Theories of time and closed timelike curves. Do our views about time allow for time to be looped? Einstein's theories of relativity allow for warped and twisted structures of space and time, including some that permit time travel. This project shows how both commonsense, traditional and contemporary scientifically-based theories of time can be made consistent with these structures.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102308
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
The physical and metaphysical foundations of structural realism. The aim of this project is to develop a general conception of nature that accounts for the central features of contemporary fundamental physics. It will provide a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding the fundamental physical features of the world.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100414
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,905.00
Summary
Timelessness in physics and philosophy. This project aims to offer a new approach to conceptualising the nature of time focussing on the gap between our everyday understanding of time, and the picture of time inherited from current physics. It is expected that the project will result in the generation of new knowledge that supports science communication, and strengthening research ties between the arts and science.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL140100053
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,629,658.00
Summary
Science and secularisation. Science and secularisation. This project will explore the growth of science in the West and how it relates to a decline in the influence of religion. Specifically, it will investigate whether science has been a major cause of secularisation, and whether the pattern of scientific advance and corresponding religious decline observed in most Western countries is a universal one. This project aims to address a major unresolved issue concerning the relations between reli ....Science and secularisation. Science and secularisation. This project will explore the growth of science in the West and how it relates to a decline in the influence of religion. Specifically, it will investigate whether science has been a major cause of secularisation, and whether the pattern of scientific advance and corresponding religious decline observed in most Western countries is a universal one. This project aims to address a major unresolved issue concerning the relations between religion, science and modernisation. It also aims to shed light on a crucial issue for global security, namely, whether modernisation leads inexorably to secular, liberal democratic states, or whether new forms of technologically advanced, yet intrinsically religious states are possible.Read moreRead less
The place of history in science: reassessing the Darwinian revolution. This project aims to examine how historical representations of Darwin and his revolutionary theory have influenced the shape and direction of modern evolutionary science itself. The project expects to show how certain historical assumptions about Darwin and natural selection have constrained evolutionary thinking in particular ways. Conversely, it will demonstrate how contemporary developments in evolutionary science have cha ....The place of history in science: reassessing the Darwinian revolution. This project aims to examine how historical representations of Darwin and his revolutionary theory have influenced the shape and direction of modern evolutionary science itself. The project expects to show how certain historical assumptions about Darwin and natural selection have constrained evolutionary thinking in particular ways. Conversely, it will demonstrate how contemporary developments in evolutionary science have changed historians’ understanding of the history of evolution. The expected outcomes include a new understanding of the mutual interactions between history and science, capacity building in the field of the history of science, and interdisciplinary collaborations across the biological sciences and humanities.Read moreRead less
Philosophy, the Religious Life, and the Making of Modern Science. This project will enhance our understanding of unique features of Western society-in particular the success and prestige of the sciences and the waning influence of religion and philosophy. This will in turn provide fresh insights into science-religion controversies within the West and will shed light on the distinctive nature of the secular ethos of the West in comparison with cultures (such as some Islamic societies) in which r ....Philosophy, the Religious Life, and the Making of Modern Science. This project will enhance our understanding of unique features of Western society-in particular the success and prestige of the sciences and the waning influence of religion and philosophy. This will in turn provide fresh insights into science-religion controversies within the West and will shed light on the distinctive nature of the secular ethos of the West in comparison with cultures (such as some Islamic societies) in which religious considerations play a dominant role in public life and international affairs. Aside from its intrinsic merits, this project will also further promote Australia's growing reputation as a centre for excellence in the field of early modern intellectual history.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100808
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,792.00
Summary
A philosophical exploration of simulating and controlling the quantum world. This project aims to investigate whether certain types of laboratory systems that simulate quantum mechanics can illuminate the way the quantum world is put together, and how such a move could be justified. Understanding the nature of quantum mechanical systems is notoriously difficult, but specially designed laboratory systems provide clues to controlling the quantum world. The anticipated outcome is insight into the s ....A philosophical exploration of simulating and controlling the quantum world. This project aims to investigate whether certain types of laboratory systems that simulate quantum mechanics can illuminate the way the quantum world is put together, and how such a move could be justified. Understanding the nature of quantum mechanical systems is notoriously difficult, but specially designed laboratory systems provide clues to controlling the quantum world. The anticipated outcome is insight into the structure of quantum mechanics and the controllability of quantum systems. This potentially provides significant benefit to the design and commercialisation of laboratory engineered devices that use quantum effects.Read moreRead less
Biohumanities: Philosophical, Historical, and Socio-Cultural Studies of Contemporary Bioscience. Improving understanding of the meaning and implications of contemporary bioscience, especially genetics and molecular biology, through bioliterate research in the humanities and social sciences, and conversely through better assimilation of bioscience and its significance by the humanities and social sciences. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the Australian scientific commun ....Biohumanities: Philosophical, Historical, and Socio-Cultural Studies of Contemporary Bioscience. Improving understanding of the meaning and implications of contemporary bioscience, especially genetics and molecular biology, through bioliterate research in the humanities and social sciences, and conversely through better assimilation of bioscience and its significance by the humanities and social sciences. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the Australian scientific community and will be disseminated back to the scientific community, to the humanities and to the Australian public. The project will bring to Australia the strengths of the applicant's existing collaborations with leading research centres in this field in the USA, UK and Canada.Read moreRead less
Science and Religion in Early Modern Europe. This project seeks to elucidate the nature of early modern science, early modern religion, and their relationship. A major focus will be the shift from medieval conceptions of science (scientia) and religion (religio) as inner virtues, to the modern understanding of science and religion as bodies of knowledge and sets of practices. This transformation was fundamental to the emergence of modern science and made possible a new kind of relationship be ....Science and Religion in Early Modern Europe. This project seeks to elucidate the nature of early modern science, early modern religion, and their relationship. A major focus will be the shift from medieval conceptions of science (scientia) and religion (religio) as inner virtues, to the modern understanding of science and religion as bodies of knowledge and sets of practices. This transformation was fundamental to the emergence of modern science and made possible a new kind of relationship between science and religion?one unique to the West. The project will enhance our understanding of the rise of science and identify distinctive features of modern Western culture.Read moreRead less
A unified theory of the individual - a central problem in analytical philosophy. This project will further increase Australia's already high profile in analytic philosophy. This will foster an intellectual environment within Australia that will attract highly skilled overseas academics who bring knowledge and funding to Australia, benefiting both Australian researchers and students. This will in turn attract overseas fee-paying students who bring economic and cultural benefits to Australia.