Daniel Parker
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Ph.D. University of Maryland, 2006
217 Major Williams Hall | Email | (540) 231-0992
Philosophy of Physics, Philosophy of Science
Daniel Parker’s research interests focus on the philosophy of physics and philosophy of science. His current research projects involve foundational issues in statistical mechanics such as the reduction of thermodynamics to statistical mechanics and attempts to ground the distinction between past and future in the 2nd law of Thermodynamics. His interests extend into the relations between the various temporal asymmetries we find in the world, such as those of causation and why we have records of the past but not the future. He also has interests in the foundations of quantum mechanics, scientific realism and in understanding the use and role of computational methods in the physical sciences.
Dr. Parker received his Ph.D. in 2006 from the University of Maryland, after completing the Combined Honours Arts & Science and Physics programme at McMaster University in 2000.
Recent Articles
- "Thermodynamic Irreversibility: Does the Big Bang Explain what it Purports to Explain?" Philosophy of Science, 72 (5), December 2005.
- "Finding Your Marbles in Wavefunction Collapse Theories," Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science, 34 (4), December 2003.
Regular Classes
- Philosophy 4214: Metaphysics
- Philosophy 4614: Philosophy of Science
- Philosophy 5305: Modern Science and Technology