SCI PHI Podcast

On Episode 101, Nick chats with David Thorstad, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University, about his research at the intersection between bounded rationality and inquiry that addresses what rationality requires of bounded agents with limited cognitive abilities, normative and descriptive challenges to longtermism, the ethical view that we should give significant moral weight to positively impacting the future, and his new book, Inquiry Under Bounds, which takes as its starting point a five-point bounded rationality program inspired by recent work in cognitive science.

In this special 100th episode, guest host Katie Plaisance interviews Nick Zautra, the host and producer of the SCI PHI Podcast, as he reflects on the journey of the podcast and insights gained from interviewing 99 philosophers of science. Nick shares his personal story—from his childhood interests to the spark that ignited his creativity and passion for combining both philosophy and science. Nick delves into what he’s learned about what it means to do good philosophy of science, exploring the methodologies and approaches that define the discipline today. Nick also reveals insightful patterns he's observed within the scientific community, personal and professional challenges faced by researchers, the human element of science, and what he envisions for the future. Timestamps: (0:00) - Introduction with Dr. Katie Plaisance (Guest Host) (1:18) - Nick’s early life and interest in science (3:39) - Educational background and career decisions: neuroscience, philosophy, and comedy writing (7:11) - Research with animal models and first experience with a philosopher of science (9:21) - Origin story of the SCI PHI Podcast (12:21) - Patterns and insights gathered after interviewing 99 philosophers of science (19:24) - Personal challenges and successes of philosophers of science (26:20) - The human element in science and why it’s so important (33:06) - Biggest surprises regarding the background and impact of philosophers of science (38:29) - Nick’s take on the two greatest challenges facing philosophy of science today (44:24) - Katie’s elevator pitch for “what is philosophy of science?” (47:18) - Are there certain types of scientists who seem to “get” philosophy of science? (51:23) - Missed opportunities for collaboration resulting from the “PR problem” (56:04) - How the podcast has shaped Nick’s research and collaborations (1:01:37) - Toward philosophy with science (1:03:34) - Looking back: what Nick would have done differently (1:06:24) - Looking back: what Nick envisions for the future

On Episode 99, Nick chats with Katie Plaisance, Professor in the Department of Knowledge Integration at the University of Waterloo, about her research understanding and developing best practices for collaborating and engaging with scientists, engineers, policy-makers, and a wide range of publics to foster epistemically and ethically responsible scientific research.

On Episode 98, Nick chats with Ali Mirza, Fellow and Visiting Lecturer at the Center of Humanistic Inquiry and Department of History at Amherst College, about his interdisciplinary work in the field of Ichnology, the study of how our actions (as animals) affect the future structure of the Earth, in which he challenges our standard accounts of how science functions.

On Episode 97, Nick chats with Mazviita Chirimuuta, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, about her new book, The Brain Abstracted: Simplification in the History and Philosophy of Neuroscience, in which she argues that due to the brain's complexity, neuroscientific theories have only captured partial truths and that “neurophilosophy” is unlikely to be achieved. Rather than seeking to reform neuroscience or offer neuroscientists advice, Mazviita offers a new framework for interpreting the philosophical significance of present-day neuroscience research, and draws important lessons for debates over explanations of consciousness and the mind-body problem. Timestamps: (0:00) - Introduction (2:20) - Life in Edinburgh, festivals and teaching (4:56) - Upcoming new project, collaborating with scientists (8:22) - Life growing up, Mazviita’s background and getting into philosophy (16:29) - Mazviita’s decision to pursue philosophy professionally (18:30) - The shift to the sciences (21:10) - How Mazviita coupled the sciences with philosophical interest (25:26) - Philosophical questioning of color (28:05) - Transitioning to a career in philosophy (35:07) - Writing in history and philosophy of neuroscience, challenges of turning research into a book (39:34) - Mazviita’s new book, ‘The brain abstracted’, criticizing ideas from abstractions and idealizations (42:19) - Idealizations in the field of philosophy of neuroscience (46:55) - “Normative” lessons for neuroscience? (51:30) - The reception of the book (54:00) - The greatest challenge facing philosophy of science today