Soazig Le Bihan, Prof. of Philosophy, Director of the Prelaw Program, Co-Director of Graduate Studies

Contact Information

Soazig Le Bihan
LA 149
Phone: (406) 243 6233
Fax: (406) 243-4076
Email: soazig.lebihan@umontana.edu
Office Hours:
Fall 2023

Office hours:

Drop-in: Tuesdays, 12-1PM, and Fridays, 3-4PM.

By Appointments: Tuesdays and Friday, 1-6PM

Please schedule your appointment on Navigate: https://umt.campus.eab.com/pal/3mvNN-rH3x

Select "Academic Advising" for the "Unit" and "Pre-Law Advising" for the "Service".

Pre-Law advising appointments will take place in person in LA 149 or in the Pre-Law Advising Zoom room:

https://umontana.zoom.us/j/95071666751?pwd=YkZzVVlwV3pwYzhzZzJueS9JSHBHUT09

Meeting ID: 950 7166 6751
Passcode: UMPrelaw
URL: personal website

Personal Summary

My research has long focused on the philosophy of physics, especially the philosophy of quantum physics, as well as on modeling, especially in physics and ecology. Recently, I have become interested in issues regarding the relationship between science and values.

I regularly teach classes in the philosophy of science, the foundations of ecology, modern philosophy, and philosophy of law.

I am committed to develop as a public philosopher, which is a little bit of a big name to designate those of us who try to reach out to a larger audience. Check out my public outreach page if you are interested.

I am also the director of the Pre-Law Program at the University of Montana. I get to help and mentor some of the most wonderful human beings I have known doing so. Please go to the UM Pre-Law Program website for more information.

Finally, if you would like a little bit of background, feel free to check out my personal story.

Education

Ph.D. Philosophy: University of Nancy and Bielefeld University
Ecole Normale Supérieure Alumna
B.S. Fundamental Physics: University of Paris VI, Jussieu.
DEA, Philosophy, Université Sorbonne -- Paris IV
Maîtrise, Philosophy, Université Nanterre -- Paris X
B.A. Philosophy, Université Sorbonne -- Paris I

Courses Taught

PHL 110E Introduction to Engaged Ethics (online, service component)

PHL 262Y Modern Philosophy

PHL 317E Law and Morality

PHL 319E Law and Discrimination

PHL 448/548 Philosophy and Animals

PHL 508 Philosophy of Law

PHL510 Philosophy Colloquium

HONR 391 Pre-Law Seminar

Field of Study

Philosophy of science
Philosophy of physics
Philosophy of ecology
Philosophy of law

Selected Publications

(work in progress) Scientific Understanding: The Possibilities for Purpose Approach
(work in progress) A Fiduciary Model of Public Trust in Value-Laden Science
(2023) How to Not Secure Public Trust in Science; Representative Values v. Polarization and Marginalization, Philosophy of Science.
(2019) Partial truth versus felicitous falsehoods. Synthese. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-019-02413-4
(2017) Epistemically Detrimental Dissent: Contingent Enabling Factors vs Stable Different Makers. Philosophy of Science (with Iheanyi Amadi).
(2017) Enlightening Falsehood: A modal view of scientific understanding. In Explaining Understanding: Perspectives From Epistemology and Philosophy of Science, ed. by Grimm, Stephen R., Christoph Baumberger, and Sabine Ammon, Routledge.
(2014), How Understanding Matters – Or not. in Probing the Meaning of Quantum Mechanics: Physical, Philosophical, Mathematical, and Logical Perspectives, ed. by C. de Ronde, S. Aerts, D. Aerts, World Scientific. pp. 127-42
(2013) Précis de Philosophie de la Physique, Vuibert.
(2011) "Defending the Semantic View: What it Takes," European Journal for Philosophy of Science, 2(3) (2011): 249-274.
(2009) "Fine's Ways to Fail to Secure Local Realism," Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 40(2) (2009): 142-150.

Honors / Awards

2023. Davidson Honors College Promoting Intellectual Engagement (PIE) Award.
2022. Davidson Honors College Promoting Intellectual Engagement (PIE) Award.
2021. Davidson Honors College Promoting Intellectual Engagement (PIE) Award.
2021. Sustainability Award
2020. Davidson Honors College Promoting Intellectual Engagement (PIE) Award.
2019. Davidson Honors College Promoting Intellectual Engagement (PIE) Award.
2017. Outstanding Faculty Advising Award.
2016. Merit Increase. University of Montana.
2016. Invited Professor, LabeX TransferS, Equippe république des savoirs, Ecole normale supérieure, Paris.
2014. Merit Increase. University of Montana.
2013. International Activity Grant. University of Montana.
2012. Student Affairs Faculty Award. University of Montana.
2011. Visiting Fellow: Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh
2011. Faculty Professional Enhancement Grant. University of Montana.
2011. Merit Increase. University of Montana.
2006-2008. Sawyier Predoctoral Fellowship. Illinois Institute of Technology.
2005. DAAD Fellowship.
2005. Fellowship Université Franco-Allemande.
2004-2005. Graduate Fellowship. Bielefeld University.
2004. Huguette Delavault Fellowship. Association des Femmes Françaises Diplomées de l’Université.
2004. Conference Expenses Graduate Fellowship. 13th UK Meeting on the Foundations of Physics, York.
2003. Travel Grant. Comité National de Philosophie et d’Histoire des Sciences, LMPS, Congress, Oviedo.
2002-2005. Mobility Graduate Fellowship “co-tutelle de thèse”. European Union.
2001-2002. Jane Eliza Procter Visiting Fellowship. Princeton University.