Papers
“Visualizing Social Connections in the Humanities: Beyond Bibliometrics”
Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science & Technology 38(4) (April/May 2012): 31–35
This article addresses the study of social connections among humanists. The first section reviews previous studies of the structure of the humanities, particularly bibliometrics, and notes the limitations of this approach. The second section discusses several studies that support greater consideration of social connections in the humanities as well as data sources from which such connections may be gathered. The final two sections address the prospects for visualizing these connections, most notably in the form of network graphs, and speculate on the larger significance of this social analysis, both for the humanities and for the academy in general.
“Visualizing Social Connections in the Humanities: Beyond Bibliometrics”
Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science & Technology 38(4) (April/May 2012): 31–35
This article addresses the study of social connections among humanists. The first section reviews previous studies of the structure of the humanities, particularly bibliometrics, and notes the limitations of this approach. The second section discusses several studies that support greater consideration of social connections in the humanities as well as data sources from which such connections may be gathered. The final two sections address the prospects for visualizing these connections, most notably in the form of network graphs, and speculate on the larger significance of this social analysis, both for the humanities and for the academy in general.
“Philosophy through the Macroscope: Technologies, Representations, and the History of the Profession”
Journal of Interactive Technology and Pedagogy 1 (2012)
Macroscopes are tools for viewing what is too large, complex, or dynamic to perceive with the naked eye. This paper examines the use and history of macroscopy in philosophy to represent ideas, trends, and other aspects of the field. Particular emphasis is given to the growing Phylo project, which combines data, user collaboration, and visual analytics to advance the study of philosophy.
“Philosophy through the Macroscope: Technologies, Representations, and the History of the Profession”
Journal of Interactive Technology and Pedagogy 1 (2012)
Macroscopes are tools for viewing what is too large, complex, or dynamic to perceive with the naked eye. This paper examines the use and history of macroscopy in philosophy to represent ideas, trends, and other aspects of the field. Particular emphasis is given to the growing Phylo project, which combines data, user collaboration, and visual analytics to advance the study of philosophy.
“Naturalized Metaphilosophy”
with David Morrow
Synthèse 182.2 (2011)
Traditional representations of philosophy have tended to prize the role of reason in the discipline. These accounts focus exclusively on ideas and arguments as animating forces in the field. But anecdotal evidence and more rigorous sociological studies suggest there is more going on in philosophy. In this article, we present two hypotheses about social factors in the field: that social factors influence the development of philosophy, and that position of status and reputation—and thus social influence—will tend to be awarded to philosophers who offer rationally compelling arguments for their views.
“Naturalized Metaphilosophy”
with David Morrow
Synthèse 182.2 (2011)
Traditional representations of philosophy have tended to prize the role of reason in the discipline. These accounts focus exclusively on ideas and arguments as animating forces in the field. But anecdotal evidence and more rigorous sociological studies suggest there is more going on in philosophy. In this article, we present two hypotheses about social factors in the field: that social factors influence the development of philosophy, and that position of status and reputation—and thus social influence—will tend to be awarded to philosophers who offer rationally compelling arguments for their views.
Review of Ralph Wedgwood, The Nature of Normativity
Ethical Theory and Moral Practice 11.1 (2008)