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Key Contributions
Hacking's historical analyses of the natural and social sciences greatly influenced 20th—and 21st-century philosophical discourse. He is known for his work on a range of subjects, including the philosophy of science, the philosophy of probability, and the philosophy of the human sciences.Cantara, Annie. "Ian Hacking". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Feb. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ian-Hacking.
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Ian Hacking
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -
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Ian Hacking
Hacking's work spans the philosophy of science, the history of science, and the philosophy of biology. He is known for his work on "experimental realism," which argues that the success of scientific theories depends on their ability to make accurate predictions and control phenomena in the laboratory. Hacking also challenges the traditional boundaries between science and society. -
The Taming of Chance
In this important study, Hacking continues his enquiry into the origins and development of specific characteristic modes of contemporary thought. He explores the taming of chance through the imposition of mathematical models and statistical methods, revealing how scientific practices have shaped our perception of randomness and uncertainty.Alborn, Timothy L. “The Taming of Chance. Ian Hacking.” Isis, vol. 83, no. 2, 1992, pp. 366–67, https://doi.org/10.1086/356189.
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Rewriting the Soul: Multiple Personality and the Sciences of Memory
In this work, Hacking examines the history and philosophy of multiple personality disorder. He challenges the scientific objectivity of diagnostic practices and reveals how cultural and historical factors have influenced the classification and understanding of such conditions.Hacking, Ian. Rewriting the Soul: Multiple Personality and the Sciences of Memory. Course Book, Princeton University Press, 1998, https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400821686.
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The Social Construction of What?
In this work, Hacking challenges the notion of social construction, reminding us that scientists themselves are part of society. He critiques the idea that scientific knowledge is objective and detached from social influences, arguing instead that scientific practices and beliefs are shaped by their historical and cultural contexts.Hacking, Ian, and Stan Persky. "The Social Construction of What?." Books in Canada, vol. 28, no. 7, 10, 1999, pp. 25. ProQuest, https://shorturl.at/ciEZ0.
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The Emergence of Probability: A Philosophical Study of Early Ideas About Probability, Induction and Statistical Inference
Hacking presents a philosophical critique of early concepts of probability, induction, and statistical inference. He explores the interplay between mathematical models and the real-world phenomena they seek to describe, shedding light on how our understanding of change has evolved over time.Hacking, Ian, and Lorraine Daston. “The Emergence of Probability: A Philosophical Study of Early Ideas about Probability, Induction, and Statistical Inference.” Isis, vol. 98, no. 4, 2007, pp. 801–08.
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Kinds of People: Moving Targets
Hacking's final major work explores the concept of "kinds of people" and how these classifications have been formed and transformed over time. He highlights the feedback loops between our descriptive practices and the social realities they help to constitute, demonstrating human classification's dynamic and interactive nature.Hacking, Ian. "Kinds of people: Moving targets." Proceedings-British Academy. Vol. 151. Oxford University Press Inc., 2007.
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Ian Hacking | Difference Between Nature and Culture?
Difference Between Nature and Culture?“Ian Hacking | Difference between Nature and Culture? | Whiteboard Animation Video.” YouTube, YouTube, 13 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp7_iB9tsT8.
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Ian Hacking
Died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada