Call for Abstracts
\n13th International Philosophy of Medicine Roundtable Conference
\nSeptember 14-18\, 2026
\nVirtual
\nHosted by the University of Pittsburgh \;
\nConference Dates
\nSeptember 14: Pre-conference workshop on the philosophy of diagnosis
\nSeptember 14: Keynote talks \;
\nSeptember 15-18: Selected Talks
\nVenue
\nThe 13th International Philosophy of Medicine Roundtable will be held online\, hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
\nKeynote speakers
\nLisa Sanders (Yale School of Medicine)
\nGurpreet Dhaliwal (University of California\, San Francisco School of Medicine) \;
\nCall for Abstracts: Main Conference Program
\nWe welcome philosophical talks on all aspects of health and medicine\, broadly construed. \;
\nPlease submit a 500-word abstract tohttps://forms.gle/fenNHJ982oNzKW42Aby March 15\, 2026. Abstracts will undergo blinded review by the scientific committee. Accepted papers will be allocated a 30 min speaking slot (including Q&\;A). \;
\nAn individual may be listed as an author on more than one abstract. However\, they may only submit one abstract on which they are listed as a presenter (and may only present once in the main program).
\nSpecial issue
\nPresenters at the Roundtable will be invited to submit a paper version of their talk to a special section of the journal Philosophy of Medicine (https://philmed.pitt.edu). Details will be provided to presenters.
\nImportant dates
\nSubmission deadline: March 15\, 2026
\nNotification of acceptance: by the end of April 2026
\nConference dates: September 14-18\, 2026
\nContacts
\nQuestions regarding submissions or the Roundtable conference generally should be directed to pmr2026@pitt.edu.
\nLocal Organizers
\nJonathan Fuller\, Raphael Scholl\, Laura Matthews\, Sloane Wesloh\, Rose Gatfield-Jeffries (University of Pittsburgh\, Department of History and Philosophy of Science) \;
\nScientific Committee
\nAtocha Aliseda\, Rachel Ankeny\, Robyn Bluhm\, Giovanni Boniolo\, Kirstin Borgerson (Chair)\, Raffalla Campaner\, Jonathan Fuller\, Elselijn Kingma\, Maë\;l Lemoine\, Benjamin Smart (Secretary)
ORGANIZER;CN=Sloane Wesloh;CN=Rose Gatfield-Jeffries;CN=Laura Matthews;CN=Raphael Scholl;CN=Jonathan Fuller: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260915T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260915T130000 SUMMARY:David Wallace - A Gravitomagnetic Bootstrap: localizing rotational and conformal structure in Newtonian gravity as a path to general relativity UID:20260903T054912Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION:University of Pittsburgh\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our Lunch Time Talk. Attend in person at 1117 Cathedral of Learning or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
\nLTT: David Wallace
\nTuesday\, September 15th @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
\nTitle: A Gravitomagnetic Bootstrap: localizing rotational and conformal structure in Newtonian gravity as a path to general relativity
\nAbstract:
\nHistorically Newtonian gravity was understood in terms of long-range forces imposed on an absolute spacetime background\, we now know it can be better understood as a localization of inertial structure - or at least of that part which distinguishes inertial motion from rectilinear acceleration. That perspective suggests a natural generalization: what if we also localize other aspects of inertial structure\, like rotation and scale\, and make them depend on matter dynamically? The resultant theory is uniquely determined up to an overall constant with the dimensions of velocity. It fails to be Galilean covariant\; investigating this failure allows one to 'bootstrap' up to (local) Lorentz covariance in a manner closely analogous to the bootstrap from magnetostatics to Maxwell's theory and special relativity. The resultant theory is equivalent to the first post-Newtonian approximation to general relativity.
\nThis talk will also be available live streamed on:
\nZoom at \;https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97060068493
\nYouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T133000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T163000 SUMMARY:Book Symposium: The New Modern Medicine UID:20260903T054913Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh\, 4200 Fifth Avenue\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:Book Symposium: The New Modern Medicine
\nSeptember 18 @ 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm EDT \;
\nIn The New Modern Medicine: Disease\, Evidence\, and Epidemiological Medicine (OUP\, 2025)\, Jonathan Fuller examines contemporary scientific medicine and its distinctive philosophical problems\, particularly problems brought about by the integration of modern epidemiology into medicine. In this book symposium\, Christopher Phillips and Benjamin Chin-Yee will respond to the book from philosophical\, historical\, and clinical perspectives. The audience will then be invited into the conversation.
