Upcoming Events
April 5
Kelly Bennion (Midd '10)
"Sleep and cortisol interact to support emotional memory consolidation"
12:30p | MBH 220
“Plastics, bisphenol A (BPA), and research credibility: When a scientist collides with industry and the media”
Dr. Patricia Hunt
April 11, 2013 | 4:30pm | MBH 216
GENERAL AUDIENCE LECTURE
Click HERE for details (and for info on Friday science talk)
Sponsored by the George B. Saul II Lecture Fund
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Kareem Khalifa
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Email: kkhalifa@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5194
Office Hours: T 1-2:30 in MBH Great Hall, W 1-2:30 in office and by appointment
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Kareem Khalifa earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Emory University, and a BA with a double major in Philosophy and Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences from Northwestern University. His teaching interests include philosophy of science, theory of knowledge, and logic.
Professor Khalifa’s research focuses on scientific explanation and understanding. He is currently writing a series of papers arguing that understanding is reducible to explanatory knowledge, while also challenging the ambitions and foundations of philosophical analyses of explanations. For relevant publications, click here for his CV.
When he is not philosophizing, Professor Khalifa is an active musician, composing and performing with a number of local and internationally touring musicians.
If you desire to know more of what can be predicated of Kareem Khalifa, go to: http://www.khalifa.org
Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
FYSE 1281 - Experiments in Sound
Experiments in Sound
In acoustics, scientists experiment with sound; avant-garde musicians claim to do the same. How do these two endeavors overlap and differ? What is a successful experiment? How does one cultivate a culture of experimentation? What are its benefits? With readings in science, music criticism, and philosophy, we will explore these questions. In addition to writing papers, students will conduct their own experiments, create and perform experimental music, and organize a large group project combining scientific and musical experiments. No formal science or music background is necessary, though students must be willing to make weird noises in public places. 3 hrs. sem.
Fall 2009
FYSE 1358 - Values and Objectivity
Values and Objectivity
Objectivity is desirable in many forms of inquiry, including science, law, and scholarship. Many think that objectivity requires that inquirers’ social, political, and moral values play no part in their judgments. But is this the correct link between objectivity and values? If so, how much of our current inquiry is genuinely objective? If not, how would it be possible to speak objectively about values? Does objectivity presuppose its own set of values? Are some social and political arrangements (e.g., democracy) more effective in securing objectivity? 3 hrs. sem.
Spring 2012
NSCI 0500 - Independent Research
Independent Research
Students enrolled in NSCI 0500 complete individual research projects involving laboratory or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and approved in advance by a NSCI faculty advisor. This course is not open to seniors; seniors should enroll in NSCI 0700. (Approval required)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Winter 2012, Winter 2013
NSCI 0700 - Senior Research
Senior Research
This course is for senior NSCI majors who plan to conduct one or more semesters of independent research, or who plan to complete preparatory work toward a senior thesis, such as researching and writing a thesis proposal as well as, if appropriate, collecting data that will form the basis for a senior thesis. Senior NSCI majors who plan to complete a senior thesis should register initially for NSCI 0700. Additional requirements may include participation in weekly meetings with advisors and/or lab groups and attending neuroscience seminars. (Approval required, open to seniors only)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Winter 2012, Winter 2013
PHIL 0180 - Introduction to Modern Logic ▲
Introduction to Modern Logic
Logic is concerned with good reasoning; as such, it stands at the core of the liberal arts. In this course we will develop our reasoning skills by identifying and analyzing arguments found in philosophical, legal, and other texts, and also by formulating our own arguments. We will use the formal techniques of modern propositional and predicate logic to codify and test various reasoning strategies and specific arguments. No prior knowledge of logic, formal mathematics, or computer science is presupposed in this course, which does not count towards the PHL distribution requirement but instead towards the deductive reasoning requirement. 3 hrs. lect., 1 hr. disc.
