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Education
Born in 1939 in Bristol, England, Alan Chalmers earned a B.S. and M.S. of Physics by 1964. He then taught math and physics for 2 years before going back to school to study History and Philosophy of Science at The University of London and earning his PhD by writing his thesis on the electromagnetic theory of James Clerk Maxwell. -
Sydney Austraila
After his doctoral he took a Followership at the University of Sydney in Australia. He enjoyed being there that in 1973 he stayed and became a Lecturer in Philosophy for the next 13 years at which point became the Director and Professor of Sydney’s Unit for History and Philosophy of Science until his retirement in 1999. -
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Atomism
Alan Chalmers PhD was spent by studying the electromagnetic theory of the 19th century. While doing so he pondered the evidence used to support the knowledge of Atomic theory or Atomism. He spent many years studying this and was able to uncover that although they may have been right they really didn't know what they were talking about. Atoms are so small to be able to see or study that they didn't have the resources available to actually prove anything. -
What is This Thing Called Science?
Chalmers wrote his book "What is This Thing Called Science?" that covered the upbringing of philosophy in science and how it has affected the scientific community. He points out things that were right and wrong from previous philosophers before and introducing modern understanding of science. His book was widely popular and was translated into 19 languages worldwide.