Our Members

Research Area:

• History and Philosophy of Science
• Feminist Analysis of Science
• Science and Values

Biography:

Kathleen Okruhlik did her graduate work in HPS (History and Philosophy of Science) at Pittsburgh and began her career working on fairly traditional problems concerning laws of nature, space and time, matter and motion. She maintains a strong interest in such “mainstream” topics but has also been greatly influenced by various feminist analysis of science that have effectively called into question many of the presuppositions that shaped philosophy of science during the later half of the twentieth-century (including post-Kuhnian philosophy of science). In particular, she investigates the ways in which even “good science” is shaped by choices and by values that have traditionally been considered external to the scientific enterprise. She is especially interested in the way sin which attending to these choices and the contextual values can raise the epistemic bar, leading to better science as well as a better world.

Recent undergraduate teaching includes courses in science and values, feminist epistemology, science and democracy. Recent graduate teaching includes courses on twentieth-century philosophy of science, varieties of voluntarism in philosophy of science, and feminist critiques of science.

Research:

I am presently investigating the various forms that epistemic voluntarism has taken in philosophy of science and ways that these forms of voluntarism relate to the values question in science. The voluntarisms of Otto Neurath and Bas van Fraassen are those to which I have thus far devoted the most attention.

A side project involves John Stuart Mill’s impact on recent philosophy of science. The emphasis here is on the role of the theoretical pluralism and its relationship to science, democracy, and the marketplace.

The relationship between empiricism and emancipation is a theme that informs these projects and others.

Publications:

 

Doctoral Thesis:

Matter and Modality: Studies in Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Natural Philosophy, HPS, University of Pittsburgh

Books:

The Natural Philosophy of Leibniz, (edited with J. Brown), Reidel, 1985, vii + 342 pp.

Women and Reason (edited with E. Harvey), University of Michigan Press, 1992, 294 pp.

PSA 1992, volume one (edited with D. Hull and M. Forbes), Philosophy of Science Association, 1992, xxx +552 pp.

PSA 1992, volume two (edited with D. Hull and M. Forbes), Philosophy of Science Association, 1993, xix + 496 pp.

Articles:

“The Interplay Between Theory and Observation in the Solar Model of Hipparchus and Ptolemy”, PSA 1978, (eds.) Asquith and Hacking, pp. 73-82.

“Kant and the Foundation of Science”, Nature Mathematized: Historical and Philosophical Case Studies in Classical Modern Natural Philosophy, (ed.) W. Shea, Reidel 1982, pp. 249-266.

“Pornography and Censorship”, Westminster Institute Review, 1983. Reprinted in Critical Thinking, Lilly-Marlene Russow and Martin Curd, St. Martin’s Press, 1988.

“Recent Work on the Philosophy of Leibniz” (with J. Brown), Studia Leibnitiana, 1983, pp. 127-128.

“Ghosts in the World Machine: The Mechanical Philosophy Under Strain”, Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on the History and Philosophy of Science, (ed.) J. Pitt, Reidel, 1984, pp. 85-106.

“Leibniz on the Status of Scientific Laws”, The Natural Philosophy of Leibniz, (eds.) J. Brown and K. Okruhlik, Reidel, 1985, pp. 183-206.

“The Natural Philosophy of Leibniz” The Natural Philosophy of Leibniz, pp. 1-6.

“A Taxonomy of Realisms”, Dalhousie Review, Fall 1984, pp. 574-583.

Entries for “Achinstein”, “Whewell’s Philosophy”, and “Whewell’s History” in the “Dictionnaire des oeuvres philosophies”, a component of Encyclopedie philosophique, Presses Universitaires de France.

“Kant on Realism and Methodology”, Butts (ed.) Kant‘s Philosophy of Physical Science: die Metaphysiche Anfangsgrunde der Naturwissenschaften, 1786-1986, Reidel, 1986:307-329.

“Philosophical Feminism: Challenges to Science”, with A. Wylie, Resources for Feminist Research, vol. 16, no. 3, 1988, pp. 379-388.

“Feminist Critiques of Science: The Epistemological and Methodological Literature”, with A. Wylie, S. Morton, and L. Thielen-Wilson, Women‘s Studies International Forum, vol. 12, no. 3, 1989, pp. 97-113

“The Foundation of All Philosophy: Newton’s Third Rule”, in J. Brown and J. Mittelstrass (eds.) An Intimate Relation: Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science, Dordrecht: Kluwer, 1989.

“Philosophical Feminism: A Bibliographic Guide to Critiques of Science”(with A. Wylie, L. Thielen-Wilson, and S. Morton) Resources for Feminist Research, June 1990, pp 2-36.

