Skip to main content

Staff profile

Overview

Professor Nancy Cartwright

Professor/Director of CHESS - No general enquiries (please refer to the contact us page)

Affiliations
AffiliationTelephone
Professor/Director of CHESS - No general enquiries (please refer to the contact us page) in the Department of Philosophy

Biography

Nancy Cartwright FBA FAcSS is Professor of Philosophy at Durham University and a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). At Durham she is also co-Director of the Centre for Humanities engaging Science and Society. In the first half of her career at Stanford University she specialised in the philosophy of the natural sciences, especially physics; in the second half, at the London School of Economics and now Durham and UCSD, she has specialised in philosophy and methodology of the social sciences with special attention to economics. Her current research focusses on objectivity and evidence, especially for evidence-based policy, and on improving policy predictions.

Her research interests include philosophy and history of science (especially physics and economics). Cartwright has worked extensively in modelling, causal inference, causal powers, and objectivity, evidence, especially for evidence-based policy [EBP] and the philosophy of social technology. Her recent work, for the project ‘Knowledge for Use’ [K4U], investigated how to use scientific research results for better policies. She has worked with others on projects in this area on education, child protection and international development.

Professor Cartwright has written a number of books: A Philosopher Looks at Science (2022), The Tangle of Science: Reliability beyond Method, Rigour, and Objectivity, Nature the Artful Modeler: Lectures on Laws, Science, How Nature Arranges the World, and How We Can Arrange It Better (2019), Improving Child Safety: deliberation, judgement and empirical research [with E Munro, J Hardie & E Montuschi] (2017), Evidence: For Policy and Wheresoever Rigor is a Must (2013), Evidence Based Policy: A Practical Guide to Doing it Better [with J Hardie] (2012), Causal Powers: What Are They? Why Do We Need Them? What Can be Done with Them and What Cannot (2007), Measuring Causes: Invariance, Modularity and the Causal Markov Condition (2000), Hunting Causes and Using Them (2007), The Dappled World: A Study of the Boundaries of Science (1999), Otto Neurath: Philosophy between Science and Politics [with J Cat, K Fleck & T Uebel] (1995), Nature's Capacities and their Measurement (1989) and How the Laws of Physics Lie (1983).

She has also co-edited three collections: Rethinking Order: After the Laws of Nature [with K Ward] (2016), Philosophy of Social Science: A New Introduction [with Eleonora Montuschi] (2014), and Idealization XII: Correcting the Models. Idealization and Abstraction in the Sciences [with M R Jones] (2005).

Nancy Cartwright is a Fellow of the British Academy and the Academy of Social Sciences. She is also a member of the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the German Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina) and the Academy of Europe and a recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship.

Cartwright has received two honorary doctorate degrees from the University of St Andrews and the Southern Methodist University and has been awarded the Hypatia European Science Prize, the Hempel Award for lifetime achievement of Philosophy of Science and the Martin R Lebowitz Prize (alongside Elliott Sober) for philosophical achievement and contribution by the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Click here for Nancy Cartwright's CV
Office Hours

Prof Nancy Cartwright is mostly on research leave right now. For an appointment, email her or admin.chess@durham.ac.uk to make arangements.

Research interests

  • History and philosophy of science (especially physics and economics)
  • The philosophy of social technology
  • Causal inference
  • Objectivity in science
  • Evidence, especially for evidence-based policy

Esteem Indicators

  • 2018: Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Distinguished Lecture Series at the National Science Foundation (NSF) Headquarters:
  • 2018: The Wesley C. Salmon Memorial Lecture, Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh:  
  • 2017: Carus Lectures (APA 2017 Pacific Division Meeting), Seattle:
  • 2017: The Martin R. Lebowitz Prize for Philosophical Achievement awarded by the Phi Beta Kappa Society (alongside Elliott Sober):
  • 2017: Senior Research Associate at the African Centre for Epistemology and Philosophy of Science (ACEPS), University of Johannesburg:


  • 2016: Associate Member, Senior Common Room at Wadham College, Oxford:
  • 2016: Fellow, The Academy of Social Sciences:
  • 2015: John Dewey Lecture: 2015 Pacific Division APA meeting:


  • 2014: Tsing Hua Honorary Distinguished Chair Professor, awarded by the National Tsing Hua University:
  • 2013: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, University of St Andrews:
  • 2012: Honorary Degree. Doctor of Humane Letters, honors causa, Southern Methodist University, Dallas TX:
  • 2012: 225 Medallion, Distinguished Alumna, University of Pittsburgh:
  • 2011: Member, Doctorate School in Philosophy of the Universita 'Ca' Foscari', Venice:
  • 2009: Chancellor’s Associates Faculty Excellence Award for Excellence in Research in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of California at San Diego:
  • 2008: President, Philosophy of Science Association:
  • 2008: President, American Philosophical Association (Pacific Division):
  • 2007: Titular Member, Académie Internationale de Philosophie des Sciences (A.I.P.S.):
  • 2007: Fellow, Institute for Advanced Study, Durham University:
  • 2007: Vice-President, American Philosophical Association (Pacific Division):
  • 2005: Senior Visiting Fellow, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Bologna:
  • 2004: Fellow, American Philosophical Society:
  • 2002: Associate Member, Nuffield College, Oxford:
  • 2001: Foreign Honorary Member, American Academy of Arts and Science:
  • 1999: Member, Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina (The German National Academy of Natural Science):
  • 1996: Fellow, British Academy:
  • 1996: Old Dominion Fellow, Philosophy, Princeton University:
  • 1993: Fellow, MacArthur Foundation:
  • 1987: Fellow, Wissenschaftskolleg (Institute for Advanced Study), Berlin:
  • 1982: Fellow, ZiF (Center for Interdisciplinary Research), Bielefeld, Germany:
  • 1976: Fellow, Philosophy of Science Center, University of Pittsburgh:
  • 1971: Postdoctoral Fellow, U.S. National Science Foundation, Cambridge University:

