FULLY FUNDED PHD STUDENTSHIP IN HISTORY OF SCIENCE OR PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
STARTING 1ST OCTOBER 2014
DURHAM UNIVERSITY, UK
The AHRC-funded project ‘Contemporary Scientific Realism and the Challenge from the History of Science’ invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship in either history of science or philosophy of science, commencing on 1st October 2014. The studentship includes three years’ Home/EU fees, plus three years’ 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 alongside 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, Martin Curd
· 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. Alternatively the student may prefer to remain based at Durham for the duration of his/her studies. He/she will attend project seminars and reading groups, present his/her work at relevant research events, and collaborate in the organization of project workshops and conferences.
This project addresses one of the most sophisticated contemporary scientific realist positions, inspired by the idea that successful scientific theories are likely to be true (or at least approximately true). In particular, the project will look at the role of historical case studies in the scientific realism debate. The doctoral project should bear on this debate in one way or another. There is scope to specialise in any of a wide range of areas. A few examples by way of illustration:
· History and/or philosophy of biology
o e.g. the question of how teleomechanist thinkers correctly predicted the existence of gill slits in the course of human ontogentic development.
· History and/or philosophy of the social sciences
o e.g. the interplay between explanation, prediction, and ‘truth’ in the social sciences.
· History and/or philosophy of chemistry
o e.g. an analysis of the development and fate of Kekulé’s theory of the Benzene molecule.
· History and/or philosophy of physics
o e.g. an analysis of ‘taking the thermodynamic limit’, or an investigation into the question of how Dirac was able to predict the existence of the positron from a misguided starting point.
Naturally there is scope to focus more on ‘purely philosophical’ issues or ‘purely historical’ issues. There is also scope for asking the meta-question of the relationship between history and philosophy of science.
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: peter.vickers, 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 (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 1st October 2011). Or, finally, (iii) residents of another European Union country who have not been resident in the UK for the three years prior to the start of the studentship may apply, but they would only have their fees covered, and so would have to maintain themselves.
How to apply
To apply for the post please use the Durham University Online Application System at https://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 500 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), to discuss your proposed research.
There is no set deadline. However, given the proximity of the start date, a decision will be made as soon as possible, and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds world-class, independent researchers in a wide range of subjects: ancient history, modern dance, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, English literature, design, the creative and performing arts, and much more. This financial year the AHRC will spend approximately £98m to fund research and postgraduate training in collaboration with a number of partners. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK. For further information please visit: www.ahrc.ac.uk.
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