“Birth of a New Physics or Death of Nature?” in E. Harvey and K. Okruhlik (eds.) Women and Reason, University of Michigan Press, 1992.

“Introduction” to Women and Reason, with E. Harvey, University of Michigan Press, 1992.

“Gender Bias in the Biological and Social Sciences”, Canadian Journal of Philosophy, supplementary volume, 1995. Reprinted in Philosophy of Science. The Central Issues, ed. by Martin Curd and Jan Cover (W.W. Norton Co., 1998).

Critical Notice of Otto Neurath: Philosophy Between Science and Politics by Nancy Cartwright et al, International Studies in the Philosophy of Science, 1998.

“L’ideologie des sexes dans les sciences biologique” in a volume edited by A. Kremer-Marietti, Paris, 1998.

“Feminist Accounts of Science”. Entry in Companion to the Philosophy of Science, W.H. Newton-Smith (ed.), Blackwell, 2000, pp. 134-142.

“Logical Empiricism, Feminism, and Neurath’s Auxiliary Motive”. Hypatia 19.1, Winter 2004,pp. 48-72.

Critical Notice of Scientific Representation: Paradoxes of Perspective by Bas C. van Fraassen, Canadian Journal of Philosophy vol.39, no.4 (December 2009), pp. 673-696.

Conference Presentations:

“Mill and the Merchants of Doubt”, Joint Symposium co-sponsored by the Canadian Philosophical Association and the Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Congress, Fredericton NB, May 2011.

“Risk Assessment: Science, Values, and Science Policy”, Philosophy of Science Association (symposium paper), Montreal, November 2010.

“Mill on Science and Democracy”, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Congress, Concordia University, Montreal, May 2010.

“Free Trade in Ideas: Mill vs. the Marketplace”, European Philosophy of Science Association, Amsterdam, October 2009.

“John Stuart Mill, the Marketplace of Ideas, and Survival of the Fittest”, Atlantic Region Philosophers Association, Sydney NS, October 2009.

“Scientific Representation and the Problem of Coordination”, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Congress, Carleton University, Ottawa, May 2009.

“Misrepresenting Science”, Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, April 2009.

“Free Trade in Ideas”, Humboldt-sponsored conference on Science and Values, Bielefeld, Germany, July 2008.

“Putnam, Proctor, and Political Economy”, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Congress, University of British Columbia, May 2008.

“The Traffic between Epistemic and Ethical Issues in the Work of John Stuart Mill”. Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Congress, University of Saskatchewan, May 2007.

“Was It Good for You? Adaptationism, Androcentrism, and the Evolution of the Female Orgasm.” Paper for panel on The Case of the Female Orgasm by Elisabeth Lloyd, co-sponsored by the Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science and the Canadian Society of Women in Philosophy, Congress, York University, May 2006.

“Conventions, Bifurcations, and Constitutive Principles”, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Congress, York University, May 2006.

“Agency and Disembodiment”, Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, Halifax, October 2005.

“Sinking Neurath’s Boat”, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Congress, UWO, May 2005.

“Emancipation and Empiricism”, panel presentation, Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, London, October 2003.

Reply to Dan McArthur, “Is Pickering’s ‘Pragmatic Realism’ Viable?”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Halifax, June 2003.

Reply to Anjan Chakravarty, “Connecting Natural Kinds with Natural Laws” for the Canadian Philosophical Association, Congress, Toronto, May 2002.

“The Lost Wanderers of Descartes: Epistemic Voluntarism”. Reichenbach Conference. Washington University. St. Louis, MO. October 2001.

Comments on “Feminists and Scientists: Can We Talk?”. Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science. Quebec City. May 2001. (Delivered by colleague.)

Comments on “Evaluating Background Independence”. Canadian Philosophical Association. Quebec City. May 2001. (Delivered by a colleague due to family emergency.)

“Epistemic Voluntarism in Philosophy of Science”. Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science. Edmonton, Alberta. May 2000.

Comments on “Homeobox Genes in Evolution and Development”. Canadian Philosophical Association, Edmonton, Alberta. May 2000.

On Illusions of Paradox”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Sherbrooke, Quebec, June 1999.

“Positivism and Feminism”, Department of Philosophy, UWO, December 1998.

“Logical Positivism’s Legacy to Feminism”, Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, Calgary, October 1998.

“Logical Positivism’s Legacy to Feminism”, Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, April 1998

“Partiality and Coherence, Locality and Unification”, Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, Dalhousie University, September 1997

“A Defense of Role Models”, Panel Discussion, Canadian Philosophical Association, St. John’s, May 1997

“Postmodern Epistemology and the ‘Essence of Humanity’” at Trent University Conference: Science and Culture, May 1997

“Descartes and Subjectivity” at University of Toronto conference: “Descartes 400,” April 1996.