Publications

Authored book

Chapter in book

  • Evidence, Relevance and Warrant: In Defence of Voluntarism
    Cartwright, N. (2024). Evidence, Relevance and Warrant: In Defence of Voluntarism. In C. Beisbart & M. Frauchiger (Eds.), Scientific Theories and Philosophical Stances: Themes from van Fraassen (pp. 193-206). De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111019802-013
  • How Should Evidence Inform Education Policy?
    Joyce, K. E., & Cartwright, N. (2022). How Should Evidence Inform Education Policy?. In R. Curren (Ed.), Handbook of Philosophy of Education. Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003172246-9
  • How to Learn about Causes in the Single Case
    Cartwright, N. (2022). How to Learn about Causes in the Single Case (J. Widner, M. Woolcock, & D. Ortega Nieto, Eds.; pp. 29-51). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108688253.003
  • Commentary: Why Mixed Methods Are Necessary for Evaluating Any Policy
    Cartwright, N. (2019). Commentary: Why Mixed Methods Are Necessary for Evaluating Any Policy. In M. Nagatsu & A. Ruzzene (Eds.), Contemporary philosophy and social science : an interdisciplinary dialogue. (pp. 173-184). Bloomsbury.
  • Street-level Theories of Change: Adapting the Medical Model of Evidence-based Practice for Policing.
    Cartwright, N., & Cowen, N. (2019). Street-level Theories of Change: Adapting the Medical Model of Evidence-based Practice for Policing. In N. Fielding, K. Bullock, & S. Holdaway (Eds.), Evidence-Based Policing: Critical Reflections. Routledge.
  • Will Your Policy Work? Experiments versus Models
    Cartwright, N. (2018). Will Your Policy Work? Experiments versus Models. In I. Peschard & B. van Frassen (Eds.), The experimental side of modeling.. University of Minnesota Press.
  • Modeling mitigation and adaptation policies to predict their effectiveness: The limits of randomized controlled trials
    Marcellesi, A., & Cartwright, N. (2018). Modeling mitigation and adaptation policies to predict their effectiveness: The limits of randomized controlled trials. In E. Lloyd & E. Winsberg (Eds.), Climate modelling : philosophical and conceptual issues. (pp. 449-480). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65058-6_15
  • Are laws of nature consistent with contingency?
    Cartwright, N., & Merlussi, P. (2018). Are laws of nature consistent with contingency?. In W. Ott & L. Patto (Eds.), Laws of Nature, an anthology (pp. 221-244). Oxford University Press.
  • A Theory of Measurement
    Cartwright, N., Bradburn, N., & Fuller, J. (2017). A Theory of Measurement. In L. McClimans (Ed.), Measurement in medicine : philosophical essays on assessment and evaluation.. Rowman & Littlefield.
  • Can Structural Equations Explain How Mechanisms Explain?
    Cartwright, N. (2017). Can Structural Equations Explain How Mechanisms Explain?. In H. Beebee, C. Hitchcock, & H. Price (Eds.), Making a difference : essays on the philosophy of causation. (pp. 132-152). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198746911.003.0008
  • Causal Powers: Why Humeans Can't Even Be Instrumentalists
    Cartwright, N. (2017). Causal Powers: Why Humeans Can’t Even Be Instrumentalists. In J. D. Jacobs (Ed.), Causal powers. (pp. 9-23). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198796572.003.0002
  • Single Case Causes: What is Evidence and Why
    Cartwright, N. (2016). Single Case Causes: What is Evidence and Why. In H. Chao & J. Reiss (Eds.), Philosophy of science in practice : Nancy Cartwright and the nature of scientific reasoning. (pp. 11-24). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45532-7_2
  • Economics as Science
    Cartwright, N., & Davis, J. (2016). Economics as Science. In R. Skidelsky & N. Craig (Eds.), Who runs the economy? The role of power in economics. (pp. 43-55). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58017-7_4
  • Deliberating Policy: Where morals and methods mix
    Cartwright, N., & Marcellesi, A. (2016). Deliberating Policy: Where morals and methods mix. In M. Couch & J. Pfeifer (Eds.), The philosophy of Philip Kitcher. (pp. 229-252). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof%3Aoso/9780199381357.003.0010
  • The Dethronement of Laws in Science
    Cartwright, N. (2016). The Dethronement of Laws in Science. In N. Cartwright & K. Ward (Eds.), Rethinking order : after the laws of nature. (pp. 25-52). Bloomsbury Academic.
  • The Natural and the Moral Order: What’s to Blame?
    Cartwright, N. (2016). The Natural and the Moral Order: What’s to Blame?. In W. Doniger, P. Galison, & S. Neiman (Eds.), What reason promises : essays on reason, nature, and history. (pp. 13-18). De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110455113-004
  • How Could Laws Make Things Happen?
    Cartwright, N. (2015). How Could Laws Make Things Happen?. In N. Spurway (Ed.), Laws of Nature, Laws of God? Proceedings of the Science and Religion Forum Conference 2014 (pp. 115-135). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
  • EBP: Where Rigor Matters