\nThe New Modern Medicine is available to download open access:
\nhttps://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-new-modern-medicine-9780190066147?cc=us&\;lang=en&\;#
\nJonathan Fuller MD PhD
\nAssociate Professor\, Department of History and Philosophy of Science
\nUniversity of Pittsburgh
\n\nProfessor and Department Head\, Department of History
\nCarnegie Mellon University
\nBenjamin Chin-Yee MD PhD
\nAssistant Professor\, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
\nAssistant Professor\, Department of Philosophy
\nWestern University
\nSchedule:
\n1:30&ndash\;1:35 Introduction by Center Director
\n1:35&ndash\;1:50 Introduction to the book by Jonathan Fuller
\n1:50&ndash\;2:20 Response by Christopher Phillips
\n2:20&ndash\;2:50 Response by Benjamin Chin-Yee
\n2:50&ndash\;3:00 Break
\n3:00&ndash\;3:15 Reply by Jonathan Fuller
\n3:15&ndash\;4:00 Q&\;A
\nLocated in-person:
\nCenter for Philosophy of Science\, 1117 Cathedral of Learning
\nLive Streamed:
\nZoom Link: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/92326008828
\nYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260922T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260922T133000 SUMMARY:Cailin O’Connor - Closing the Loop on Social Influence in Science UID:20260903T054914Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:Europe/London DESCRIPTION:The Center for Philosophy of Science invites you to our Featured Former Fellow online lecture presented by: \; \;
\nFeatured Former Fellow: \; \;Cailin O&rsquo\;Connor
\nTuesday\, September 22nd @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
\nTitle: \; Closing the Loop on Social Influence in Science
\nAbstract: \;
\nThe prevalence of social influence in science is widely documented. \; But this influence is not one-sided. \; Social beliefs and values shape science\, and at the same time are shaped by scientific findings. \; This mutual influence raises the possibility of dynamical interplay between science and society. \; But while this possibility has been mentioned numerous times in the literature\, there is relatively little work attempting to analyze and outline how this mutual influence might work. \; This talk argues that two-way influence between science and society is promiscuous\, occurring via a wide range of mechanisms that start with both values and related cultural background beliefs\, and influence both values and related cultural background beliefs. I&rsquo\;ll discuss three sorts of general patterns at play&mdash\;positive feedback\, polarizing feedback\, and amplification.
\nThis talk will be available online only:
\nZoom: \; \; \;https://pitt.zoom.us/j/91092965122
\n\;YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T133000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T153000 SUMMARY:Grünbaum Memorial Lecture - Stephan Hartmann - The Open Systems View UID:20260903T054915Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh\, 4200 Fifth Avenue\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our 67th Annual Lecture Series Talk. Attend in person in room 1008 in the Cathedral of Learning (10th Floor) \; or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
\nThe Annual Lecture Series\, the Center&rsquo\;s oldest program\, was established in 1960\, the year when Adolf Grü\;nbaum founded the Center. Each year the series consists of six to eight lectures\, about three quarters of which are given by philosophers\, historians\, and scientists from other universities.
\nAnnual Lecture Series - Stephan Hartmann
\nFriday\, September 25th @ 3:30 pm - 5:30pm EDT
\n1008 Cathedral of Learning \;
\nTitle: \; The Open Systems View
\nAbstract: \;
\nQuantum theory is commonly understood as a theory of closed\, isolated systems\, with open systems treated as merely effective descriptions obtained by embedding them into larger closed systems. In this talk\, I challenge this assumption and defend the open systems view\, according to which systems interacting with their environments can themselves be treated as fundamental. The motivation is both physical and methodological: in central areas of contemporary physics&ndash\;decoherence\, quantum thermodynamics\, cosmology\, and black hold physics&ndash\;strict isolation is neither realistic nor clearly defined\, and its privileged status rests on idealizations whose epistemic and ontological roles require closer scrutiny. I present a general framework for open quantum dynamics in which environmental influence is incorporated directly into the system&rsquo\;s dynamical laws\, without presupposing an underlying unitary system-environment decomposition\, thereby treating openness as a basic structural feature of quantum theory rather than a derivative approximation. I then argue that standard interpretations of quantum mechanics&ndash\;both orthodox and Everettian&ndash\;are\, despite appearances\, already committed to open systems at the ontological level. The open systems view thus moticates a rethinking of fundamentality\, realism\, and the role of idealization in quantum theory\, and offers a methodologically transparent perspective on what quantum theory is fundamentally about.
