Historical epistemology and ontology

Historical epistemology and ontology involve the long-term historical examination of the fundamentals of a scientific worldview, the principles of justification, the evolution of hypothesis testing, the place and meaning of evidence. Research in this area is concerned with the historical development of notions (as well as normative dimensions) of evidence, proof, objectivity, classification, concept formation, issues of realism and anti-realism, and the meaning of scientific objects and the development of disciplines and styles of reasonings. Philosophy of science in Canada is strikingly historically informed; the philosophical and social interests of the historical actors is an important topic within history of science in Canada.

The changing norms of scientific knowledge-formation is an area of increasing interest in the social, philosophical and rhetorical study of science, technology and medicine in Canada, and Canadian scholars are amongst the leaders in the field internationally.

The cluster will combine these interests, providing new opportunities for unique inter- and trans-disciplinary research projects in, for example, the rise of evidence-based medicine, the standards of public proof of the reliability and safety of biotechnology, and the norms and ownership of scientific knowledge. Here the cluster will open up engagement with practicing scientists, as have the pioneering efforts of Social Studies of Medicine at McGill, the Philosophy of Science Research Group at Western, the Perimeter Institute at Waterloo, the Evolution Studies Group at Dalhousie or the new Pacific Institute for Theoretical Physics at UBC.

Upcoming Theme News and Events

There are no items available. Please check back soon!

Past Theme News and Events

(Thu)

Jan

09

Please join us for the next Technoscience Salon event of 2013-2014. Event :: GENEALOGICAL ASPIRATIONS 'A Dream Deferred': The Politics of Race after the Genome Speakers :: Alondra Nelson (Columbia... [+]

(Fri)

Dec

13

Thomas Jefferson, Count Buffon, and a Giant Moose: When Natural History and History Collide? Montreal, vendredi, 13 décembre 2013 salle N-8150 Lee Dugatkin, Department of Biology... [+]

(Tue)

Nov

26

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Human Enhancement Jean Gayon, Director of the Institute for History and Philosophy of Science at University of Paris 1 Wednesday, November 27 5pm Buchanan A103 UBC Dr... [+]

(Fri)

Nov

08

The Science and Technology Studies Colloquium resumes Thursday, November 7 at Green College, Coach House, 5:00-6:30 with wine and cheese reception to follow. Richard Gold, Faculty of Law, McGill... [+]

(Fri)

Nov

01

Canadian Science and Technology Historical Association Conference UQAM, Nov.1-3, 2013The UQAM semi-node is pleased to support this conference.For more information and the call for papers, please... [+]

(Wed)

Oct

30

Other Worlds: Alfred Russel Wallace and the Cross-Cultures of Spiritualism Edmonton: University of Alberta, Oct. 30, 2013The Alberta node is pleased to support this event as part of More than... [+]

(Fri)

Oct

25

Liquid Intelligence and the Aesthetics of Fluidity Montreal, McGill, Oct. 25-26, 2013The McGill semi-node is pleased to support this event.Description:In an influential essay, contemporary artist... [+]

(Thu)

Oct

24

Isaac Newton, Philosopher Dr. Andrew Janiak, Creed C. Black Associate Professor of Philosophy Duke University, Durham, North Carolina Author of Newton as Philosopher (Cambridge University Press, 2008... [+]

(Thu)

Oct

24

“Isaac Newton’s General Scholium to the Principia: Science, Religion and Metaphysics”Tercentenary Workshop October 24-26, 2013 University of King’s College, Halifax, NSThe Situating Science Atlantic... [+]

(Wed)

Oct

23

Wallace on Science the Problems of Progress Edmonton, University of Alberta: Oct. 23, 2013The Alberta node is pleased to support this event as part of More than Natural Selection: A Lecture... [+]

(Tue)

Oct

22

UNCERTAIN SCIENCE, UNCERTAIN TIMES Selections and discussion of Michael Frayn’s Tony Award-winning play, Copenhagen Moderated by Jay Ingram Directed by Kevin OrrTuesday Oct. 22, 2013, 7:30 pm... [+]

(Mon)

Oct

21

 Dis/Integration: On the New Interdisciplinarity UBC: Oct. 21, 2013 4:00-5:30 Buchanan A104Seventh Annual Stephen M. Straker Memorial LectureSpeaker: Barbara Herrnstein Smith... [+]

(Fri)

Oct

18

Event :: TEMPORALITIES Speakers :: Fa-Ti Fan (Binghamton University), Eric Cazdyn (University of Toronto) Discussants :: Grant Otsuki (University of Toronto), Sara Martel (York University) Chair ::... [+]

(Wed)

Oct

16

Alfred Russel Wallace, Collector Edmonton, University of Alberta, Oct. 16, 2013 The Alberta node is please to support this event as part of "More than Natural Selection: A Lecture Series on... [+]

(Wed)

Oct

09

Alfred Russel Wallace, Mars, Extra-Terrestrials and the Nature of the Universe Edmonton, University of Alberta, Oct. 9, 2013The Alberta node is pleased to support this event as part of "More than... [+]