Philosophy of science: Interfaces between logic and knowledge representation

Abstract

In this inaugural lecture I offer, against the background of a discussion of
knowledge representation and its tools, an overview of my research in the
philosophy of science. I defend a relational model-theoretic realism as being
the appropriate meta-stance most congruent with the model-theoretic view of
science as a form of human engagement with the world. Making use of logics
with preferential semantics within a model-theoretic paradigm, I give an account
of science as process and product. I demonstrate the power of the
full-blown employment of this paradigm in the philosophy of science by discussing
the main applications of model-theoretic realism to traditional problems
in the philosophy of science.
I discuss my views of the nature of logic and of its role in the philosophy of
science today. I also specifically offer a brief discussion on the future of cognitive
philosophy in South Africa. My conclusion is a general look at the nature
of philosophical inquiry and its significance for philosophers today.

South African Journal of Philosophy Vol. 25 (4) 2006: pp. 275-289