\nThis talk is based on joint work with Michael E. Cuffaro (MCMP).
\nCan&rsquo\;t make it in-person? This talk will available online through the following:
\n\;Zoom: \;https://pitt.zoom.us/j/99407058272 \; \;and \;
\nYouTube at \; \;https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
\nAdolf Grü\;nbaum Memorial Lecture
\nAdolf Grü\;nbaum was the first Andrew Mellon Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh from 1960\, when he was hired away from Lehigh\, until his death in November 2018. He was the world preeminent philosopher of physics of his generation\, and he was instrumental in building philosophy and philosophy of science at Pitt. Among other things\, Adolf founded the Center for Philosophy of Science in 1960\, and remained its director until 1978. Adolf also inaugurated the Annual Lecture Series in 1961\, and so this is the 66th occurrence of this lecture series.
\nHis works include very important books such as Philosophical Problems of Space and Time (1963) and The Foundations of Psychoanalysis (1984). In honor and memory of his legacy of prolific and profound contributions to the field of philosophy\, the Center has established an annual Adolf Grü\;nbaum Memorial Lecture thanks to a gift from his daughter Barbara Grü\;nbaum and her family. We are extremely grateful for this gift. We are delighted that this year the Adolf Grü\;nbaum memorial lecture will be given by Professor Wayne Myrvold. To learn more about past speakers\, use the link here: https://www.centerphilsci.pitt.edu/events-and-more/annual-lecture-series/grunbaum-memorial-lecture/
\nA reception with light refreshments will follow in The Center on the 11th floor from 5-6pm.
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T130000 SUMMARY: Mike Hicks - Pragmatic Realism about Modality\, Natural and Metaphysical UID:20260903T054916Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh\, 4200 Fifth Avenue\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our Lunch Time Talk. Attend in person at 1117 Cathedral of Learning or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
\n\n\n\nTuesday\, September 29th @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
\n\nTitle: Pragmatic Realism about Modality\, Natural and Metaphysical
\n\nAbstract:
\nModal notions&mdash\;which deal with necessity\, possibility\, and counterfactually robust conditionals&ndash\;are central to our explanatory\, predictive\, and practical decision-making activities. In this talk\, I will focus on two distinct types of modality: first\, natural modality\, the sort associated with causation\, laws of nature\, and scientific explanation\; and second\, metaphysical modality\, of the sort associated with essences\, semantic externalism\, and grounding explanation. I will present and defend a first-order realist\, higher-order pragmatist view of these modal notions. On this view\, modal notions are backed by real\, in the world relations: invariant regularities in the case of natural modals\, and identity-like relations in the case of metaphysical modals. What makes these relations modal\, however\, are facts about our inferential practices. A relation is modally robust\, on this view\, just in case (and because) it is suitable to back a pattern of truth-conducive deductive inferences. I argue that this higher-order pragmatic explanation of the modality of these relations doesn&rsquo\;t challenge the view&rsquo\;s first-order realism\, but does provide the view with the resources to solve some of realism&rsquo\;s more intractable normative and epistemic problems.
