Faculty

james hawthorne

James Hawthorne Associate Professor
Ph.D., Minnesota
Research areas: Formal Epistemology, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics, Formal Logic, Artificial Intelligence

102 Copeland Hall
(405) 325-7590
hawthorne@ou.edu
office hours
personal web page

I am a scientific realist and a mathematical instrumentalist with a particular interest in what our best current scientific theories have to say about the nature of physical reality. As a logician my research primarily involves the development of systematic logics for the representation of uncertain inferences, especially the logic by which evidence may support or refute scientific hypotheses and theories. These logics are central to the area of research called formal epistemology. Much of my work in this area explicates and extends the probabilistic inductive logic known as Bayesian Inference or Bayesian Confirmation Theory. I also work on logics for comparative plausibility relations (e.g., X is at least as plausible as Y) and on nonmonotonic logics of defeasible support.

Recent courses:

Introduction to Logic (PHIL 1113) (Fall 08)
Philosophical Issues in Biology (PHIL 3613) (Spring 09)
Philosophical Issues in Physics and Cosmology (PHIL 3623) (Spring 08)
Philosophy of Mind (PHIL 4543/5543) (Fall 08)
Symbolic Logic II (PHIL 5143) (Spring 08)
Seminar in Philosophy of Science (PHIL 6613):  Issues in Evolutionary Biology (Spring 09)

Articles:

For an extensive list with linked manuscripts, visit my personal page.

Click here for CV (.pdf)