Revised entry by Lawrence Sklar on June 4, 2009. Changes to: Main text] Statistical mechanics was the first foundational physical theory in which probabilistic concepts and probabilistic explanation played a fundamental role. For the philosopher it provides a crucial test

Revised entry by Michael Pritchard on June 8, 2009. Changes to: Bibliography] In the United States, philosophy typically makes its formal entry into the curriculum at the college level. A growing number of high schools offer some introduction to philosophy,

is the decisive figure in the development of twentieth century hermeneutics - almost certainly eclipsing, in terms of influence and reputation, the other leading figures, including Paul Ricoeur, and also Gianni Vattimo (Vattimo was himself one of Gadamer's students). Trained

New Entry by Sajjad Rizvi on June 9, 2009.] Sadr al-Din Muhammad b. Ibrahim b. Yahya Qawami Shirazi (ca. 1571 - 1636) is arguably the most significant Islamic philosopher after Avicenna. Best known as Mulla Sadra, he was later given

Revised entry by Ezio Vailati and Timothy Yenter on June 9, 2009. Changes to: Main text, Bibliography] Samuel Clarke (1675 - 1729) was the most important British philosopher in the generation between Locke and Berkeley, at least in terms of