William M. R. Simpson

What is the world made of, and how do we fit into it?

This question lies at the centre of my work. Scientific theories do not wear their ontologies on their sleeves, and physics alone cannot explain how rational inquiry is possible. My research seeks an account of how human beings—as rational, social, and political animals—belong within the physical world: a vision of reality informed by science, but capacious enough to include the scientist.

I'm William Simpson: a philosopher and physicist, currently a tenured Associate Professor at The Ohio State University, alongside research affiliations at Oxford and Cambridge. I hold doctorates in physics from St Andrews and philosophy from Cambridge. My work brings Aristotelian metaphysics into conversation with quantum theory, the philosophy of mind, philosophical anthropology, and questions of civic and social order.

My Journey From Physics to Philosophy

During my university career in philosophy and physics so far, I've held academic appointments in the UK, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. I've been engaged in "blue skies research", beginning with the study of quantum fluctuation forces, then engaging the metaphysics of quantum theory, thence to the philosophy of mind, and now broadening into philosophical anthropology. I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have had. Here's a brief summary of my journey through academia so far. (You can find a copy of my CV here.)

2005-14: Hons. Degree & Doctorate at St Andrews

From 2005-2010, I pursued an MPhys in Theoretical Physics & Mathematics at the University of St Andrews, graduating with first class honours.

In 2009, I was a Visiting Student in the MSU Solar Physics Group at Montana State University engaged in research on Solar Flares.

From 2010-2014, I pursued a doctorate in Physics at St Andrews, under the supervision of Ulf Leonhardt. My research was focussed on exposing a 'divergence problem' in Lifshitz' theory of quantum fluctuation forces, and on using the theory of 'transformation optics' to circumvent this problem in special cases. I was supported by a full doctoral SUPA Prize scholarship from the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance. My thesis was published by Springer.

In 2012, I was a Visiting Student at the University of Trento under the supervision of Lev Pitaevskii.
In 2012, I was the leading organiser of the first international philosophy & physics conference at St Andrews: "A Brief Look at the Big Picture."
My doctoral work was awarded the Springer Thesis Prize.

2012-14: Visiting Scholar and Postdoctoral Fellow at The Weizmann Institute of Science

From 2012-2014, I was a Visiting Scholar and then a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Complex Systems at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where I continued to pursue my research on quantum fluctuation forces.

I co-edited and co-authored a textbook on quantum fluctuation forces during this period with Ulf Leonhardt.
In 2013, I organised the “Casimir forces” special session at the PIERS 2013 international conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

2015-19: Masters & Doctorate at Cambridge

From 2015-2016, I read for the MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science in HPS at the University of Cambridge, working under the supervision of Jeremy Butterfield, Tim Crane, Hasok Chang, and other philosophers.

From 2016-2019, I pursued a doctorate in philosophy in the Faculty of Philosophy at Cambridge, under the supervision of the philosopher of science Hasok Chang and the medieval philosopher John Marenbon. My thesis was entitled "What's the matter? Toward a neo-Aristotliean Ontology of Nature", and my research was focussed on applying the metaphysics of powers and hylomorphism to quantum theory. I was supported by a full College scholarship at Peterhouse, Cambridge.

I organised and co-edited the volume, "Neo-Aristotelian Perspectives on Contemporary Science" (with Robert Koons and Nicholas Teh).
My doctoral thesis was honoured with an Expanded Reason Award by The Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation and UFV Madrid.

2019-22: Junior Research Fellow at Cambridge

From 2019-2022, I was a Research Associate in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Andrew Davison, contributing to the international project, 'God and the Book of Nature' (directed by Mark Harris). I also held College affiliations during this period.

From 2019-20, I was a Postdoctoral Affiliate of Trinity College, Cambridge, and from 2020-2022, I was a Junior Research Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge.

During this period, I put forward the theory of Cosmic Hylomorphism, which conceives the cosmos as a 'hylomorphic unity' of matter and form, providing an ontology for quantum theory that explains entanglement.

I organised and co-edited the volume, "Neo-Aristotelian Metaphysics and the Theology of Nature" (with the philosophers Robert Koons and James Orr).
In 2022, I co-organised the international workshop, 'Nature's goals', based at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
In 2021, I was awarded the Cardinal Mercier Prize in Philosophy from the ISP of UCLouvain and the HIW of KU Leuven.

2022-24: Research Fellow at UT Austin & Visiting Fellow at Oxford

From 2022-24, I was a Research Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, in the Department of Philosophy and the School of Civic Leadership, where I continued to develop the theory of Cosmic Hylomorphism and to work on the application of ancient philosophical ideas to contemporary physical theories. For much of this period, I also held visiting appointments at Oxford.

In 2023, I was a Visiting Fellow at the St Cross Centre for History and Philosophy of Physics at the University of Oxford, where I delivered the seminar, 'Why Middle-Sized Matters: The Limits of Quantum Mechanics'.
From 2023-24, I was a Visiting Scholar in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Oxford, and an Associate Member of Oriel College, Oxford, where I chaired the graduate/staff seminar series in philosophy.
In 2024, I was the leading organiser of the international conference, 'Why Middle-Sized Matters to Science, Theology and Metaphysics', which was based at All Souls College, Oxford, and at St Cross College, Oxford.

2024: Assistant Professor at Durham & Fellow of Oxford

From 2024 until early 2026, I was an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Philosophy at Durham University. I pursued a project called "Minding your matter", under the mentorship of Philip Goff and supported by an Early Career Leverhulme Fellowship. My research was focused on exploring connections between the theory of cosmopsychism (in which the cosmos is attributed consciousness or intention) and my theory of Cosmic Hylomorphism (in which the cosmos is attributed an Aristotelian "form"). I also became a Fellow of Blackfriars Hall at the University of Oxford, in view of my interests in ancient and medieval philosophy. The latter is an honorary position.

2026: Associate Professor at Ohio State University

In 2026, I joined the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society at The Ohio State University as a tenured Associate Professor. My work there brings my research in metaphysics and philosophical anthropology into conversation with questions about civic life, education, natural law, and the common good. I continue to hold research affiliations at Oxford and Cambridge.