“The Human Genome Project: Values in Scientific Research,” Keynote Address for Philosophy Week at Concordia University, February 1996.

“The Rhetoric of The Human Genome Project” at Queen’s University conference: “Gender, Race and Science”, October 1995

“The Rhetoric of Gene Research”, Keynote Address at The University of Western Ontario, French Department conference, “Scientific Discourse as Prejudice Carrier?”, October 1995

“Gendered Science and the Sexless Mind”, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Montreal, June 1995.

“Cartwright’s Laws and Tendencies”, commentary on Alex Rueger and David Sharp, Canadian Philosophical Association, Montreal, June 1995.

Guest Lecture: Graduate Seminar in Historiography, Institute for History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, November 1994. (Also 1995, 1996)

“Contextualizing Descartes: Problems and Prospects”, The Descartes Project at the University of Toronto, Workshop: “Resources for Descartes Scholarship”, April 1994.

“Recent Developments in Feminist Accounts of Science”, Institute for History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, February 1994.

“Feminist Theory in Practice: The Issue of Affirmative Action”. Commentary on Christine Koggel, Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, Calgary, Alberta, September 1993.

“Teaching as a Feminist”, (Panel Discussion) Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, Ottawa, May 1993.

“Becoming”, Canadian Philosophical Association, (Symposium on Philosophy of Time) Ottawa, June 1993.

“Science and Essentialism”, commentary on Susan Babbitt, Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, Toronto, September 1992.

“Report on Hiring Policies Affecting Women”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Charlottetown, P.E.I., May 1992.

“Quine and Logical Positivism”, commentary on James Van Evra, Canadian Philosophy Associate, Charlottetown, P.E.I., May 1992.

Comment on Savitt: “Selective Scientific Realism”, Western Canadian Philosophical Association, Vancouver, October 1991.

“Women in Canadian Philosophy Departments”, report to CPA executive and AGM, Learned Societies Conference, Kingston, May 1991.

“The Difference Gender Makes”, CPA Symposium, Learned Societies Conference, Kingston, May 1991.

“Cartwright and Capacities”, presentation to Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Learned Societies Conference, Kingston, May 1991.

“Gender Bias and Theory Construction in the Biological and Social Sciences”, at Biology, Behaviour and Society Conference, Edmonton, Alberta, May 1991.

U.W.O. Pugwash Lecture: “Gender Bias in the Sciences”, February 1991.

“Gender Ideology in Biological Science”; Philosophy of Science Association; Minneapolis, Minnesota; October 1990.

“Feminism and the Social Construction of Science”, Sorbonne Colloque International d’epistémologie et de Philosophie des Sciences sur le théme La Sociologie de la Science, April 1990.

“Caveats Concerning Cartwright’s Capacities”, Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, April 1990.

“Birth of a New Physics or Death of Nature?”, University of Toronto Conference on “Rationality, Gender and the Moderns”, February 1990.

“Epistemological Time Asymmetry: Comments on Savitt”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Quebec City, May 1989.

“Science and Social Responsibility”, Student Centre for Public Issues, U.W.O., March 1989.

“Birth of a New Physics or Death of Nature?”, Conference on Women and Reason, U.W.O., February 1989.

“Birth of a New Physics or Death of Nature?”, Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science, Windsor, May 1988.

“Space-Time Realism: Leibniz to Friedman”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Windsor, May 1988.

Newton’s Third Rule” at the Conference on the Philosophy of Science, University of Toronto, November 27, 1987.

“The Foundation of All Philosophy: Newton’s Third Rule”, at the Newton’s Legacy Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 12, 1987.

Reply to M. Mercer, “Davidson’s Coherentist Realism”, Ontario Philosophical Society, Toronto, October 1986.

Commentator: “In Defense of First Persons”. Reply to L. Code, “Second Persons”, Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, Halifax, N.S., September 1986.

Panel Discussion of The Science Question in Feminism with Sandra Harding and Alison Wylie, Ninth Annual Conference of the Canadian Society for Women in Philosophy, St. Mary’s, Dalhousie and Mt. St. Vincent Universities, Halifax, N.S., September 1986.

“The Status of the Fundamental Forces in Kant’s Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science”, a panel discussion, Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science, Winnipeg, June 1986.

“Feminist Challenges to Science”, with A. Wylie, Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science, Learneds, Winnipeg, June 1986.

“The Roles of Platonic and Kantian Elements in William Whewell’s Philosophy of Science”, Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science, Montreal, June 1985.

