MCMP – Philosophy of Science
by MCMP Team
Mathematical Philosophy - the application of logical and mathematical methods in philosophy - is about to experience a tremendous boom in various areas of philosophy. At the new Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, which is funded mostly by the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, philosophical research will be carried out mathematically, that is, by means of methods that are very close to those used by the scientists.The purpose of doing philosophy in this way is not to reduce philosophy to mathematics or to natural science in any sense; rather mathematics is applied in order to derive philosophical conclusions from philosophical assumptions, just as in physics mathematical methods are used to derive physical predictions from physical laws.Nor is the idea of mathematical philosophy to dismiss any of the ancient questions of philosophy as irrelevant or senseless: although modern mathematical philosophy owes a lot to the heritage of the Vienna and Berlin Circles of Logical
Episodes
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Fifteen Dimensions of Evaluating Theories of Causation. A Case Study of the Structural Model and the Ranking Theoretic Approach to Causation
Wolfgang Spohn (Konstanz) gives a talk at the Workshop on Causal and Probabilistic Reasoning (18-20 June, 2015) titled "Fifteen Dimensions of Evaluating Theories of Causation. A Case Study of the Structural Model and the Ranking Theoretic Approach to Causation". Abstract: The point of the talk is...
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Context, Conversation, and Fragmentation
Dirk Kindermann (Graz) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (25 June, 2015) titled "Context, Conversation, and Fragmentation". Abstract: What is a conversational context?One inuential account (Lewis, Stalnaker, Roberts) says that it is a shared body of information | the information conveyed and/or...
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Navigating the Twilight of Uncertainty: Decisions from Experience
Ralph Hertwig (Max Planck Institute for Human Development) gives a talk at the Workshop on Causal and Probabilistic Reasoning (18-20 June, 2015) titled "Navigating the Twilight of Uncertainty: Decisions from Experience". Abstract: In many of our decisions we cannot consult explicit statistics...
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Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge. A Model of Knowledge Integration and its Limitations.
David Ludwig (VU University Amsterdam) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (17 June, 2015) titled "Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge. A Model of Knowledge Integration and its Limitations". Abstract: Philosophical debates about indigenous knowledge often focus on the issue of relativism: given a...
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On the Role of the Light Postulate in Relativity
R. A. Rynasiewicz (Johns Hopkins University) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (10 June, 2015) titled "On the Role of the Light Postulate in Relativity". Abstract: As presented by Einstein in 1905, the theory of special relativity follows from two postulates: first, what he called the principle...
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Explaining Macroscopic Systems from Microscopic Principles
Peter Pickl (LMU) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (10 June, 2015) titled "Explaining Macroscopic Systems from Microscopic Principles". Abstract: The revolutionary idea of the late 19th century that the physics of gases can be explained by the dynamics of small, point-like particles had a…
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The Causual Nature of Modeling in Data-Intensive Science
Wolfgang Pietsch (MCTS/TU Munich) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (3 June, 2015) titled "The Causual Nature of Modeling in Data-Intensive Science". Abstract: Abstract: I argue for the causal character of modeling in data-intensive science, contrary to wide-spread claims that big data is only...
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Convergence of Iterated Belief Updates
Berna Kilinç (Boğaziçi University) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (3 June, 2015) titled "Convergence of Iterated Belief Updates". Abstract: One desideratum on belief upgrade operations is that their iteration is truth-tropic, either on finite or infinite streams of reliable information.…
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Against Grue Mysteries
Alexandra Zinke (Konstanz) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (28 May, 2015) titled "Against Grue Mysteries". Abstract: In a recent paper, Freitag (2015) reduces Goodman’s new riddle of induction to the problem of doxastic dependence. We are not justified in projecting grue because our...
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On Einstein's Reality Criterion
Gábor Hofer-Szabó (Hungarian Academy of Sciences) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (28 May, 2015) titled "On Einstein's Reality Criterion". Abstract: In the talk we characterize the different interpretations of QM in an operationalist-frequentist framework and show what entities the different...
