Darrell Rowbottom
Darrell Rowbottom is Editor in Chief of Studies in History of Philosophy of Science, Associate Editor of Australasian Journal of Philosophy, and Coordinating Editor of Theory and Decision. He has published on a wide range of subjects in general philosophy of science (esp. the realism issue and scientific method) and also in epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of probability, philosophy of physics, and philosophy of psychology/mind. His most recent monograph is The Instrument of Science: Scientific Anti-Realism Revitalised (Routledge, 2019); he develops a new form of anti-realism, ‘cognitive instrumentalism’, therein.
During his time at Pittsburgh, Darrell will be working on the manuscript for Scientific Progress, which will appear with Cambridge University Press. His primary aim in this short book is to tackle several key foundational issues that underlie the current debate concerning the titular topic. He is especially interested in how pervasive related metaphors such as ‘the aim of science’ should be analysed and in whether implicit assumptions often made concerning scientific progress – such as that the normativity involved therein is ‘impersonal’ – can withstand careful scrutiny. His work on the topic is supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (via a General Research Fund Grant).
Darrell is a reformed hacker but unreformed geek, who has a mélange of hobbies. These include running, hiking, chess, computer gaming, gardening, and roleplaying. He has a well-stocked wine cellar and a decent (Scotch) whisky collection. Sadly, these won’t be coming with him to Pittsburgh.
CONTACT: darrellrowbottom@ln.edu.hk