Search

"Perspectives on Kuhn: Contemporary Approaches to the Philosophy of Thomas Kuhn" is a book that emerged from a conference in Argentina and Uruguay, featuring five substantial papers and five commentaries. The topics covered in the book include epistemological coherentism, the philosophical nature of 'structure,' the theoretical background of Kuhn's philosophy, incommensurability, and 'world change.' The papers present new claims and assessments of Kuhn's philosophy, while the commentaries highlight potential issues and areas for further exploration. The book offers valuable insights into Kuhn scholarship and is a well-structured and accomplished collection. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the publication of Francis Skinner's papers, which were lecture notes and dictations he had taken of Ludwig Wittgenstein in the mid-1930s. The papers were sent to mathematician Reuben Goodstein after Skinner's death, but were left unnoticed in an archive for many years. The collection includes various texts on different topics, providing insight into Wittgenstein's philosophy. However, the article questions the meaningful unity of the texts and suggests that their association with Skinner does not necessarily reveal anything significant about Wittgenstein's thought. Despite this, the article acknowledges the value of the texts for those interested in Wittgenstein's work. [Extracted from the article]

The denial of research misconduct no longer really holds sway, open science is on the rise, as are data papers and a more qualitative evaluation of researchers. It offers anyone interested in scientific integrity and research misconduct an excellent point of entry into the field, enabling them to identify the relevant themes, the most high-profile cases, and the way in which scientists handle research misconduct (or not). Standing on the shoulders of giants with feet of clay: Nicolas Chevassus-au-Louis: Fraud in the lab: the high stakes of scientific research. [Extracted from the article]

Daniel J. Nicholson and John Dupré's edited collection of papers in I Everything Flows: Towards a Processual Philosophy of Biology i is an excellent example of the skillful sampling of an on-going approach in philosophy of science. Everything flows: towards a processual philosophy of biology. I especially warmly recommend it to those philosophers exposed chiefly to the standard topics and approaches in philosophy of biology and in philosophy of science more generally. [Extracted from the article]

Finally, Price returns to the theme of Big Science and notes some of the changes in science and scientific practice in the age of Big Science. Price found that, for every 100 scientists who publish only one article during their career, there are 25 scientists who publish two articles, about 11 who publish three articles, about six scientists who publish four articles, and so on. A second, enlarged edition of the book was published in 1986, shortly after Price died, with the title I Little Science, Big Science ... and Beyond i . Let us briefly consider the impact of I Little Science, Big Science i , which was deemed a "Citation Classic" in 1983 (see Price [11], 18). [Extracted from the article]

The original article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11016-024-00978-6.Correction to: Metasciencehttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11016-024-00978-6The original online version of the paper has been updated to correct the title from "Philosophical data and the ti-level method" to "Philosophical data and the tri-level method".Publisher's NoteSpringer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.By Kaj André ZellerReported by Author [Extracted from the article]

Women and girls campaigned to write exactly the same examinations as boys and men - in a kind of judo move, turning examination infrastructures against their opponents. Assignments saw students looking up where one could hire someone to write one's test, comparison shopping at essay mills for the cheapest "B" grade papers, and asking how many students used "smart drugs" on important examinations. Sameness, schools, and satire: James Elwick: Making a grade: Victorian examinations and the rise of standardized testing. I Making a Grade i notes some cases in which examinations were subsequently used as evidence to criticize or censure examiners who put unfair questions on their tests; in one case, a physiology examination was subsequently shown to have no actual questions about physiology. [Extracted from the article]

I Understanding DNA Ancestry i is his latest book, in which many of the topics he studied are integrated and illustrated using the example of DNA ancestry. What DNA ancestry testing can and cannot tell us: Sheldon Krimksy: Understanding DNA ancestry. However, while reading, I was pleasantly surprised, and even mesmerized, by the way the author presented the different aspects of DNA ancestry testing. [Extracted from the article]

The thesis of the book is that, given the dictatorship-driven interest in applied science, especially in the early years of the regime with autarky as its goal, pharmacy and biology were much closer than in other countries where basic science was more highly esteemed and funded. The editors explain this interest in autarky as a response of Franco's government to the political and economic isolation inflicted on the dictatorship by the Allies (11). The co-fashioning of the two disciplines due to the emphasis Franco's regime placed on applied science is the working hypothesis of the research project behind this book. [Extracted from the article]

