PSA Leadership Reflects Prominence of Pitt’s Graduate Philosophy Programs

The strength of the University of Pittsburgh’s graduate programs in philosophy is well-known and frequently cited when talking about graduate education at the University. One sign of the programs’ prominence is the University’s strong presence on the governing board of the international Philosophy of Science Association. (See April 9, 2007, Pitt Chronicle.) Because governing board members are elected, the prevalence of Pitt-affiliated philosophers speaks to the high regard in which the philosophy community holds the University.

While the current PSA board president is not a Pitt grad, the past president, Brian Skyrms, earned his PhD degree in philosophy at Pitt. The president-elect, Nancy Cartwright, earned her undergraduate degree at Pitt. She is currently a visiting fellow in the University’s Center for Philosophy of Science, as is PSA executive secretary George Gale. The incoming PSA board secretary, Gary Hardcastle, also earned his undergraduate degree at Pitt.

Members of the governing board also include Sandra Mitchell, chair of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, who earned her doctorate in the history and philosophy of science at Pitt; Pitt faculty members Ken Schaffner and John Norton, both from the Department of History and Philosophy of Science; and Laura Ruetsche, Department of Philosophy, who earned her doctorate in philosophy at Pitt. Also on the board are Alan Hajek, a visiting fellow in the Center for Philosophy of Science, and Heather Douglas, who earned her PhD degree in the history and philosophy of science at the University.