Committee on the Philosophy of Inquiry Records

 Collection
Identifier: AC 0408

Scope and Contents

The Committee on the Philosophy of Inquiry Records contains committee records, including newsletters, grant proposals, announcements, course and seminar outlines, and recorded presentations with some transcriptions. Also included are reprints of articles by Scott and copies of presentations and lectures he gave.

Dates

  • 1947-1982

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Materials used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of collection may be restricted under provisions of the state or federal law.

Administrative History

William Taussig Scott was born in 1916 in Yonkers, New York, and obtained his B.A. degree in 1937 at Scarborough School, Swarthmore College. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1941. He taught at Smith College from 1945-1961, and then became professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the Desert Research Institute from 1961-1981. In addition to his work in physics, Scott studied and wrote about the thought and writings of Michael Polanyi, a physical chemist who became a philosopher. This interest led Scott to develop the Committee on the Philosophy of Inquiry (COPI) at the University of Nevada, Reno. Established in 1967, in 1969 COPI was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to develop the Philosophy of Inquiry Program which provided for a number of speakers and classes examining the values and belief systems in academic courses.

William T. Scott died on February 22, 1999, in Santa Rosa, California.

Extent

0.833 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

William T. Scott (1916-1999) was professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Reno and the Desert Research Institute, 1961-1981. In addition to his work in physics, Scott worked and studied the thought and writings of Michael Polanyi, the physical chemist turned philosopher, which led Scott to develop the Committee on the Philosophy of Inquiry (COPI). Established in 1967, in 1969 it was awarded a grant to develop the Philosophy of Inquiry program which provided for a number of speakers and classes examining the values and belief systems in academic courses. The collection contains Committee on the Philosophy of Inquiry records, including newsletters, grant proposals, announcements, course and seminar outlines, and recorded presentations with some transcriptions; reprints of articles by Scott, and copies of presentations and lectures given by him (1947-1982).

Arrangement

Arranged into the following series: 1) Administrative; 2) Reprints, Articles, and Lectures

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by William and Ann Scott in 1995 and 1999.

Related Materials

William T. and Ann H. Scott papers, 95-92. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno.

William T. and Ann H. Scott papers, 97-15. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno.

William T. and Ann H. Scott papers, 97-27. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno.

William T. Scott Papers, 99-26. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno.

Title
Guide to the Committee on the Philosophy of Inquiry Records
Status
Completed
Author
Betty Glass
Date
September 24, 2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. University Archives Repository

Contact:
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno NV 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)