Ontology and Methodology

o How do scientists’ initial conjectures about the entities and processes under their scrutiny influence the choice of variables, the structure of mature scientific theories, and methods of interpretation of those theories?

o How do methods of data generation, statistical modeling, and analysis influence the construction and appraisal of theories at multiple levels?

o How does historical analysis of the development of scientific theories illuminate the interplay between scientific methodology, theory building, and the interpretation of scientific theories?

This conference brings together prominent philosophers of science, biology, cognitive science, causation, economics, and physics with philosophically minded scientists engaged in research into these interconnected methodological and ontological questions.

Registration is free but required. To register for the conference and for a detailed description of conference themes, paper titles, and abstracts, as well as lodging information, please see the conference website: http://www.ratiocination.org/OM2013/about.html.