James Robert Brown (born 1949) is a Canadian philosopher of science. He is an emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto. In the philosophy of mathematics, he has advocated mathematical Platonism, visual reasoning, and in the philosophy of science he has defended scientific realism mostly against anti-realist views associated with social constructivism. He has also argued for the socialization of medical research (especially pharmaceutical research). He is largely known for his work on thought experiments. Elected: Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina – Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften) 2004, Royal Society of Canada 2007, Académie Internationale de Philosophie des Sciences 2010 Brown was born in Montreal, Quebec. He is married to the philosopher Kathleen Okruhlik.

Books

Books edited include: