Research interests:

 

My dissertation work focused on explanation and confirmation in evolutionary biology. Two broad questions guided this project: (1) How do evolutionary hypotheses explain observed data and phenomena? (2) What kinds of evidence adjudicate between these hypotheses?  I continue to pursue this line of research and plan to explore the epistemological problems raised by new methods for detecting selection on the molecular level.

Areas of specialization: philosophy of biology, philosophy of science (especially confirmation, explanation, idealization and scientific change) and philosophy of probability.

Areas of competence: evolutionary biology (especially marine ecology and molecular evolution), history of biology, logic, British empiricism, existentialism and Nietzsche.

And a general interest in all things wild: biological, geological and ecological.

On the lighter side:


I attempt to get outside as much as possible: hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and (telemark) skiing. I've always wanted to try BASE jumping, but have yet to find the chance.

Otherwise philosophy consumes much of my time leaving only little left to hone more worldly skills, such as cooking, selecting the best restaurant for the moment, uncovering the cool night spots and tuning into indie or experimental music.  Only the essentials.