Laws, Regularities, and Natural Kinds
This seminar offers an in-depth look at how natural kinds, laws, and regularities are understood across a range of scientific disciplines, including the human and social sciences. In addition to lectures from leading philosophers of science that focus on the individuation of natural and social kinds, laws and regularities, and the use of formal tools to study social dynamics and groups, participants will join a series of interdisciplinary conversations unpacking how these topics intersect with projects on natural law, human nature and theological anthropology, and political theology.
Contributors
Muhammad Ali Khalidi
Presidential Professor of Philosophy
CUNY Graduate Center
Session Speaker
Kinds in the Natural and Social Sciences
Holly Andersen
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Simon Fraser University
Session Speaker
Laws and Regularities
Liam Kofi Bright
Associate Professor of Philosophy
The London School of Economics and Political Science
Session Speaker
Methodology and Theory in the Social Sciences
Brandy Daniels
Assistant Professor of Theology
University of Portland
Resident Theologian
Vincent Lloyd
Professor of Theology and Religious Studies
Director, Center for Political Theology
Villanova University
Resident Theologian
Jonathan Tran
Baines Associate Professor of Religion
Baylor University
Resident Theologian
You’ll also hear from the SET Foundations crew
Jennifer Jhun
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Duke University
Meghan D. Page
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Loyola University Maryland
Dates: June 10-16
Location: San Diego, CA
Additional Details:
- All participants will receive a $4,000 stipend.
- Meals and lodging (La Jolla Shores Hotel) will be provided for all in-person participants for the duration of the seminar.
- Additional funding opportunities of up to $25,000 are available.
- Participants will receive access to the lectures online prior to the in-person portion of the seminar.
What sort of projects are you interested in?
We are interested in projects in theology and philosophy of religion that intersect with questions about laws, regularities, natural kinds and social dynamics. We hope that potential participants will, in their project description, explain why they think a deeper understanding of scientific practice will enhance their project. Some examples of potential questions are:
- What scientific kinds are theologically relevant?
- Are traditional understandings of “natural law” in tension with scientific pluralism?
- Do humans play a role in constructing observed regularities? What is that role and how might it affect the philosophical or theological task?
- How do classifications in science (e.g. categories of mental disorder) interact with the way we frame questions in philosophy of religion or theology? How do they shape our understanding of being human?
- How do theological categories and scientific categories interact?
- How do social dynamics and social classifications affect religious communities?
This school will also be useful for theologians and philosophers of religion who desire to engage with concrete scientific findings in their research. We welcome projects that seek a better understanding of scientific practice to enhance their engagement with scientific literature. Some examples of this approach are:
- Projects engaging with specific characterizations of psychological kinds or biological kinds
- Projects that engage theological interpretations of particular scientific theories and the metaphysical implications of empirical laws, regularities and natural kinds
- Projects seeking to understand the use of formal tools to understand regularities in human and social sciences
Dependent Care Stipends
We are pleased to be able to offer dependent care stipends. Stipends are available to offset the costs of dependent care to enable the participant to attend the seminar. Stipends will be issued in the amount of $1,000 for those with dependents (children or adult dependents). Funds will be issued to all who meet the criteria below until the year’s funds are exhausted.
- Be accepted and take part in SET Foundations Summer Seminar 2023
- Annual household income of less than $171,000 USD
- Have one or more dependents (children or adult dependents)
How do I Apply?
Requirements
Applicants will be required to fill out the application form and attach the following documents:
- CV
- Project Proposal describing a paper or larger project in theology or philosophy of religion that intersects with scientific explanation (max 1000 words). For further details on the project proposal see here.
- Writing Sample (example of Academic Work, published or unpublished)
- References (References do not need to provide letters but should be in a position to speak on the applicant’s behalf and understand the merits of the project. 3 references required.)
Selection
Participants will be chosen on the basis of:
- The quality of their project (significance, relevance, originality, likelihood for completion)
- Overall Academic Strength
- Experience in and propensity for interdisciplinary work
- Potential for long-term contributions to the project’s aims
Application
Application Deadline:
January 29, 2023
Notification by:
Early March, 2023