Eddy Keming Chen

Eddy Keming Chen is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), affiliated with the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics and UCSD's Chinese Studies Program. His work bridges philosophy of physics, metaphysics, and formal epistemology, with a focus on quantum foundations, time asymmetry, and nomic vagueness. He earned a PhD in philosophy (2019) and M.Sc. in mathematical physics (2019) from Rutgers University, alongside a graduate certificate in cognitive science.

Research interests include laws of nature, quantum mechanics in time-asymmetric universes, and the metaphysics of the wave function. Notable works include Fundamental Nomic Vagueness (Philosophical Review, 2022) and Quantum Mechanics in a Time-Asymmetric Universe (BJPS Popper Prize, 2021). He is Co-PI of a Templeton grant exploring quantum foundations and has contributed to public philosophy via articles in New Scientist and interviews with the APA Blog.

Teaching spans Chinese philosophy, symbolic logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of physics. Grants include UCSD Senate awards (2021–2025) and a $325k subaward from a $2.5M Templeton grant. Awards include the APA Public Philosophy Prize (2024) and Rutgers’ Harvey Waterman Medal (2019).

• Education:
  • PhD in Philosophy, Rutgers University (2019)
  • M.Sc. in Mathematics (Mathematical Physics), Rutgers (2019)
  • Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Science, Rutgers (2018)
  • B.S. Mathematics & B.A. Philosophy (Highest Honors), Calvin College (2013)

His work on quantum foundations has been featured in Nature and Scientific American, with ongoing projects on surreal decision theory and Xunzi's meta-ethics. Current collaborations include a screenplay about time-travel romance inspired by SEP articles.