Alan Baker
Biographic Data
| ID | 3754089 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Alan Baker |
| GIVEN NAMES | Alan |
| FAMILY NAME | Baker |
| SIGNATURE | BAKER A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Swarthmore College |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 24 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 97 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 24 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1968 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Rules to Infinity: The Normative Role of Mathematics in Scientific Explanation
Transcendental Number Theory
The mathematical stance
Circularity, indispensability, and mathematical explanation in science
« Les Palestiniens ont accepté les implantations »
Schemas for induction
Parsimony and inference to the best mathematical explanation
International humanitarian law, ICRC and Israel's status in the Territories
This article discusses contentions voiced by ICRC President Maurer in a speech on ‘Challenges to humanitarian action in contemporary conflicts: Israel, the Middle East and beyond’, developed in the form of the article in this issue of the International Review of the Red Cross . It discusses challenges to international humanitarian law in situations where one party violates humanitarian norms, and questions some ICRC contentions and assumptions re…
Explaining the Applicability of Mathematics in Science
Philosophical discussion of applied mathematics has tended to focus on a cluster of related ‘problems of applicability’ that are often conflated. In this paper, I argue that several of these problems raise no significant philosophical issues. I then identify two particular aspects of the involvement of mathematics in science: that mathematics is indispensable for science, and that mathematics sometimes plays an explanatory role in science. I argu…
Simulation-Based Definitions of Emergence
One approach to characterizing the elusive notion of emergence is to define that a property is emergent if and only if its presence can be derived but only by simulation. In this paper I investigate the pros and cons of this approach, focusing in particular on whether an appropriately distinct boundary can be drawn between simulation-based and non-simulation-based methods. I also examine the implications of this definition for the epistemological…
Mathematical Explanation in Science
Does mathematics ever play an explanatory role in science? If so then this opens the way for scientific realists to argue for the existence of mathematical entities using inference to the best explanation. Elsewhere I have argued, using a case study involving the prime-numbered life cycles of periodical cicadas, that there are examples of indispensable mathematical explanations of purely physical phenomena. In this paper I respond to objections t…
Thirteenth International Conference of Historical Geographers
Putting Expectations in Order
In their paper, “Vexing Expectations,” Nover and Hájek (2004) present an allegedly paradoxical betting scenario which they call the Pasadena Game (PG). They argue that the silence of standard decision theory concerning the value of playing PG poses a serious problem. This paper provides a threefold response. First, I argue that the real problem is not that decision theory is “silent” concerning PG, but that it delivers multiple conflicting verdic…
Quantitative Parsimony and Explanatory Power
The desire to minimize the number of individual new entities postulated is often referred to as quantitative parsimony. Its influence on the default hypotheses formulated by scientists seems undeniable. I argue that there is a wide class of cases for which the preference for quantitatively parsimonious hypotheses is demonstrably rational. The justification, in a nutshell, is that such hypotheses have greater explanatory power than less parsimonio…
The Indispensability Argument and Multiple Foundations for Mathematics
One recent trend in the philosophy of mathematics has been to approach the central epistemological and metaphysical issues concerning mathematics from the perspective of the applications of mathematics to describing the world, especially within the context of empirical science. A second area of activity is where philosophy of mathematics intersects with foundational issues in mathematics, including debates over the choice of set–theoretic axioms,…
Methodological workshops: Teaching medical geography students about seasonal affective disorder
Sas/Graph for Cartography: Map Projections and Labelled Choropleth Maps
The addition of the SAS/GRAPH graphics package to the SAS computer system has provided the geographer with an integrated approach to data storage, retrieval and analysis, and graphics and mapping, an advantage few other computer cartographic systems currently offer. Experience with the package over a number of years has revealed some minor shortcomings with respect to the cartographic capabilities, however, these can be overcome using the existin…
Fibre Optics: Light-Wave of the Future
The introduction of fibre optics may bring more heat than light into the turbulent telecommunications scene where technology, growing like Topsy, threatens to outpace the efforts of all involved, from legislators, to regulators to owners
Christ and the Media
as a television performer, I see myself as a man playing a piano in a brothel, who includes 'Abide With Me' in his repertoire in the hope of there by edifying both clients and inmates (p. 12)
Alienation or Communication
Predictions about the societal impact of the "wired city" or "information society" of the not-so-distant future often refer in passing to the problem of alienation while focusing, with varying amounts of optimism, on issues such as access, control, regulation, privacy and what Gordon B
