A Reflective Conversation with Patrick Suppes: A Philosopher Scientist

Abstract

Dr. Patrick Suppes, Lucie Stern Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Stanford, is a remarkable gentleman of many interests, truly a philosopher-scientist. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1962); the American Psychological Association (1964); and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1968). Dr. Suppes is also a member of the National Academy of Education (1965), and the National Academy of Sciences (1978), as well as a member of the American Philosophical Society (1991). Dr. Suppes has received the American Psychological Association's Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award, Columbia University Teachers College Medal for Distinguished Service (1978) and was awarded the National Medal of Science (1990) by President George H. W. Bush. In 2003, Dr. Suppes was laureate of the Lakatos Award for his contributions to the philosophy of science. He has published extensively in philosophy and the social sciences, in particular, psychology as well as education. He is a past president of the Pacific Division, American Philosophical Association (1972–73); the American Educational Research Association (1973–74); the National Academy of Education (1973–77), and International Union of History and Philosophy of Science (1975, 1978). Patrick Suppes has made significant contributions to the philosophy of science, the theory of measurement, foundations of quantum mechanics, psychology, decision theory, and educational technology. He went to Stanford in 1952 where he continues to work today.