Instructor Information (Vita)
Department
of Philosophy
Winona
State University
325
Minne Hall
Winona,
MN 55987-5838
Office:
507-457-5663
Education
Ph. D. (Philosophy), The Ohio State University, June 1994.
Dissertation:
"Newton's 'De
Gravitatione' Argument: Cartesian Relationalist Dynamics and the Structure
of Space and Time."
Dissertation Committee: Mark Wilson (advisor), Calvin
Normore, Ronald Laymon.
M. A. (Philosophy), The Ohio State University, March 1991.
B. A. summa cum laude (Philosophy), University of Illinois
at Chicago, June 1988.
Areas
of Specialization
History and Philosophy of Science (including Twentieth
Century Analytic Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Technology, and Sociology
of Scientific Knowledge), Space and Time, Early Modern Philosophy.
Areas
of Competence
Epistemology, Metaphysics, Analytic Philosophy, Philosophy
of Religion, Logic, Existentialism, Aesthetics, Ethics.
Current
Position
Professor (Philosophy): Winona State University,
2005-present.
Resident Fellow, Minnesota Center for the Philosophy of
Science, University of Minnesota
Visiting Fellow (2007-2008): Center for Philosophy of
Science, U. of Pittsburgh
Visiting Fellow (Fall 2008): Minnesota Center for the Philosophy
of Science, University of Minnesota
Visiting Fellow (Spring 2009): Dept. of Philosophy, Princeton
University
Teaching
Experience
1988-1991; Recitation Instructor/Graduate Teaching Associate (Philosophy),
The Ohio State University.
1991-1994; Course Instructor (with full course
responsibilities)/Graduate Teaching Associate (Philosophy), The Ohio State
University.
1994-1997; Visiting Assistant Professor (Philosophy), Ohio
University, Athens.
1997-Spring 1998; Visiting Assistant Professor (Philosophy),
University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
1998-2002; Assistant Professor (Philosophy): Winona State
University.
2002-2005; Associate Professor (Philosophy): Winona State
University.
Publications
(in AOS)
Books:
Cartesian Spacetime: Descartes'
Physics and Relational Theory of Space and Motion.
This monograph explores the
various options for constructing a consistent relational theory of space and
motion modeled on the essential aspects of Descartes' physics. The
investigation is both historical, since it critically investigates many facets
of Descartes' natural philosophy, as well as modern, since it also employs the
formalism of modern spacetime theories in developing a Cartesian relational
dynamics. (Dordrecht: Kluwer, February 2002)
Book in Preparation:
Natural Philosophy and Mathematics
in the Seventeenth Century
(Edited volume, with Geoffrey
Gorham and Kenneth Waters as co-editors)
This
edited volume will bring together original essays from leading scholars on the
interface of mathematics and natural philosophy in the seventeenth century. The
importance of this topic is that it is crucial to gaining a full insight into
the rise of the modern mathematical approach to science in the Western world. A
number of important issues will be explored in the essay, such as: How did mathematics
rise in the estimation of natural philosophers during this time period?, What
is the status of mathematical natural philosophy in comparison with the more
traditional concerns of metaphysics and epistemology among natural
philosophers?, Were there diverse, and competing, methods of constructing and
applying quantitative and mathematical systems in the period?, How does the
mathematical natural philosophy of the seventeenth century differ from
mathematical approaches practiced today?
Currently,
the project is in the planning stage at an academic university press in North
America. But, a number of eminent scholars have already committed to the
project, particularly, Daniel Garber (Princeton University), or plan to submit,
such as Dennis Des Chene (Washington University), so we are confident that it
will be published.
Articles
(as of 2007):
“The ‘Dynamics’ of Leibnizian Relationism: Reference Frames
and Force in Leibniz’s Plenum”. This paper investigates the vexed question of Leibniz’
commitment to a relational theory of space and motion. Studies in History and
Philosophy ofModern Physics,
vol. 37, 2006, 617–634.