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Predicting Outcomes in Five Person Spatial Games: An Aspiration Model Approach
Bernard Grofman (Irvine) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (13 May, 2015) titled "Predicting Outcomes in Five Person Spatial Games: An Aspiration Model Approach". Abstract: There are many situations where voters must choose a single alternative and where both the voters and the alternatives can...
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Modeling Cognitive Representations with Evolutionary Game Theory
Marc Artiga (MCMP) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (7 May, 2015) titled "Modeling Cognitive Representations with Evolutionary Game Theory". Abstract: Cognitive science has been developed on the idea that cognitive systems are representational. Recently, however, some people have challenged…
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Structures, Mechanisms and Dynamics in Theoretical Neuroscience
Holger Lyre (Magdeburg) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (6 May, 2015) titled "Structures, Mechanisms and Dynamics in Theoretical Neuroscience". Abstract: Proponents of mechanistic explanations have recently proclaimed that all explanations in the neurosciences appeal to mechanisms – including...
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Philosophy of Statistical Mechanics from an Emergentist Viewpoint
David Wallace (Balliol College) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (15 April, 2015) titled "Philosophy of Statistical Mechanics from an Emergentist Viewpoint". Abstract: I sketch a view of the philosophy of statistical mechanics as (a) concerned primarily with the interrelations between…
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The Mathematical Route to Causal Understanding
Michael Strevens (NYU) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (30 April, 2015) titled "The Mathematical Route to Causal Understanding". Abstract: Causal explanation is a matter of isolating the elements of the causal web that make a difference to the explanandum event or regularity (so I and others...
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Occam's Razor in Algorithmic Information Theory
Tom Sterkenburg (Amsterdam/Groningen) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (15 January, 2015) titled "Occam's Razor in Algorithmic Information Theory". Abstract: Algorithmic information theory, also known as Kolmogorov complexity, is sometimes believed to offer us a general and objective measure…
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Vindicating Methodological Triangulation
Remco Heesen (Carnegie Mellon) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (8 January, 2015) titled "Vindicating Methodological Triangulation". Abstract: Social scientists use many different methods, and there are often substantial disagreements about which method is appropriate for a given research...
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Mathematical Explanations of Non-Mathematical Facts?
Gabriel Tarziu (Romanian Academy) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (7 January, 2015) titled "Mathematical explanations of non-mathematical facts?". Abstract: Are there mathematized explanations of physical phenomena? A fairly uncontroversial answer will look like this: of course there are – it...
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Science, Metaphysics, and Understanding
Henk W. de Regt (Amsterdam) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (17 December, 2014) titled "Science, Metaphysics, and Understanding". Abstract: My talk will address the question of whether there are limits to scientific understanding. To answer this question we first need to know what exactly...
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Use-novelty and double-counting: new insights from model selection theory
Charlotte Werndl (Salzburg) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (27 November, 2014) titled "Use-novelty and double-counting: new insights from model selection theory". Abstract: A widely debated issue on confirmation is the requirement of use-novelty (i.e. that data can only confirm models if…
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On de Finetti's Instrumentalist Philosophy of Probability
Joseph Berkovitz (Toronto) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (20 November, 2014) titled "On de Finetti's Instrumentalist Philosophy of Probability". Abstract: De Finetti is one of the founding fathers of the modern theory of subjective probability, where probabilities are coherent degrees of...
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The Varieties of Explanations in the Higgs Sector
Michael Stöltzner (South Carolina) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (19 November, 2014) titled "The Varieties of Explanations in the Higgs Sector". Abstract: I argue that there is no single universal conception of scientific explanation that is consistently employed throughout Higgs physics –...
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Propensities, Chance Distributions, and Experimental Statistics
Mauricio Suarez (London, Madrid) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (12 November, 2014) titled "Propensities, Chance Distributions, and Experimental Statistics". Abstract: Probabilistic or statistical modelling may be described as the attempt to characterise (finite) experimental data in terms…
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The Completion of Logical Empiricism: Hempel's Pragmatic Turn
Gereon Wolters (Konstanz) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (22 October, 2014) titled "The Completion of Logical Empiricism: Hempel's Pragmatic Turn". Abstract: For most of his life Carl Gustav Hempel (1905-1997) subscribed to the Carnapian variant of logical empiricism. According to Rudolf...
