New chair keen to forge links with philosophers and scientists alike
BY RACHELLE COOPER
When U of G's new Department of Philosophy chair finished his undergraduate degree in physics at the University of Toronto, he had every intention of continuing his studies in the same subject. But then Prof. Andrew Wayne discovered that doing a doctorate in the philosophy of physics would allow him to take a much broader look at his area of interest.
“I didn't want to be so specialized in physics,” he says. “My main interest is on the metaphysics side — the study of what there is in the universe in a really general sense — which relates directly to fundamental physics.”
He pursued that interest at the University of California, San Diego, where he earned his MA and PhD.
Wayne says he enjoys being able to collaborate with people from other disciplines. His latest book, Ontological Aspects of Quantum Field Theory, came out of a conference that brought together physicists and philosophers of physics, along with pure philosophers who had little knowledge of science.
“It was a fruitful conference,” he says. “We looked at what quantum mechanics and relativity theory tell us about the structure of our world, on the border between parts of physics and parts of philosophy.”
Wayne has begun working on a new book about emergent phenomena in physics. “Most people think physics is strongly reductionist, but it's not true according to my research,” he says.
After examining how physicists have approached the issue of emergent phenomena, he plans to define the concepts of emergence and reductionism more broadly.
Wayne, who joined U of G in July after three years as a professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, doesn't anticipate being able to finish his book anytime soon. In addition to his new duties as chair, he has launched a newsletter called PhiloNews to increase communication within the Department of Philosophy. It includes upcoming events, information about faculty retirements and appointments, and news from the graduate and undergraduate students' associations.
Once he settles into his own department, Wayne plans to meet and collaborate with people from other areas on campus. He's already working with Prof. Joe Ackerman, associate dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, in the search for a new faculty member who will focus on the philosophy of the environment.
“We have many students from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences who take our philosophy courses, so I'm happy that Joe is on our search committee,” says Wayne.
The new chair also fosters that interdisciplinary focus in his course “Introduction to the Philosophy of Science.”
“About 60 per cent of the students are science majors and 40 per cent are in humanities, and I really enjoy the mix. The science students bring a different perspective. Sometimes they take a refreshingly analytical approach to philosophy.”
To encourage interaction and critical thinking, he begins each week by having students discuss a question on the week's reading in learning groups of three or four. “That gets them talking. I find they're very responsive and engaged.”
Part of the reason Wayne was drawn to Guelph from Concordia was the strength of U of G's program.
“Our joint doctoral program in philosophy is one of the strongest in Canada, and the philosophy faculty at Guelph are outstanding.”
The move here from Montreal with his wife and their six- and eight-year-old daughters has gone smoothly, says Wayne. “Guelph is a great place for kids.”
In his off time, he enjoys playing squash, riding his bicycle and camping with his family. This summer, they went on a canoe trip in Algonquin Park.
“Camping is heaven for young kids because their two favourite things in the world are dirt and being with their parents, and they get 24/7 of both,” he says. “Their ideal would be to live in a tent as a family all summer.”