Others gesture at a "middle path" toward which sophisticated realists and anti-realists/instrumentalists may be converging, like the contributions by Smith and Miyake, Stanford, and, somewhat, Chakravartty. Second, Ladyman identifies three related problems that are relevant to both realists/anti-realists and have to do with (a) idealization, (b) scale, and (b) how ontologies of science relate. Adopting commensurability, the Maddy/Wilson principle, and a historically motivated moderate particularism leaves middle path realists/anti-realists (henceforth, realists/anti-realists) with other issues to navigate. [Extracted from the article]

No philosophers who have attempted to understand Bohr's philosophy would deny that the analysis of physical experiments was the key stone in Bohr's interpretation. But Perovi'c urges that we cannot grasp Bohr's vision of physics unless we first understand how deeply Bohr's view built on the traditional inductive methods of scientific experimentation. Niels Bohr's experimentalist approach to understanding quantum mechanics: Slobodan Perovi'c: From data to quanta: Niels Bohr's vision of physics. [Extracted from the article]

His contributions to the philosophy of mathematics also needed books, but unlike Green and Boole, he could afford to buy books, both old and new, for himself. It is the mathematician's task to bring mathematics to ever-greater heights. Chapter 5 explains that mathematics is useful for science because mathematics is a material practice that involves thinking with things, experiments and the material environment in an abstract space. [Extracted from the article]

Catherine Volpilhac-Auger's biography of Montesquieu offers a comprehensive and revisionist account of the Enlightenment thinker's life. The book explores Montesquieu's upbringing, education, career, and contributions as an author, challenging previous interpretations and providing insight into the institutional contexts that shaped his life. The biography also delves into Montesquieu's extensive library and his methods of learning and research. Overall, this nuanced and detailed portrait highlights Montesquieu's multifaceted life and his significant contributions to philosophy and political thought. The text also discusses Montesquieu's published works and argues that they should not be seen as definitive representations of his intellectual process. It explores the relationship between his personal life and intellectual production. The English version of the book includes expanded chronology and some changes for an English-speaking audience, although there are minor errors and inconsistencies. The text concludes by praising the book as a valuable contribution to Montesquieu scholarship. [Extracted from the article]

Esther Zimmer Lederberg, a pioneer in bacterial genetics, faced challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field. She made significant contributions to the field alongside her husband, Joshua Lederberg, but her work was often overshadowed. After their divorce, Esther's scientific career declined, and she spent the rest of her life tending the Plasmid Reference Center at Stanford University. The book "A Hidden Legacy" explores Esther's life and work, but the author's lack of clarity and methodological rigor prevent a comprehensive understanding of her legacy. The book also fails to provide a thorough contextualization of bacterial genetics within the broader scientific trajectory. Despite these shortcomings, the book sheds light on the experiences of women in science and highlights the need for further research in this area. [Extracted from the article]

Karl Matlin's book, "Crossing the Boundaries of Life," explores the history of modern cell biology and the contributions of Günter Blobel. While the subtitle suggests a focus on Blobel, the book covers a broader range of topics. Matlin begins with the early history of cell biology and the invention of the electron microscope, which allowed scientists to study the internal structures of cells. The book then delves into the intracellular transport of proteins and the mechanisms by which they are delivered to their correct destinations within the cell. Matlin provides a detailed account of Blobel's work and the development of the signal hypothesis, which posits that proteins carry a specific sequence of amino acids to determine their destination within the cell. The book also explores the wider impact of Blobel's work and the epistemic strategy of cell biology. While the book is dense and complex, it offers a wealth of information for readers interested in the history and epistemology of biology. [Extracted from the article]

The article is a book review of "Epistemology of the Human Sciences: Restoring an Evolutionary Approach to Biology, Economics, Psychology and Philosophy" by Walter B. Weimer. The reviewer expresses initial excitement about the book's approach to epistemology and its rejection of traditional views of knowledge as justified true belief. However, the reviewer criticizes Weimer's arguments and lack of engagement with contemporary philosophy. The reviewer also highlights the book's focus on the differences between physical sciences and human sciences. Overall, the reviewer finds the book to be lacking in sophistication and unlikely to have a significant impact on philosophical research. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the relationship between philosophers and war, raising questions about how philosophers should ethically and politically relate to war and the military, as well as the powers and limits of philosophical inquiry in military matters. The article reviews Steven Umbrello's book, "Designed for Death: Controlling Killer Robots," which explores the concept of meaningful human control over autonomous weapon systems. While the author acknowledges the value of Umbrello's argument, they also criticize his failure to address the ethical implications of designing and deploying "killer robots." Overall, the article suggests that Umbrello's work contributes to the literature on autonomous weapon systems but could benefit from a more politically ambitious approach. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses Richard Rorty's perspective on the relationship between philosophy and liberal democracy, as well as Robert B. Brandom's theory of normativity in his book "Pragmatism and Idealism: Rorty and Hegel on Reason and Representation." Rorty argues that philosophical theories cannot justify or ground liberal democracy, but can only align with it. Brandom, on the other hand, aims to resuscitate representation from Rorty's critique by demonstrating its compatibility with social pragmatism about norms. However, the article points out a gap in Brandom's account regarding the distribution of normative attitudes among groups, which reinforces Rorty's prioritization of democracy over philosophy. The article concludes by suggesting that the extent to which these views align with liberal democracy is still uncertain. [Extracted from the article]

"The Frontier in British India" by Thomas Simpson is a book that explores the frontiers of Britain's Indian colony during the nineteenth century. The book focuses on the north-western and north-eastern external frontiers of British-administered South Asia and examines how these frontiers became arenas for distinctive modes of power and knowledge. Simpson argues that the frontiers revealed the fragility and limitations of the colonial centers of power, and he explores the relationship between colonial agents in the center and at the fringes of the Indian colony. However, the book has been criticized for its lack of systematic review of the vast body of literature on frontiers, its omission of the larger geopolitical context, and its failure to engage with the issues raised by the history of colonial India. [Extracted from the article]

"A Miracle Creed: The Principle of Optimality in Leibniz's Physics and Philosophy" by Jeffrey K. McDonough explores the connection between Leibniz's physics and philosophy, focusing on the Principle of Optimality. The book discusses Leibniz's application of this principle to various aspects of nature, such as the laws of reflection and refraction, rigid body mechanics, and the conservation of vis viva. McDonough argues that Leibniz's teleological explanations challenge the prevailing view that early modern physics rejected final causes. While the book raises important questions about Leibniz's metaphysical writings and the role of God in his philosophy, it provides a stimulating and innovative account of Leibniz's conceptions of nature and science. [Extracted from the article]

There is a growing interest among philosophers of science in publication practices and their impact on the community, authors, and readers. This interest is evident in discussions about open access, transformative journals, and predatory publishing. While publishers have their own plans for the future of journal publishing, editors have their own ideas about the role of open access. Additionally, there has been an increase in predatory publishers, who send invitations for quick publications that do not align with the slow pace of philosophy publication norms. Philosophers of science are also studying publication practices in the sciences, with a focus on authorship, collaboration, refereeing norms, misconduct, and interdisciplinary research. While philosophers are relatively late to the study of scientific publication, there is potential for fruitful insights by working across disciplinary lines with historians and sociologists. Despite concerns, this interest in publication practices is a healthy development that can lead to valuable insights. [Extracted from the article]

Helge Kragh's biography of Christian Møller sheds light on the significant contributions Møller made to twentieth-century physics, despite his relative obscurity in historical writings. Møller's work in quantum mechanics, elementary particle physics, and general relativity is extensively covered in the biography, along with his involvement in scientific organizations such as CERN and the International Committee on General Relativity and Gravitation. The book provides detailed discussions of Møller's work, making it more suitable for readers already familiar with twentieth-century physics. While the biography offers valuable insights into Møller's life and work, some aspects, such as his role as a teacher and his philosophical views on science, could have been further explored. Overall, the book serves as a comprehensive starting point for further research on Møller's pedagogy and the development of the "Copenhagen spirit" in physics and philosophy of quantum mechanics. [Extracted from the article]

