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Dr William Simpson

Assistant Professor - Research/ Early Career Representative SMT


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Assistant Professor - Research/ Early Career Representative SMT in the Department of Philosophy

Biography

William M. R. Simpson is an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Philosophy at Durham, where he holds an Early Career Leverhulme Fellowship, and he is the Early Career Representative on the Department's Senior Management Team. He is also a Research Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, and a Research Associate of St Edmund's College, Cambridge (both non-stipendiary). He holds a doctorate in philosophy from Cambridge (2020) and a doctorate in physics from St Andrews (2014).

His current research is focussed on developing a hylomorphic approach to panpsychism that is informed by the quantum theory of matter. More generally, he is seeking to combine classical thought with the sciences to provide a general account of the natural world and of how humans and animals fit into it. With a focus on the integration of mind and matter, his work advances our understanding of the place of life and agency within the world described by physics.

Simpson's research at Durham and Oxford lies at the intersection of philosophy and physics, overspilling into the philosophy of mind and the philosophy of religion. For more information about his work, such as a description of his current Leverhulme project, "Minding your matter", or an up-to-date list of his publications in philosophy and physics, visit his Academia page or personal website.

Work in Progress

"The Entanglement Problem for Psychological Hylomorphism" with Robert C. Koons (under review)

“The Limits of Quantum Physics and the Emergence of Complexity” with George F. R. Ellis (under contract with Cambridge University Press)

“Cosmopsychism and the Laws of Physics: A Hylomorphic Perspective”, Journal of Consciousness Studies, forthcoming

“Matter and Form in Polanyi’s Post-Critical Platonism” (invited by Tradition and Discovery: The Polanyi Society Periodical)

“Powerist and Nomological Interpretations of Quantum Theory” (invited by Philosophy Compass)

“Prime Matter Revisited” in Thomism Revisited, G. Kerr (Ed.), Cambridge University Press, forthcoming

 

Research interests

  • Philosophy of physics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion

Esteem Indicators

Publications

Authored book

Book review

Chapter in book

Edited book

Journal Article