Book Projects
Naturalism Beyond the Limits of Science
Under contract with Oxford University Press.
Naturalism Beyond the Limits of Science investigates methodological naturalism. According to the methodological naturalist, when coming up with metaphysical theories (theories about what the world is like) philosophers should, whenever possible, make use of the methodology of science. I argue that although many contemporary philosophers have implicit commitments that lead straightforwardly to methodological naturalism, very few have a clear understanding of how widespread and disruptive methodological naturalism promises to be for the field. Moreover, once we have a clear understanding of how methodological naturalism is connected to the implicit commitments that many philosophers share, we see that the consequences of rejecting the view are just as surprising as the consequences of accepting it. So, although I ultimately leave it up to the reader to decide whether to be a methodological naturalist, I show that regardless of the choice that they make, they will need to revise their understanding of the relationship between philosophy and science in substantial ways.
I am currently circulating an early draft of the manuscript for comments. Please email me if you would be interested in reading it.
Philosophical Issues in Quantum Mechanics
Co-authored work with Ned Hall.
In this book, we draw on our experiences teaching Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics to undergraduates and graduates at Harvard, MIT, Brown and Mount Holyoke College to present an accessible introduction to the quantum formalism and the philosophical issues that arise from that formalism.
Under contract with Oxford University Press.
Naturalism Beyond the Limits of Science investigates methodological naturalism. According to the methodological naturalist, when coming up with metaphysical theories (theories about what the world is like) philosophers should, whenever possible, make use of the methodology of science. I argue that although many contemporary philosophers have implicit commitments that lead straightforwardly to methodological naturalism, very few have a clear understanding of how widespread and disruptive methodological naturalism promises to be for the field. Moreover, once we have a clear understanding of how methodological naturalism is connected to the implicit commitments that many philosophers share, we see that the consequences of rejecting the view are just as surprising as the consequences of accepting it. So, although I ultimately leave it up to the reader to decide whether to be a methodological naturalist, I show that regardless of the choice that they make, they will need to revise their understanding of the relationship between philosophy and science in substantial ways.
I am currently circulating an early draft of the manuscript for comments. Please email me if you would be interested in reading it.
Philosophical Issues in Quantum Mechanics
Co-authored work with Ned Hall.
In this book, we draw on our experiences teaching Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics to undergraduates and graduates at Harvard, MIT, Brown and Mount Holyoke College to present an accessible introduction to the quantum formalism and the philosophical issues that arise from that formalism.