The John Dewey Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University, Philip Kitcher was born in London in 1947. Over a career spanning decades, he has examined the foundations of science, biology, and mathematics, while increasingly focusing his recent intellectual efforts on pragmatism and the social implications of scientific inquiry within democratic societies.
Academic Foundation and Career
Kitcher attended Christ's Hospital and later earned his undergraduate degree from Christ's College, Cambridge, in 1969. He moved to Princeton University for his doctorate, which he completed in 1974 under the guidance of Carl Hempel and Thomas Kuhn. His teaching career included tenured and tenure-track positions at Vassar College, the University of Vermont, the University of Minnesota, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Michigan before his long tenure at Columbia University.
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Kitcher identifies three essential criteria for assessing the quality of scientific theories: independent testability of auxiliary hypotheses, unification of problem-solving strategies, and fecundity. He argues that incomplete theories are not inherently flawed, as they should raise new questions and invite further investigation. Throughout his career, he has addressed topics ranging from the philosophy of climate change to the impact of the Human Genome Project, serving on the NIH/DOE Working Group from 1995 to 1997.
Engagement with Public Controversy
Beyond academic theory, Kitcher has addressed public scientific disputes, notably publishing Abusing Science: The Case Against Creationism in 1982. He challenged the common misinterpretation of Thomas Kuhn’s work on scientific revolutions, arguing that creationists inappropriately used Kuhn’s concepts to suggest that science is merely a closed club of dogmatic members who ignore outsider critiques. He has also explored sociobiology and the potential of genetic research in works like The Lives to Come.
Philosophical Evolution
In his later publications, including The Ethical Project, Kitcher has advocated for a naturalistic and pragmatic approach to moral and philosophical dilemmas. By prioritizing a reconstructive method, he aims to connect traditional philosophical inquiries in ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics with the practical concerns of contemporary life. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Philosophy of Science between 1994 and 1999 and held the presidency of the American Philosophical Association.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947, London
- Doctorate: Princeton University, 1974
- Lakatos Award recipient: 1987
- Editor-in-Chief, Philosophy of Science: 1994-1999
- Berlin Prize recipient: 2015
- American Philosophical Society elected member: 2018
- Hempel Award recipient: 2020
- Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy: 2021
Questions readers ask
What is Kitcher’s main area of research?
He specializes in the philosophy of science, biology, and mathematics, with an emphasis on pragmatism and ethical inquiry.
Which universities has he served?
He has held academic appointments at Vassar College, Princeton, the University of Vermont, the University of Minnesota, the University of California, San Diego, the University of Michigan, and Columbia University.
Achievements
- Berlin Prize — 2015
- Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy — 2021
- Held posts at University of California, San Diego, University of Minnesota and University of Michigan