Comments on Wylie, “Bootstrapping in Archaeology”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Montreal, June 1985.

“A Locus of Values in Science”, Society for Exact Philosophy, Toronto, March 1985.

“A Locus of Values in Science”, Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science, Guelph, June 1984.

“A Taxonomy of Realisms”, at a conference on scientific realism, Dalhousie, Halifax, August 1983.

Several presentations at a workshop leading to a conference on scientific realism, Dalhousie, Halifax, July-August 1983.

“Newton and Gravity: The Third Rule”, Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science, Vancouver, June 1983.

“Newton’s Third Rule: The Foundation of All Philosophy”, Department of Philosophy, University of Guelph, April 1983.

“Passive Force in Leibniz’s Natural Philosophy”, at the conference: Leibniz: The Philosophy and Foundations of Science, University of Toronto, February 1983.

“The Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence: Theology and Physics in the 17th Century”, Philosophy, Scarborough College, University of Toronto, February 1983.

“Ghosts in the World Machine: The Mechanical Philosophy Under Strain”, Fourth International Conference on the History and Philosophy of Science, Blacksburg, Virginia, November 1982.

Reply to Richmond, “A Note on Larry Laudan’s Progress and Its Problems”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Ottawa, June 1982.

“Women and Health Care: Philosophical and Political Issues”, Faculty of Nursing, University of Western Ontario, April 1981. Similar presentation in April 1982.

Revision of “Leibniz on the Status of Scientific Laws”, Conference on Matter Theory, University of Western Ontario, April 1982.

Revised version of “Leibniz on the Status of Scientific Laws”, University of Toronto, March 1981.

“Force and Inertia: Euler and Kant’s Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Sci­ence”, Third International Conference on the History and Philosophy of Science, Montreal, August 1980.

Reply to Fitzgerald, “Is Temporality Mind-Dependent?”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Montreal, June 1980.

“The Interplay Between Theory and Observation in the Solar Model of Hipparchus and Ptolemy”, Philosophy of Science Association, San Francisco, October 1978.

Invited Talks:

Science Policy Studies and the Value-Free Ideal”, Greater Toronto Area Symposium of History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science, Technology and Medicine, Ryerson University, Toronto, May 2010.

“Evidence in Context”. Keynote Address, HAPSAT Conference, Institute for History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, May 2009.

“Values and Voluntarism in Science”, Department of Philosophy, UWO, April 2006.

“Philosophy of Science: The Big Picture”, Faculty of Engineering, UWO, April 2006.

“The Science Wars”, The University of Western Ontario. April 2002. (Contribution to The Scientific Journey.)

“Leibniz on Laws of Nature”. Presentation to graduate students, Department of Philosophy, University of Rochester. Rochester, NY. November 2001.

“Varieties of Epistemic Voluntarism”. Department of Philosophy, University of Rochester. Rochester, NY. November 2001.

“Space, Time and God”. London Public Library. October 2000.

“Philosophy of Science Today” Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Western Ontario. October 2000.

“Philosophy of Science Today”, Microbiology and Immunology Seminar, Siemens-Drake Research Institute, London, Ontario, April 2000.

“Feminist Theories and Philosophy of Science”, Keynote Speaker, Undergraduate Philosophy Conference, University of Oklahoma, April 2000.

“Science and the Will to Believe”, Department of Philosophy, University of Oklahoma, March 2000.

“One Hundred Years of Change: Women, Western, and the World”. UWO Senior Alumni. Toronto. October 1999.

“Positivism and Feminism”, Department of Philosophy, UWO, December 1998.

“The Life and Death of the Cartesian Subject”, Department of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh, March 1998

“Logical Positivism’s Legacy to Feminism”, Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto, March 1998

“The Life and Death of the Cartesian Subject”, Department of Philosophy, Trent University, November 1997

“The Life and Death of the Cartesian Subject”, Department of Philosophy, York University, November 1997

“Feminist Critiques of Biology”, BiPED, University of Western Ontario, October 1997

“The Rhetoric of Gene Research”, Keynote Address at The University of Western Ontario, French Department conference, “Scientific Discourse as Prejudice Carrier?”, October 1995

“Descartes, Gender, and Science”, University of Guelph, Department of Philosophy, March 1995.

Guest Lecture: Graduate Seminar in Historiography, Institute for History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, November 1994. (Also 1995, 1996)

“Report on Hiring Policies Affecting Women”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Charlottetown, P.E.I., May 1992.

“Ethics in Medicine and Biology”, invited lecture for all first-year biology students, Alumni Hall, U.W.O., January 1992.