Fall 2009, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013
PHIL 0213 - Theories of Scientific Method
Theories of Scientific Method
The scientific method is one of humankind's best attempts at rationally uncovering the objective structure of the world. But what exactly is this method and in what sense is it rational? Studying both contemporary science and prominent episodes from the history of science, we will explore questions about (a) the defining characteristics of the scientific method; (b) the soundness of various forms of scientific reasoning (Mill's Methods, Bayesianism, hypothetico-deductive reasoning, and inference to the best explanation); and (c) the objectivity of science. We will also formulate, test, and revise hypotheses in light of the methods that we study. (Students who took PHIL 0212 may not take this course.) 4 hrs. lect.
Spring 2010, Spring 2013
PHIL 0214 - Science and Society
Science and Society
Scientific theories are not developed in a vacuum. Social circumstances influence the practice of science, and science, in turn, influences how we organize ourselves as a society. This course will investigate both directions of the relationship between science and society. We will ask such questions as: how do the values of society drive scientific research? What do we mean when we claim that science is 'objective' and what do we expect of an objective science? Can there be 'good' politically-motivated science, or does this conflict with the norms of 'good' science? How important is science as a way of bettering society? Do scientists bear an extra burden of responsibility when they generate scientific results of particular social significance (such as the development of the atomic bomb, or the development of techniques of cloning)? We will examine particular cases of socially significant scientific research, and we will consider larger philosophical questions concerning the status of science, given its interconnections with society. 3 hrs. lect.
Spring 2010, Fall 2012
PHIL 0316 - Philosophy of Science ▲
Philosophy of Science
On a fairly conventional view, science exemplifies humankind's rational inquiry into the true structure of the world. But what exactly is science? In what sense is it rational? Are scientific claims true or merely useful in predicting and controlling our environment? To answer these questions, we will examine scientific activities such as theory construction, explanation, confirmation, and experimentation, and their role in debates concerning the role of rationality and truth in scientific knowledge. (Although this course does not have any specific prerequisites, a background in philosophy or science would be helpful.) 3 hrs. lect.
Fall 2011, Fall 2013
PHIL 0362 - Philosophy of Psychology
Philosophy of Psychology
In this course we will discuss the philosophical foundations underlying psychology's scientific methodology. We will compare and contrast psychology to more 'mature' sciences, like physics, chemistry, and biology, in areas such as theory construction, hypothesis testing, and explanation. A central focus will be the relation of different levels of psychological explanation, in particular the extent to which psychology's success as a science depends on the reduction of beliefs and desires to brain states. (Previous course in philosophy, neuroscience major, or waiver)
Spring 2009
PHIL 0425 - Concepts of Explanation
Concepts of Explanation
In a variety of contexts, we use explanations to further our understanding and knowledge of the world; philosophers have used "inference to the best explanation" to offer solutions to various philosophical problems. But what exactly is an explanation? What makes one explanation better than another? Which uses of explanation yield knowledge rather than mere opinion? In this course, we will examine some of the following: different philosophical analyses of explanation, explanatory coherence as a theory of justification, and defenses and critiques of inference to the best explanation. Familiarity with contemporary theories of knowledge (PHIL 0351) and the philosophy of science (PHIL 0316) is helpful, but not necessary. (Designed for senior majors; open to others by waiver.) 3 hrs. sem.
Spring 2009, Spring 2012
PHIL 0500 - Resrch In Philosophy ▲ ▹
Research in Philosophy
Supervised independent research in philosophy. (Approval requiredl.
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Winter 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
PHIL 0700 - Senior Thesis ▲ ▹
Senior Thesis
(Approval Required)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Winter 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
PHIL 1018 / ECON 1018 - Philosophy & Economics
Philosophy & Economics
Philosophy and economics address several of the same issues from different perspectives. In this course we will introduce the defining characteristics of philosophical and economic analysis, and then examine several social issues through both disciplinary lenses. How do these perspectives complement and conflict with one another? Possible topics include redistribution of income and wealth, discrimination (in housing, hiring, education, etc.), various kinds of rights (human, property, etc.), and global justice. This course may count towards the economics major requirements as a 0200-level elective or as elective credit towards the Philosophy major.
Winter 2012
Current Work
Professor Khalifa is currently working on papers exploring the nature of understanding as well as its relation to truth, scientific reasoning, and the aims of inquiry.