MSCA Expressions of Interest 2017

Mauricio Suárez
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Methods of Causal Inference and Scientific Representation
Logic and Philosophy of Science
Faculty of Philosophy
Methods of Causal Inference and Scientific Representation (MCISR) is a pioneering research group in Spain, founded in 2004 and based at Complutense University of Madrid. Its members conduct research on a variety of topics within the philosophy and history of science, with a special focus on the methodology and metaphysics of causation and probability, modelling and idealization, and a number of related topics in the foundations of the physical and biological sciences.
Chance and Propensities: Methodological, Metaphysical and Epistemic Issues.
We are working on a new theory of objective chance and probability, where propensities appear as explanatory posits of theory. We aim at a full elucidation of this elusive concept that does justice to the complex distinctions and interrelations between propensities, probabilities and frequency statistics. Our research aims at a new metaphysics for all these notions, but one that is fully in line with the practice of statistical modelling across the sciences. Our methodology is thus deeply interdisciplinary, calling for expertise in metaphysics, philosophy of probability, statistical methodology, and the philosophy of scientific practice.

Causal Inference: Probabilistic Methods
Progress in the area of causal inference is to be achieved through a careful assessment of the applicability of statistical-based methods of causal inference such as the Causal Markov Condition –or more specifically Reichenbach's Common Cause Principle– to both deterministic and genuinely indeterministic contexts. It is still a matter of controversy whether these methods are sound for reliable causal inference, particularly in cases of genuine indeterminism.

Scientific Representation: The Inferential Conception
The group's research on scientific representation focuses in particual on the so-called inferential conception and has as a main target to defend the applicability of such conception to the fictional entities characteristic of scientific models.

Philosophical Foundations of Quantum Physics
We aim at clarifying the relationship between classical and quantum physics. In particular we address whether classical concepts –such as the classical notion of causality– may or not be avoided in quantum physics. As case studies, we propose
(i) to carry out a philosophical analysis of the physical and axiomatic foundations of quantum chemistry;
(ii) to update the early 90's debates about causality and EPR correlations in order to evaluate the applicability of Reichenbach's Common Cause Principle in the different "interpretations" of quantum physics;
(iii) to evaluate the different interpretations of quantum probability.

Historical Epistemology in Quantum Mechanics
Recently there has been a renewal of interest in an integrated history and philosophy of science, and we find it illuminating to trace the main concepts that we work with back to the foundations of the discipline. Thus an important line of our research concerns, for example, the genesis and development of dispositional concepts in quantum mechanics. The key historical figures here include some of the founding parents of quantum mechanics, such as Bohr and Heisenberg, but also later figures such as Henry Margenau and Karl Popper. We are also interested in the intellectual and social relations that these physicists held with some of the most important philosophers of their time in logical empiricism, particularly Hans Reichenbach.
Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC)
2017-07-15
Ciudad Universitaria; 28040 - MADRID