Profiles
James Chase
James Chase
Acting Head of Discipline for Philosophy & Gender Studies
Senior Lecturer, Philosophy
Room 121 , Arts Building
Dr James Chase is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy & Gender Studies at the School of Humanities. His research interests are in epistemology, philosophical logic and philosophical methodology.
Biography
James completed his doctorate at the Australian National University, and before joining the University of Tasmania he taught at Victoria University of Wellington (NZ) and sessionally for Macquarie University and the ANU.
Career summary
Qualifications
| Degree | Title of Thesis | University | Country | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Naturalized Justification and the Internalist Constraint | University | Australia | 2000 |
| BA (Hons) | University of Queensland | Australia | 1994 | |
| LLB (Hons) | University of Queensland | Australia | 1992 |
Memberships
Professional practice
Australasian Association of Philosophy
Administrative expertise
Acting Head of School and Deputy Head of School Humanities over a number of years, Managing research projects.
Teaching
Epistemology, philosophy of mind, logic, philosophical logic, metaphysics, philosophy of science, philosophy of language, modal logic
Teaching expertise
James has designed and developed philosophy units in introductory metaphysics, introductory logic, modal logic, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, epistemology, and other core fields. He has also designed curriculum for the philosophy major, in association with his colleagues.
Teaching responsibility
View more on Dr James Chase in WARP
Research Themes
James's research aligns to the University's research themes of Creativity, Culture and Society, and Data, Knowledge, and Decisions. His research interests include the use of formal methods to study the logic of epistemic concepts (such as revisability or knowability), non-standard approaches to vagueness, and the methodology of analytic philosophy.
James's work in methodology has led him to research the history of analytic philosophy, and to explore the nature of the analytic/continental divide. His interest in non-standard approaches to vagueness has led to the development of a new 'voting' model for understanding the semantics of statements involving vague predicates. He is currently researching the ways in which structural problems in the characterisation of knowability claims can be mirrored by 'weaker' epistemic concepts, such as those involved in rational believability.
Collaboration
James has completed several research projects concerning the analytic/continental divide in philosophy with Professor Jack Reynolds, of Deakin University, occasionally involving researchers elsewhere in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Current projects
1. Extending knowability: the wider impact of Fitch's Paradox
James currently has an ARC Discovery grant application under review on this topic, in association with Professor JC Beall (UTas/U Connecticut) and Dr Penny Rush (UTas). The project aims to show that the reach of a well-known result in epistemic logic extends beyond knowledge, and will explore the impact of the paradox for our understanding of truth, reality, justification, warrant and rational belief, core concerns not only for philosophy but also for other fields of inquiry where questions of objectivity arise.
2. The methodology of analytic philosophy
Analytic philosophy is an epistemic institution, and faces challenges to its methods from the sciences (such as the experimental philosophy critique) and from European philosophy. James is interested in local coherence-building methods in analytic philosophy, the implications they have for the study of normative systems (particularly moral theory and epistemology), and the way they might or might not fit within a naturalising approach to philosophy.
3. Voting and vagueness
James has recently explored the use of content externalism and social choice theory to improve the standard motivations for subvaluationism, and currently seeks to generalise the approach within a broadly pragmatic framework.
