Carl F. Craver

Carl F. Craver is a Professor of Philosophy and Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology at Washington University. He holds a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on philosophy of neuroscience, history of biology, and general philosophy of science, with emphasis on mechanistic explanation and multilevel systems. He co-authored influential books like In Search of Mechanisms (2013) and Explaining the Brain (2007), which explore how mechanisms underpin scientific explanation.

Craver’s work bridges philosophy and empirical science, particularly in psychiatric genetics and neuropsychology. Collaborations include projects with Kenneth Kendler (GWAS analysis) and Shayna Rosenbaum (episodic amnesia studies). His current projects include a book on Living without Memory, examining how memory loss impacts personhood.

His recent articles address optogenetics, experimental artifacts, and decision-making in neurological patients. He received a National Science Foundation grant (2022) and has contributed to debates on mechanistic completeness and causal modeling. Craver’s interdisciplinary approach integrates philosophy with cognitive neuroscience, bioinformatics, and ethics.

• Education: PhD in Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh
• Awards: NSF Grant (2022)
• Key Projects: Mechanistic explanation frameworks, GWAS coherence analysis, episodic amnesia studies
• Labs/Teams: Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology Program at Washington University