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Birth
Larry Laudan was born in Austin, Texas on the 16th of October in 1941. -
Bachelors Degree
Larry obtained his bachelors magna cum laude in physics from the University of Kansas. -
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Resume as a Professor
Laudan was a lecturer at University College in London from 1965-1969. Then moved to University of Pittsburgh and was promoted to professor in 1972. He was a chairman there for roughly 4 years. Laudan was a professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University from 81' to 87'. Larry moved again as a professor in philosophy at the University of Hawaii which is where he would retire in 1997. -
Masters and PhD in Philosophy
Laudan obtained his Masters and PhD in philosophy from Princeton University. During this time he even studied with Thomas Kuhn and his dissertation speaks on the constant changing of knowledge and ideas. Laudan, L. (1966). THE IDEA OF A PHYSICAL THEORY FROM GALILEO TO NEWTON: STUDIES IN SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY METHODOLOGY. ProQuest. https://www.proquest.com/openview/bbbd1768287c7f6da9aa09437168e8cc/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y. -
Progress and Its Problems (1977)
Laudan's first publication exposes the problems of accepting assumptions of previous philosophy of science. He wanted to make it known that science is an evolving process that accumulates empirical evidence and he was trying to solve conceptual anomalies. Evidence collecting empirical confirmation doesn't constitute the true mechanism of scientific advancement. -
A Confutation of Convergent Realism (1981)
In this essay he becomes famous for arguing that the history of science furnishes evidence of empirically successful theories that were later rejected from subsequent perspectives. Most of the pasts theories were deemed successful without even being true. He utilized detailed evidence from the history of science which is a major contribution to how the philosophy of science is practiced. -
Science and Values (1984)
He gives the goal of science and promotes that methodological rules evolve with science itself. -
Present day
Although Larry has been required for quite some time now, he still gives lectures at the University of Texas, Austin. Attached are a couple videos on who Larry Laudan is and what he brings to science community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6KjyVN-jHA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ShefBoe3Y