The Department of History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine (HPSC) is a separate department at Indiana University, not part of the Philosophy department. For the story behind this arrangement, see Henry Veatch’s History of the Indiana University Philosophy Department in Bloomington: The Years 1929–65. ) Students who wish to pursue a degree through HPSC must apply directly to their department.
Several HPSC faculty members focus on the history of metaphysical and epistemological issues, among other research interests:
- Jordi Cat: Philosophy of physics, history of philosophy of science, general philosophy of science (special focus on unity of science, models, causality, scientific images, and embodied cognition)
- Amit Hagar: Philosophy of physics (relativity, quantum information), Early Modern (especially Thomas Reid)
- Norette Koertge (Emerita): Philosophy of science (especially methodology, development of science, philosophy of chemistry and social science, and Karl Popper), ethics of science and technology, and critiques of feminist perspectives on science
- Elizabeth Lloyd: Philosophy of biology, models, and American Pragmatism
- Domenico Bertoloni Meli: Early Modern philosophy of science
- Jutta Schickore: Philosophy of experiments and instruments, 19th and 20th-century philosophy of science
Despite the administrative distinction between the two departments, we maintain close and cooperative ties. Many Philosophy students take courses in HPSC, and vice versa. Our students often choose HPSC as their outside minor area of concentration, although other areas are popular as well. The outside minor area is a requirement of the Graduate School.
Many HPSC faculty members hold adjunct appointments in Philosophy. This means they can direct Ph.D. dissertations and serve on Philosophy dissertation committees. At present, these include Professors Colin Allen, Jordi Cat, Amit Hagar, Professor Emerita Elisabeth Lloyd, Jutta Schickore, and Professor Emerita Norette Koertge.
The College of Arts