“On the
Cartesian Ontology of General Relativity: Or, Conventionalism in the History of
the Substantival/Relational Debate.” Utilizing Einstein’s comparison of General Relativity and
Descartes’ physics, this investigation explores the alleged conventionalism
that pervades the ontology of substantival and relationist conceptions of
spacetime. Philosophy
of Science, vol. 72, 2005, 1312-1323.
“Spacetime,
Ontology, and Structural Realism.” This article examines the viability of a structural realist
account of spacetime structure, ultimately contending that structuralism can
prove a valuable tool in resolving some of the important disputes among relational
and substantival theories of spacetime. International Studies in the Philosophy of Science,
vol. 19, 2005, 147-166.
“Descartes’
Physics.” This
web page provides an in-depth, but brief, introduction to the major concepts
and issues associated with Descartes’ physics. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy,
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/descartes-physics/
“Natural Laws, Universals, and the Induction Problem.” This paper develops a new
induction problem against a universals account of natural laws, such as D. M.
Armstrong’s, and also demonstrates the inadequacy of various existing critiques
of universals theories, such as B. van Fraassen’s. Philosophia: Philosophical Quarterly of
Israel, vol. 32, 2005, 241-251.
“Hume and the Perception of Spatial Magnitude.” This paper investigates Hume’s
theory of the perception of spatial magnitude or size as developed in the Treatise, as
well as its relation to his concepts of space and geometry. Canadian Journal
of Philosophy, vol. 34, 2004,
355-373.
“Conventionalism
in Reid’s “Geometry of Visibles.” The role of conventions in Thomas Reid’s theory of the
geometry of vision is the subject of this investigation. Contrary to the claims
of some recent scholars, namely N. Daniels and R. Angell, it is argued that
Reid’s theory does not sanction a non-Euclidean interpretation. Studies in
History and Philosophy of Science, vol. 34, 2003, 467-489.
"Spatiotemporal Analogies: Are Space and Time
Similar?"
This essay explores the argument, originally presented by Richard Taylor, that
space and time are similar in various unforeseen ways. These arguments are
ultimately rejected due to their basis on a false analogy. Southern Journal of Philosophy, vol. 40,
2002, 123-134.
"Descartes' Forgotten Hypotheses on Motion: Kinematic
Logic and Relational Transfer." This paper examines an important, yet neglected, attempt by
Descartes to overcome the incompatibility of his theory of mechanics and his
relationalism of space and motion. Journal of Philosophical Research, vol. 27,
2002, 431-446.
"Rouse-ing Out the Legitimation Project: Scientific
Practice and the Problem of Demarcation." This paper explores J. Rouse's
concept of a scientific practice, and eventually argues that it suffers both
from an inability to separate clear cases of science from pseudo-science, as
well as from internal inconsistencies in the concept of a scientific practice. Ratio, vol.
14, 2001, 171-185.
"Descartes and Individual Corporeal Substance." This paper examines the intricacies
of Descartes' views on substance, space, and bodily individuation, arguing that
the precise nature of these concepts has long been misunderstood, and while
offering a new interpretation of the Cartesian theory. British Journal for the History of
Philosophy, vol.
9, 2001, 1-17.
"Descartes and Circular Inertia." This paper examines the role,
if any, that circular motion and circular inertia play in Descartes' natural
philosophy. The
Modern Schoolman, vol. 77, 1999, 1-11.
"Descartes' Quantity of Motion: 'New Age' Holism meets
the Cartesian Conservation Principle." In an attempt to resolve some current debates among
Cartesian scholars, the formulation of Descartes' collision hypothesis and laws
of motion is examined in order to understand their precise nature. Pacific
Philosophical Quarterly, vol. 99, June 1999, 178-203.
"Descartes, Space-Time, and Relational Motion." This paper examines Descartes'
relational theory of motion, especially against the backdrop of work on the
foundations of space-time theories. Overall, it is argued that some
formulations of relational space-times are compatible with Descartes' theory,
and that Cartesian scholarship has generally failed in making this case. Philosophy of
Science, vol. 66, 1999, 117-139.
