Paul Boghossian
Encyclopedia
Paul Boghossian is professor of philosophy
at New York University
, where he held the chair for ten years (1994–2004). His research interests include epistemology, the philosophy of mind
, and the philosophy of language
.
Boghossian earned his B.S. in physics at Trent University
in 1978, and his Ph.D. at Princeton University
in 1987. In addition to his current position at NYU, he has been a professor at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and a visiting professor at Princeton University
. He has previously held research fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities
, Magdalen College, Oxford
, the University of London
, and the Australian National University
. He is a fellow of the New York Institute for the Humanities
. He is on the editorial board of the journals Philosophical Studies and Philosophers' Imprint. In postmodern circles, Boghossian is known for his response to the Sokal hoax.
In his article 'Blind Reasoning', Boghossian argues that we are blind to our reasons for justifying our methods of inference (the epitome of a method of inference is taken to be modus ponens
.) Rejecting both Simple Inferential Externalism for its inconsistency and Simple Inferential Internalism because it is difficult to accept, he opts for a third and new form of "rational insight". This paper, in conjunction with an on-going correspondence between Boghossian and Crispin Wright
, is part of a project to defend against epistemic relativism. Epistemic relativism claims that knowledge and reason are fundamentally cultural or subjective rather than objective. His book Fear of Knowledge won a Choice Award as an outstanding Academic Book of 2006.
He is member of the World Knowledge Dialogue Scientific Board.
He is of Armenian
origin.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, where he held the chair for ten years (1994–2004). His research interests include epistemology, the philosophy of mind
Philosophy of mind
Philosophy of mind is a branch of philosophy that studies the nature of the mind, mental events, mental functions, mental properties, consciousness and their relationship to the physical body, particularly the brain. The mind-body problem, i.e...
, and the philosophy of language
Philosophy of language
Philosophy of language is the reasoned inquiry into the nature, origins, and usage of language. As a topic, the philosophy of language for analytic philosophers is concerned with four central problems: the nature of meaning, language use, language cognition, and the relationship between language...
.
Boghossian earned his B.S. in physics at Trent University
Trent University
Trent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
in 1978, and his Ph.D. at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1987. In addition to his current position at NYU, he has been a professor at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and a visiting professor at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
. He has previously held research fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency of the United States established by the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. The NEH is located at...
, Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
, the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, and the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. He is a fellow of the New York Institute for the Humanities
New York Institute for the Humanities
The New York Institute for the Humanities is an academic organisation affiliated with New York University, founded by Richard Sennett in 1976 to promote the exchange of ideas between academics, professionals and the general public. The NYIH regularly holds seminars open to the public, as well as...
. He is on the editorial board of the journals Philosophical Studies and Philosophers' Imprint. In postmodern circles, Boghossian is known for his response to the Sokal hoax.
In his article 'Blind Reasoning', Boghossian argues that we are blind to our reasons for justifying our methods of inference (the epitome of a method of inference is taken to be modus ponens
Modus ponens
In classical logic, modus ponendo ponens or implication elimination is a valid, simple argument form. It is related to another valid form of argument, modus tollens. Both Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens can be mistakenly used when proving arguments...
.) Rejecting both Simple Inferential Externalism for its inconsistency and Simple Inferential Internalism because it is difficult to accept, he opts for a third and new form of "rational insight". This paper, in conjunction with an on-going correspondence between Boghossian and Crispin Wright
Crispin Wright
Crispin Wright is a British philosopher, who has written on neo-Fregean philosophy of mathematics, Wittgenstein's later philosophy, and on issues related to truth, realism, cognitivism, skepticism, knowledge, and objectivity....
, is part of a project to defend against epistemic relativism. Epistemic relativism claims that knowledge and reason are fundamentally cultural or subjective rather than objective. His book Fear of Knowledge won a Choice Award as an outstanding Academic Book of 2006.
He is member of the World Knowledge Dialogue Scientific Board.
He is of Armenian
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
origin.
Selected works
- New Essays on the A Priori (co-edited with Christopher PeacockeChristopher PeacockeChristopher Arthur Bruce Peacocke is a philosopher especially known for his work in philosophy of mind and epistemology...
), Oxford University Press 2000. - "How Are Objective Epistemic Reasons Possible?" in Philosophical Studies, Dec 2001, pp. 340–380.
- "Inference and Insight," in Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, November, 2001, pp. 633–641.
- "On Hearing the Music in the Sound," in The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism (2002).
- "The Gospel of Relaxation" (review of Louis MenandLouis MenandLouis Menand is an American writer and academic, best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Metaphysical Club , an intellectual and cultural history of late 19th and early 20th century America....
's The Metaphysical Club), The New Republic, September 2001. - "What is Social Construction?" in Times Literary Supplement, February 23, 2001, pp. 6–8.
- "Knowledge of Logic," in New Essays on the A Priori, ibid.
- "Analyticity," in Bob HaleBob Hale (philosopher)Robert Hale FBA, FRSE is a British philosopher, who is well-known for his contributions to the development of the neo-Fregean philosophy of mathematics in collaboration with Crispin Wright, and for his works in modality and philosophy of language....
and Crispin WrightCrispin WrightCrispin Wright is a British philosopher, who has written on neo-Fregean philosophy of mathematics, Wittgenstein's later philosophy, and on issues related to truth, realism, cognitivism, skepticism, knowledge, and objectivity....
(eds.): The Philosophy of Language (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1997), pp. 331–368.