Modeling, Idealization, and Truth: A Dialogue between Contemporary Philosophy of Science and the Aristotelian Tradition

24-25 February 2023
Aula Minor, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome

Language: English

Theme of the Conference: Philosophy of Science & Aristotelian Tradition

A central theme within the philosophy of science is the importance of idealization, metaphor
and modeling for both how we know, and what we know, through the natural sciences. This improved
understanding of how the sciences work has led (at least within the philosophy of science community) to
the realization that physical theories should not be interpreted literally, and that the mathematical
structure of a theory is not a straightforward guide to the metaphysics of the entities described by that
theory. On the other hand, the philosophical discussion of modeling, metaphor and idealization — and the
relationship of these notions to truth is not new and has a long pedigree within the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition. This conference brings together philosophers of science and those working within Aristotelian-Thomism to discuss how the resources of this tradition can be brought to bear on contemporary philosophy of science.

Speakers Include:

Nicholas Teh (University of Notre Dame)
John O’Callaghan (University of Notre Dame)
Fr Kevin Flannery (Gregorianum)
Jonathan Buttaci (Catholic University of America)
Santiago Schnell (University of Notre Dame)
Dave O’Connor (University of Notre Dame)
James Nguyen (Stockholm University)
Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P. (Angelicum)
Thomas Davenport, O.P. (Angelicum)

Registration will open in autumn 2022.

Call for Papers

Recent doctoral scholars and graduate students are invited to submit proposals (no longer than 300 words) for a short paper addressing topics discussed at the conference, as well as other issues in the dialogue between science and religion. Please include a short academic biographical note (50-150 words) in the submission that lists any degrees and the institutions where they were obtained, as well as your current affiliation. All submissions should be emailed [email protected] by 1 January 2023 in order to be considered.