, conducted anywhere or at any time, is consistent with that very description of reality itself.

For me, philosophy was both an unexpected and inevitable choice. I studied Computer Science as an undergraduate, History of Science for my master's degree, and Philosophy of Science for my doctorate. My intention was to gain a more comprehensive and profound understanding of science from an STS perspective-that was why I switched disciplines. Ultimately, however, philosophy became my profession. This was entirely because I was deeply fascinated by the works of Thomas Kuhn, Imre Lakatos, and others,

Science fiction has long speculated about the possibility of first contact with an alien species from a distant world and how we might be able to communicate with them. But what if we simply don't have enough common ground for that to even be possible? An alien species is bound to be biologically very different, and their language will be shaped by their home environment, broader culture, and even how they perceive the universe. They might not even share the same math and physics.

Academic philosophy, it goes without saying, is increasingly seen as a venerable yet useless relic-a field of human inquiry relevant only at a bygone time, when science (as we know it today) did not yet exist. The scientific, techno-optimist mindset dominant in many circles today-with its emphasis on empirical testability and measurable results-is increasingly seen as the most effective, and efficient, method to address the concerns that have traditionally fallen under the purview of academic philosophy.

What excites you about philosophy? Its application to everything! As an undergraduate, I was able to conduct research with philosophy professors and a philosophy of psychology professor. Now I teach courses on topics such as philosophical engineering and computer science ethics. And because philosophy is the foundational intellectual discipline, I believe it contains all the resources universities need to navigate rapid changes in information technology, political upheaval, social reorganization, etc. By emphasizing deep reading, critical thinking, and embodied ethics,

Physics seems complicated, until you realize why it works so well, says physicist Sean Carroll, revealing the basis of the field's greatest successes: Radical simplicity. Carroll takes us from Newton's clockwork universe to Laplace's demon, to Einstein's spacetime revolution, exploring the historical shockwaves each breakthrough caused. If you've wondered how stripping the world down to its simplest parts can reveal deeper truths, this is where that story begins.