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Born
in Pennsylvania -
Bachelor degree
received a B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh -
Doctorate degree
Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle -
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Professor
Served on the faculty at the University of Maryland -
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Professor
Served on the faculty at Stanford University -
Became publicly known
Cartwright first became widely known for the radical thesis, presented in her landmark collection of essays How the Laws of Physics Lie, that the fundamental laws of physics did not state truths about the world. -
Published book
How the Laws of Physics Lie
Nancy Cartwright argues for a novel conception of the role of fundamental scientific laws in modern natural science. If we attend closely to the manner in which theoretical laws figure in the practice of science, we see that despite their great explanatory power these laws do not describe reality.
Cartwright, Nancy. “How The Laws of Physics Lie.” Oxford University Press eBooks, 1983, doi:10.1093/0198247044.001.0001. -
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Married
Cartwright was married to the philosopher Stuart Hampshire until his death. (aged 89) -
Published book
Nature's Capacities and their Measurement
Cartwright argues that capacities in our scientific world, contrary to empiricist orthodoxy, can meet strict test demands. Cartwright concludes by applying the book's lessons about capacities and probabilities to explain the role of causality in quantum mechanics.
Cartwright, Nancy. Nature’s Capacities and Their Measurement. 1989, philpapers.org/rec/CARNCA. -
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Professor
A professor of philosophy at the University of London’s School of Economics and Political Science, where she also heads the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science. -
Published book
She is the co-author of Otto Neurath: Philosophy Between Science and Politics
The book redresss a current imbalance in the history and philosophy of science, as well as makes a major contribution to our understanding of the intellectual life of Austro-Germany in the inter-war years.
Cartwright, Nancy, et al. Otto Neurath: Philosophy Between Science and Politics. 1996, philpapers.org/rec/CARONP-7. -
Published book
The Dappled World -
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Vice President
Vice-president of the Pacific Division of the American Philosophical Association -
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President
President of the Pacific Division of the American Philosophical Association -
Period: to
President
President of the Philosophy of Science Association -
Professor
Department of Philosophy, Durham University -
Award
Recipient of the Martin R. Lebowitz Prize for Philosophical Achievement of the Phi Beta Kappa Society -
Award
Awarded the Carl Gustav Hempel Award by the Philosophy of Science Association -
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President
President of the Division for Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science and Technology from 2020 to 2023