Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to describe the philosophical style of Jean Gayon through my own experience as a Ph.D. student. I show how Gayon’s work represents a unique synthesis of two main traditions in philosophy of science: analytical Anglo-American philosophy of sciencePhilosophy of science (Anglo-American) and biology and French historical epistemologyGayon, JeanOn historical epistemology. HisHistorical epistemology openness and curiosity towards the Anglo-American tradition led him to believe that a genuine dialogue between these traditions could benefit both. Jean also encouraged his graduate students to draw on multiple philosophical approaches, with an eye toward the sciences. In this chapter, I propose to characterize his own style as a historically grounded analysis of concepts. The analytical style he promoted is underpinned by historical reflection in which it finds a concrete and living substratum.