Andrew Jones | University of Exeter (original) (raw)

Articles by Andrew Jones

Research paper thumbnail of Jones, A. & Cooper, A. (2023) Kant’s ongoing relevance for philosophy of science.

Kantian Review, 2023

In this introductory article we reconstruct several broad developments in the scholarship on Kant... more In this introductory article we reconstruct several broad developments in the scholarship on Kant's theory of natural science with a particular focus on the Anglophone context over the past halfcentury. Our goal is to illuminate the co-development of Kant scholarship and the philosophy of science during this period and to identify points of influence in both directions. In section 1 we present an overview of the scholarship on Kant's account of natural laws. In section 2 we survey the diverse interpretations of Kant's philosophy of biology and consider recent appeals to Kant by philosophers of biology. In section 3 we explore several recent developments in philosophy of science that have potential synergies with Kant scholarship. Our aim is not simply to establish that Kant's philosophy can have relevance for philosophy of science but also to point out where it has been and continues to be relevant. Appreciating this relevance, we suggest, can help identify productive lines of inquiry for Kant studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Principlism - a philosopher's point of view

Medicine, 2020

This article critically examines appeals to common morality within Beauchamp and Childress's Prin... more This article critically examines appeals to common morality within Beauchamp and Childress's Principles of Biomedical Ethics. I examine how this aspect of their account relates to Kant's account of morality. I consider criticisms against principlism on the basis that medical ethics cannot be grounded on a common morality because of the responsibilities and duties specific to medical practice. I suggest these arguments do not deny the possibility of universal moral principles; rather they demonstrate how the actions and duties that best instantiate these principles are context-specific and can differ between organizations.

Book Chapters by Andrew Jones

Research paper thumbnail of The Philosophical Commitments of the Self-Metaphor in Immunology

Parasites: Exploitation and Interference in French Thought and Culture. Edited by Phillips, M. and Weber, T. Peter Lang Publishers, 2018

This essay argues that the rejection of the self-metaphor entails that concepts such as parasite ... more This essay argues that the rejection of the self-metaphor entails that concepts such as parasite and host lose all meaning. By examining the history of the self-metaphor and it philosophical legacy it will be shown that immune identity has its roots in a non-physical conception of identity. The notion that immunology has depended on, or is still dependant on principles that are not scientifically robust, is problematic. By understanding the philosophical motivations behind the self-metaphor, we shall explain how the self-metaphor solves the problem of identity. It shall be argued that it is not simply a case of discarding the self-metaphor once it has served its use as if it were a ladder one can simply cast away once it has been ascended.

Book Reviews by Andrew Jones

Research paper thumbnail of James R. O’Shea (ed.), Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason: A Critical Guide Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017 Pp. 297 ISBN 9781107074811 (hbk) $99.99

Research paper thumbnail of Hannah Ginsborg, The Normativity of Nature: Essays on Kant’s Critique of Judgement Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015 Pp. 364 ISBN 9780199547982 (pbk) £25.00

Research paper thumbnail of Pragmatism: An Introduction

Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Phenomenology

Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, 2014

Books by Andrew Jones

Research paper thumbnail of How Kant Matters for Biology

University of Wales Press, 2023

Kant denied biology the status of proper science, yet his account of the organism has received mu... more Kant denied biology the status of proper science, yet his account of the organism has received much attention from both philosophical and historical perspectives. This book argues that Kant’s influence on biology in the British Isles is in part due to misunderstandings of his philosophy. Highlighting these misunderstandings exposes how Kant influenced various aspects of scientific method, despite the underlying incompatibility between transcendental idealism and scientific naturalism. This book raises criticism against scientific naturalism as it demonstrates how some concepts that are central to biology have been historically justified in ways that are incompatible with naturalism. Approaching current issues in philosophy of biology from a Kantian orientation offers new perspectives to debates including our knowledge of laws of nature, the unity of science, and our understanding of organisms. Moreover, new avenues are forged to demonstrate the benefits of adopting Kant-inspired approaches to issues in contemporary philosophy of science.