Fields of Research
- Epistemology (220304)
- Metaphysics (220309)
- Logic (220308)
- Higher Education (130103)
- Philosophy of Mind (excl. Cognition) (220314)
- Learning Sciences (130309)
- History and Philosophy of Science (incl. Non-historical Philosophy of Science) (220206)
- Philosophical Psychology (incl. Moral Psychology and Philosophy of Action) (220311)
- Curriculum and Pedagogy Theory and Development (130202)
- Environmental Sciences (059999)
- Philosophy (220399)
- Conservation and Biodiversity (050202)
- History of Philosophy (220210)
- Health Care Administration (111709)
- Philosophy of Cognition (220312)
- Ethical Theory (220305)
- Sociology and Social Studies of Science and Technology (160808)
- Philosophy of Specific Cultures (incl. Comparative Philosophy) (220316)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators (130313)
- Phenomenology (220310)
Research Objectives
- Expanding Knowledge in Philosophy and Religious Studies (970122)
- Learner and Learning Processes (930102)
- Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences (970117)
- Pedagogy (930201)
- Education and Training Systems (930599)
- Library and Archival Services (890302)
- Learner and Learning Achievement (930101)
- Defence (810199)
- Social Ethics (950407)
- Work and Institutional Development (940599)
- Expanding Knowledge in Languages, Communication and Culture (970120)
- Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) (920499)
- Health and Support Services (920299)
- Teacher and Instructor Development (930202)
- Communication Across Languages and Culture (950201)
- Expanding Knowledge in the Mathematical Sciences (970101)
- Religion and Ethics (950499)
Publications
James has published research on epistemology and philosophical logic in top quartile journals in philosophy, including Synthese, the Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Analysis, and Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, and has published on the methodology of analytic philosophy in Analytic versus Continental: arguments on the methods and value of philosophy, a monograph co-authored with Professor Jack Reynolds (Deakin University), and in several edited collections. Of his articles, most cited are 'Is externalism about content inconsistent with internalism about justification?', Australasian Journal of Philosophy 79 (2001) 227-246, and 'The non-probabilistic two envelope paradox', Analysis 62 (2002) 157-160.
James's professional activities relating to research include acting as an ongoing category editor (20th Century Philosophy) for the world's largest open access archive in philosophy, PhilPapers, as a referee for the Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Australasian Journal of Philosophical Logic, International Journal for Philosophical Studies, Philosophical Quarterly, and Synthese.
Total publications
18
Highlighted publications
(4 outputs)| Year | Type | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Journal Article | Chase JK, 'Voting and vagueness', Synthese: an international journal for epistemology, methodology and philosophy of science, 193 pp. 2453-2468. ISSN 0039-7857 (2016) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2012 | Journal Article | Chase JK, 'The logic of Quinean revisability', Synthese, 184, (3) pp. 357-373. ISSN 1573-0964 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11229-010-9819-y [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 4 | |
| 2011 | Book | Chase J, Reynolds J, 'Analytic versus continental: arguments on the methods and value of philosophy', Acumen, Durham, UK, pp. 294. ISBN 978-1-84465-244-0 (2011) [Authored Research Book] | |
| 2002 | Journal Article | Chase JK, 'The non-probabilistic two envelope paradox', Analysis, 62, (2) pp. 157-160. ISSN 0003-2638 (2002) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/1467-8284.00349 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 6 |
Journal Article
(7 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Canty AJ, Chase J, Hingston M, Greenwood M, Mainsbridge CP, et al., 'Addressing student attrition within higher education online programs through a collaborative community of practice', Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching, 3, (1) pp. 1-12. ISSN 2591-801X (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.37074/jalt.2020.3.s1.3 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Canty AJ; Hingston M; Greenwood M; Mainsbridge CP; Skalicky J | |
| 2018 | Chase J, Rush P, 'Factivity, consistency and knowability', Synthese, 195, (2) pp. 899-918. ISSN 0039-7857 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11229-016-1253-3 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Rush P | |
| 2016 | Chase JK, 'Voting and vagueness', Synthese: an international journal for epistemology, methodology and philosophy of science, 193 pp. 2453-2468. ISSN 0039-7857 (2016) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2012 | Chase JK, 'The logic of Quinean revisability', Synthese, 184, (3) pp. 357-373. ISSN 1573-0964 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11229-010-9819-y [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 4 | |