\nThis talk will also be available live streamed on:
\nZoom at https://pitt.zoom.us/j/94260602832
\nYouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T133000 SUMMARY: Jessica Pfeifer- An Alternative Account of Objective Probabilities in Evolution UID:20260903T054917Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:Europe/London DESCRIPTION:The Center for Philosophy of Science invites you to our Featured Former Fellow online lecture presented by: \; \;
\n\nFeatured Former Fellow: \; \;Jessica Pfeifer
\n\nFriday\, October 2nd @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
\n\nTitle: \; An Alternative Account of Objective Probabilities in Evolution
\n\nAbstract: \;
\nStrevens\, Abrams\, and Rosenthal have independently developed accounts of objective probability consistent with determinism grounded in the theory of arbitrary functions. In this talk\, I focus on Strevens&rsquo\; way of developing and describing the approach in terms of microconstancy and macroperiodicity. These accounts face (at least) two major problems: (1) the problem of initial conditions\; and (2) the question of whether systems studied by scientists satisfy the conditions required for these accounts to work\, in particular whether the systems are microconstant and macroperiodic.
\nThe aim of the talk is to outline an alternative account of physical probability in a deterministic system that is grounded in the dynamics of that system\, without requiring that the system is microconstant or macroperiodic\, and without being dependent on the actual distribution of initial conditions in some form or other. Like Strevens\, Abrams\, and Rosenthal\, I think objective probabilities in deterministic systems can be grounded in facts about the dynamics of the actual world. However\, I argue that we should separate out what these facts entail about what would happen over a large class of possible outcomes from what happens in a large class of actual events. Physical probability first and foremost tells us about the former. We can only make inferences about the latter with additional assumptions or information (such as microconstancy\, macroperiodicity\, and facts about initial conditions). However\, as I will show\, the lack of the latter does not entail that objective probabilities have no significant role to play in science. I focus specifically on the use of probabilities in evolutionary theory. Based on an account I develop elsewhere\, I argue that probabilities allow biologists to represent the causal difference between natural selection and random genetic drift\, and that this has implications for what would happen over possible (and perhaps non-actual) conditions. Moreover\, this allows us to distinguish different roles that probabilities can play in science and what is required for each. Some of these roles might require microconstancy and macroperiodicity\, but others do not. The aim of the talk is to argue that there is a role that objective probabilities can play even when a system is not microconstant or macroperiodic.
\nThis talk will be available online only:
\nZoom: \; \; \;https://pitt.zoom.us/j/91318992513
\n\;YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261006T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261006T133000 SUMMARY:Aditya Jha - The Anatomy of Thermal Equilibrium and Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorems UID:20260903T054918Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh\, 4200 Fifth Avenue\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our Lunch Time Talk. Attend in person at 1117 Cathedral of Learning or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
\n\nLTT: Aditya Jha
\n\nTuesday\, October 6th @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
\n\nTitle: The Anatomy of Thermal Equilibrium and Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorems
\n\nAbstract:
\nTwo questions are foundational to equilibrium statistical mechanics and statistical thermodynamics: what justifies taking the Gibbs state to be the state of thermal equilibrium\, and what justifies a system&rsquo\;s approach to that state. Much of the literature focuses on the second question\, and on the debates around typicality\, ergodicity and entropy increase that have historically accompanied it. I show that focusing on the first is rewarding in its own right\, and accordingly argue for three claims. Firstly\, a satisfactory answer to the first question can be given on operational (thermodynamic) grounds alone\, something the physics literature recognized only much later than Gibbs did: the passivity theorems of Pusz and Woronowicz (1978) and Lenard (1978)\, and related recent accounts\, overlook the arguments to this effect already in Gibbs (1902)\, as well as those in Szilard (1925). Secondly\, such an answer reveals the precise structure of the state of thermal equilibrium\, which is more than the mere stationarity of an ensemble\; it is the conjunction of three conditions: stationarity\, detailed balance\, and a compositional (operational) condition on energies and probabilities that forces probability to be logarithmically linear in energy. Thirdly\, this precise structure is what has unified thermal physics to a significant degree\, both historically and in the contemporary literature\, though without due recognition as such. The structure is employed by some fluctuation-dissipation theorems\, from Einstein through Nyquist to Callen and Welton\, and partly by the modern generalized fluctuation theorems such as the Jarzynski equality. It also underlies the contemporary and more general characterization of thermal equilibrium as KMS states (Haag et al. 1967)\, where the analytic condition on correlation functions encodes just this detailed balance.
