Philip Kitcher

Professor of Philosophy, Columbia University

Philip Kitcher is the John Dewey Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. Previously, he taught at the University of California, San Diego, and before that at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of Science in a Democratic Society, and most recently The Seasons Alter: How to Save Our Planet in Six Acts.

It’s possible to live without philosophy—but it wouldn’t be wise

Can philosophy give you true understanding about life, the universe, and everything? Sometimes it Kant.

▸

4 min

—

with

Why the Best Scientists Are Open Minded

Primatologists and praying farmers show us why it takes a flexible brain, and many perspectives, to unlock truly groundbreaking science.

▸

8 min

—

with

Is Race Genetic or Socially Constructed?

Is race a trivial quality of humans, or of deep social importance? Who gets to decide whether race exists or not?

▸

6 min

—

with

Climate Science: Is There Any Room for Skepticism?

People tend to bandy around the term "scientific consensus" a lot, but what does it actually mean?

▸

7 min

—

with