"Cartesianism and the Kinematics of Mechanisms: Or, How
To Find Fixed Reference Frames in a Cartesian Space-Time." This paper investigates the
implications of the conjunction of Descartes' theory of motion and a
matter-filled universe by drawing upon the conceptual resources of the theory
of connected gears. Noûs, vol. 32, 1998, 364-385.
"Huygens' Center-of-Mass Space-Time Reference Frame:
Constructing a Cartesian Dynamics in the Wake of Newton's 'De Gravitatione' Argument." This essay examines the
feasibility of utilizing Huygens' relatively neglected concept of a
center-of-mass reference frame to provide a consistent basis for the
problematic Cartesian conservation law. Synthese, vol. 112, 1997, 247-269.
"Perfect
Solidity: Natural Laws and the Problem of Matter in Descartes' Universe." This paper presents a detailed
analysis of Descartes' complex notion of a "hard body," and provides
an interpretation that attempts to resolve many of the problems that have
plagued the application of the Cartesian natural laws to the motions of plenum
bodies. History
of Philosophy Quarterly, vol. 13, 1996, 187-204.
Publications (in AOC and
Philosophy Teaching; as of 2007)
“The Structure of Musical Revolutions.” This article explores Kuhn’s theory
of scientific revolutions by analogy with musical revolutions (and is adapted
from Slowik 2003, below). Philosophy Now, Issue 59, 2007, 9-12.
“Existentialism and Monty Python: Nietzsche, Sartre, and
Camus.” This
article investigates existentialist concepts and themes in the television
series and movies of Monty Python. Monty Python and Philosophy (Chicago: Open
Court, 2006), edited by Gary Hardcastle and George Reisch.
“Myth, Music, and Science: Teaching the Philosophy of
Science through the Use of Non-Scientific Examples.” This paper explores the use of
analogical case studies in teaching the philosophy of science. Science &
Education, vol. 12, 2003, 289-302.
“Moral and Scientific Explanation: Re-examining the
Harman/Sturgeon Debate."
This essay examines the status of explanation in the natural sciences and
ethics, especially as these issues figured in the debate between Gilbert Harman
and Nicholas Sturgeon. Cogito, vol. 13, 1999, 39-45.
"Reflections on the 'Mirror-Image' Theory of Platonic
Particulars."
This paper examines the attempts to elucidate the relationship among Plato's
Forms and particulars by means of the "image analogy" mentioned in
the Timaeus.
Cogito, vol. 11, 1997, 199-205.
Book
Reviews (as of 2007)
Space,
Time, and Theology in the Leibniz-Newton Controversy, E. Khamara (Ontos, 2006). Notre Dame
Philosophical Reviews (2007.01.03).
Descartes’
System of Natural Philosophy,
S. Gaukroger (Cambridge: Cambridge U. Press, 2002). Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
(2002.9.01).
The
Cosmos of Science: Essays of Exploration, John Earman and John D. Norton, eds. (Pittsburgh:
University of Pittsburgh Press, 1997). Philosophia: Philosophical Quarterly of Israel,
vol. 28, 2001, 573-576.
Logic,
Language, and the Structure of Scientific Theories: Proceedings of the
Carnap-Reichenbach Centennial, University of Konstanz, 21-24 May 1991, Wesley Salmon and Gereon
Wolters, eds. (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1994). Philosophia:
Philosophical Quarterly of Israel, vol. 27, 1999, 673-676.
In
and About the World: Philosophical Studies of Science and Technology, Hans Radder (Albany, SUNY
Press, 1996). Philosophia:
Philosophical Quarterly of Israel, vol. 26, 1998, 569-573.
Conjuring
Science: Scientific Symbols and Cultural Meanings in American Life, Christopher P. Toumey (New
Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1996). Skeptical Inquirer, vol. 21, no. 4, July/August
1997, 53.
Presentations
(as of 2007)
Philosophy
of Science Association (Biennial Meetings)
“Spacetime
and Structure: Structural Realism, Neo-Kantian Idealism, or Relativized A
Priorism?”, Philosophy of Science Association (PSA) Biennial 2006 Meeting,
Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Nov. 2006.
“On the
Cartesian Ontology of General Relativity: Or, Conventionalism in the History of
the Substantival/Relational Debate”, Philosophy of Science Association (PSA)
Biennial 2004 Meeting, University of Texas-Austin, Nov. 2004.
"Descartes'
Science, Holism, and the Mechanical Philosophy", Philosophy of Science
Association (PSA) Biennial 2000 Meeting, Vancouver, B. C., Canada, Nov. 2000.
International
Society for the History of Philosophy of Science (Biennial Meetings)
“The (Meta)Physics of Leibnizian Space, Relational Motion,
and Force”, Fifth Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the History
and Philosophy of Science (HOPOS), University of San Francisco, June 2004.
"Descartes
and the Relational Theory of Space and Motion: A Reexamination", Second
Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the History of Philosophy and
Science (HOPOS), U. of Notre Dame, March 1998.
Other Philosophy of Science and Early
Modern Presentations
“Newton,
Neo-Platonism, and the Substantivalist Ontology of Space”, Center for
Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh, Sept. 2007.
“Newton’s
Ontology of Space”, Mid-Atlantic Seminar in Early Modern Philosophy, Princeton
University, Princeton, April 2007.
“Hume
on the Spatial Geometry of Visible Length”, 1st Mid-Atlantic Seminar in Early
Modern Philosophy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, May 2003.
"Space
and Geometry in Eighteenth Century Scotland: Reid's 'Geometry of Visibles',
Conventionalism, and a bit of Hume", Minnesota Center for the Philosophy
of Science, Studies in Science and Technology, University of Minnesota, Twin
Cities, Nov. 2001.
"Music, Science, and Analogies: Teaching the Philosophy
of Science with Non-Scientific Examples", Twentieth World Congress of
Philosophy, Boston, August 1998.
"Myth, Music, and Scientific Analogies", Ohio
University, Zanesville, May 1997.
"Descartes: Philosopher/Scientist", Department of
Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University, Athens, May 1996.
"Motion and Matter in Descartes' Plenum",
Department of Philosophy, University of Texas at El Paso, March 1996.
"The
Structure of Theories of Space and Time in the Seventeenth Century",
Department of Philosophy, Ohio University, Fall 1994.
American
Philosophical Association Meetings
"Descartes,
Substance, and Individual Corporeal Bodies", Central Division Meeting, New
Orleans, May 1999.
"Descartes,
Newton, and Huygens' Center-of-Mass Frame: Or, How to Build Your Own Cartesian
Dynamics", Central Division Meeting, Chicago, May 1998.
"Cartesian
Bodies and the Plenum: Or Can Quantity of Motion be Conserved?", Eastern
Division Meeting, Atlanta, Dec. 1996.
"Perfect
Solidity, Quantity of Motion, and The Problem of Matter in Descartes'
Universe", Central Division Meeting, Chicago, April 1995.
Minnesota
Philosophical Society Meetings:
“Did
Descartes’ Physics Go Around in Circles: Or, The Shocking Truth Revealed about
Cartesian Circular Inertia”, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Sept. 2002.
"Holism
and the Mechanism in Descartes’ Natural Philosophy", College of St.
Benedict, Sept. 2001.
"Rouse-ing
Out the Legitimation Project: Scientific Practice and the Problem of
Demarcation", Oct. 1999.
"Descartes
and Individual Corporeal Bodies", University of St. Thomas, Oct. 1998.
Workshops
(Invited Participant)
Pittsburgh-Princeton: Descartes Day II, Center for
Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh, May 6, 2006; Organizing
Committee: D. Garber, P. K. Machamer, J. E. McGuire.
Awards,
Seminars & Fellowships (as of 2007)
Visiting Fellow, Center for Philosophy of Science,
University of Pittsburgh, 2007-2008 Academic Year.