\nThis talk will also be available live streamed on:
\nZoom at \;
\nYouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261009T133000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261009T153000 SUMMARY:Serife Tekin - Stability and Intervention in Psychiatry UID:20260903T054919Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh\, 4200 Fifth Avenue\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our 67th Annual Lecture Series Talk. Attend in person in room 1008 in the Cathedral of Learning (10th Floor) \; or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
\nThe Annual Lecture Series\, the Center&rsquo\;s oldest program\, was established in 1960\, the year when Adolf Grü\;nbaum founded the Center. Each year the series consists of six to eight lectures\, about three quarters of which are given by philosophers\, historians\, and scientists from other universities.
\n\nAnnual Leture Series &ndash\; \; \;Serife Tekin
\n\nFriday\, October 9th @ 3:30 pm - 5:30pm EDT
\n\n1008 Cathedral of Learning \;
\n\nTitle: \; \;Stability and Intervention in Psychiatry
\n\nAbstract: \;
\nPsychiatry is often described as a methodologically unstable or fragmented science\, given its reliance on heterogeneous explanatory frameworks ranging from neuroscience and psychopharmacology to narrative\, phenomenological\, and patient-centered approaches. Philosophical critiques of psychiatry&rsquo\;s scientific standing frequently treat this heterogeneity as a liability\, suggesting that without stable objects of inquiry or unified classificatory kinds\, psychiatry cannot meet the explanatory and interventionist standards typically associated with mature science. This talk challenges that assumption by reconsidering what stability should mean in the context of psychiatric inquiry. Rather than treating stability as a property of diagnostic kinds or underlying mechanisms\, I suggest that it is more productively understood as something achieved through scientific and clinical practice. Drawing on work on scientific intervention\, disunity\, and the interactive nature of human kinds\, I argue that psychiatry&rsquo\;s epistemic success does not depend on discovering fixed natural kinds\, but on its capacity to generate locally reliable forms of explanation\, prediction\, and intervention. More broadly\, this perspective suggests that psychiatric stability is achieved through interventions that engage persons as reflective\, interactive\, and socially embedded targets of scientific practice.
\n\nCan&rsquo\;t make it in-person? This talk will available online through the following:
\n\;Zoom: \; \; \;and \;
\nYouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
\n\nA reception with light refreshments will follow in The Center on the 11th floor from 5-6pm.
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261016T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261016T133000 SUMMARY: Jamee Elder - The Secret Lives of Mass Gap Black Holes UID:20260903T054920Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh\, 4200 Fifth Avenue\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our Lunch Time Talk. Attend in person at 1117 Cathedral of Learning or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
\n\nLTT: \; \;Jamee Elder
\n\nFriday\, October 16th @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
\n\nTitle: \; \;The Secret Lives of Mass Gap Black Holes
\n\nAbstract:
\nRecent LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observations indicate black holes in the &ldquo\;mass gap&rdquo\; where pair-instability supernovae prevent black hole formation. One leading explanation is hierarchical mergers: merging black holes that are themselves products of prior mergers. I examine the evidence for this proposal and draw two methodological lessons. First\, the high spins of mass-gap black holes serve as a &ldquo\;smoking gun&rdquo\; signature of merger origin. Second\, such inferences rely on narrative models which scaffold epistemic iteration as new information is incorporated. This supports an optimistic view of astrophysical methodology and its capacity to uncover even the darkest objects&rsquo\; histories.
\nThis talk will also be available live streamed on:
\nZoom at \;
\nYouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
ORGANIZER;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261024T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261024T170000 SUMMARY:Workshop on the Naturalized Metaphysics of Physics UID:20260903T054921Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh\, 4200 Fifth Avenue\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:Workshop on the Naturalized Metaphysics of Physics
\nOctober 24 @ 8:30 am - 5:30 pm EDT
\nVenue and Date: Center for Philosophy of Science\, University of Pittsburgh - October 24\, 2026
\nIn light of radical ontological revision demanded by relativity and quantum mechanics\, naturalized metaphysics of physics seeks to develop metaphysical accounts by taking the content\, practice\, and empirical successes of contemporary physical theories as the primary evidence and constraint. It rejects approaches that rely primarily on a priori reasoning or intuitions disconnected from scientific practice\, while recognizing the study of the topics traditionally under the purview of metaphysics (ontology\, fundamentality\, laws\, space and time\, etc.) as critical for understanding of the picture of the world entailed by our best physical theories.
