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Larry Lynn Laudan (16 Oct 1941-23 Aug 2022)

By alexispizzagoletto

  • Birth

    Larry Laudan was born in Austin, Texas, on October 16, 1941 (Ankeny). Ankeny, Rachel. “Obituary.” Larry Laudan, 26 Sept. 2022, larrylaudan.com/larry-laudan/obituary/.
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    Theory of Scientific Rationality

    Laudan's theories show that both objective and subjective factors affect our perception of reality. Combining multiple perspectives leads to a more complete understanding. Convergent realism is key for scientific inquiry. Implications for philosophy of science and research (Resnik). Resnik, David. “Repairing the Reticulated Model of Scientific Rationality.” Erkenntnis (1975-), vol. 40, no. 3, 1994, pp. 343–55. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20012550. Accessed 6 July 2023.

  • University of Kansas

    He received his bachelor's degree in physics, earning a notable distinction from the University of Kansas in 1962 (Ankeny). Ankeny, Rachel. “Obituary.” Larry Laudan, 26 Sept. 2022, larrylaudan.com/larry-laudan/obituary/.
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    Princeton University

    After completing his undergraduate studies, he pursued philosophy and obtained a Master's degree in 1964 and a Doctorate in 1965 from Princeton University. He was also a Junior Research Fellow at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, from 1964 to 1965 (Ankeny). Ankeny, Rachel. “Obituary.” Larry Laudan, 26 Sept. 2022, larrylaudan.com/larry-laudan/obituary/.
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    University Lecturer

    During the period between 1965 and 1969, Laudan held the position of lecturer in the field of philosophy of physics at the prestigious University College London. This role involved imparting his knowledge and expertise to the students enrolled in the program, providing them with a deep understanding of the subject matter (Ankeny). Ankeny, Rachel. “Obituary.” Larry Laudan, 26 Sept. 2022, larrylaudan.com/larry-laudan/obituary/.

  • "The Idea of a Physical Theory from Galileo to Newton: Studies in Seventeenth-Century Methodology"

    In his scholarly dissertation, he meticulously explored the complexities of seventeenth-century methodology, explicitly emphasizing the evolution of physical theory from the time of Galileo to the era of Newton. During his research studied with Thomas Kuhn (Laudan). Laudan, Larry Lynn (1966). The Idea of a Physical Theory From Galileo to Newton: Studies in Seventeenth-Century Methodology. Dissertation, Princeton University
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    University Professor

    In 1969, he embarked on his professional journey as an associate professor of philosophy and history of science at the prestigious University of Pittsburgh. His profound knowledge and exceptional skills paved the way for his promotion to the distinguished position of full professor in 1972, where he continued to excel and inspire generations of students (Ankeny). Ankeny, Rachel. “Obituary.” Larry Laudan, 26 Sept. 2022, larrylaudan.com/larry-laudan/obituary/.

  • "Progress and Its Problems"

    Laudan challenges three ideas in the philosophy of science: the fixed method for progress, theories building on each other, and convergence on truth. He believes our inability to observe makes believing in theories' accuracy unreasonable (McMullin). McMullin, Ernan. “Laudan’s Progress and Its Problems.” Philosophy of Science, vol. 46, no. 4, 1979, pp. 623–44. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/187252. Accessed 6 July 2023.

  • “Confutation of Convergent. Realism”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ShefBoe3Y Convergent realism reconciles reality's objective and subjective elements by combining multiple perspectives and sources of information. It can be applied to various fields and helps us appreciate the complexity of the world (Laudan). Laudan, Larry. “A Confutation of Convergent Realism.” Philosophy of Science, vol. 48, no. 1, 1981, pp. 19–49. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/187066. Accessed 5 July 2023.

  • Philosophy of Science

    According to Laudan, science advances by addressing problems related to experiments or concepts. Science aims to solve more real-world problems, and theories are evaluated based on how well they accomplish this goal (Resnik). Resnik, David. “Repairing the Reticulated Model of Scientific Rationality.” Erkenntnis (1975-), vol. 40, no. 3, 1994, pp. 343–55. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20012550. Accessed 6 July 2023.

  • Normative Naturalism

    Laudan says that scientific rules are just suggestions for achieving a goal. They change as science progresses. The study of scientific methodology should be evaluated based on actual scientific problem-solving (Capaldi et. al). Capaldi, E. J., and Robert W. Proctor. “Laudan’s Normative Naturalism: A Useful Philosophy of Science for Psychology.” The American Journal of Psychology, vol. 113, no. 3, 2000, pp. 430–54. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1423367. Accessed 6 July 2023.

  • Death

    Laudan passed away on August 23, 2022 at 80 years old in Lexington, Kentucky (Ankeny). Ankeny, Rachel. “Obituary.” Larry Laudan, 26 Sept. 2022, larrylaudan.com/larry-laudan/obituary/.