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The Center discussion group (CtrDG) reads and discusses works of mutual interest in the philosophy of science, broadly construed. We have a tradition of reading works of important authors and then having them visit to discuss their work with the discussion group. Recent CtrDG visitors have included John Dupré, Jim Woodward, Nancy Cartwright, and Bas van Fraassen each of whose work we read during a semester preceding their separate visits.
Colleagues from area schools and fields outside philosophy regularly participate in our discussions. We continue to seek new participants. All faculty from the University of Minnesota and area colleges and universities are welcome to attend whenever they would like (and without invitation). PhD students who have completed all but their dissertations are also welcome to attend. Other graduate students are included under special circumstances.
For further information contact Ken Waters (ckwaters@umn.edu) or Janet McKernan, Center Administrator (746 Heller Hall, 612-625-6635, mcps@umn.edu)
Meeting time: Friday afternoons (about every other week) from 1:30 to 3:00
Meeting place: Minnesota Center for Philosophy of Science Conference Room, Heller Hall 737
September 18: We will discuss the preface (PDF) and the first chapter (pp. 1–45) (PDF) of Wandering Significance by Mark Wilson, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006 (ISBN 978-0-19-926925-9 hbk, 978-0-19-953230-8 pbk) and decide at this meeting a tentative reading schedule for the rest of the semester. (Note: Safari users may need to right-click (or control-click) and choose Download linked file to access the pdf (log in required). We are working to correct this problem.)
October 2: The background considerations for Wandering Significance and reviews for this week's meeting can be downloaded here. (Katherine Brading will give a Center talk at 3:35 PM in 131 Tate Laboratory of Physics)
October 16: Chapter 4 of Wandering Significance by Mark Wilson, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006 (ISBN 978-0-19-926925-9 hbk, 978-0-19-953230-8 pbk) (Ron Giere will be giving a talk entitled "Pragmatism and Contemporary Philosophy of Science" in the Cowles Auditorium, Hubert Humphrey Center at 3:30 pm that afternoon)
October 30: Chapters 5 (sections i–iv) and 6 (sections i–vii) of Wandering Significance by Mark Wilson pp. 223–236, 287–327.
November 6: Chapters 5 (sections i–iv) and 6 (sections i–vii) of Wandering Significance by Mark Wilson pp. 223–236, 287–327.
November 20: Chapter 6 (sections viii–xiii) of Wandering Significance by Mark Wilson pp. 328–376.
December 4: Chapter 7 (sections i–viii) of Wandering Significance by Mark Wilson pp. 377–445.
Early Spring Term: Chapter 8 of Wandering Significance by Mark Wilson pp. 476–566.
We will interrupt our reading of Wandering Significance at the beginning of the Spring 2010 semester (January) for our second project, which is to read and discuss some articles on causation. We plan to start with a general article, and then read a bit of Ned Hall's work in anticipation of his visit on February 26th. Afterwards, we will resume our reading of Wilson's book. Mark Wilson will be visiting the Center on April 23, 2010; he will also be giving a Center talk on this date.
