About us

Who we are ?

The Institut d'histoire et de philosophie des sciences et des techniques (IHPST) is a joint research unit in the philosophy of science. It is supervised by the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and the CNRS, where it is part of the Institut des sciences humaines et sociales (InSHS). It is located in central Paris, in the Maison de la philosophie de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, not far from the Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter.

The IHPST's research programs focus on the history and philosophy of medicine, biology and physics; the history and philosophy of logic, mathematics and computer science; and the general history and philosophy of science and technology.

Over time, intellectual priorities have evolved: history of science (from 1932 to 1970), logic (from 1970 to 2002) and philosophy of science (since 2002). However, the Institute has always brought together researchers with both scientific and philosophical skills.

The unit's focus on the philosophy of science does not prejudge the schools of thought, methods or research priorities, which may vary according to the members of the unit. Conceptual analysis, formal approaches and history, which are common methods in the philosophy of science, are also encouraged, provided the aim is philosophical. Today, the philosophy of science practiced at the IHPST integrates both the tradition of historical epistemology and the analytic philosophy of science.

At the IHSPT, research is most often carried out in collaboration: with other researchers in philosophy of science or scientists, or with other teams, in France, Europe and internationally (Italy, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Japan...). The IHPST welcomes visiting researchers and professors, either on scholarship or recruited under funded programs, for variable periods of up to a year and a half or two years.