معرفی
Dr. William M. R. Simpson is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Durham University, where he holds an Early Career Leverhulme Fellowship. He is also a Research Fellow at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, and a Research Associate of St Edmund's College, Cambridge. With dual doctorates in philosophy (Cambridge, 2020) and physics (St Andrews, 2014), his work uniquely bridges these disciplines with a focus on the philosophy of mind and philosophy of religion.
His educational background includes:
- PhD in Philosophy, University of Cambridge (2020)
- PhD in Physics, University of St Andrews (2014)
- MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge (2016)
- MPhys in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, University of St Andrews (2010)
Dr. Simpson's research lies at the intersection of physics and philosophy, particularly exploring how classical hylomorphic approaches can inform contemporary scientific understanding. His work spans the philosophy of physics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of religion, with a focus on integrating mind and matter within the natural world described by physics. He develops hylomorphic approaches to cosmopsychism informed by quantum theory, examining how macroscopic phenomena relate to quantum foundations.
His publications reveal a consistent focus on the relationship between quantum physics and classical metaphysics, particularly through Aristotelian frameworks. Simpson's work shows a progression from technical physics research on Casimir forces toward increasingly philosophical investigations of hylomorphism, causal powers, and the metaphysical implications of quantum mechanics. His recent work emphasizes the importance of "middle-sized" objects in scientific inquiry and explores cosmopsychist interpretations of physical laws.
Among his notable achievements:
- Cardinal Mercier Prize in Philosophy (2021)
- Expanded Reason Award (2020)
- Springer Thesis Prize in Physics (2014)
- Early Career Leverhulme Fellowship
- Multiple Templeton Foundation grants
Dr. Simpson actively collaborates with leading scholars including George Ellis, Robert Koons, and Sean Carroll. His current Leverhulme-funded project "Minding Your Matter" explores how mind fits within nature through hylomorphic approaches. He has organized significant academic events including the "Why Middle-Sized Matters" colloquium at Oxford and participated in panels with prominent figures like Lee Smolin and Philip Goff.
