Michael Townsen Hicks Last update on November 5, 2014 [email protected] · (804) 301-2451 · townsenhicks.com
Areas of Specialization: Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics Areas of Competence: Philosophy of Physics, Epistemology
Education Rutgers University, New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey Doctorate in Philosophy 2008–present Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude. Majors: Physics and Philosophy. Minor: Mathematics. 2003–2008
Research ”The Epistemic Role Account of Law” In Progress Humean accounts of law are notoriously bad at distinguishing laws from boundary conditions. I argue that this problem is more disasterous than it appears for David Lewis’ Best Systems Account of law, and explore Humean-friendly solutions. ”Solving the Coordination Problem” In Progress I examine stances on the relationship between fundamental and special scientific laws from the context of the metaphysics of laws. I argue that although views on reduction and on the metaphysics of law crosscut one another, a refined Humean account of laws provides the best account of this dependence. ”Making Fit Fit” In Progress Humean accounts of chance rely crucially on a notion of fit, which measures how well a chance-system matches a world. Humeans also heuristically characterize chance as an expert function. I explore how accuracy measures can be applied to fit, making the notion more precise and giving the heuristic characterization legitimacy. ”Derivative Properties in Fundamental Laws” Under Review With Jonathan Schaffer, under review in The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. ”Humean Laws and Circular Explanation: A Reply to Lange” 2014 Journal article with Peter van Elswyk, forthcoming in Philosophical Studies.
Talks ”Solving the Coordination Problem” Nov. 7, 2014 At the Philosophy of Science Association biennial meeting. ”Solving the Coordination Problem” Nov. 4, 2014 At Illinois Wesleyan University. ”Positions and Dispositions” 2012 Talk at the Ernst Mach Workshop: Issues in Physicalism.
Dissertation Abstract My research is on metaphysical accounts of laws of nature. I hold that laws are mere regularities; the most prominent such view is David Lewis’ Best Systems Account. The Best Systems Account faces insurmountable difficulties in distinguishing laws from informative boundary conditions. I motivate and defend a modified regularity account which circumvents this difficulty by adding minimal constraints required for the laws to be discovered inductively. I then extend my view to the special sciences. Finally, I show how connecting a modified frequentists account of probability with epistemic utility theory makes objective probabilities easier to characterize and more naturally connected to norms on partial belief. Awards Mellon Summer Research Grant 2014
Teaching Introduction to Philosophy of Science Spring 2013 As an independent instructor, developed a syllabus and lesson plans leading students to critically examine scientific goals and methodology with an emphasis on physics. Understanding Philosophy through Science Fiction Fall 2012, Summer 2010 Independently developed a course focussing on ways in which science fiction illustrates and addresses philosophical issues including free will, personal identity, the nature of time, and the nature of consciousness. Logic, Reasoning, and Persuasion (online course) Summer 2012 An introductory critical thinking course; experimented with online teaching tools. Current Moral and Social Issues Fall 2011 An introductory course focussing on theories punishment, just war, reproductive rights, and economic inequality.
Service Implicit Bias in the Classroom September 2013 Lead organizer. Structure in Physics April 2013 Conference organizer. Science Fiction and Fictions in Science March 2013 Conference organizer. Research Assistant to the Philosophy of Cosmology Group 2013–present Departmental Undergraduate Advisor 2012–present Rutgers Philosophy of Science Reading Group 2012–2014 Organizer. Rutgers Philosophy Climate Committee 2012–2013 Rutgers–Princeton Graduate Conference 2010, 2012
Coursework Seminar in Philosophy of Science Fall 2008 Barry Loewer 18thˆ Century Philosophy Fall 2008 Martha Bolton Proseminar in Philosophy Fall 2008 Alvin Goldman Advanced Topics: Philosophy of Language Fall 2008 Jeff King Advanced Topics: Epistemology Spring 2009 Jason Stanley Seminar in Philosophy of Mind Spring 2009 Jerry Fodor Advanced Topics: Metaphysics Spring 2009 Brian McLaughlin Logic and Natural Language Fall 2009 Brian Weatherson Advanced Topics: Analytic Philosophy Fall 2009 Alvin Goldman Advanced Topics: Ethics Fall 2009 Larry Temkin and James Griffin Seminar in Philosophy of Science Spring 2010 Tim Maudlin Advanced Topics: Analytic Philosophy Spring 2010 Jason Stanley Advanced Topics: Ancient Philosophy Spring 2010 Alan Code and Robert Bolton Topics in Mathematical Physics: Bohmian Mechanics Spring 2012 Shelly Goldstein