| 2004 | Chase JK, 'Indicator Reliabilism', Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 69, (1) pp. 115-137. ISSN 0031-8205 (2004) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1933-1592.2004.tb00386.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 4 | |
| 2002 | Chase JK, 'The non-probabilistic two envelope paradox', Analysis, 62, (2) pp. 157-160. ISSN 0003-2638 (2002) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/1467-8284.00349 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 6 | |
| 2001 | Chase JK, 'Is externalism about content inconsistent with internalism about justification?', Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 79, (2) pp. 227-246. ISSN 0004-8402 (2001) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/713659224 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 9 |
Book
(3 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Coady D, Chase J, 'The routledge handbook of applied epistemology', Routledge, New York, pp. 356. ISBN 9781138932654 (2019) [Edited Book] Co-authors: Coady D | |
| 2011 | Chase J, Reynolds J, 'Analytic versus continental: arguments on the methods and value of philosophy', Acumen, Durham, UK, pp. 294. ISBN 978-1-84465-244-0 (2011) [Authored Research Book] | |
| 2010 | Reynolds J, Chase JK, Williams J, Mares E, 'Postanalytic and metacontinental: crossing philosophical divides', Continuum, London, pp. 255. ISBN 9780826424419 (2010) [Edited Book] |
Chapter in Book
(6 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Chase J, Coady D, 'The return of applied epistemology', The Routledge Handbook of Applied Epistemology, Routledge, D Coady and J Chase (ed), New York, pp. 3-12. ISBN 9781138932654 (2019) [Research Book Chapter] DOI: 10.4324/9781315679099 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Coady D | |
| 2017 | Chase J, Reynolds J, 'Russell, Ryle, and phenomenology: An alternative parsing of the ways', Analytic philosophy: an interpretive history, Routledge, A Preston (ed), London, pp. 52-69. ISBN 9781138800786 (2017) [Research Book Chapter] Co-authors: Reynolds J | |
| 2010 | Chase J, Reynolds J, 'The fate of transcendental reasoning in contemporary philosophy', Postanalytic and metacontinental: crossing philosophical divides, Continuum, Jack Reynolds, James Chase, James Williams and Edwin Mares (ed), London, pp. 27-52. ISBN 9780826424419 (2010) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2010 | Chase JK, 'Analytic Philosophy and Dialogic Conservatism', Postanalytic and metacontinental: crossing philosophical divides, Continuum, Jack Reynolds, James Chase, James Williams and Edwin Mares (ed), London, pp. 85-104. ISBN 9780826424419 (2010) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2010 | Duke G, Walsh E, Chase JK, Reynolds J, ''Postanalytic' Philosophy: Overcoming the Divide? ', Postanalytic and metacontinental: crossing philosophical divides, Continuum, Jack Reynolds, James Chase, James Williams and Edwin Mares (ed), London, pp. 7-24. ISBN 9780826424419 (2010) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2010 | Reynolds J, Chase JK, Williams J, Mares E, 'Introduction: Postanalytic and Metacontinental Philosophy', Postanalytic and metacontinental: crossing philosophical divides, Continuum, Jack Reynolds, James Chase, James Williams and Edwin Mares (ed), London, pp. 1-6. ISBN 9780826424419 (2010) [Other Book Chapter] |
Review
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Chase J, 'J. Adam Carter, Metaepistemology and Relativism, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016, 298pp., $105.00 (hbk), ISBN 9781137336637', Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, (1st May) pp. 1-2. (2017) [Review Single Work] |
Other Public Output
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Chase JK, 'Popper and Military Theory: Background and assessment of the cantos of Reid and Giffin', [report], Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Department of Defence (2007) [Report of Restricted Access] |
Grants & Funding
James is the lead CI on the current ARC Discovery grant application DP160100068 (Extending Knowability: the wider impact of Fitch's Paradox), with Professor JC Beall (UTAS/U Connecticut) and Dr Penny Rush (UTAS) as fellow CIs. From 2008-2010 he held ARC Discovery grant DP0879821 (Analytic and Continental: Arguments on the Methods and Value of Philosophy), in conjunction with Dr Jack Reynolds (LaTrobe University), Professor James Williams (University of Dundee, UK) and Professor Edwin Mares (VUW, New Zealand).
Funding Summary
Number of grants
6
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Building and sharing evidence to improve the ways in which health services are delivered in order to promote the wellbeing of all Tasmanians. This will include development of a situational analysis of relevant state and national reforms and related activities relating to implementing wellness approaches in health care, with a particular focus on the introduction of patient outcome measures and value-based care across the States and Territories. The mapping activities will identify areas of common objectives, goals and activities offering opportunities for the Department of Health to engage in collaborative achievements in implementing wellness approaches.
