College: St John's
Supervisor: Jacob Stegenga
Advisor: Alexander Bird
Thesis topic: A Hybrid Theory of Induction
Research interests: Induction, Evidence and Inference, Logic, Public Policy
Research
Inductive inferences are inferences in which the conclusion contains information not contained in the premises. This type of inference is common in everyday life, and it is crucial in scientific reasoning. But what is it that makes an inductive inference “good”? Traditionally, there have been two types of answers to this question. Some philosophers believe that good inductive inferences are good because they follow the right rules. This view is still prevalent nowadays. Other philosophers, however, have argued that it is not rules but matters of fact that make inductive inferences good. This approach, although less popular today, has been present since antiquity. In my research, I explore the role of both rules and matters of fact in warranting inductive inference, and argue that both ingredients are necessary in the warranting structure of a successful theory of induction. I articulate this idea in the form of a Hybrid Theory of Induction (HTI). Hopefully, the HTI makes explicit a view that is actually shared by most agents in this debate, thus providing a common framework to understand and tackle disagreements about induction with more clarity. I then examine some of the implications of understanding induction from the perspective of the HTI.
Prior Education
- 2020 – Masters degree in Analytic Philosophy, University of Barcelona – Barcelona, Spain
- 2015 – MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California Irvine – Irvine, California, USA
- 2014 – Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (ESEIAAT) – Terrassa, Spain
Teaching
- Philosophy of the Biomedical Sciences (2020-21, 2021-22)
- Philosophy of Economics (2021-22)
- Metaphysics (2020-21)
- Meaning (2020-21)
Policy Engagement
I am interested in the interface between philosophy of science and science policy. I am Head of Research for the Cambridge chapter of the policy incubator European Horizons, and editor for the Cambridge Journal of Science and Policy (CJSP), as well as an active member of the Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE) society.
Major Awards
- Vice-Chancellor's & Department of History & Philosophy of Science Trust Fund Scholarship
- Masters' Extraordinary Prize (Masters degree in Analytic Philosophy, University of Barcelona)
- NASA/UARC Grant (MS research at NASA Ames Research Center)
- Balsells Fellowship (MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering)
