Peter Galison
Encyclopedia
Peter Louis Galison is the Pellegrino University Professor in History of Science
and Physics
at Harvard University
.
Galison received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in both Physics and the History of Science in 1983. His publications include Image and Logic: A Material Culture of Microphysics (1997) and Einstein's
Clocks, Poincaré's
Maps: Empires of Time. His most recent book (2007), co-authored with Lorraine Daston
, is titled Objectivity.
In Image and Logic, Galison explored the fundamental rift rising in the physical sciences: whether singular, visual accounts of scientific phenomenon would be accepted as the dominant language of proof, or whether statistically significant, frequently repeated results would dominate the field. This division, Galison claims, can be seen in the conflicts amongst high-energy physicists investigating new particles, some of whom offer up statistically significant and frequently replicated analysis of the new particle passing through electric fields, others of whom offer up a single picture of a particle behaving—in a single instance—in a way that cannot be explained by the characteristics of existing known particles.
His work with Lorraine Daston
developed the concept of "mechanical objectivity" which is often used in scholarly literature, and he has done pioneering work on applying the anthropological notion of "trading zones
" to scientific practice. He has developed a film for the History Channel on the development of the hydrogen bomb, and has done work on the intersection of science with other disciplines, in particular art
(along with his wife, Caroline A. Jones) and architecture
. He is on the editorial board of Critical Inquiry
and was a MacArthur Fellow in 1996.
Galison has been involved in the production of two documentary films. The first, The Ultimate Weapon: The H-Bomb Dilemma, was about the political and scientific decisions behind the creation of the first hydrogen bomb in the United States, and premiered on the History Channel in 2000. The second, and most recent, Secrecy
, which Galison directed with Harvard filmmaker Robb Moss
, is about the costs and benefits of government secrecy
, and premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival
.http://www.sundance.org/festival/press_industry/releases/2008_films_in_competition.asp
Before moving to Harvard, Galison taught for several years at Stanford University
where he was professor of History, Philosophy, and Physics. He is considered part of the "Stanford School" of philosophy of science along with Ian Hacking
, John Dupré
, and Nancy Cartwright
.
History of science and technology
The history of science and technology is a field of history which examines how humanity's understanding of the natural world and ability to manipulate it have changed over the centuries...
and Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Galison received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in both Physics and the History of Science in 1983. His publications include Image and Logic: A Material Culture of Microphysics (1997) and Einstein's
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
Clocks, Poincaré's
Henri Poincaré
Jules Henri Poincaré was a French mathematician, theoretical physicist, engineer, and a philosopher of science...
Maps: Empires of Time. His most recent book (2007), co-authored with Lorraine Daston
Lorraine Daston
Lorraine Daston is an American historian of science, presently the executive director of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin...
, is titled Objectivity.
In Image and Logic, Galison explored the fundamental rift rising in the physical sciences: whether singular, visual accounts of scientific phenomenon would be accepted as the dominant language of proof, or whether statistically significant, frequently repeated results would dominate the field. This division, Galison claims, can be seen in the conflicts amongst high-energy physicists investigating new particles, some of whom offer up statistically significant and frequently replicated analysis of the new particle passing through electric fields, others of whom offer up a single picture of a particle behaving—in a single instance—in a way that cannot be explained by the characteristics of existing known particles.
His work with Lorraine Daston
Lorraine Daston
Lorraine Daston is an American historian of science, presently the executive director of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin...
developed the concept of "mechanical objectivity" which is often used in scholarly literature, and he has done pioneering work on applying the anthropological notion of "trading zones
Trading zones
The metaphor of a trading zone is being applied to collaborations in science and technology. The basis of the metaphor is anthropological studies of how different cultures are able to exchange goods, despite differences in language and culture.-Overview:...
" to scientific practice. He has developed a film for the History Channel on the development of the hydrogen bomb, and has done work on the intersection of science with other disciplines, in particular art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
(along with his wife, Caroline A. Jones) and architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. He is on the editorial board of Critical Inquiry
Critical Inquiry
Critical Inquiry is a peer-reviewed academic journal in the humanities published by the University of Chicago Press. It is considered a leading journal within literary studies, and particularly in the field of critical theory....
and was a MacArthur Fellow in 1996.
Galison has been involved in the production of two documentary films. The first, The Ultimate Weapon: The H-Bomb Dilemma, was about the political and scientific decisions behind the creation of the first hydrogen bomb in the United States, and premiered on the History Channel in 2000. The second, and most recent, Secrecy
Secrecy (film)
Secrecy is a 2008 documentary film directed by Harvard University professors Peter Galison and Robb Moss. According to its website, it "is a film about the vast, invisible world of government secrecy," and features interviews with a variety of people on all sides of the secrecy issue, including...
, which Galison directed with Harvard filmmaker Robb Moss
Robb Moss
Robb Moss is an independent documentary filmmaker and professor at Harvard University. Notable work includes such films as The Same River Twice, Secrecy , and The Tourist...
, is about the costs and benefits of government secrecy
Secrecy
Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups, perhaps while sharing it with other individuals...
, and premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
.http://www.sundance.org/festival/press_industry/releases/2008_films_in_competition.asp
Before moving to Harvard, Galison taught for several years at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
where he was professor of History, Philosophy, and Physics. He is considered part of the "Stanford School" of philosophy of science along with Ian Hacking
Ian Hacking
Ian Hacking, CC, FRSC, FBA is a Canadian philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of science.- Life and works :...
, John Dupré
John Dupré
John Dupré is a professional philosopher of science. He is the director of the ESRC Centre for Genomics in Society and professor of philosophy at the University of Exeter. Dupré was educated at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and taught at Oxford, Stanford University and...
, and Nancy Cartwright
Nancy Cartwright (philosopher)
Nancy Cartwright FBA is a professor of philosophy at the London School of Economics and the University of California at San Diego, and a recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship...
.
Filmography
- The Ultimate Weapon: The H-Bomb Dilemma (2000) Writer/producer, 44 minutes. Premiere: The History Channel, 2000.
- SecrecySecrecy (film)Secrecy is a 2008 documentary film directed by Harvard University professors Peter Galison and Robb Moss. According to its website, it "is a film about the vast, invisible world of government secrecy," and features interviews with a variety of people on all sides of the secrecy issue, including...
(2008) Producer/Director (with Robb MossRobb MossRobb Moss is an independent documentary filmmaker and professor at Harvard University. Notable work includes such films as The Same River Twice, Secrecy , and The Tourist...
), 85 minutes. Premiere: The Sundance Film Festival ('08).
External links
- Galison's history of science homepage
- Galison's physics homepage
- Article about Galison from the New York Times
- Interview with Galison about his Einstein book
- Galison appointed University Professor Harvard Gazette
- SECRECY — Galison and Moss' documentary homepage
- Wastes and Wilderness, a talk at the Institute for Advanced Study, University of Minnesota, January 23, 2009