Philosophy of science Books

Book SynopsisThe author argues that the long-standing scientific and philosophical deference to reductive explanations founded on simple universal laws, linear causal models, and predict-and-act strategies fails to accommodate the kinds of knowledge that many contemporary sciences are providing about the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlthough science may claim to be objective, scientists cannot avoid the influence of their own values on their research. In The State of Nature, Gregg Mitman examines the relationship between issues in early twentieth-century American society and the sciences of evolution and ecology to reveal how explicit social and political concerns influenced the scientific agenda of biologists at the University of Chicago and throughout the United States during the first half of this century. Reacting against the view of nature red in tooth and claw, ecologists and behavioral biologists such as Warder Clyde Allee, Alfred Emerson, and their colleagues developed research programs they hoped would validate and promote an image of human society as essentially cooperative rather than competitive. Mitman argues that Allee's religious training and pacifist convictions shaped his pioneering studies of animal communities in a way that could be generalized to denounce the view that war is in our genes.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this 2nd edition the author has substantially revised his book throughout, updating the moral arguments and adding a chapter on animal minds. Importantly, rather than being a polemic on animal rights, this book is also a considered and imaginative evaluation of moral theory as explored through the issue of animal rights.Trade Review'Those concerned with animal ethics owe a debt of gratitude to Mark Rowlands. He has written what is without doubt the best defense of animal rights from a contractarian position, or perhaps from any position. Rowlands writes in an admirably clear and engaging manner, guaranteed to lure the reader into joining the spirited conversation.' - Susan J. Armstrong, Professor Emerita, Department of Philosophy, Humboldt State University, Arcata, Canada 'Philosophers, in particular, and those interested in animal rights issues, in general, should be grateful for the publication of this book for several reasons. First, familiar defenses of the animal rights position offered by Peter Singer and Tom Regan are examined anew, such that even those who are very familiar with these defenses see them in a new light. Second, the more recent debate in virtue ethics regarding treatment of animals (between Rosalind Hursthouse and Roger Scruton) is treated very insightfully. Third, Rowlands develops his own powerful version of a contractarian account of animal rights based on Rawlsian principles. And fourth, he also treats the animal rights issue in novel terms in light of recent debates in philosophy of mind and in relation to a fantastic thought experiment wherein brilliant aliens start farming and eating human beings because of their intellectual inferiority. This is not a book to be ignored!' - Daniel A. Dombrowski, Professor of Philosophy, Seattle University, USATable of ContentsAnimal Rights and Moral Theories Arguing for One's Species Utilitarianism and Animals: Peter Singer's Case for Animal Liberation Tom Regan: Animal Rights as Natural Rights Virtue Ethics and Animals Contractarianism and Animal Rights Animal Minds Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis'

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBruno Latour is one of the leading figures in Social Sciences today, but his contributions are also widely recognised in the arts. His theories flourished' in the 1980s in the aftermath of the structuralism wave and generated new concepts and methodologies for the understanding of the social. In the past decade, Latour and his Actor-Network Theory (ANT) have gained popularity among researchers in the field of architecture.Latour for Architects is the first introduction to the key concepts and ideas of Bruno Latour that are relevant to architects. First, the book discusses critically how specific methods and insights from his philosophy can inspire new thinking in architecture and design pedagogy. Second, it explores examples from architectural practice and urban design, and reviews recent attempts to extend the methods of ANT into the fields of architectural and urban studies. Third, the book advocates an ANT-inspired approach to architecture, and examines how its meTrade Review"Don’t get fooled by the title of Albena Yaneva’s book "Latour for Architects". It is a quick, lively and precise introduction of my work for lots of other professional bodies and academics. This is the best presentation of my entire work that I am aware of." Bruno Latour, Emeritus Professor at Science Po, Paris, France"At a moment when more and more designers conceive of form as interplay rather than shape and outline, Latour for Architects further extends research and practice beyond the limits of the profession and into new disciplinary coalitions that are increasingly giving authority to spatial variables."Keller Easterling, Enid Storm Dwyer Professor of Architecture, Yale University, School of Architecture, USA"Albena Yaneva does an outstanding job in presenting Latour’s most important ideas and deserves praise for organizing them in such an accessible manner. Regarding the task of explanation, the book is impressive."Robert A. Beauregard, Emeritus Professor at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia University, USAPodcasts‘Sunday Coffee: Arts Design Architecture Latour for Architects by Albena Yaneva’ (with Tricia Keffer)https://sundaycoffee.buzzsprout.com/1848499/10635123-latour-for-architects-by-albena-yaneva‘Albena Yaneva: Bruno Latour, ANT and Architects. A is for Architecture’ (with Ambrose Gillick)Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/w5kvr9e6Apple: https://tinyurl.com/vn4b5bfkGoogle: https://tinyurl.com/yc7tsu69Table of Contents1. Introduction: ‘In this world’ 2. Rethinking the Modern Constitution 3. Science in the making 4. How technology shapes everyday life 5. Actor-Network Theory 6. Space and spacing 7. Invisible cities 8. The parliament of things 9. A Gaia who cares