    Cartwright, N., & Marcellesi, A. (2015). EBP: Where Rigor Matters. In C. Crangle, A. García de la Sienra, & H. E. Longino (Eds.), Foundations and methods from mathematics to neuroscience : essays inspired by Patrick Suppes.. CSLI Publications.
  • Causality
    Cartwright, N. (2014). Causality. In N. Cartwright & E. Montuschi (Eds.), Philosophy of Social Science. A New Introduction. Oxford University Press.
  • Measurement
    Cartwright, N. (2014). Measurement. In N. Cartwright & E. Montuschi (Eds.), Philosophy of Social Science. A New Introduction. Oxford University Press.
  • Aristotelian Powers: Without Them, What Would Modern Science Do?
    Cartwright, N., & Pemberton, J. (2013). Aristotelian Powers: Without Them, What Would Modern Science Do?. In J. Greco & R. Gross (Eds.), Powers and capacities in philosophy : the new Aristotelianism. (pp. 93-112). Routledge.
  • Evidence, Argument and Prediction
    Cartwright, N. (2013). Evidence, Argument and Prediction. In V. Karakostas & D. Dieks (Eds.), EPSA11 Perspectives and Foundational Problems in Philosophy of Science, The European Philosophy of Science Association Proceedings 2. Springer Verlag.
  • Queen Physics: How Much of the Globe is Painted Red?
    Cartwright, N., & Martin, E. (2012). Queen Physics: How Much of the Globe is Painted Red?. In F. Watts & C. Knight (Eds.), God and the scientist : exploring the work of John Polkinghorne. (pp. 67-76). Ashgate Publishing.
  • RCT’s, Evidence and Predicting Policy Effectiveness
    Cartwright, N. (2012). RCT’s, Evidence and Predicting Policy Effectiveness. In H. Kincaid (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of the Social Sciences (pp. 298-318). Oxford University Press.
  • A Theory of Evidence for Evidence-Based Policy
    Cartwright, N., & Stegenga, J. (2011). A Theory of Evidence for Evidence-Based Policy. In P. Dawid, W. Twining, & M. Vasilaki (Eds.), Evidence, inference and enquiry. (pp. 291-322). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.5871/bacad/9780197264843.003.0011
  • Evidence, External Validity and Explanatory Relevance
    Cartwright, N. (2011). Evidence, External Validity and Explanatory Relevance. In G. J. Morgan (Ed.), Philosophy of science matters : the philosophy of Peter Achinstein. (pp. 15-28). Oxford University Press.
  • Predicting 'It Will Work for Us': (Way) Beyond Statistics
    Cartwright, N. (2011). Predicting ’It Will Work for Us’: (Way) Beyond Statistics. In P. Illari, F. Russo, & J. Williamson (Eds.), Causality in the sciences.. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof%3Aoso/9780199574131.001.0001
  • A Theory of Measurement
    Cartwright, N., & Bradburn, N. (2011). A Theory of Measurement. In R. M. Li (Ed.), The importance of common metrics for advancing social science theory and research: a workshop summary. (pp. 53-56). National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13034
  • Natural Laws and the Closure of Physics.
    Cartwright, N. (2010). Natural Laws and the Closure of Physics. In R. Chiao, A. Leggett, M. Cohen, & C. Harper (Eds.), Visions of Discovery. New Light on Physics, Cosmology and Consciousness (pp. 612-622). Cambridge University Press.
  • Relativism in the Philosophy of Science.
    Cartwright, N. (2010). Relativism in the Philosophy of Science. In M. Krausz (Ed.), Relativism: A Contemporary Anthology (pp. 86-99). Columbia University Press.
  • Foreword
    Cartwright, N. (2010). Foreword. In J. Woods (Ed.), Fictions and Models: New Essays. Philosophia Verlag.
  • Models: Parables v Fables
    Cartwright, N. D. (2010). Models: Parables v Fables. In R. Frigg & M. Hunter (Eds.), Beyond Mimesis and Convention Representation In Art and Science (pp. 19-31). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3851-7_2
  • What is this thing called 'efficacy'?
    Cartwright, N. D. (2009). What is this thing called ’efficacy’?. In C. Mantzavinos (Ed.), Philosophy of the social sciences : philosophical theory and scientific practice. (pp. 185-206). Cambridge University Press.
  • Causal Laws, Policy Predictions, and the Need for Genuine Powers
    Cartwright, N. (2009). Causal Laws, Policy Predictions, and the Need for Genuine Powers. In T. Handfield (Ed.), Dispositions and Causes. Oxford University Press.
  • Causality, Invariance and Policy
    Cartwright, N. (2009). Causality, Invariance and Policy. In H. Kincaid & D. Ross (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of philosophy of economics. (pp. 410-423). Oxford University Press.
  • Measurement
    Cartwright, N., & Chang, H. (2008). Measurement. In S. Psillos & M. Curd (Eds.), The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science. Routledge.
  • In Praise of the Representation Theorem
    Cartwright, N. (2008). In Praise of the Representation Theorem. In M. Frauchiger & W. Essler (Eds.), Representation, evidence, and justification : themes from Suppes (pp. 83-90). Ontos Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110323566.83
  • Replies
    Cartwright, N. (2008). Replies. In S. Hartmann, C. Hoefer, & L. Bovens (Eds.), Nancy Cartwright’s Philosophy of Science. Routledge.
