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Education
In 1961, Alan Chalmers graduated from the University of Bristol with a physics degree. In 1964, he received an Master of Science at the University of Manchester. In 1971, he earned his PhD at the University of London where he completed his dissertation in electromagnetic theory. Later that year, Dr. Chalmers conducted his Postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Sydney (CoServe, 2017). -
What is This Thing Called Science?
In 1976, Dr. Chalmers published a book which he is most notably known for called, "What is This Thing Called Science? His book is commonly used to introductory courses in the philosophy of science and is internationally renowned as a resource for teaching history and philosophy of science (CoServe, 2017). In his book, Dr. Chalmers discusses the shortfalls of the nativity of science and modern attempts to replace them (Critical Thinker Academy, 2019). -
The Scientist's Atom and the Philosopher's Stone
In 2009, Dr. Chalmers published "The Scientist's Atom and the Philosopher's Stone: How Science Succeeded and Philosophy Failed to Gain Knowledge of Atoms" which outlines the different perspectives on the atomist theory from a scientific and philosophical standpoint. Dr. Chalmers stated, "..Philosophical hypotheses about empirical facts can, at best only be accommodated to phenomena, whereas full-fledge scientific theories are subject to direct confirmation by experiment" (Bschir, 2011). -
This Thing Called Science, Today
Dr. Chalmers is currently 89 years old and his original book, "What is This Thing Called Science?" originally published in 1976, is still benefitting students across America. In his book, Dr. Chalmers avoids technical terms, making it easier for the everyday person to understand his work. Below is a YouTube video of a student who summarizes "What is This Thing Called Science" and why it is important such as ideas of falsification. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VD8A9N7WDM