Read more less

Book SynopsisUniverses discusses the alleged evidence of fine tuning; mechanisms by which a varied set of Universes might be generated, and whether belief in God could be preferable to accepting universes in vast numbers.Trade Review'This is an exciting and important book.' - Anthony Flew, Philosophical Books'John Leslie has written far and away the best book about the anthropic principle.' - John Polkinghorne, Cambridge University'Leslie's Universes is written with a good deal of philosophical courage and much originality, virtues rather rare in contemporary philosophy.' - ZygonTable of Contents1 World Ensemble, or Design 2 The Evidence of Fine Tuning 3 Further Evidence 4 Multiple Worlds 5 The Need to Explain Life 6 Anthropic Explanations 7 The Design Argument 8 God 9 Conclusions

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Complexity and Postmodernism, Paul Cilliers explores the idea of complexity in the light of contemporary perspectives from philosophy and science. Cilliers offers us a unique approach to understanding complexity and computational theory by integrating postmodern theory (like that of Derrida and Lyotard) into his discussion. Complexity and Postmodernism is an exciting and an original book that should be read by anyone interested in gaining a fresh understanding of complexity, postmodernism and connectionism.Trade Review'Clearly, indeed beautifully written ... this is an important book with a substantial argument to make. It is full of good things.' - JASSSTable of ContentsPreface. Approaching Complexity Introducing Connectionism Post-Structuralism, Connectionism And Complexity John Searle Befuddles Problems With Representation Self-Orgainzation In Complex Systems Complexity And Postmodernism Afterword: Understanding Complexity Bibliography.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn these inspiring lectures David Bohm explores Albert Einsteinâs celebrated Theory of Relativity that transformed forever the way we think about time and space. Yet for Bohm the implications of the theory were far more revolutionary both in scope and impact even than this. Stepping back from dense theoretical and scientific detail in this eye-opening work, Bohm describes how the notion of relativity strikes at the heart of our very conception of the universe, regardless of whether we are physicists or philosophers.Trade Review'Bohm presents a highly original view of what it means to look at the world with new eyes.' - Journal of Consciousness Studies 'Bohm presents a highly original view of what it means to look at the world with new eyes.' – Journal of Consciousness Studies Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Pre-Einsteinian Notions of Relativity 3. The Problem of the Relativity of the Laws of Electrodynamics 4. The Michelson-Morley Experiment 5. Efforts to Save the Ether Hypothesis 6. The Lorentz Theory of the Electron 7. Further Development of the Lorentz Theory 8. The Problem of Measuring Simultaneity in the Lorentz Theory 9. The Lorentz Transformation 10. The Inherent Ambiguity in the Meanings of Space-Time Measurements, According to the Lorentz Theory 11. Analysis of Space and Time Concepts in Terms of Frames of Reference 12. Common Sense Concepts of Space and Time 13. Introduction to Einstein's Conceptions of Space and Time 14. The Lorentz Transformation in Einstein's Point of View 15. Addition of Velocities 16. The Principle of Relativity 17. Some Applications of Relativity 18. Momentum and Mass in Relativity 19. The Equivalence of Mass and Energy 20. The Relativistic Transformation Law for Energy and Momentum 21. Charged Particles in an Electromagnetic Field 22. Experimental Evidence for Special Relativity 23. More About the Equivalence of Mass and Energy 24. Towards a New Theory of Elementary Particles 25. The Falsification of Theories 26. The Minkowski Diagram and the K Calculus 27. The Geometry of Events and the Space-Time Continuum 28. The Questions of Causality and the Maximum Speed of Propagation of Signals in Relativity Theory 29. Proper Time 30. The Paradox of the Twins 31. The Significance of the Minkowski Diagram as a Reconstruction of the Past. Appendix - Physics and Perception

