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.
Mathematical explanation. The best mathematical proofs tell us why some mathematical fact holds, not simply that it holds. However to understand how one piece of mathematics explains another piece of mathematics is poorly understood. This project will develop a philosophical account of mathematical explanation. In particular, it will show how mathematics can explain further mathematics as well as how it can explain physical phenomena.
Mathematical notation: a philosophical account. This project will explore philosophical issues associated with mathematical notation. In particular, it will provide an account of how mathematical notation is used in mathematical applications and how it facilitates analogical reasoning in science.
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.
Experimental philosophy on probabilistic actual causation. This project will provide better philosophical theories of probabilistic causation, including ways to measure degrees of influence, make comparisons to appropriate norms, and identify underlying physical processes. This is vital to properly interpreting scientific models of many causal systems, yielding practical benefits for science and industry.
Culture, cognition and mental illness. This project aims to establish conceptual foundations for studying cultural variation in mental disorders and their implications for cognitive and behavioural science. Mental disorder contributes to the burden of death and disability around the world, but modern psychiatric theories must also deal with non-Western forms of mental illness. Do non-Western individuals suffer from the same conditions as Westerners, but in a different form, or do they suffer fro ....Culture, cognition and mental illness. This project aims to establish conceptual foundations for studying cultural variation in mental disorders and their implications for cognitive and behavioural science. Mental disorder contributes to the burden of death and disability around the world, but modern psychiatric theories must also deal with non-Western forms of mental illness. Do non-Western individuals suffer from the same conditions as Westerners, but in a different form, or do they suffer from distinctive local conditions? This project intends to discuss the foundational issues raised within psychiatry. This will contribute to a greater understanding of the mental health of non-Western populations.Read moreRead less
The nature and status of principles in early modern philosophy. One of the most contested issues in early modern thought was the nature of principles: what are the principles of reason, of nature, of morality, and why do we need them? This project will provide a comprehensive study of the nature and status of such principles in the 17th and 18th centuries charting the story of how their fortunes waxed and waned.
Laws, models and analogies in ecology. This project aims to explore whether there are laws in ecology and, if so, what role they play in ecological theory. If there were no ecological laws, ecologists would merely supply suites of models which would be assessed for their empirical adequacy but not for their ability to capture truths. If ecology does have laws, what are these laws and why do the best candidates for ecological laws not have exceptions? This project could influence understanding of ....Laws, models and analogies in ecology. This project aims to explore whether there are laws in ecology and, if so, what role they play in ecological theory. If there were no ecological laws, ecologists would merely supply suites of models which would be assessed for their empirical adequacy but not for their ability to capture truths. If ecology does have laws, what are these laws and why do the best candidates for ecological laws not have exceptions? This project could influence understanding of ecological theory from a philosophical and an ecological perspective. This may have implications for the methodology of ecology and ecological modelling.Read moreRead less
The Role of Naturalism in Ontology and Scientific Methodology. Naturalism is the philosophical doctrine perhaps best described as a respect for the methods of the natural sciences. Although most contemporary philosophers would describe themselves as naturalists, exactly how this important doctrine is spelled out is a matter of much controversy. What is more, many substantial issues in both philosophy of science and in metaphysics depend crucially on how we understand naturalism. This project ....The Role of Naturalism in Ontology and Scientific Methodology. Naturalism is the philosophical doctrine perhaps best described as a respect for the methods of the natural sciences. Although most contemporary philosophers would describe themselves as naturalists, exactly how this important doctrine is spelled out is a matter of much controversy. What is more, many substantial issues in both philosophy of science and in metaphysics depend crucially on how we understand naturalism. This project will investigate the various conceptions of naturalism, looking at both their motivations and their implications for philosophy and scientific and mathematical methodology.Read moreRead less
Changing your mind by changing your brain: An interventionist perspective on cognitive neuroscience. Functional neuroimaging provides a tremendous amount of information about the brain, but what it shows about the mind is less clear. Addressing this fundamental philosophical question requires developing a detailed account of theory-testing in cognitive neuroscience. This project aims to connect neuroimaging to theories of explanation that focus on the way one variable can make a difference to an ....Changing your mind by changing your brain: An interventionist perspective on cognitive neuroscience. Functional neuroimaging provides a tremendous amount of information about the brain, but what it shows about the mind is less clear. Addressing this fundamental philosophical question requires developing a detailed account of theory-testing in cognitive neuroscience. This project aims to connect neuroimaging to theories of explanation that focus on the way one variable can make a difference to another. By linking neuroimaging to facts about manipulable relationships between the brain and the mind, it will also provide a bridge between neuroimaging and complementary technologies for directly intervening on the brain. This, in turn, will provide a platform from which to explore the theoretical and ethical consequences of direct brain manipulation.Read moreRead less