University of Oxford

BACKGROUND

Philosophy of cosmology is an expanding discipline, directed to the conceptual foundations of cosmology and the philosophical contemplation of the universe as a totality.

It draws on the fundamental theories of physics – thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and special and general relativity – and on several branches of philosophy – philosophy of physics, philosophy of science, metaphysics, philosophy of mathematics, and epistemology.

“Our mission to reach out to diverse audiences has been an unqualified success and works beautifully.”

Simon Saunders, Professor of Philosophy of Physics at the University of Oxford and fellow of Merton College

“This project was funded by the Templeton Foundation and one of our missions was to appeal to two distinct audiences. On the one hand it needed to be accessible to curious laypeople and school leavers but on the other hand it is a tool for serious academic research. Therefore it had to be visually arresting, concise and function in the context of the specific project.

Overall our mission to reach out to these diverse audiences has been an unqualified success and works beautifully. Our website is now no.1 on a Google search for ‘philosophy of cosmology’ – congratulations and thanks to Cogent Design for getting us there”.

Simon Saunders, Professor of Philosophy of Physics at the University of Oxford and fellow of Merton College