  • Why be Hanged for Even a Lamb?
    Cartwright, N. (2008). Why be Hanged for Even a Lamb?. In B. Monton (Ed.), Images of empiricism. (pp. 32-45). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof%3Aoso/9780199218844.003.0003
  • Causal Laws, Policy Predictions and the Need for Genuine Powers
    Cartwright, N. (2007). Causal Laws, Policy Predictions and the Need for Genuine Powers. In N. Cartwright (Ed.), Causal Powers: what are they? why do we need them? what can be done with them and what cannot?. CPNSS, LSE.
  • Counterfactuals in Economics: A Commentary
    Cartwright, N. (2007). Counterfactuals in Economics: A Commentary. In J. Keim Campbell, M. O’Rourke, & H. Silverman (Eds.), Causation and explanation. (pp. 191-216). Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press.
  • Against the 'System' Is There Value in Inconsistency?
    Cartwright, N. (2006). Against the ’System’ Is There Value in Inconsistency?. In L. Daston & C. Engel (Eds.), Series on Common Goods: Law, Politics and Economics. Baden-Baden: Nomos.
  • From Causation to Explanation and Back
    Cartwright, N. (2006). From Causation to Explanation and Back. In B. Leiter (Ed.), The Future of Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford Clarendon Press.
  • How Can We Know What Made the Ratman Sick? Singular Causes and Population Probabilities
    Cartwright, N. (2005). How Can We Know What Made the Ratman Sick? Singular Causes and Population Probabilities. In Jokić A. (Ed.), Philosophy of Religion, Physics, and Psychology: Essays in Honor of Adolf Grünbaum. New York: Prometheus Books.
  • The Vanity of Rigour in Economics. Theoretical Models and Galilean Experiments
    Cartwright, N. (2005). The Vanity of Rigour in Economics. Theoretical Models and Galilean Experiments. In P. Fontaine & R. Leonard (Eds.), The ’Experiment’ in the History of Economics.
  • Another Philosopher Looks at Quantum Mechanics
    Cartwright, N. (2005). Another Philosopher Looks at Quantum Mechanics. In Y. Ben-Menahem (Ed.), Hilary Putnam. Cambridge University Press.
  • No God; No Laws
    Cartwright, N. (2005). No God; No Laws. In E. Sindoni & S. Moriggi (Eds.), Dio, la Natura e la Legge. God and the Laws of Nature. Milan: Angelicum-Mondo X.
  • My Understand to Philosophy [sic]
    Cartwright, N. (2005). My Understand to Philosophy [sic]. In K. Ouyang (Ed.), Dang dai Ying Mei zhu ming zhe xue jia xue shu zi shu [The Academic Self-Statements of Contemporary British and American Distinguished Philosophers].. Beijing: Ren min chu ban she. Publication in Chinese.
  • Laws
    Cartwright, N., Alexandrova, A., Efstathiou, S., Hamilton, A., & Muntean, I. (2005). Laws. In M. Smith & F. Jackson (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
  • Uncertainty in Econometrics: Evaluating Policy Counterfactuals
    Cartwright, N., & Reiss, J. (2004). Uncertainty in Econometrics: Evaluating Policy Counterfactuals. In P. Mooslechner, H. Schuberth, & M. Schurz (Eds.), Economic Policy Under Uncertainty: The Role of Truth and Accountability in Policy Advice. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • What Makes a Capacity a Disposition?,
    Cartwright, N. (2002). What Makes a Capacity a Disposition?,. In M. Kistler & B. Gnassounou (Eds.), Dispositions and Causal Powers. (pp. 195-206). London School of Economics.
  • Modularity: It Can – and Generally Does – Fail
    Cartwright, N. (2001). Modularity: It Can – and Generally Does – Fail. In D. Costantini, M. Galavotti, & P. Suppes (Eds.), Stochastic Dependence and Causality. California: CSLI.
  • Theories of Scientific Method: Models for the Physico-Mathematical Sciences
    Cartwright, N., Psillos, S., & Chang, H. (2001). Theories of Scientific Method: Models for the Physico-Mathematical Sciences. In M. Nye (Ed.), The Cambridge History of Science Volume 5: Modern Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Cambridge University Press.
  • Ceteris Paribus Laws and Socio-Economic Machines
    Cartwright, N. (2001). Ceteris Paribus Laws and Socio-Economic Machines. In U. Maki (Ed.), The Economic World View: Studies in the Ontology of Economics. Cambridge University Press.
  • Against the Completability of Science
    Cartwright, N. (2000). Against the Completability of Science. In J. Wolff & M. Stone (Eds.), The Proper Ambition of Science. Routledge.
  • An Empiricist Defence of Singular Causes
    Cartwright, N. (2000). An Empiricist Defence of Singular Causes. In R. Teichmann (Ed.), Logic, Cause and Action: Essays in Honour of Elizabeth Anscombe. Cambridge University Press.
  • Quantum Mechanics without the Observables
    Cartwright, N. (2000). Quantum Mechanics without the Observables. In E. Agazzi & M. Pauri (Eds.), The Reality of the Unobservable: Observability, Unobservability, and their Impact on the Issue of Scientific Realism. Dortrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
  • Comments and Replies
    Cartwright, N. (1999). Comments and Replies. In M. Paul (Ed.), Proceedings of the Münster Colloquium. Münster: LIT Verlag.