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis volume is a collection of papers that advance our understanding of the metaphysics of powers â properties such as fragility and electric charge. The metaphysics of powers is a fast developing research field with fundamental questions at the forefront of current research, such as Can there be a world of only powers? What is the manifestation of a power? Are powers and their manifestations related by necessity? What are the prospects for dispositional accounts of causation? The papers focus on questions concerning the metaphysics of powers that cut across any particular subject-specific ontological domain -- whether philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, ethics, epistemology â investigating the metaphysical structure of powers, the nature of the manifestation of powers, the necessity or contingency of a powerâs relation to its manifestations, and powers and causation. A number of authors also engage in discussion with Humean and neo-Humean treatments of causation, thereby making contributions to a larger metaphysical debate beyond powers. Additionally, the authors engage critically with the latest contributions to the debate on powers in the literature, thereby bringing together in a wholesome and analytical way the most recent and noteworthy theoretical developments in this research field. Trade Review"The strength and variety of the papers in this volume represents a maturity in the metaphysics of powers with a number of programs up and running—some of them seeking collaboration in vision, others locking horns over territory. It offers excellent depth for comparative reading and it’s a must read for anyone working in the ontology of powers today." – Duncan C. MacLean, Mount Royal University, Canada in Philosophy in Review"Marmodoro's volume represents a refreshing turn in the literature on dispositions. [T]he impression that emerges from the book as a whole is one of a maturing movement in metaphysics, well past its reactionary, manifesto-penning stage and into a period of rapid, self-critical development. Anyone with an interest in the prospects for a disposition-based ontology should read it." –Troy Cross, Notre Dame Philosophical ReviewsTable of ContentsIntroduction, Anna Marmodoro 1: On the Individuation of Powers, E.J. Lowe 2: Do Powers Need Powers to Make Them Powerful? From Pandispositionalism to Aristotle, Anna Marmodoro 3: Categories and the Ontology of Powers: A Vindication of the Identity Theory of Properties, Kristina Engelhard 4: Powerful Qualities, John Heil 5: Manifestations as Effects, Jennifer McKitrick 6: Puzzling Powers: The Problem of Fit, Neil Williams 7: Dispositions, Manifestations, and Causal Structure, Toby Handfield 8: Causal Powers and Categorical Properties, Brian Ellis 9: A Powerful Theory of Causation, Stephen Mumford and Rani Anjum 10: Causation and the Manifestation of Powers, Alexander Bird 11: Antidotes for Dispositional Essentialism, Markus Schrenk Notes on Contributors Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen historians of the future come to examine western civilization in the twentieth century, one area of intellectual accomplishment will stand out above all others: more than any other era before it, the twentieth century was an age of science. Not only were the practical details of daily life radically transformed by the application of scientific discoveries, but our very sense of who we are, how our minds work, how our world came to be, how it works and our proper role in it, our ultimate origins, and our ultimate fate were all influenced by scientific thinking as never before in human history. In The Age of Science, the former editor and publisher of Scientific American gives us a sweeping overview of the scientific achievements of the twentieth century, with chapters on the fundamental forces of nature, the subatomic world, cosmology, the cell and molecular biology, earth history and the evolution of life, and human evolution. Beautifully written and illustrated, this is a