Research paper thumbnail of Jones, A. & Cooper, A. (2023) Kant’s ongoing relevance for philosophy of science.

Kantian Review, 2023

In this introductory article we reconstruct several broad developments in the scholarship on Kant... more In this introductory article we reconstruct several broad developments in the scholarship on Kant's theory of natural science with a particular focus on the Anglophone context over the past halfcentury. Our goal is to illuminate the co-development of Kant scholarship and the philosophy of science during this period and to identify points of influence in both directions. In section 1 we present an overview of the scholarship on Kant's account of natural laws. In section 2 we survey the diverse interpretations of Kant's philosophy of biology and consider recent appeals to Kant by philosophers of biology. In section 3 we explore several recent developments in philosophy of science that have potential synergies with Kant scholarship. Our aim is not simply to establish that Kant's philosophy can have relevance for philosophy of science but also to point out where it has been and continues to be relevant. Appreciating this relevance, we suggest, can help identify productive lines of inquiry for Kant studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Principlism - a philosopher's point of view

Medicine, 2020

This article critically examines appeals to common morality within Beauchamp and Childress's Prin... more This article critically examines appeals to common morality within Beauchamp and Childress's Principles of Biomedical Ethics. I examine how this aspect of their account relates to Kant's account of morality. I consider criticisms against principlism on the basis that medical ethics cannot be grounded on a common morality because of the responsibilities and duties specific to medical practice. I suggest these arguments do not deny the possibility of universal moral principles; rather they demonstrate how the actions and duties that best instantiate these principles are context-specific and can differ between organizations.

Research paper thumbnail of The Philosophical Commitments of the Self-Metaphor in Immunology

Parasites: Exploitation and Interference in French Thought and Culture. Edited by Phillips, M. and Weber, T. Peter Lang Publishers, 2018

This essay argues that the rejection of the self-metaphor entails that concepts such as parasite ... more This essay argues that the rejection of the self-metaphor entails that concepts such as parasite and host lose all meaning. By examining the history of the self-metaphor and it philosophical legacy it will be shown that immune identity has its roots in a non-physical conception of identity. The notion that immunology has depended on, or is still dependant on principles that are not scientifically robust, is problematic. By understanding the philosophical motivations behind the self-metaphor, we shall explain how the self-metaphor solves the problem of identity. It shall be argued that it is not simply a case of discarding the self-metaphor once it has served its use as if it were a ladder one can simply cast away once it has been ascended.

Research paper thumbnail of James R. O’Shea (ed.), Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason: A Critical Guide Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017 Pp. 297 ISBN 9781107074811 (hbk) $99.99

Research paper thumbnail of Hannah Ginsborg, The Normativity of Nature: Essays on Kant’s Critique of Judgement Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015 Pp. 364 ISBN 9780199547982 (pbk) £25.00

Research paper thumbnail of Pragmatism: An Introduction

Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Phenomenology

Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of How Kant Matters for Biology

University of Wales Press, 2023

Kant denied biology the status of proper science, yet his account of the organism has received mu... more Kant denied biology the status of proper science, yet his account of the organism has received much attention from both philosophical and historical perspectives. This book argues that Kant’s influence on biology in the British Isles is in part due to misunderstandings of his philosophy. Highlighting these misunderstandings exposes how Kant influenced various aspects of scientific method, despite the underlying incompatibility between transcendental idealism and scientific naturalism. This book raises criticism against scientific naturalism as it demonstrates how some concepts that are central to biology have been historically justified in ways that are incompatible with naturalism. Approaching current issues in philosophy of biology from a Kantian orientation offers new perspectives to debates including our knowledge of laws of nature, the unity of science, and our understanding of organisms. Moreover, new avenues are forged to demonstrate the benefits of adopting Kant-inspired approaches to issues in contemporary philosophy of science.