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Unifying Causal and Non-Causal Knowledge
Michael Strevens (NYU) meets Roland Poellinger (MCMP/LMU) in a joint session on "Unifying Causal and Non-Causal Knowledge" at the MCMP workshop "Bridges 2014" (2 and 3 Sept, 2014, German House, New York City). The 2-day trans-continental meeting in mathematical philosophy focused on...
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On the Distinction between Internal and External Symmetries
Radin Dardashti (MCMP/LMU) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (2 July, 2014) titled "On the Distinction between Internal and External Symmetries". Abstract: There is no doubt that symmetries play an important role in fundamental physics, but there is no agreement among physicists on what this…
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Rational Routines
Martin Peterson (Eindhoven) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (18 June, 2014) titled "Rational Routines". Abstract: Recent research in evolutionary economics suggests that firms and other organizations are governed by routines. What distinguishes successful firms and organizations from less...
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Model Tuning and Predictivism
Mathias Frisch (Maryland) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (26 June, 2014) titled "Model Tuning and Predictivism". Abstract: Many climate scientists maintain that evidence used in tuning or calibrating a climate model cannot be used to evaluate the model. By contrast, the philosophers Katie...
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Agent-based simulations in empirical sociological research
Isabelle Drouet (Paris-Sorbonne) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (4 June, 2014) titled "Agent-based simulations in empirical sociological Research". Abstract: Agent-based models and simulations are more and more widely used in the empirical sciences. In sociology, they have been put at the…
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Persistence of the lifeworld? On the relation of lifeworld and science
Gregor Schiemann (Wuppertal) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (28 May, 2014) titled "Persistence of the lifeworld? On the relation of lifeworld and science". Abstract: In contrast to the concept of science, the concept of the lifeworld describes an experience, which is characterised by…
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An Analogical Inductive Logic for Partially Exchangeable Families of Attributes
Simon Huttegger (UC Irvine) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (22 May, 2014) titled "An Analogical Inductive Logic for Partially Exchangeable Families of Attributes". Abstract: Since Carnap started his epic program of developing an inductive logic, there have been various attempts to include...
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Computational Model as Generic Mechanisms
Catherine Stinson (Ryerson University) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (21 May, 2014) titled "Computational Model as Generic Mechanisms". Abstract: The role of computational models in science is a bit of a puzzle. They seem to be very unlike experiments in terms of their access to empirical...
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On the Justification of Deduction and Induction
Franz Huber (Toronto) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (7 May, 2014) titled "On the Justification of Deduction and Induction". Abstract: In this talk I will first present my preferred variant of Hume (1739; 1748)'s argument for the thesis that we cannot justify the principle of induction. Then…
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On Bell's local causality in local classical and quantum theory
Gábor Hofer-Szabó (Budapest) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (9 April, 2014) titled "On Bell's local causality in local classical and quantum theory". Abstract: This paper aims to give a clear-cut definition of Bell's notion of local causality. Having provided a framework, called local…
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On Mathematical Explanation of Physical Facts
Joseph Berkovitz (Toronto) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (13 February, 2014) titled "On Mathematical Explanation of Physical Facts". Abstract: Modern physics is highly mathematical, and this may suggest that mathematics is bound to play some role in explaining the physical reality. Yet…
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The epistemic division of labour revisited
Johanna Thoma (Toronto) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (6 February, 2014) titled "The epistemic division of labour revisited". Abstract: Scientists differ in the ways they approach their work. Some are happy to follow in the footsteps of others, and continue with work that has proven…
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Theory convergence in approaches to quantum gravity?
Johannes Thürigen (Max-Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (15 January, 2014) titled "Theory convergence in approaches to quantum gravity?". Abstract: Theories in (empirical) science can be considered epistemically justified not only according to...
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Reduction and Emergence in Physics
Sebastian Lutz (MCMP/LMU) and Karim Thébault (MCMP/LMU) give a talk at the CAS Research Focus Series „Reduction and Emergence“ (13 November, 2013) titled "Reduction and Emergence in Physics" (host: Stephan Hartmann (MCMP/LMU)). Abstract: Matter is composed of small elementary particles whose...
