Episode 92: Prasanta Bandyopadhyay

On Episode 92, Nick chats with Prasanta Bandyopadhyay, Professor at Montana State University, about his work developing a Bayesian account of scientific methodology, in which he applies statistical/probabilistic notions to a long-standing conundrum of methodological issues in the sciences.

Timestamps:

(0:00) - Introduction

(1:45) - Prasanta Bandyopadhyay and life in Montana

(6:10) - Prasanta’s background, upbringing, and family

(10:00) - Early interests and early school years

(15:44) - Journeying into philosophy in India

(23:57) - Getting into professional training in philosophy and moving to the UK

(32:20) - The big questions that Prasanta is attempting to address/clarify/resolve

(37:55) - Theory of acceptance in Prasanta’s dissertation

(39:26) - Prasanta’s approach to collaboration with researchers and statisticians

(44:07) - Prasanta’s main works and book

(46:15) - Current projects

(51:34) - Applying philosophy to the real world

(55:18) - The greatest challenge that philosophy of science faces today