Kaleidoscope Lecture: “Recent Developments in Biomedical Ethics”, U.W.O., April 1991.

The Vaughan Memorial Lectures at Balliol College, Oxford (with A. Wylie), May 1990.

“Birth of a New Physics or Death of Nature?”, University of Edmonton Department of Philosophy, March 1990.

“Philosophical Feminism: Challenges to Science”, University of Edmonton Public Lecture sponsored by Women’s Studies, March 1990.

“Science and Social Responsibility”, Student Centre for Public Issues, U.W.O., March 1989.

“Leibnizian Space and Time”, Department of Philosophy, Dalhousie University, March 11, 1988.

“Science and Sexism”, Women’s Studies Inaugural Lecture, Dalhousie University, March 10, 1988

“Leibnizian Space and Time”, Department of Philosophy, University of Waterloo, February 5, 1988.

“The Ethics of Euthanasia”, to variety of audiences in 1988.

“Epistemological Implications of Androcentrism in Science” (with A. Wylie), Department of Philosophy, Queen’s University, November 19, 1987.

“Pornography and Censorship”, various student groups.

“Why Women’s Studies?”, to a variety of audiences 1987-1989.

“Science and Feminism”, Student Pugwash, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, March 1987.

“Theory Construction and the Role of Social Values in Science”, Department of Philosophy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, February 1987.

CBC Radio, “The Medicine Show”, interview on experimental design: breast cancer study, November 1985.

“The Ethics of Abortion” to U.W.O. medical students, February 1984 (and 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989).

“Censorship and Pornography” on “Speaking Out”, TVO, February 1984.

“The Principle of Informed Consent and Abortion Decisions for Teen-aged Girls”, to a meeting of the executive directors of the Children’s Aid Societies of Ontario. Stratford, September 1983.

“What’s Wrong With the Civil Libertarian Line on the Censorship of Pornography?” A debate with Alan Borovoy, University of Western Ontario, March 1983.

Interview on topics in bioethics for CBC Radio “Ideas” program: “A Question of Ethics”, March 1983.

“Analysis and Discussion of Not a Love Story”, presented on numerous occasions to a variety of audiences.

“Pornography and Censorship”, to a workshop at University Hospital, The University of Western Ontario, November 1981. Similar presentation taped for local television and radio.

“Women and Health Care: Philosophical and Political Issues”, Faculty of Nursing, University of Western Ontario, April 1981. Similar presentation in April 1982.

“Leibniz on the Status of Scientific Laws”, Philosophy, University of Ottawa, January 1981.

“Isaac Newton’s God: The Interaction Between Theology and Physics”, Undergraduate Philosophy Club, University of Western Ontario, March 1980.

“Issues in Seventeenth-Century Matter Theory”, Philosophy, Dalhousie, February 1980.

“Leibniz’s Theory of Matter”, Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science, University of Toronto, February 1979.

Projects:

(Please see section on Research)

Values and Voluntarism

Epiricism and Emancipation

Mill and the Merchants of Doubt

Teaching:

Undergraduate:

Biomedical Ethics

Structure of Scientific Theories

The Scientific Revolution

Ethics and Medicine

Philosophy of Science

Liberal Studies in Science

Great Philosophers: Bertrand Russell

John Stuart Mill

Symbolic Logic

Reasoning and Critical Thinking

Seminar in 20th Century Philosophy

Hilary Putnam

Philosophical Issues in Feminism

Introduction to Philosophy

Early Modern Philosophy

Feminist Theories of Knowledge

Feminist Ethics and Social Political Philosophy

Philosophy of Physics

Science and Values

Science and Democracy

Graduate:

Scientific and Metaphysical Realism

Scientific Revolution: Space and Time, Matter and Method

Philosophy of Science

Space and Time

Laws of Nature

Reductionism and the Unity of Science

Feminist Theories of Knowledge

Feminist Ethics and Social Political Philosophy

Peirce on Chance and Probability (reading course)

The Human Genome Project (reading course)

Unification in the Physical Sciences (reading course)

Explanation in Molecular & Evolutionary Biology (reading course)

Representation and Realism (reading course)

Naturalized Epistemology (reading course)

Philosophical Issues in the IQ Debates (reading course)

Models, Maps, Metaphors and Pictures (prospectus course)

Peirce and Spinoza (prospectus course)

Values in Science

John Stuart Mill’s Influence on 20th-c Philosophy of Science

Constructive Empiricism in the Twenty-First Century (prospectus course)

Twentieth-Century Philosophy of Science

Neurath (reading course)

Varieties of Voluntarism in Philosophy of Science

Feminist Critiques of Science