  • Capacities
    Cartwright, N. (1999). Capacities. In J. Davis, D. Hands, & U. Mäki (Eds.), The Handbook of Economic Methodology. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Models and the Limits of Theory: Quantum Hamiltonians and the BCS Model of Superconductivity
    Cartwright, N. (1999). Models and the Limits of Theory: Quantum Hamiltonians and the BCS Model of Superconductivity. In M. Morgan & M. Morrison (Eds.), Models as Mediators. Cambridge University Press.
  • Otto Neurath (1882-1945)
    Cartwright, N. (1998). Otto Neurath (1882-1945). In P. Kegan & E. Craig (Eds.), The Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy. Routledge.
  • Causality, Independence and Determinism
    Cartwright, N. (1998). Causality, Independence and Determinism. In A. Gammerman (Ed.), Causal Models and Intelligent Data Analysis. Springer Verlag.
  • Causation
    Cartwright, N., & Cat, J. (1998). Causation. In P. Kegan & E. Craig (Eds.), The Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy. Routledge.
  • Philosophy in the Earthly Plane
    Cartwright, N., & Uebel, T. (1997). Philosophy in the Earthly Plane. In E. Nemeth & F. Stadler (Eds.), Encyclopaedia and Utopia: The Life and Work of Otto Neurath. Münster: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
  • Why Physics?
    Cartwright, N. (1997). Why Physics?. In R. Penrose & M. Longair (Eds.), The Large, the Small and the Human Mind. Cambridge University Press.
  • What is a Causal Structure?
    Cartwright, N. (1997). What is a Causal Structure?. In V. McKim & S. Turner (Eds.), Causality in Crisis? Statistical Methods and the Search for Causal Knowledge in the Social Sciences. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press.
  • Where Do Laws of Nature Come From?
    Cartwright, N. (1997). Where Do Laws of Nature Come From?. In C. Chauvire & A. Ogien (Eds.), Dialectica (pp. 65-78). Paris: EHESS.
  • Comment on 'Harold Hotelling and the Neoclassical Dream', P. Mirowski and W. Hands
    Cartwright, N. (1997). Comment on ’Harold Hotelling and the Neoclassical Dream’, P. Mirowski and W. Hands. In R. Backhouse, U. Mäki, A. Salanti, & D. Hausman (Eds.), Economics and Methodology. Macmillan and St Martin’s Press.
  • Neurath Against Method
    Cartwright, N., & Cat, J. (1996). Neurath Against Method. In R. Giere & A. Richardson (Eds.), Origins of Logical Empiricism, Minnesota Studies in the Philosophy of Science, XVI. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
  • Where in the World is the Quantum Measurement Problem?
    Cartwright, N. (1995). Where in the World is the Quantum Measurement Problem?. In L. Kruger & B. Falkenburg (Eds.), Physik, Philosophie und die Einheit der Wissenschaften: Grundlagen der exakten Naturawissenschaften. Heidelberg: Spektrum Akademischer Verlag.
  • Otto Neurath: Politics and the Unity of Science
    Cartwright, N., Cat, J., & Chang, H. (1995). Otto Neurath: Politics and the Unity of Science. In P. Galison & D. Stump (Eds.), The Disunity of Science. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
  • Entries on “Neurath”, “Duhem”, “Feyerabend” and “Lakatos”
    Cartwright, N. (1995). Entries on “Neurath”, “Duhem”, “Feyerabend” and “Lakatos”. In E. Honderich (Ed.), The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
  • The Tool Box of Science: Tools for the Building of Models with a Superconductivity Example
    Cartwright, N., Shomar, T., & Suarez, M. (1995). The Tool Box of Science: Tools for the Building of Models with a Superconductivity Example. In W. Herfel, W. Krajewski, I. Niiniluoto, & R. Wojcicki (Eds.), Theories and Models in Scientific Processes. Rodopi.
  • Causal Structures in Econometrics Models
    Cartwright, N. (1995). Causal Structures in Econometrics Models. In D. Little (Ed.), On the Reliability of Economic Models (pp. 63-89). Kluwer Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0643-6_3
  • How Laws Relate What Happens: Against a Regularity Account
    Cartwright, N. (1995). How Laws Relate What Happens: Against a Regularity Account. In H. Stachowiak (Ed.), Pragmatik: Handbuch Pragmatischen Denkens Band V. Hamburg: Felix Meiner Verlag.
  • Substantivalism and the Hole Argument
    Cartwright, N., & Hoefer, C. (1994). Substantivalism and the Hole Argument. In J. Earman, A. Janis, G. Massey, & N. Rescher (Eds.), Philosophical Problems of the Internal and External Worlds: Essays Concerning the Philosophy of Adolf Grünbaum. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.
  • Mill and Menger: Ideal Elements and Stable Tendencies
    Cartwright, N. (1993). Mill and Menger: Ideal Elements and Stable Tendencies. In U. Maki (Ed.), Poznan Studies in the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities. Rodopi.
  • How We Relate Theory to Observation
    Cartwright, N. (1993). How We Relate Theory to Observation. In P. Horwich (Ed.), World Changes: Thomas Kuhn and the Nature of Science. Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press.
  • Marks and Probabilities: Two Ways to Find Causal Structure
    Cartwright, N. (1993). Marks and Probabilities: Two Ways to Find Causal Structure. In F. Stadler (Ed.), Scientific Philosophy: Origins and Developments, Yearbook 1/93, Institute Vienna Circle. Münster: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
  • Aristotelian Natures and the Modern Experimental Method
    Cartwright, N. (1992). Aristotelian Natures and the Modern Experimental Method. In J. Earman (Ed.), Inference, Explanation and Other Philosophical Frustrations. University of California Press.
  • Otto Neurath: Unification as the Way to Socialism
    Cat, J., Chang, H., & Cartwright, N. (1991). Otto Neurath: Unification as the Way to Socialism. In Mittelstraβ J. (Ed.), Einheit der Wissenschaften. De Gruyter.
  • How to Hunt Quantum Causes
    Cartwright, N., & Jones, M. (1991). How to Hunt Quantum Causes. In W. Spohn (Ed.), Erkenntnis Orientated: A Centennial Volume for Rudolf Carnap and Hans Reichenbach (pp. 205-231). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3490-3_11
  • Quantum Causes: The Lessons of the Bell Inequalities
    Cartwright, N. (1990). Quantum Causes: The Lessons of the Bell Inequalities. In P. Weingärtner & G. Schurz (Eds.), Philosophy of the Natural Sciences: Proceedings of the 13th International Wittgenstein Symposium. Vienna: Hölderlin-Pichler-Tempsky.
  • Capacities and abstractions.
    Cartwright, N. (1989). Capacities and abstractions. In P. Kitcher & W. Salmon (Eds.), Scientific Explanation. (pp. 349-356). University of Minnesota Press.
  • Regular Associations and Singular Causes
    Cartwright, N. (1988). Regular Associations and Singular Causes. In B. Skyrms & W. Harper (Eds.), Causation, Chance and Credence. Münster: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
  • How to Tell a Common Cause: Generalisations of the Conjunctive Fork Criterion
    Cartwright, N. (1988). How to Tell a Common Cause: Generalisations of the Conjunctive Fork Criterion. In J. Fetzer (Ed.), Probability and Causality. Dortrecht: D. Reidel.
  • Ursachen und Mathematische Physik
    Cartwright, N. (1988). Ursachen und Mathematische Physik. In W. Muschik & E. Scheibe (Eds.), Philosophie, Physik, Wissenschaftsgeschichte. Berlin: Technische Universität Berlin.
  • Philosophical Problems of Quantum Theory: The Response of American Physicists
    Cartwright, N. (1987). Philosophical Problems of Quantum Theory: The Response of American Physicists. In L. Krüger, G. Gigerenzer, & M. Morgan (Eds.), The Probabilistic Revolution. Cambridge, MA: Bradford Books.
  • Max Born and the Reality of Quantum Probabilities
    Cartwright, N. (1987). Max Born and the Reality of Quantum Probabilities. In L. Krüger, G. Gigerenzer, & M. Morgan (Eds.), The Probabilistic Revolution. Cambridge, MA: Bradford Books.
  • Two Kinds of Teleological Explanation
    Cartwright, N. (1986). Two Kinds of Teleological Explanation. In A. Donagan, A. Perovich, & M. Wedin (Eds.), Human Nature and Natural Knowledge. Dortrecht: D. Reidel.
  • Fitting Facts to Equations
    Cartwright, N. (1986). Fitting Facts to Equations. In R. Grandy & R. Warner (Eds.), Philosophical Grounds of Rationality: Intentions, Categories and Ends. Oxford University Press.
  • What Makes Physics' Objects Abstract?
    Cartwright, N., & Mendell, H. (1984). What Makes Physics’ Objects Abstract?. In J. Cushing, C. Delaney, & G. Gutting (Eds.), Science and Reality. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press.
  • How the Measurement Problem is an Artefact of Mathematics
    Cartwright, N. (1983). How the Measurement Problem is an Artefact of Mathematics. In R. Swinburne (Ed.), Space, Time and Causality. Dortrecht: D. Reidel.
  • Do the Laws of Physics State the Facts?
    Cartwright, N. (1980). Do the Laws of Physics State the Facts?. In Pacific Philosophy Quarterly (pp. 64-75).
  • Measuring Position Probabilities
    Cartwright, N. (1980). Measuring Position Probabilities. In P. Suppes (Ed.), Studies in the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics. Philosophy of Science Association.
  • Philosophy of Physics
    Cartwright, N. (1979). Philosophy of Physics. In P. Asquith & H. Kyburg (Eds.), Current Research in Philosophy of Science: Proceedings of the PSA Critical Research Problems Conference. Philosophy of Science Association.
  • How Do We Apply Science?
    Cartwright, N. (1974). How Do We Apply Science?. In R. Cohen, C. Hooker, A. Michalos, & J. Van Evra (Eds.), Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (pp. 713-719). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1449-6
  • A Dilemma for the Traditional Interpretation of Quantum Mixtures
    Cartwright, N. (1971). A Dilemma for the Traditional Interpretation of Quantum Mixtures. In K. Schaffner & R. Cohen (Eds.), Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (pp. 251-258). Springer Verlag.
  • Disagreement about Evidence-Based Policy
    Cowen, N., & Cartwright, N. (n.d.). Disagreement about Evidence-Based Policy. In M. Baghramian, J. A. Carter, & R. Cosker-Rowland (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Disagreement [Contracted by publisher]. Routledge.