Mailer Atones for His TV Sins
Norman Mailer's recent article in Esquire, "Of a Small and Modest Malignancy, Wicked and Bristling With Dots" 1 is a wry "confessional" of how, is spite of his moral loathing for television, he has continued to appear on it in the clear knowledge that the medium had proved useless as a means of selling either his ideas or his books. The important thing was that (and this is something Mailer does not confess) TV had given good exposure to Mailer's…
Rural Settlement in Britain
Arrogance and Impotence
It wasn't until I engaged myself in a personal hassle with The Toronto Sun recently that I was forcibly reminded of two things - one, that "the public be damned" is an attitude that still prevails in some newspaper offices and that if you want to complain, the Ontario Press Council may sympathize, but often can't really go to bat for you. Perseverance and general bloody-mindedness are the techniques you really need to get some sort of intelligent…
A note on the retrogressive and retrospective approaches in historical geography
Incipient Urbanization and Secularization in Tiahua nacoid Peru. In: American Antiquity, vol. 31, no. 3, part 1, 1966. : Urban Growth and Ekistics on the Peruvian Coast. In: XXXVI Congreso Internacional de Americanistas. Espana 1964. Actas y Memorias. Vol. 1, Sevilla 1966. : Prehistoric Urban Centers on the North Peruvian Coast. Their Origin. In press. Stumer, Louis: Population Centers in the Rimac Valley, Peru. In: American Antiquity, vol. 20, 1…
Mathematical Explanation in Science
Does mathematics ever play an explanatory role in science? If so then this opens the way for scientific realists to argue for the existence of mathematical entities using inference to the best explanation. Elsewhere I have argued, using a case study involving the prime-numbered life cycles of periodical cicadas, that there are examples of indispensable mathematical explanations of purely physical phenomena. In this paper I respond to objections t…
Quantitative Parsimony and Explanatory Power
The desire to minimize the number of individual new entities postulated is often referred to as quantitative parsimony. Its influence on the default hypotheses formulated by scientists seems undeniable. I argue that there is a wide class of cases for which the preference for quantitatively parsimonious hypotheses is demonstrably rational. The justification, in a nutshell, is that such hypotheses have greater explanatory power than less parsimonio…
Parsimony and inference to the best mathematical explanation
A note on the retrogressive and retrospective approaches in historical geography
Incipient Urbanization and Secularization in Tiahua nacoid Peru. In: American Antiquity, vol. 31, no. 3, part 1, 1966. : Urban Growth and Ekistics on the Peruvian Coast. In: XXXVI Congreso Internacional de Americanistas. Espana 1964. Actas y Memorias. Vol. 1, Sevilla 1966. : Prehistoric Urban Centers on the North Peruvian Coast. Their Origin. In press. Stumer, Louis: Population Centers in the Rimac Valley, Peru. In: American Antiquity, vol. 20, 1…
The Indispensability Argument and Multiple Foundations for Mathematics
One recent trend in the philosophy of mathematics has been to approach the central epistemological and metaphysical issues concerning mathematics from the perspective of the applications of mathematics to describing the world, especially within the context of empirical science. A second area of activity is where philosophy of mathematics intersects with foundational issues in mathematics, including debates over the choice of set–theoretic axioms,…
Circularity, indispensability, and mathematical explanation in science
Rural Settlement in Britain
Schemas for induction
International humanitarian law, ICRC and Israel's status in the Territories
This article discusses contentions voiced by ICRC President Maurer in a speech on ‘Challenges to humanitarian action in contemporary conflicts: Israel, the Middle East and beyond’, developed in the form of the article in this issue of the International Review of the Red Cross . It discusses challenges to international humanitarian law in situations where one party violates humanitarian norms, and questions some ICRC contentions and assumptions re…
A note on the retrogressive and retrospective approaches in historical geography
Incipient Urbanization and Secularization in Tiahua nacoid Peru. In: American Antiquity, vol. 31, no. 3, part 1, 1966. : Urban Growth and Ekistics on the Peruvian Coast. In: XXXVI Congreso Internacional de Americanistas. Espana 1964. Actas y Memorias. Vol. 1, Sevilla 1966. : Prehistoric Urban Centers on the North Peruvian Coast. Their Origin. In press. Stumer, Louis: Population Centers in the Rimac Valley, Peru. In: American Antiquity, vol. 20, 1…
Arrogance and Impotence
It wasn't until I engaged myself in a personal hassle with The Toronto Sun recently that I was forcibly reminded of two things - one, that "the public be damned" is an attitude that still prevails in some newspaper offices and that if you want to complain, the Ontario Press Council may sympathize, but often can't really go to bat for you. Perseverance and general bloody-mindedness are the techniques you really need to get some sort of intelligent…
Fibre Optics: Light-Wave of the Future
The introduction of fibre optics may bring more heat than light into the turbulent telecommunications scene where technology, growing like Topsy, threatens to outpace the efforts of all involved, from legislators, to regulators to owners
Christ and the Media
