Friday, 4 April 2008
Beyond Simplicity: Integrating Knowledge in a Complex World
Sandra D. Mitchell, Department of History and Philosophy of Science
University of Pittsburgh
12:05 pm, 817R Cathedral of Learning

Abstract: Mitchell will present an overview of her forthcoming book, as well as one of the more detailed arguments in it. The thesis of the book is that complexity is not beyond our understanding; it requires a new way of understanding.  It requires a more detailed analysis of the many roles context plays in shaping natural phenomena.  Historical contingency conspires with episodes of randomness to create the actual forms and behaviors that populate life on our planet.  Features of the new approach to epistemology incorporate

* pluralism, integrating multiple explanations and models at many levels of analysis instead of always expecting a single, bottom level reductive explanation

*  pragmatism in place of absolutism, which recognizes there are many ways to accurately, if partially, represent the nature of nature, including various degrees of generality and levels of abstraction.  Which representation "works" best is dependent on our interests and abilities.

* and the essentially dynamic and evolving character of knowledge in place of static universalism.  This feature requires us to find new means of investigating nature and acting on the knowledge we obtain.

Abstract: Mitchell will present an overview of her forthcoming book, as well as one of the more detailed arguments in it. The thesis of the book is that complexity is not beyond our understanding; it requires a new way of understanding.  It requires a more detailed analysis of the many roles context plays in shaping natural phenomena.  Historical contingency conspires with episodes of randomness to create the actual forms and behaviors that populate life on our planet.  Features of the new approach to epistemology incorporate

* pluralism, integrating multiple explanations and models at many levels of analysis instead of always expecting a single, bottom level reductive explanation

*  pragmatism in place of absolutism, which recognizes there are many ways to accurately, if partially, represent the nature of nature, including various degrees of generality and levels of abstraction.  Which representation "works" best is dependent on our interests and abilities.

* and the essentially dynamic and evolving character of knowledge in place of static universalism.  This feature requires us to find new means of investigating nature and acting on the knowledge we obtain.