About

Robert J Hankinson is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy within the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. His academic focus includes Ancient Philosophy, Early Modern Philosophy, Metaphysics, and the History and Philosophy of Science. The information provided indicates his involvement in these areas, reflecting a broad expertise in foundational philosophical disciplines and their historical development.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Philosophy
• Epistemology
• Computer Security
• History
• Art history
• Astronomy
• Literature
• Physics
• Psychology
• Social psychology
• Art

Selected publications

• Physical and Causal Concepts

  Oxford University Press eBooks · 2024-06-20

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract This chapter examines Galen’s theory of elements and mixtures and its relation to his understanding of the concepts of causes, powers (dunameis), and activities (energeiai) and aims to offer a coherent synthesis of Galen’s views in these areas. It situates Galen’s causal and physical theories in their contemporary intellectual context and in relation to their main historical antecedents, both philosophical (Aristotle, Atomists, Stoics) and medical (“Hippocrates,” Empiricists, Methodists). It discusses the significance of these core concepts for Galen’s rationalist project of scientific enquiry and for his diagnostic and clinical practice and discusses Galen’s account of their epistemic status. It explores the interrelationship of these concepts within his overall account of the physical world and of the composition of the human body.

  PublisherDOI

• Frontmatter

  Apeiron · 2023-03-27

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Frontmatter

  Apeiron · 2023-01-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• General Subject Index

  Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2022-05-04

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  A summary is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content.

  PublisherDOI

• A Hymn to Nature: Structure, Function, Design and Beauty in Galen’s Biology

  2022-09-19 · 1 citations

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Frontmatter

  Apeiron · 2022-04-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Frontmatter

  Apeiron · 2022-09-27

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Introduction

  Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2022-05-04

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  Overview of the main issues in Galen's scientific epistemology , the state of the art, and the contents of this volume.

  PublisherDOI

• Discovery, Method, and Justification

  Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2022 · 15 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Computer Science
  • Epistemology
  • Computer Security

  Galen insists that genuine epistêmê, in the Aristotelian sense of securely-founded scientific understanding, is available to the serious medical investigator. The foundations consist in propositions that are evidently true, and hence require no further support. These come in two types: those evident to the senses and those evident to reason, and these are ex heautôn pista, self-crediting, intrinsically trustworthy. On the basis of such propositions the diligent inquirer can erect a firmly-founded structure of practical knowledge, a technê, but one which is, none the less, in a genuine sense demonstration. In this chapter I re-examine what Galen says about a number of inter-related key issues: What is the 'orderly method' of discovery which Galen regularly commends, and berates his opponents for failing to adhere to? What supplies the 'context of justification' for such a firmly-founded science, and how does this relate to Galen's oft-repeated affirmation of the necessity for empirical testing, peira? And finally, and relatedly, what specific role in all of this is played by what he calls 'differentiated experience', peira diorismenê?

  PublisherDOI

• Frontmatter

  Apeiron · 2022-01-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Deborah Modrak

  290 shared

• Brad Graham

  Washington University in St. Louis

  290 shared

• Peter Bicknell

  University of Pittsburgh

  290 shared

• Michael Austin

  290 shared

• Richard Bett

  290 shared

• Luis Salas

  Washington University in St. Louis

  290 shared

• Phillip Mitsis

  290 shared

• Richard McKirahan

  290 shared