Edward Hall
Norman E. Vuilleumier Professor of Philosophy
Profile
Outside professional activities
Profile
I work on a range of topics in metaphysics and epistemology that overlap with philosophy of science. (Which is to say: the best topics in metaphysics and epistemology.) Are there “fundamental” laws of nature? What are they – as distinct, say, from accidentally true generalizations, or the causal generalizations that seem to figure in the special sciences? Suppose it’s a truism that one of the central aims of scientific inquiry is to uncover the causal structure of our world (at many different time- and length-scales); what does “causal structure” need to mean, for this truism to be not merely true but illuminating? What are the varieties of probability, and can any of them be said to be properly “objective”? What would it take for one science to “reduce” to another? Must fundamental physics have an intelligible ontology – and if so, what does this constraint amount to? Is there any need for a conception of ‘metaphysical possibility’ that outstrips physical possibility? Can there be any basis for skepticism about unobservable structure that is not also, and equally, a basis for skepticism about unobserved structure? (And so on.) I firmly believe that philosophical discourse always goes better if the parties involved resolutely avoid any “burden-shifting” maneuvers, and that teaching always goes better if you bring cookies.
Contact
Email: ehall@fas.harvard.edu
Phone: 617-495-2486
Additional Website: https://philosophy.fas.harvard.edu/people/edward-j-hall
Expertise
Education
History of Science
Humanities
Philosophy
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Outside professional activities
Outside Professional Activities
In the spirit of transparency and integrity, Salata Institute Faculty Associates disclose publicly their key professional activities outside of Harvard University. The activities disclosed below are for the most recent reporting period, as defined by University policy. Some of the activities may be paid, some may be unpaid, and others may be in exchange for expense reimbursement only.
Outside Professional Activities For Edward Hall
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Relationships:
1895 Films
Professional Services or Employment
Council of Independent Colleges
Professional Services or Employment
Deerfield Academy
Professional Services or Employment
Reed College
Fiduciary Board Membership
ThinkerAnalytix
Fiduciary Board Membership
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