What are you going to work with at IFIKK?
I will be working on the philosophy of biology as part of the ‘AssemblingLife’ project. Here we are investigating two processes of pattern formation, called self-assembly and self-organization, that are ubiquitous in living systems. We will explore their role in scientific explanations and their implications for our understanding of life regarding issues, such as reductionism and emergence, mechanism and holism.
Self-assembly is philosophically underexplored compared to self-organization, and much of my work will focus on preparing the topic for further philosophical exploration. My dissertation revolves around clarifying the concept of self-assembly, as it figures in the empirical literature, and bringing it into contact with existing philosophical literature on the complexity of living systems. Drawing upon the general philosophy of science literature, I will explore which features explain the differences and similarities between various cases of self-assembly, how the concept differs from self-organization, and how self-assembly interacts with self-organization in organic contexts.
Can you tell us a bit about your research interests?
My research interests lay at the intersection of metaphysics and science. With a background in process metaphysics, I delight in applying its tools to scientific discourse and ontological model-building. This activity is especially pertinent in the theoretical and philosophical foundations of complex systems, where I conduct most of my work. I accord special emphasis to issues of complexity in biology and cognitive science. For me, philosophical research is at its best when it interweaves the ultimate features of Being with the intimate intricacies of our experiential and organic existence.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am passionate about the art and craft of theater-productions and filmmaking, having spent most of my youth training as an actor. I love exploring (and cataloguing) new music, playing puzzle games and meditating. I also enjoy black coffee, the purple hue of birch trees during autumn, and the beautiful geometry of diatoms.