Monthly Archives: August 2010
Two kinds of natural classification, and hybrid classifications
It is fairly clear to anyone reading the last century’s discussions about classification that there are, with respect to natural classification, two main approaches. These are roughly: classification based on shared causal properties, and classification based upon shared phenomenal properties. … Continue reading
Filed under Epistemology, History, Natural Classification, Philosophy, Species and systematics
Short sharp definitions
Over on Twitter, Waterstones bookshops are running a competition to define philosophy in 100 characters. My definitions are below, but it got me thinking. Einstein, I think, said that if you can’t explain it in simple words you don’t understand … Continue reading
Filed under Biology, General Science, Humor, Philosophy
EFA Summarises Australian Party policies on censorship
Here:
Filed under Australian stuff, Censorship, Internet filtering, Politics
On non-cohort based education
I’m going to rant for a bit; it’s Sunday here, so my Inner Preacher gets to play. Everyone is decrying the state of education, and how students know less and are unable to think, excel and so forth. Teachers, governments, … Continue reading
Dynamics and classification redux
In my last two posts in this series, I suggested that science is a field of possible moments, with no set trajectory over what I called the “dance floor of science”. Some commentators have objected to this, arguing that there … Continue reading
Filed under Epistemology, Evolution, Natural Classification, Philosophy, Science, Social evolution, Systematics
Natural classification and the dynamics of science
About thirty years ago there was much talk that geologists ought only to observe and not to theorize; and I well remember someone saying that at this rate a man might as well go into a gravel pit and count … Continue reading
Filed under Epistemology, Natural Classification, Philosophy, Science, Social evolution, Systematics
