Philosopher wins science funding
A philosopher for science Working on a National Science Foundation grant, philosopher Matthew Haug will be investigating the relationship between the mind and the body through researching the trends between philosophic naturalism and metaphysics. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Haug to probe boundaries of the mental and physical
A recent grant from the National Science Foundation could help researchers gain a better understanding of how to properly treat mental disorders.
Matthew Haug, assistant professor of philosophy at William & Mary, recently received the NSF Scholar's Award grant in the amount of $137,297.
"One of the coolest things about being at William & Mary is being surrounded by superb professors like Matt Haug, who can reach out to the National Science Foundation and bring home major funding for research in philosophy," said Dennis Manos, vice provost for research at the College.
Haug's research aims to further investigate the relationship between the mind and body of an individual by researching the trends between philosophic naturalism and metaphysics.
When completed, Haug's research will benefit other philosophers as well as the medical field by helping to better understand the boundary of the physical and mental properties of the human body. Haug explained the research could solve questions as to how widespread mental disorders should be treated and whether current treatments are deficient in any way.
"My hope is that the project provides the theoretical resources to clarify, and help resolve, public policy debates about the appropriate uses of pharmaceuticals, cognitive enhancement and genetic therapies," Haug said. "It may reveal limitations of these treatments in a way that is consistent with the view that we are physical creatures. Thus, the results of this project will likely be of interest to neuroscientists, cognitive psychologists, psychiatrists, and behavioral geneticists, as well as philosophers."
In a branch of the NSF in which 75 percent of proposals get rejected initially and first-time proposal rejection rates are even higher, Haug said that the notification of an award was breathtaking.
While NSF grants in philosophy are uncommon, Haug knew it was still a possibility. Haug also received an NSF grant while a graduate student at Cornell University. But this was the first time he applied for a Scholar's Award.
"I'm delighted to have won the grant," Haug said. "I didn't expect it."
Haug intends to use the
grant money to fund his research throughout the 2010-2011 academic year. The
funding will support his work as well as the hiring of a part-time
undergraduate assistant who will assist in a literature review of the research. 
