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

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Past Theme News and Events

(Fri)

Feb

22

Les liaisons laborieuses : neurosciences et histoire, ou les apories d’une «nouvelle interdisciplinarité» Rafael Mandressi, Chargé de recherche au CNRS, Centre Alexandre-Koyré – Histoire des... [+]

(Fri)

Feb

22

Les liaisons laborieuses : neurosciences et histoire, ou les apories d’une «nouvelle interdisciplinarité» Rafael Mandressi, Chargé de recherche au CNRS, Centre Alexandre-Koyré – Histoire des... [+]

(Fri)

Feb

08

Raisonnement causal en économie : sémantique et épistémologie (sociale) François Claveau, Chercheur postdoctoral, Chaire de recherche du Canada en histoire et sociologie des sciences, UQAM Résumé :... [+]

(Thu)

Feb

07

"THE RADICAL RELIGIOSITY OF JACQUES ELLUL'S TECHNOLOGICAL CRITIQUE" Thursday, February 7, 5:00-6:30pm, GREEN COLLEGE, Coach House (reception to follow) JENNIFER ALEXANDER, University of Minnesota,... [+]

(Tue)

Jan

29

Science, Values, and Democracy Heather Douglas, University of Waterloo (Philosophy) Jan. 29, 2013 12:30pm 203A Bethune College, York University, Toronto.This event is part of the Research Seminar... [+]

(Fri)

Jan

25

Salon Theme :: Multiple imaginaries and practices gather under the term ECOLOGY. What counts as ecology, and for whom?  What is the political, epistemological, ontological and aesthetic work... [+]

(Tue)

Jan

22

The Anthropology of Francis Galton Efram Sera-Shriar, SSHRC postdoctoral research fellow in the STS program at York University Tues. Jan. 22 2013 12:30pm York University, Toronto, Ont.This... [+]

(Thu)

Jan

03

In Praise of Navel Gazing, Or an Argument for or against Bioethics Studies Thursday, January 3, 5:00-6:30pm, Green College Coach House TOD CHAMBERS, Northwestern University As the discipline of... [+]

(Wed)

Nov

14

Video available HERE Dr. Keller presents the annual Wiegand Memorial Foundation Lecture“Self-Organization and God” Wednesday 14 November 7PM University of Toronto Innis Town Hall, Innis College, 2... [+]

(Wed)

Nov

14

IHPST Brown Bag presents: Evelyn Fox Keller, MIT Rethinking the Genome Victoria College Room 323, 91 Charles St. West, Toronto, Ont. [+]

(Tue)

Nov

13

Dr Evelyn Fox Keller presents as part of the Science and Technology Seminar Series at York University Genes, Genomes and the Nature-Nurture Debate Tues. Nov. 13 2012 12:30pm BC 230 Bethune College... [+]

(Fri)

Nov

09

Evelyn Fox Keller, MIT Elizabeth McNab Lecture in the History of Science 6PM Maxwell Cohen Moot Court, Faculty of Law, 3644 Peel Street, McGill University, Montreal, Qc. [+]

(Fri)

Nov

09

Room DS-1540 CIRST is pleased to welcome Evelyn Fox Keller, the internationally renowned Historian and Philosopher of Science. As the Situating Science Cluster Visiting Scholar Evelyn Fox Keller is... [+]

(Thu)

Nov

08

Thursday, Nov. 8, 5:00-6:30pm, Buchanan Tower 1197 PATRICK SLANEY, UBCIn this talk I'll argue that public administration needs to be taken seriousl y as field concerned with the relationship between... [+]

(Mon)

Nov

05

Mon. Oct 15, Oct. 22nd, Nov. 5th 4:30pm-6pm: Discussions. Room 1116, Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building (FASS), 6135 University Ave. Hosted by Evolution Studies Group, Dalhousie... [+]