Rarely does a person think of “science” and “philosophy” in the same sentence, and when they do the two fields are often thought to be at odds. However, throughout history many of the world’s most famous philosophers were also scientists, and vice versa! From Plato and Aristotle to Descartes and Newton to the quantum physicists of today, the ideals of science have always been tied to our human perceptions. The “search for truth” unites philosophers and scientists alike with the goal of understanding the world around and within us. This week we talk with a CU professor about the intersection of science and philosophy to see how discoveries in physics and astronomy affect human thought and behavior.

Dr. Heather Demarest is a professor of philosophy at CU Boulder who studies the metaphysical implications of current physics. Most recently, her work is on the way in which special and general relativity inform philosophical notions of time, personal identity, and causation. She is the director of the Committee on the History and Philosophy of Science, and has also done research on the retention of undergraduate women in philosophy.