Changing use of formal methods in philosophy: late 2000s vs. late 2010s

Synthese 199 (5-6):14555-14576 (2021)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Traditionally, logic has been the dominant formal method within philosophy. Are logical methods still dominant today, or have the types of formal methods used in philosophy changed in recent times? To address this question, we coded a sample of philosophy papers from the late 2000s and from the late 2010s for the formal methods they used. The results indicate that the proportion of papers using logical methods remained more or less constant over that time period but the proportion of papers using probabilistic methods was approximately three times higher in the late 2010s than it was in the late 2000s. Further analyses explored this change by looking more closely at specific methods, specific levels of technical engagement, and specific subdisciplines within philosophy. These analyses indicate that the increasing proportion of papers using probabilistic methods was pervasive, not confined to particular probabilistic methods, levels of sophistication, or subdisciplines.

Author Profiles

Samuel C. Fletcher
University of Minnesota
Joshua Knobe
Yale University
Gregory Wheeler
Frankfurt School Of Finance And Management
1 more

Analytics

Added to PP
2021-09-16

Downloads
425 (#36,183)

6 months
117 (#26,711)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?