Conference Paper

  • X—Why Trust Science? Reliability, Particularity and the Tangle of Science
    Cartwright, N. (2020). X—Why Trust Science? Reliability, Particularity and the Tangle of Science. In Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society (pp. 237-252). https://doi.org/10.1093/arisoc/aoaa015
  • Why Trust Science? Reliability, Particularity and the Tangle of Science
    Cartwright, N. (2020). Why Trust Science? Reliability, Particularity and the Tangle of Science. In G. Longworth (Ed.), Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society : 140th Session 2019-2020.. The Aristotelian Society.
  • Philosophy of Social Technology: Get on Board
    Cartwright, N. (2015). Philosophy of Social Technology: Get on Board. In John Dewey Lectures (pp. 98-116). American Philosophical Association.
  • The Metaphysics of the Disunified World
    Cartwright, N. (1994). The Metaphysics of the Disunified World. In D. Hull, M. Forbes, & R. M. Burian (Eds.), Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (pp. 357-364). Philosophy of Science Association. https://doi.org/10.1086/psaprocbienmeetp.1994.2.192946
  • A Case Study in Realism: Why Econometrics is Committed to Capacities
    Cartwright, N. (1988). A Case Study in Realism: Why Econometrics is Committed to Capacities. In A. Fine & J. Leplin (Eds.), Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (pp. 190-197). Philosophy of Science Association. https://doi.org/10.1086/psaprocbienmeetp.1988.2.192883
  • Causation and Physics: Causal Processes and Mathematical Derivations
    Cartwright, N. (1984). Causation and Physics: Causal Processes and Mathematical Derivations. In P. D. Asquith & P. Kitcher (Eds.), Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (pp. 391-404). Philosophy of Science Association.
  • The Only Real Probabilities in Quantum Mechanics
    Cartwright, N. (1978). The Only Real Probabilities in Quantum Mechanics. In P. Asquith & I. Hacking (Eds.), Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (pp. 54-59). Philosophy of Science Association. https://doi.org/10.1086/psaprocbienmeetp.1978.1.192625

Edited book

Journal Article

Other (Digital/Visual Media)

Other (Print)

  • Why Big Theories are Here to Stay
    Cartwright, N. (2019, November 14 – 2019, November 15). Why Big Theories are Here to Stay [Keynote]. Presented at «The Theoretical University» in the Data Age. Have the great theories become obsolete?, Bielefield University.

Working Paper

Supervision students

Abby Moses

Postgraduate Fellow

Benjamin Ibanez Ibanez

Elinor Bell-Clark

ECR Member

Liyuan Jiao

Sam Colclough

Postgraduate Research Student

Uzma Malik