Conversation with Robert T. Pennock

Welcome to the podcast Pratidhvani – Humanizing Science

My guest this time is Professor Robert T. Pennock, University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, with appointments in Lyman Briggs College, the Department of Philosophy, and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering: https://pennock5.msu.domains/

Robert’s research explores the deep connections between science, ethics, and philosophy. His recent book, An Instinct for Truth, presents science as a moral discipline grounded in intellectual virtues like honesty, curiosity, and humility.

At the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, he leads interdisciplinary work on digital evolution, using artificial life systems to explore questions about complexity, adaptation, and the evolution of intelligent behavior.

In this episode, we explore his intellectual journey with an emphasis on philosophy of science.

Spotify Link

References:

  1. Robert T. Pennock – University Distinguished Professor. n.d. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://pennock5.msu.domains/.
  2. Wikipedia. 2025. “Robert T. Pennock.” April 27. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_T._Pennock&oldid=1287698177.
  3. Pennock, Robert T. 2019. An Instinct for Truth: Curiosity and the Moral Character of Science. The MIT Press. Amazon link
  4. American Scientist. n.d. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.americanscientist.org/author/robert_t._pennock.
  5. American Scientist. 2025. “A Measure of Trust.” January 22. https://www.americanscientist.org/article/a-measure-of-trust.
  6. Miller, Jon D, Belén Laspra, Carmelo Polino, Glenn Branch, Mark S Ackerman, and Robert T Pennock. 2024. “Citizen Attitudes toward Science and Technology, 1957–2020: Measurement, Stability, and the Trump Challenge.” Science and Public Policy 51 (3): 526–42. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scad086.
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Author: G.V. Pavan Kumar

Namaste, Hola & Welcome from G.V. Pavan Kumar. I am a Professor of Physics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India. My research interests are : (1) Optics & Soft Matter: Optically Induced Forces – Assembly, Dynamics & Function; (2) History and Philosophy of Science – Ideas in Physical Sciences. I am interested in the historical and philosophical evolution of ideas and tools in the physical sciences and technology. I research the intellectual history of past scientists, innovators, and people driven by curiosity, and I write about them from an Indian and Asian perspective. My motivation is to humanize science. In the same spirit, I write and host my podcast Pratidhvani – Humanizing Science.

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