as a television performer, I see myself as a man playing a piano in a brothel, who includes 'Abide With Me' in his repertoire in the hope of there by edifying both clients and inmates (p. 12)
Alienation or Communication
Predictions about the societal impact of the "wired city" or "information society" of the not-so-distant future often refer in passing to the problem of alienation while focusing, with varying amounts of optimism, on issues such as access, control, regulation, privacy and what Gordon B
Mailer Atones for His TV Sins
Norman Mailer's recent article in Esquire, "Of a Small and Modest Malignancy, Wicked and Bristling With Dots" 1 is a wry "confessional" of how, is spite of his moral loathing for television, he has continued to appear on it in the clear knowledge that the medium had proved useless as a means of selling either his ideas or his books. The important thing was that (and this is something Mailer does not confess) TV had given good exposure to Mailer's…
Rural Settlement in Britain
Sas/Graph for Cartography: Map Projections and Labelled Choropleth Maps
The addition of the SAS/GRAPH graphics package to the SAS computer system has provided the geographer with an integrated approach to data storage, retrieval and analysis, and graphics and mapping, an advantage few other computer cartographic systems currently offer. Experience with the package over a number of years has revealed some minor shortcomings with respect to the cartographic capabilities, however, these can be overcome using the existin…
Methodological workshops: Teaching medical geography students about seasonal affective disorder
Quantitative Parsimony and Explanatory Power
The desire to minimize the number of individual new entities postulated is often referred to as quantitative parsimony. Its influence on the default hypotheses formulated by scientists seems undeniable. I argue that there is a wide class of cases for which the preference for quantitatively parsimonious hypotheses is demonstrably rational. The justification, in a nutshell, is that such hypotheses have greater explanatory power than less parsimonio…
The Indispensability Argument and Multiple Foundations for Mathematics
One recent trend in the philosophy of mathematics has been to approach the central epistemological and metaphysical issues concerning mathematics from the perspective of the applications of mathematics to describing the world, especially within the context of empirical science. A second area of activity is where philosophy of mathematics intersects with foundational issues in mathematics, including debates over the choice of set–theoretic axioms,…
Thirteenth International Conference of Historical Geographers
Putting Expectations in Order
In their paper, “Vexing Expectations,” Nover and Hájek (2004) present an allegedly paradoxical betting scenario which they call the Pasadena Game (PG). They argue that the silence of standard decision theory concerning the value of playing PG poses a serious problem. This paper provides a threefold response. First, I argue that the real problem is not that decision theory is “silent” concerning PG, but that it delivers multiple conflicting verdic…
Mathematical Explanation in Science
Does mathematics ever play an explanatory role in science? If so then this opens the way for scientific realists to argue for the existence of mathematical entities using inference to the best explanation. Elsewhere I have argued, using a case study involving the prime-numbered life cycles of periodical cicadas, that there are examples of indispensable mathematical explanations of purely physical phenomena. In this paper I respond to objections t…
Simulation-Based Definitions of Emergence
One approach to characterizing the elusive notion of emergence is to define that a property is emergent if and only if its presence can be derived but only by simulation. In this paper I investigate the pros and cons of this approach, focusing in particular on whether an appropriately distinct boundary can be drawn between simulation-based and non-simulation-based methods. I also examine the implications of this definition for the epistemological…
Explaining the Applicability of Mathematics in Science
Philosophical discussion of applied mathematics has tended to focus on a cluster of related ‘problems of applicability’ that are often conflated. In this paper, I argue that several of these problems raise no significant philosophical issues. I then identify two particular aspects of the involvement of mathematics in science: that mathematics is indispensable for science, and that mathematics sometimes plays an explanatory role in science. I argu…
International humanitarian law, ICRC and Israel's status in the Territories
This article discusses contentions voiced by ICRC President Maurer in a speech on ‘Challenges to humanitarian action in contemporary conflicts: Israel, the Middle East and beyond’, developed in the form of the article in this issue of the International Review of the Red Cross . It discusses challenges to international humanitarian law in situations where one party violates humanitarian norms, and questions some ICRC contentions and assumptions re…
Parsimony and inference to the best mathematical explanation
« Les Palestiniens ont accepté les implantations »
Schemas for induction
Circularity, indispensability, and mathematical explanation in science
Transcendental Number Theory
The mathematical stance
Rules to Infinity: The Normative Role of Mathematics in Scientific Explanation
Philosophy and History of Science (10 works) · Computer Science (9 works) · Epistemology (9 works) · Philosophy (9 works) · Mathematics (8 works) · Political science (7 works) · Sociology (6 works) · Business (5 works) · Law (5 works) · Mathematical economics (5 works)