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Chaos beyond the Butterfly Effect: The Poison Pill of Structural Model Error
Roman Frigg (LSE) gives a talk at the CAS Research Focus Series „Reduction and Emergence“ (13 November, 2013) titled "Chaos Beyond the Butterfly Effect: The Poison Pill of Structural Model Error" (host: Stephan Hartmann (MCMP/LMU)). Abstract: The sensitive dependence on initial condition…
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String Theory and the Scientific Method
Richard Dawid (Vienna) gives a talk at the CAS Research Focus Series „Reduction and Emergence“ (13 November, 2013) titled "String Theory and the Scientific Method" (host: Stephan Hartmann (MCMP/LMU)). Abstract: For the last thirty years, string theory has played a highly influential role in...
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Inductive logic for rich languages
Jan-Willem Romeijn (Groningen) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (19 December, 2013) titled "Inductive logic for rich languages". Abstract: I present an extension of the language of inductive logic with a formally precise notion of statistical hypothesis. I argue that this enhances the...
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Reduction in Economics: Causality and Intentionality in the Microfoundations of Macroeconomics
Kevin D. Hoover (Duke University) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "Reduction in Economics: Causality and Intentionality in the Microfoundations of Macroeconomics". Abstract: In many sciences—physical, but also biology,...
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Emergence and Explanation
Peter Wyss (Oxford) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "Emergence and Explanation". Abstract: The notion of emergence has acquired explanatory power in relation to the mind–body problem. It seems that we explain something…
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Scarecrow’s Brain and Homunculi: Neurobiological Reductionism as Ensoulment-Objectification Process Seen Through Anthropological Lenses
Marko Zivkovic (Alberta) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "Scarecrow’s Brain and Homunculi: Neurobiological Reductionism as Ensoulment-Objectification Process Seen Through Anthropological Lenses". Abstract: Using…
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Cross-Level Linkages in Neurobiology
Patricia S. Churchland (San Diego) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "Cross-Level Linkages in Neurobiology". Abstract: In neurobiology, an important strategy is to link high level properties, such as spatial knowledge or...
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Heterogeneity and Emergence in the Social Sciences
Frederik Willemarck (Birkbeck) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "Heterogeneity and Emergence in the Social Sciences". Abstract: In my paper, I focus on the relationship between collective properties (pertaining to...
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How Can One and the Same Thing be Subject to Different Theories? On the Proper Logic for Non-Reductive Monism
Thomas Müller (LMU) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "How Can One and the Same Thing be Subject to Different Theories? On the Proper Logic for Non-Reductive Monism". Abstract: The aim of this paper is to shed light on a...
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Technical Aspects of Reduction and Multiple Realizability
Sebastian Lutz (MCMP/LMU) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "Technical Aspects of Reduction and Multiple Realizability". Abstract: In my talk, I will suggest conceptualizations of reducibility, supervenience and…
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"Reversed Reduction" in Gibbsian Statistical Mechanics
Ronnie Hermens (Groningen) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "'Reversed Reduction' in Gibbsian Statistical Mechanics". Abstract: Statistical mechanics is the branch of physics which uses probability theory to describe and...
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Holography and the Emergence of Gravity
Dennis Dieks (Utrecht) and Jeroen van Dongen (Amsterdam) and Sebastian de Haro (Amsterdam) give a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "Holography and the Emergence of Gravity". Abstract: ‘Holographic’ relations between theories have...
About this show
Mathematical Philosophy - the application of logical and mathematical methods in philosophy - is about to experience a tremendous boom in various areas of philosophy. At the new Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, which is funded mostly by the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, philosophical research will be carried out mathematically, that is, by means of methods that are very close to those used by the scientists.The purpose of doing philosophy in this way is not to reduce philosophy to mathematics or to natural science in any sense; rather mathematics is applied in order to derive philosophical conclusions from philosophical assumptions, just as in physics mathematical methods are used to derive physical predictions from physical laws.Nor is the idea of mathematical philosophy to dismiss any of the ancient questions of philosophy as irrelevant or senseless: although modern mathematical philosophy owes a lot to the heritage of the Vienna and Berlin Circles of Logical
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MCMP Team