Durham: HPS PhD Studentship

Durham University

PhD Studentship

Contemporary Scientific Realism and the Challenge from the History of Science

The AHRC-funded project ‘Contemporary Scientific Realism and the Challenge from the History of Science’ invites applications for a PhD studentship in integrated history and philosophy of science. The studentship includes three years’ Home/EU fees, plus maintenance at RCUK rates (minimum of £13,863 for 2014-5).

‘Contemporary Scientific Realism and the Challenge from the History of Science’ is a research initiative based in the Departments of Philosophy at Durham University and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (United States). The project will critically evaluate contemporary scientific realism by looking to a number of episodes in the history of science which pose problems for this position. The successful applicant will have a good degree, and have (or be working towards) a Masters in a relevant discipline. He/she will work closely with the PI (Peter Vickers) and the Co-I (Timothy Lyons), as well as interacting with members of a wider project network as detailed here:

·         Indiana-Purdue, Indianapolis: Timothy Lyons (Co-I), Victoria Rogers, Cornelis de Waal, Peter Schwartz, Jason Kelly

·         Indiana, Bloomington: Jutta Schickore, Jordi Cat, Sander Gliboff, Bill Newman, Amit Hagar

·         Purdue, Lafayette: Dana Tulodziecki, Paul Draper

·         Durham: Peter Vickers (PI), Matthew Eddy, Holger Maehle, Nancy Cartwright, Julian Reiss, Wendy Parker, Ian Kidd, Robin Hendry

·         Leeds: Juha Saatsi, Steven French, Greg Radick

This network comprises a wide range of different types of expertise the student could draw on, including leading philosophers of science, historians of science, and those who are known for combining both disciplines.

The PhD student will have the opportunity to spend some or all of his/her second year working with Timothy Lyons and others at Indiana-Purdue, Indianapolis; Indiana University, Bloomington; and Purdue University, Lafayette. He/she will attend project seminars and reading groups, present his/her work at relevant research events, collaborate in the organization of project workshops and conferences, and help a project Research Assistant to develop online resources associated with the project.

This project addresses one of the most sophisticated contemporary scientific realist positions, summarised by the following claim: When a scientific theory brings about substantial scientific successes, then the elements of that theory which did the work to bring about those successes are very likely at least approximately true. The doctoral project should bear on this position. At the least it should be a project falling within the 'scientific realism debate', and in particular with an emphasis on the role of historical case studies in that debate. There is scope to specialise more on the 'purely philosophical' issues (whilst investigating how historical case studies bear on those issues), or to focus more on identifying relevant historical cases and developing case studies. There is also scope to devote a significant portion of the PhD to the meta-question of the relationship between history and philosophy in this context. There will be a relatively strong expectation that the successful candidate will carry out at least two historical case studies over the course of the project.

Background

For over 30 years there has been a project in the scientific realism debate to ‘confront’ the scientific realist position(s) with ‘evidence’ from the history of science. According to this model one should take the best contemporary realist positions and test them as thoroughly as possible against relevant episodes in the history of science. In the 1970s and 80s Larry Laudan—the arch confrontationist of that era—got things off to a superb start, in particular with his ‘Confutation of Convergent Realism’ (Laudan 1981). Therein he presented a list of twelve examples from the history of science which challenged the simple realist view of the day that successful scientific theories must be at-least-approximately-true. The realist was indeed moved to clarify and revise her position. Given these developments to the realist’s position, most of Laudan’s twelve examples are (usually) no longer considered relevant. This paves the way for a new phase in the debate – a new generation of historical case studies which do bear directly on contemporary scientific realism. It is this lacuna in the literature that the current project aims to fill.

This project is a follow-up to a pilot project held at Durham in 2012 (details available here:http://community.dur.ac.uk/evaluating.realism/ ). For further information, please feel free to contact the PI, Dr Peter Vickers, at peter.vickers@durham.ac.uk, who can also provide a more detailed project description.

Eligibility

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, and must either already have, or be studying for, a master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants must be either (i) United Kingdom citizens, or (ii) residents of another European Union country who have been resident in the UK for the three years prior to the start of the studentship (i.e. since 1^st October 2011).

How to apply

To apply for the post please use the Durham University Online Application System athttps://www.dur.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/, indicating that you would like to be considered for the ‘Contemporary Scientific Realism and the Challenge from the History of Science’ project PhD studentship. You should submit:

·         A research proposal (i.e. Case for Support), no longer than 750 words in length (excluding bibliography).

·         A current academic CV, including contact details of two referees.

·         Transcripts of previous qualifications.

You are encouraged to contact the project leader, Peter Vickers (peter.vickers@durham.ac.uk), to discuss your proposed research.

There is no set deadline. However, we will consider applications on 1st July 2014 with a view to making the selection, so applications after that date won’t be guaranteed consideration.

Dr Matthew D Eddy
Durham University, Department of Philosophy, 50/51 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN, United Kingdom.  http://community.dur.ac.uk/m.d.eddy/