\nSpeakers will share research exploring questions related to the following key themes.
\n1. \; The analysis of the fundamental properties of putative entities and the laws of nature governing their behavior\, especially within the particularly conceptually fraught areas of quantum field theory. While most of the established literature has focused on axiomatic quantum field theory\, newer approaches are paying more attention to the intricacies of actual model building practices in theoretical particle physics. How do the usual lines of debate regarding particle and field interpretation change in light of these modeling practices\, over and above the mathematical foundations? For both particle and field interpretations\, what do these higher order modeling practices entail for our understanding of the fundamental properties and law-like behavior of these entities?
\n2. \; The nature of scale-dependent\, non-fundamental ontologies and their relationship to putative fundamental ones: Do the various the complexities of current physical theories and their modeling practices problematize or mesh with traditional notions of reduction\, emergence\, levels and composition? Can we accept the possibility of the study of scientific ontology\, without the need for a complete final theory in hand? If so\, what precautionary steps are fitting to the ontology of effective\, non-final theories? Does structural realism provide sufficient precautions? How do the finer details of specific mathematical structures (from the algebraic structure of fundamental interactions\, to the group representation structures for matter degrees of freedom) advance or stymie the project of structural realism? \;
\nOrganizing Committee
\n\nAssistant Professor\, Department of History and Philosophy of Science\, University of Pittsburgh
\n\nGraduate Student\, Philosophy
\nSpeakers
\n\nProfessor of Philosophy\, Duke University
\n\nAssociate Professor of Philosophy\, Affiliated Faculty of Halicioglu Data Science Institute\, Affiliated Faculty of Chinese Studies\, University of California\, San Diego\, Fellow\, John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics
\n\nStuart Professor of Philosophy\, Princeton University
\n\nAssociate Professor of Philosophy\, UC San Diego
\n ORGANIZER;CN=Marian J. R. Gilton;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260903T042221Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270227T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270228T170000 SUMMARY:Workshop on the Foundations of Mathematics - Pittsburgh UID:20260903T054922Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-86c794698f-lftdp TZID:America/New_York LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh\, 4200 Fifth Avenue\, Pittsburgh\, United States\, 15260 DESCRIPTION:Workshop on the Foundations of Mathematics
\nFebruary 27\, 2027 - February 28\, 2027
\n\;Center for Philosophy of Science\, University of Pittsburgh \;
\nQuestions about the nature of mathematics have long inspired both mathematical innovation and philosophical reflection. This conference brings together early-career researchers in mathematics and philosophy to discuss issues surrounding mathematical truth\, computability\, proof\, infinity\, and mathematical knowledge. Through a series of invited lectures\, participants will engage with both technical developments and conceptual challenges\, contributing to a tradition of inquiry that lies at the heart of the foundations of mathematics.
\nSpeakers
\n\nAssistant Professor\, Dept of Mathematics
\nUC Berkeley
\nResearch Associate
\nDartmouth
\nAssociate Professor in Philosophy
\nUniversity of Rochester
\nNSF Postdoc
\nCarnegie Mellon University
\nAssistant Professor
\nUniversity of Michigan
\nAssistant Professor of Philosophy
\nNYU
\nAssistant Professor of Philosophy
\nUC Berkeley
\nPostdoctoral Fellow in Mathematics
\nUniversity of Toronto
\nProfessor of Mathematics
\nMiami University
\nFrancesca Zaffora Blando \; \; \;By Zoom
\nAssistant Professor of Philosophy
\nCarnegie Mellon University
\nOrganizers
\n\nAssistant Professor of Philosophy
\nUniversity of Pittsburgh
\nAssistant Professor of Philosophy
\nUniversity of Pittsburgh
\nAssistant Professor of Philosophy
\nUniversity of Pittsburgh
\nAssociate Professor of Philosophy and Director of Graduate Studies
\nUniversity of Pittsburgh
\n\n ORGANIZER;CN="Douglas Blue";CN=Sven Neth;CN=Kate Stanton;CN=Porter Williams;CN=Edouard Machery: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR