Category Archives: Metaphysics

by | January 8, 2012

The difference between population concepts and “population thinking”

The late Ernst Mayr is remembered for many things, but a number of his historical and philosophical claims are unravelling. The very clever and perspicacious Rutgers geneticist, Jody Hey, has published a paper in the Quarterly Review of Biology on … Continue reading →

11 Comments

Filed under Biology, Evolution, History, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Science, Species concept

by | January 7, 2012

Notes on novelty 6: Levels of description

Notes on Novelty series: 1. Introduction 2. Historical considerations – before and after evolution 3: The meaning of evolutionary novelty 4: Examples – the beetle’s horns and the turtle’s shell 5: Evolutionary radiations and individuation 6: Levels of description 7: Surprise! 8: Conclusion – Post evo-devo … Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Epistemology, Evolution, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Science

by | December 31, 2011

Notes on novelty 5: Evolutionary radiations and individuation

Notes on Novelty series: 1. Introduction 2. Historical considerations – before and after evolution 3: The meaning of evolutionary novelty 4: Examples – the beetle’s horns and the turtle’s shell 5: Evolutionary radiations and individuation 6: Levels of description 7: Surprise! 8: Conclusion – Post evo-devo … Continue reading →

Comments Off

Filed under Epistemology, Evolution, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Science, Species and systematics

by | December 26, 2011

Notes on novelty 3: The meaning of evolutionary novelty

Notes on Novelty series: 1. Introduction 2. Historical considerations – before and after evolution 3: The meaning of evolutionary novelty 4: Examples – the beetle’s horns and the turtle’s shell 5: Evolutionary radiations and individuation 6: Levels of description 7: Surprise! 8: Conclusion – Post evo-devo … Continue reading →

10 Comments

Filed under Biology, Evolution, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Science

by | December 23, 2011

Responsibility

Click to go to the original and make rude comments about the misuse of “begs the question”. Late note: The bastard fixed it. Find something else to complain about…

2 Comments

Filed under History, Metaphysics, Philosophy

by | December 21, 2011

The ongoing question of whether humans are conscious. I mean, drones…

Click on the image to go see the whole thing.

13 Comments

Filed under Humor, Metaphysics

by | December 18, 2011

Notes on novelty 2: Historical considerations – before and after evolution

Notes on Novelty series:1. Introduction2. Historical considerations – before and after evolution3: The meaning of evolutionary novelty4: Examples – the beetle’s horns and the turtle’s shell5: Evolutionary radiations and individuation6: Levels of description7: Surprise! 8: Conclusion – Post evo-devo The roots of novelty in biology are … Continue reading →

8 Comments

Filed under Epistemology, Evolution, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Science

by | December 14, 2011

Notes on novelty 1: Introduction

Notes on Novelty series: 1. Introduction 2. Historical considerations – before and after evolution 3: The meaning of evolutionary novelty 4: Examples – the beetle’s horns and the turtle’s shell 5: Evolutionary radiations and individuation 6: Levels of description 7: Surprise! 8: Conclusion – Post evo-devo … Continue reading →

11 Comments

Filed under Evolution, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Science

by | December 11, 2011

Getting Gettier

7 Comments

Filed under Epistemology, Humor, Metaphysics, Philosophy

by | November 27, 2011

Once more into the fray, dear agnostics

I like Larry Moran. More than any other scientist, he has educated me on the standard (and occasionally nonstandard) theories of evolution, biochemistry (of which I know little, but what I do know is largely due to him), and even … Continue reading →

31 Comments

Filed under Epistemology, Logic and philosophy, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Religion, Science