Tom Pashby
Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy
- Office
- S26: Twilight Hall 313
- tpashby@middlebury.edu
Tom Pashby earned his PhD in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He has an MA in Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh and an MSci in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Bristol (UK). Before joining the philosophy department at Middlebury he held appointments at the University of Chicago and the University of Southern California. He remains an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont.
Professor Pashby’s main areas of research are in the philosophy of science and the history and philosophy of physics. He also has interests in the philosophy of AI and metaphysics. He is working on a book on the history of time in physics called Time from Aristotle to Einstein and has published numerous articles on the philosophy of quantum physics and philosophy of science. Pashby has taught many courses in philosophy of science, philosophy of physics, formal logic, and the history of philosophy at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Courses Taught
PHIL 0151
Upcoming
Intro Phil: Mortal Question
Course Description
Introduction to Philosophy: Mortal Questions
This course is an issue-based introduction to core philosophical questions such as the following: What is the nature of reality, and can we ever know it? What is the relation between mind and body, and could computers ever think? What is the nature of the self? Do humans have free will? Is there such a thing as an objective right and wrong? Can we say God exists in the face of all the evil in the world? Readings will be drawn from both traditional philosophers (e.g., Descartes, Hume, Locke, Russell) and contemporary reflections on the issues (e.g., Nagel, Searle, Williams). Cannot be taken by students with credit for PHIL 0150. 3 hrs. lect./1 hr. disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
PHIL 0216
Upcoming
Science and Quest for Truth
Course Description
Science and the Quest for Truth
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. (This course presupposes no prior knowledge of philosophy or science.)
Terms Taught
Requirements