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute
for College Teachers, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Summer 2004. Topic:
Philosophy, Science, and Theology in the Seventeenth Century. Directors: Steven
Nadler and Don Rutherford.
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Seminar
for College Teachers, Virginia Tech, Summer 2003. Topic: G. W. Leibniz’s
Philosophy. Directors: Daniel Garber and Roger Ariew.
Visiting Thomas Reid Scholar, University of Aberdeen,
Scotland, May-June, 2002.
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Seminar
for College Teachers, Brown University, Summer 2000. Topic: Thomas Reid's
Philosophy. Director: James Van Cleve.
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Seminar
for College Teachers, Syracuse University, Summer 1996. Topic: Early Modern
Rationalists (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz). Director: Jonathan Bennett.
Professor of the Year Nominee, 1999, Winona State University
Student Senate.
Courses
Taught
Introduction to Philosophy:
(Ohio
State U.) Fall 1988, Winter 1991, Fall 1992, Spring 1993, Fall 1993, Spring
1994; (Ohio U.) Fall 1995-Spring 1997 (all terms); (WSU) 1998-2007 (all terms).
Introduction to Ethics:
(Ohio State U.)
Spring 1989, Fall 1991, Winter 1992, Winter 1993, Winter 1994; (Ohio U.) Fall
1994, Winter 1995, Fall 1995, Spring 1996, Fall 1996, Winter 1997, Spring 1997;
(U. of Alaska) 1997-1998 (all terms).
Introduction to Logic:
(Ohio
State U.) Winter 1989, Fall 1989, Winter 1990 (twice), Spring 1990 (twice),
Summer 1990, Fall 1990, Spring 1992; (Ohio U.) Winter
1997; (U. of Alaska) 1997-1998 (all terms).
Philosophy of
Technology/Sociology of Science (graduate-level course):
(Ohio
U.) Winter 1996, Spring 1997.
Philosophy of Science:
(U.
of Alaska) Spring 1998; (WSU) Fall 1998-2006.
Space and Time:
(WSU)
Spring 2001, Spring 2003.
Existentialism (or, Meaning of
Life):
(WSU)
Spring 2003-2005.
Aesthetics:
(U.
of Alaska) Fall 1997; (WSU) Spring 2002-2004, 2005-2007.
Symbolic Logic:
(WSU)
Spring 1999, Spring 2003, Fall 2003-2004.
Early Modern Philosophy:
(U.
of Alaska) Spring 1998; (WSU) Fall 1998-2006.
Aristotle and Medieval Philosophy:
(WSU)
Spring 1999, Spring 2000, Spring 2001.
Independent Research (graduate-level course), and
M.A.-Thesis Advising:
(Ohio
U.) Fall 1994-Summer 1995, Fall 1996-Spring 1997.
Undergraduate Thesis Supervision:
(U.
of Alaska) 1997-1998.
Committee
Experience
Graduate Student/Committee Representative; Department of
Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1992-1993.
Humanities Council Representative; The Ohio State
University, 1991-1992, 1993-1994.
Undergraduate Philosophy Club Committee; Ohio University,
1994-1997.
Socratic Society, Undergraduate Philosophy Club, U. of
Alaska Fairbanks, 1997-1998.
Undergraduate Philosophy Club (Advisor), WSU, 1998-2003.
Academic Affairs and Curriculum Committee (Representative),
WSU, 1999-2005.
Department Chair, Philosophy, WSU, 2004-2007.
Professional
Affiliations
American Philosophical Association, 1993-present.
Philosophy of Science Association, 1992-present.
Philosophy of Science, Studies
in History and Philosophy of Science, Studies in History and Philosophy of
Modern Physics, Erkenntnis.
Additional
Experience
Aviation Degree; Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (F. A. A.
Certificate), Lewis University, Romeoville, IL, 1981-1983.
Private Pilot, (F. A. A.
Certificate), Single-engine Land.