Monthly Archives: May 2011
Did humans lose dominance?
An extensive critical review has just been published online in advance of publication for Biology and Philosophy. The title is “Evolution and the loss of hierarchies: Dubreuil’s Human evolution and the origin of hierarchies: the state of nature” by Catherine … Continue reading
Filed under Evolution, Philosophy, Social dominance
Vale Lionel Rose
Back in the late 70s I was a weedy hippy with good intentions. One time I and a flatmate were walking through the Melbourne suburb of Carlton when we came across an older aborigine who was somewhat the worse for … Continue reading
Filed under Australian stuff
Hume’s birthday
So you may have noticed, David Hume turns 300 today. I reckon he looks a lot younger than that, almost modern. There’s an interesting discussion on the History of Philosophy of Science list about whether Hume is the greatest English … Continue reading
Filed under Epistemology, History, Philosophy
Discussing the Evolutionary Debunking Argument
John Danaher at Philosophical Disquisitions has a blog anyone with an interest in philosophy should be subscribing to. John presents simple argument diagrams and clear analyses of philosophy papers, usually those that deal with philosophy of religion and related topics. … Continue reading
Filed under Epistemology, Evolution, Philosophy, Science
The undergraduate effect and the gravity wells of knowledge
As usual, Randall Munroe nails it (although if I were playing with that metaphor, I’d say that density distorts the sheet). But I like metaphors, because unfortunately I have the mathematical ability and skills of a drunken frog. So I … Continue reading
Filed under Epistemology, General Science, Philosophy, Science
A new comment policy?
From Barry Ritholz’s blog Please use the comments to demonstrate your own ignorance, unfamiliarity with empirical data, ability to repeat discredited memes, and lack of respect for scientific knowledge. Also, be sure to create straw men and argue against things … Continue reading
Filed under Administrative, Humor, Politics
Synthese petition closed with 470 academic signatures
Brian Leiter reports that the petition has closed, and that a significant number of leading philosophers signed it, as well as those whose careers are yet to take off. He also has posted a question by a grad student about … Continue reading
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Filed under Academe, Ethics and Moral Philosophy, Philosophy
Changing commenting system
I am trialling the Disqus commenting system, since it means you do not have to enter your details every time if you are registered. Some have told me they cannot see the old comments. If you are having trouble, let … Continue reading
Filed under Administrative
Time to re-evaluate higher education
When my grandfather was a boy of 14, he started a career as a fireman that led to him being the chief of the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade in the 1930s. While he did this he gained an engineer’s certificate, … Continue reading
