Philosophy of Science Association Records, 1959-2005

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Philosophy of Science Association Records
Creator
Philosophy of Science Association
Collection Number
ASP.1992.02
Extent
12.75 Linear Feet (10 Boxes)
Date
1959-2005
Abstract
The Philosophy of Science Association (PSA) Records document the professional engagements and administrative business of the Philosophy of Science Association, an organization founded in 1933 to further the study and discussion of subjects related to the philosophy of science. The Philosophy of Science Association promotes research, teaching, and free discussion of issues in the philosophy of science from diverse standpoints. To this end, the PSA engages in activities such as: the publishing of periodicals, essays and monographs; sponsoring conventions and meetings; and awarding prizes for distinguished work in the field.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
Jon Klosinski.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jon Klosinski in 2021.

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Philosophy of Science Association in 1992.

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Preferred Citation

Philosophy of Science Association Records, 1959-2005, ASP.1992.01, Archives of Scientific Philosophy, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System.

Scope and Content Notes

The Philosophy of Science Association Records contain records that document the administration of the Philosophy of Science Association between 1959-2005. The collection includes planning documents regarding the Association's Biennial meetings, governing board correspondence and election material, financial records, membership information and grants. Also included are article submissions, copyright documentation and correspondence regarding the Philosophy of Science journal, which was first published in 1934.

Access Restrictions

Access to Series XV. Subseries 7. Rejected Biennial Meeting Papers and Symposia Submissions and Series XVI.Journal Submission Files are restricted 75 years from date of submission.

Arrangement

The Philosophy of Science Association Records are arranged in 16 series:

Series I. Biennial Meetings

Series II. Related Professional Organizations

Series III. Copyright and Permissions for Publishing

Series IV. Offices and Officials

Series V. Journal Management

Series VI. Governing Board

Series VII. Travel Grants

Series VIII. Correspondence

Series IX. Election Files

Series X. Joint Conferences

Series XI. Financial Records

Series XII. Membership Information

Series XIII. Newsletters

Series XIV. Journal Issues

Series XV. Biennial Meeting Papers and Symposia Submissions

Series XVI. Journal Submission Files

History

Founded in 1933, the Philosophy of Science Association (PSA) promotes research, teaching, and free discussion of issues in the philosophy of science from diverse standpoints. To this end, the PSA engages in activities such as: the publishing of periodicals, essays and monographs; sponsoring conventions and meetings; and awarding prizes for distinguished work in the field.

The Philosophy of Science Association was first announced in the Journal of Philosophy, December 1933: "We welcome the first number of a new philosophical quarterly, entitled Philosophy of Science. It is the 'chief external expression' of the Philosophy of Science Association." (vol. 30, no. 25. p. 700) The first editorial board for the new journal was composed of William Malisoff (as editor), Eric T. Bell, Albert E. Blumberg, Rudolf Carnap, Morris R. Cohen, W. W. Cook, Herbert Feigl, K. S. Lashley, Henry Margenau, H. J. Muller, L. Susan Stebbing, Dirk J. Struik, and Alexander Weinstein. The first issue of Philosophy of Science appeared in January 1934, and was shepherded not just by the editorial board, but also by more than 40 other advisory board members, including P.W. Bridgman, R.A. Fischer, M. Polanyi, H. Reichenbach, George Sarton, E. A. Singer, jr., H. Urey, and E. Wigner.

Early activities of the PSA included co- sponsorship of the Fifth International Congress for the Unity of Science, held at Harvard in September 5-10, 1939. Other sponsors included the International Committee of the Congresses for the Unity of Science, the International Institute for the Unity of Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Association for Symbolic Logic, and the American Philosophical Association. After World War II, the PSA began to meet annually at December AAAS meetings, in conjunction and cooperation with Section L (History and Philosophy of Science) of the AAAS. In addition to organizing symposia on philosophy of science at AAAS, the PSA began to conduct its business of governance at these meetings. It passed its first set of by-laws at the 1946 meeting, which would be revised in 1947, and then finally published in 1948 in Philosophy of Science.

According to its by-laws, the PSA was dedicated to "furthering of the study and discussion of the subject of philosophy of science, broadly interpreted, and the encouragement of practical consequences which may flow therefrom of benefit to scientists and philosophers in particular and to men of good will in general." (Phil. Sci. 1948, vol. 15, p. 176) In addition, the 1947 by- laws state that the PSA was to meet annually. For the next fifteen years, notices of the annual meetings were placed in "News and Notices" in Philosophy of Science every October for the meeting that was held in December, in conjunction with Section L of AAAS.

PSA president Adolf Grünbaum organized the first stand-alone biennial meeting of PSA in 1968, held in Pittsburgh, PA. This began the tradition of biennial meetings and became enshrined in PSA by-laws in 1970. The next meeting was held in Boston, MA in October 1970, and because of the death of Rudolf Carnap in September 1970, it was held in Carnap's honor. Those proceedings were published by the Boston Studies Series in Philosophy of Science (vol. VIII), edited by Roger Buck and Robert Cohen, and were the first published PSA proceedings.

Related Materials

Herbert Feigl Papers, 1916-1973, ASP.1997.01, Archives of Scientific Philosophy, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Rudolf Carnap Papers, 1905-1970, ASP.1974.01, Archives of Scientific Philosophy, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Hans Reichenbach Papers, 1884-1972, ASP.1973.01, Archives of Scientific Philosophy, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Ernest Nagel Papers, 1925-1985, ASP.2020.01, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Carl Gustav Hempel Papers, 1903-1997, ASP.1999.01, Archives of Scientific Philosophy, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

David L. Hull Papers, 1965-2004, ASP.2005.01, Archives of Scientific Philosophy, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Philosophy of Science Association -- Administration
    • Philosophy of Science Association. Biennial Meeting
    • American Association for the Advancement of Science
    • National Science Foundation (U.S.) -- Research grants
    • American Philosophical Association -- Administration

    Personal Names

    • Grünbaum, Adolf
    • Carnap, Rudolf, 1891-1970

    Genres

    • Manuscripts for publication
    • Administrative records
    • Directories
    • Newsletters

    Other Subjects

    • Science -- Philosophy -- Societies, etc. -- History -- 20th century
    • Science -- Philosophy -- Congresses -- History -- 20th century
    • Science -- Philosophy -- Periodicals -- 20th century

Container List

Series XVI. Journal Submission Files, 1975-2004

Scope and Contents

Series XVI. Journal Submission Files contains submission information for articles to be published in the Journal of Scientific Philosophy. A large portion of the collection is comprised of files relating to the organization and publication of the Philosophy of Science Association Journal, including drafts, memos, correspondence, and proofs of papers. Files are organized by submission date and labeled by submitting author's name, title of the paper and the number issued to the paper by the PSA office.

Access Restrictions

Access to paper submission files for the Journal of Scientific Philosophy is restricted for 75 years from date of submission.