Dr. Gordon Belot

Biography

Gordon Belot is the Lawrence Sklar Collegiate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Michigan. His primary research interests include the philosophy of physics, philosophy of science, metaphysics, and epistemology. His recent book, 'Accelerating Expansion: Philosophy of Physics and the Positive Cosmological Constant,' discusses the philosophical ramifications of modern cosmology, particularly the implications of the discovery of the universe's accelerating expansion on our understanding of time, geometry, and physics. Additionally, his book 'Geometric Possibility' examines the potential for adapting traditional accounts of physical possibility to create a framework for geometric possibility, which is essential for relationalism in space. He has published papers that delve into inter-theory relations in physics, exploring methodological and metaphysical issues as well as the implications of symmetry principles and confirmation underdetermination. Currently, he is working on projects related to general relativity, cosmology, boundary conditions, and the epistemology of computable agents. Since joining the faculty at Michigan in 2008, he has taught at esteemed institutions such as Princeton University, New York University, and the University of Pittsburgh. He has held post-doctoral fellowships and distinguished fellowships from several prestigious organizations, including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, National Science Foundation, and the American Council of Learned Societies. His book 'Geometric Possibility' was awarded the 2014 Lakatos Award, and he is a fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science.

Research Interests

Awards