Michel-Antoine Xhignesse's book, "Aesthetics: 50 puzzles, paradoxes, and thought experiments," offers a unique approach to teaching philosophy. The book consists of brief chapters, each driven by a puzzle, thought experiment, or paradox, and supplemented with concise questions, answers, and complications. Xhignesse's writing is engaging and thought-provoking, making it suitable for classroom use. While some may find certain topics or puzzles omitted, the book covers a range of contemporary analytic aesthetics issues. Overall, "Aesthetics" is a valuable resource for students and instructors seeking to explore the curiosities of aesthetics. [Extracted from the article]

Jeremy Greene's book, "The doctor who wasn't there: technology, history, and the limits of telehealth," explores the history of telemedicine and its failures and limitations. The book highlights how different technologies, such as the telephone and cable television, were initially seen as revolutionary tools for healthcare but ultimately fell short of their promises. Greene argues that the success or failure of telemedicine is not solely determined by technology but by human choices and political agendas. The book emphasizes the importance of considering social context and the role of individuals in shaping the future of telemedicine. [Extracted from the article]

In discussing reasons a determinist might offer against free will, Ball arguably would do better to focus more on this core determinist belief. All manner of mind: Philip Ball: The book of minds: How to understand ourselves and other beings, from animals to AI to aliens. Although it is not always obvious when Ball is agreeing with rather than merely describing the views of the theorists he discusses, it does seem clear that he concurs with Sloman that we should reject the idea that there is one major division between entities with minds and those without and instead expect great diversity within the space of possible minds. [Extracted from the article]

One of the most interesting and endearing features of Lady Ranelagh's life is the loving and close relationship she shared with her brother Robert, to the point that she served as something of a surrogate mother, as well as spiritual and intellectual mentor to him. For this reason, Michelle DiMeo's recent intellectual biography of Lady Ranelagh is a long-needed and truly welcome contribution both to our knowledge of this brilliant scientist and to women's history in general. Lady Ranelagh's contributions to early modern science: Michelle DiMeo: Lady Ranelagh: the incomparable life of Robert Boyle's sister. [Extracted from the article]

This has implications for the ethics of digital communication: O'Neill concludes that excessive preoccupation with rights overshadows other ethical and epistemic duties we have as participants of digital communication (67-68). In Chapters 2 and 5, O'Neill argues that some ethical frameworks and conceptual apparatus are inadequate or too narrow to develop a robust ethics of digital communication. Rethinking the ethics of digital communication: Onora O'Neill: A philosopher looks at digital communication. [Extracted from the article]

Trans. "Pseudoproblems in Philosophy", in Carnap, The Logical Structure of the World, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1967, 301-43. 3 Carnap, Rudolf. Carnap dated the reported dissent from Wittgenstein on the emerging left wing, also involving Philipp Frank, Hans Hahn and Neurath, to "about 1931" (see Carnap [7]-37, 37n.). Of course, Carnap's 1932 criterion of empirical significance for sentences (Carnap [4]/1959, 62-65 and 67-68) was superceded by "Testability and Meaning" for it relied on mistaken reductionism vis-à-vis disposition terms, but important for present purposes is the following. Rudolf Carnap's diaries: from the German Youth Movement to the Vienna Circle: Rudolf Carnap: Tagebücher. [Extracted from the article]

College professors, Hook argued then, were no longer professors. How American colleges and universities got the hook: Ellen Schrecker: The lost promise: American universities in the 1960s. Ellen Schrecker's latest book on the history of American colleges and universities is the middle of a trilogy. Hook's entrance into Schrecker's narrative is occasioned by his organization, University Centers for Rational Alternatives, which he envisioned as a network of offices on college and university campuses around the nation. [Extracted from the article]

The conflict thesis between science and Christianity: it makes for a good story: David Hutchings and James C. Ungureanu: Of popes and unicorns: science, Christianity, and how the conflict thesis fooled the world. Hutchings and Ungureanu provide a compelling account of a developing conflict thesis that did not originate with Draper and White after all. Hutchings and Ungureanu cover some of that same terrain here, as well as building on previous work by Ungureanu. [Extracted from the article]