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Education
Ian Hacking earned two different undergraduate degrees from the University of British Columbia and the University of Cambridge in 1956 and 1958 respectively. He then earned a Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in 1962. Following his second undergraduate program he began his career as a professor spanning from 1960-2011. He taught all over the world from California in the United States to Cape Town in South Africa. He is known for teaching the philosophy and history of science. -
Human Science
Hacking's focus changed over time from a focus on the philosophy of science with relation to natural science to human science. Hacking's book, "The Emergence of Probability" argues that the transformations that made it possible for probability concepts to emerge have constrained all subsequent development of probability theory and determine the space within which philosophical debate on the subject is still conducted. -
Natural Sciences
Initially, Ian Hacking's teachings and focus was on philosophy in relation to natural sciences. A noteworthy book that Hacking wrote is "Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science." The central theme of this book is focused on scientific realism when thinking through the lens of the philosophy of natural science. Various views are considered in the debates and thoughts presented in this book. Hacking presents arguments that issue with science cannot be solved with theory alone. -
Significant Events
Hacking received many incredible awards and was given many opportunities to give lectures across the world. Hacking was awarded the first Humanities related Killam Prize, an award normally reserved for the fields of social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, health sciences, or engineering. He also received an award for his work in arts and humanities in Norway. Hacking was given many opportunities to lecture on topics such as mathematics and its sources in human behavior.