- Funding
- Department of Health (Tasmania) ($60,000)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Chase JK; Bliss S; Wilson DM
- Year
- 2020
- Description
- The ongoing public debate around anthropogenic climate change makes one thing clear: scientists can have a hard time getting their message across to the public. Various explanations have been given for the lack of public acceptance of the reality of anthropogenic climate changefrom individual biases to manipulation of the media by those with vested interests. In this project, we will explore the hypothesis that: scientists have trouble communicating their findings to the public due to many members of the public having overly simplistic understandings of the nature of natural science. In particular, for example, we are interested in the apparently paradoxical idea that such resistance by the public can be the result of Scientisman excessive or dogmatic belief in the power of scientific knowledge and techniques. Those who view science this way may hold scientific discussion to an unrealistically high standard, and when a theory inevitably falls short of this standard (e.g. when there is seen to be disagreement among experts on climate change), the theory is dismissed as unsettled or a result of bad science. Alternatively, scientific claims may be dismissed as presumptuous or arrogant.In this project a multidisciplinary team will:1.Provide epistemic insights through the exploration of what is knowable in science from a cross-disciplinary perspective.2.Gather baseline data about:(i) the extent to which academic staff teachers, and cohorts of students from across disciplines, understand the nature and process of science;(ii) any correlations between overly simplistic understandings of science and dismissive attitudes towards particular theories, and/or the scientific enterprise in general.This is a pilot for a larger study which will gather a larger data set, and test the effectiveness of one or more interventions that will be designed to aid in the development of a more sophisticated view of science.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($10,455)
- Scheme
- Grant - CALE Hothouse Alignment Scheme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Fraser SP; Chase JK; Coady DA; Corry RL; Hinds M; Konkes C; Wood G; Seen AJ
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- The study investigates Pedagogical Content Knowledge ( PCK) for lecturers across a broad range of disciplines in higher education. It poses three questions:1. Which aspects of their own discipline knowledge do university educators consider crucial for effective teaching? Do lecturers consciously consider this question and, if so, what guides their choices?2. How do dominant beliefs about particular disciplines influence the PCK needed to teach a particular discipline?3. How might a shared understanding of PCK across our disciplines enhance teaching and learning in higher education?
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($9,947)
- Scheme
- Grant-CAL Hothouse Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Oates GN; Beswick K; Chase JK; Fraser SP; Hinds M; Konkes C; Ross K
- Year
- 2018
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($213,368)
- Scheme
- Grant-Discovery Projects
- Administered By
- La Trobe University
- Research Team
- Reynolds J; Chase JK
- Period
- 2008 - 2010
- Grant Reference
- DP0879821
- Funding
- Defence Science and Technology Group ($15,000)
- Scheme
- Consultancy
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Chase JK
- Year
- 2006
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($12,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Institutional Research Scheme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Chase JK; Coady DA
- Year
- 2005
Research Supervision
James has supervised PhD and MA students to completion on topics in philosophy of science, philosophy of mind and metaphysics, and currently supervises on the topics of evolutionary consciousness, the nature of truth in fiction, and intergenerational justice. His own research interests are focussed primarily in epistemology and philosophical logic, and in particular in the use of epistemic logics to gain insight into epistemological matters.
Current
3
Completed
5
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Foster Wallaces The Empty Plenum Revisited: Exploring the Intersection of philosophic and literary inquiry | 2015 |
| PhD | The Development of a Conceptual and Pedagogical Model for Teaching Justice, as a Skilled Practice, to School Students | 2018 |
| PhD | Conceptions of online Teaching and their Relationship to Teaching Approaches and Pedagogy: A study of Vietnamese University Lecturers teaching postgraduate distance courses | 2019 |
Completed
| Degree | Title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Disposition Ascriptions as Suppositions Candidate: Tony John Kerr | 2018 |
| PhD | Experience, Reality and Representation: On the implications of a maximally non-deflationary phenomenal realism Candidate: Jason Peter Whatley | 2015 |
| PhD | Beyond Beliefs: A Philosophical Examination of Anomalous Phenomena and Explanation Theory Candidate: Hannah Blanch Jenkins | 2007 |
| PhD | The Fine-Tuning of the Universe: A Philosophical Analysis Candidate: Graham John Wood | 2005 |
| Masters | A Philosophical Interpretation of Judea Pearl's Theory of Causality Candidate: Joel Stafford | 2005 |