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Ian Hacking (1936–2023) Doctorate from Cambridge
Ian Hacking began his academic career by earning his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, where he was influenced by the logical positivist tradition. His early work laid the foundation for his later explorations into the philosophy of science, focusing on the nature and structure of scientific theories and the practice of experimentation.
Hacking, Ian. Logic of Statistical Inference. 1965. -
Scientific Revolutions and Realism: Publication of "Why Does Language Matter to Philosophy?"
Hacking explores the interplay between language and philosophical problems, setting the stage for his later engagement with scientific realism and constructivism. This book shows Hacking's early interest in the linguistic turn in philosophy, which later informs his views on how scientific theories are communicated and understood.
Hacking, Ian. Why Does Language Matter to Philosophy? 1975. -
Experimental Realism; Publication of "Representing and Intervening"
"Representing and Intervening" is one of Hacking's most influential works. Here, he introduces the idea of "entity realism," which focuses on the reality of entities that are manipulated in scientific experiments. Hacking argues that we can have confidence in the existence of these entities because they produce observable effects and can be intervened upon. Hacking, Ian. Representing and Intervening: Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science -
Publication of "Historical Ontology"
Hacking investigates how concepts evolve over time, affecting our perception of reality. This work demonstrates Hacking's commitment to a historically-informed philosophy of science, where understanding the historical context is crucial for understanding scientific practices and categories. Hacking, Ian. Historical Ontology
YouTube. (2011, February 4). Proof, truth, hands, and mind with Ian hacking. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE94nNB2WOc&t=2550s