Nancy Cartwright (born 1944) is a prominent British philosopher of science, known for her contributions to the philosophy of physics, causality, and the nature of scientific laws. She is particularly associated with an anti-realist stance regarding scientific laws and a view of the world as "dappled" rather than uniformly governed by simple, universal principles.
Biography and Career Cartwright studied at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned her Ph.D. under the supervision of Wilfrid Sellars. She has held distinguished academic positions at several institutions, including the London School of Economics (LSE), the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and the University of Durham. At the LSE, she was a co-founder of the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science (CPNSS).
Key Philosophical Contributions
- How the Laws of Physics Lie (1983): In this influential work, Cartwright argues against a simplistic realist interpretation of scientific laws. She contends that fundamental laws of physics, while effective for calculation and prediction within idealized models, do not directly describe reality as it is. Instead, they "lie" in the sense that they are true only under highly controlled and abstract conditions, often far removed from the complex messiness of the real world. She emphasizes that explanatory power does not necessarily equate to truth.
- The Dappled World (1999): This book elaborates on her "dappled world" thesis. Cartwright argues that the world is not governed by a single, comprehensive, and unified set of fundamental laws that apply everywhere and at all times. Instead, it is a mosaic of different domains, each with its own local regularities, capacities, and principles. This view challenges the traditional quest for a grand unified theory and suggests a more pluralistic understanding of scientific knowledge.
- Causality and Capacities: Cartwright has significantly contributed to the philosophy of causation, distinguishing between mere statistical regularities and genuine causal capacities or powers. She argues that understanding causation requires recognizing the inherent abilities of objects and systems to produce effects, rather than just observing correlations between events. Her work on capacities is central to her broader anti-realist position, suggesting that what is "real" in science are these capacities, not necessarily the universal laws.
- Evidence and Policy: More recently, Cartwright has applied her philosophical insights to the field of evidence-based policy. She has critically examined how scientific evidence is used (or misused) to inform policy decisions, arguing for a more nuanced understanding of causality and context when translating research findings into practical recommendations.
Influence Nancy Cartwright's work has been highly influential in the philosophy of science, particularly in challenging traditional forms of scientific realism and promoting a more nuanced understanding of scientific practice, laws, and causality. Her ideas have resonated across various disciplines, including economics, medicine, and social sciences.
Selected Works
- How the Laws of Physics Lie (Oxford University Press, 1983)
- Nature's Capacities and Their Measurement (Oxford University Press, 1989)
- The Dappled World: A Study of the Boundaries of Science (Cambridge University Press, 1999)
- Hunting Causes and Using Them: Approaches in Philosophy and Economics (Cambridge University Press, 2007)
- Evidence-Based Policy: A Philosophical Guide (with Jeremy Hardie) (Oxford University Press, 2012)
Awards and Recognition Cartwright has received numerous honors for her work, including:
- Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- The Lakatos Award (1998) for The Dappled World.
- The Hempel Award (2012), the highest honor bestowed by the Philosophy of Science Association.
- The Nicholas Rescher Prize for Contributions to Systematic Philosophy (2017).