matthew in lamu

Welcome to my little home on the web. I just moved to Bucknell University from the University of Idaho. My research primarily concerns the philosophy of science and a range of related issues in metaphysics.

I'm thrilled to have received a Scholar's Award from the National Science Foundation to pursue a further research on biological classification via a series of case studies. This will primarily support a year leave in 2010–11 during which I hope to complete much of the research for a book on biological kinds. But my interest in classification extends beyond biology.

In my teaching, I mainly split my time between courses in Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Biology, Ethical Issues in Science, and Metaphysics & Epistemology (I'm working on a hybrid text/anthology for this one). Aside from philosophy, I'm an avid though mediocre basketball player (and watcher), an avid guitar and piano player (and listener), a single-malt scotch, wine, and beer enthusiast, and an occasionally-professional photographer.

Education

Ph.D., Columbia University (2006)
Dissertation: The Nature of Kinds

Philip Kitcher, Achille Varzi (directors)

B.A. (Highest Honors), Dartmouth College (2000)

M.A., Columbia University (2002)
M.Phil., Columbia University (2003)

Areas of Specialization

Metaphysics, Philosophy of Science (particularly philosophy of biology and chemistry)

Areas of Competence

Epistemology, Ethic and Science Policy, Logic