Ian Hacking (1936 - Present)

Birth

Feb 18, 1936

Ian Hacking was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 18th, 1936.

Logic of Statistical Inference

1965

Ian Hacking published his first book covering his ideas of statistical reasoning in a philosophical and practical sense. Hacking, Ian. Logic of Statistical Inference. Cambridge University Press, 1965.

The Emergence of Probability

1975

Ian Hacking published The Emergence of Probability: A Philosophical Study of Early Ideas About Probability. This book of work provided a history of probability. His work unified the previous work done with probability to show what was known and what was opinion. His work with probability showed the importance of probability in science. This would lead to theories that were important in quantum mechanics. This study of history also changed the way people look at science. See notes.

Representing and Intervening

1983

Ian Hacking published a textbook on the philosophy of science that had a lasting influence. In this book, Hacking said the major flaw he has found in the philosophy of science was too much theoretical problem solving and not enough actual experimentation. Hacking recognized that creating theories is important, but it is only half of what is needed in science. Hacking, Ian. Representing and Intervening: Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science. Cambridge University Press, 1983.

Ecological Niche

1995

Ian Hacking studied mental illness to determine if there was a relationship between new scientific discoveries and these illnesses. He discovered some historical cases that appeared, had an outbreak, and then vanished in the community. Hacking, Ian. Rewriting the Soul: Multiple Personality and the Science of Memory. Princeton University Press, 1995.

Balzan Prize

2014

Ian Hacking was awarded the Balzan prize in 2014 for his achievements in the field of science. His fields include philosophy of science, medicine and psychology.