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis study provides a fresh treatment of some of the most vexing problems in the philosophy of science: explanation, induction, causality, evolution, discovery, artificial intelligence and the social implications of technological rationality.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStatistical mechanics is one of the crucial fundamental theories of physics, and in his new book Lawrence Sklar, one of the pre-eminent philosophers of physics, offers a comprehensive, non-technical introduction to that theory and to attempts to understand its foundational elements.Trade ReviewWinner of 1995 Lakatos Award "...[it] succeeds admirably in pulling together and making accessible a diversity of sometimes difficult material, serving simulaneously students, researchers, and readers from other areas who would simply like to get a sense of what is happening." Philosophy of Science "What we have in Sklar's work is by far the best systematic, unified treatment of foundational problems in statistical mechanics existing in the philosophical literature and it will certainly set the standard for futher philosophical work in the area." Mind "...Sklar's work should indeed be required and welcome reading for anyone interested in this fascinating subject...In my opinion, Physics and Chance is essential reading for philosophers of science and physicists who have even the slightest interest in how probabilities function in physical theory. The problems are at least as difficult as any that confront the foundations of quantum mechanics. Sklar's discussions of the various issues set the standard for future philosophical work in the foundations of statistical physics." The Philosophical Review "The range and depth of this study are extraordinary, and few experts in the areas of physics, mathematics, and chemistry have as extensive familiarity with either the philosophical or technical developments...One of the most important books in philosophy of science of the last 50 years." Choice "The book occupies itself with foundations and touches on most of the crucial issues. It is, I believe, the only available modern text that has set itself this task, and as such it is recommended." Peter T. Lansberg, NatureTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Historical sketch; 3. Probability; 4. Statistical explanation; 5. Equilibrium theory; 6. Describing non-equilibrium; 7. Rationalising non-equilibrium theory; 8. Cosmology and irreversibility; 9. The reduction of thermodynamics to statistical mechanics; 10. The direction of time; 11. The current state of the major questions; References; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this book, published in 1686, the scientist Robert Boyle attacked prevailing notions of the natural world which depicted 'Nature' as a wise, benevolent and purposeful being. His Free Enquiry represents one of the subtlest statements concerning the philosophical issues raised by the mechanical philosophy to emerge from the period of the scientific revolution.Trade Review"This work, which admirably testifies to Boyle's equal concern for 'truth and philosophical freedom' and 'religion', deserves this new edition. And, as Davis and Hunter suggest at the end of their introduction, today an essay on the idea of nature can have more than a simple historical significance." Guido Giglioni, IsisTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction; Chronology; A note on the text; A Free Enquiry into the Vulgarly Received Notion of Nature; The Preface; Section I; Section II; Section III; Section IV; Section V; Section VI; Section VII; Section VIII; Glossary; Index.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHistorical records show that there was no real concept of probability in Europe before the mid-seventeenth century, although the use of dice and other randomizing objects was commonplace. First published in 1975, this edition includes an introduction that contextualizes his book in light of developing philosophical trends.Trade Review"A fascinating in-depth study of the philosophical aspects of the concept of probability during its founding days." Andreas Karlsson, Uppsala University"[Hacking's] knowledge of the pertinent literature is considerable and the vigorous style of writing makes for enjoyable reading. Hacking states that his book was not written as history: be that as it may, but anyone who is interested in the history of probability and statistics, either as a philosopher or as a statistician, will find much here to think about." A.I. Dale, Mathematical ReviewsTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. An absent family of ideas; 2. Duality; 3. Opinion; 4. Evidence; 5. Signs; 6. The first calculations; 7. The Roannez circle; 8. The great decision; 9. The art of thinking; 10. Probability and the law; 11. Expectation; 12. Political arithmetic; 13. Annuities; 14. Equipossibility; 15. Inductive logic; 16. The art of conjecturing; 17. The first limit theorem; 18. Design; 19. Induction.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fascinating snapshot of the future of physics, comprising contributions from leading thinkers in the field, inspired by the pioneering work of John Wheeler. Quantum theory represents a unifying theme, with topics such as the nature of physical reality, cosmic inflation, the arrow of time, superstrings, quantum gravity and cosmology.Trade Review'Do not be put off by its length … this is one of those rare volumes where quantity is matched by quality … this is a remarkable volume.' Nature'In response to Einstein's question 'did God have any choice in the nature of his creation?', Wheeler has suggested that there are no truly fixed fundamental laws of physics at all. He was a remarkable man and this is a remarkable volume.' Nature'The sheer breadth of the novel approaches in fundamental research is a testament to Wheeler's broad curiosity. I can only imagine that this book will be read by more great minds eager to plunge into the darkness to shed some light with a torch or even star.' Contemporary PhysicsTable of ContentsForeword John A. Wheeler; Editor's preface John D. Barrow, Paul Davies and Charles Harper, Jr.; Preface Freeman J. Dyson; Part I. An Overview of the Contributions of John Archibald Wheeler: 1. John Archibald Wheeler and the clash of ideas Paul C. W. Davies; Part II. An Historian's Tribute to John Archibald Wheeler and Scientific Speculation Through the Ages: 2. The heritage of Heraclitus: John Archibald Wheeler and the itch to speculate Jaroslav Pelikan; Part III. Quantum Reality - Theory: 3. Why is nature described by quantum theory? Lucien Hardy; 4. Thought experiments in honor of John Wheeler Freeman J. Dyson; 5. It from qubit David Deutsch; 6. The wave function: it or bit? H. Dieter Zeh; 7. Quantum Darwinism and envariance Wojciech H. Zurek; 8. Using qubits to learn about it Juan Pablo Paz; 9. Quantum gravity as an ordinary gauge theory Juan M. Maldacena; 10. The Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics Bryce S. DeWitt; Part IV. Quantum Reality - Experiment: 11. Why the quantum? It from bit? A participatory universe? Three far-reaching, visionary questions from John Archibald Wheeler and how they inspired a quantum experimentalist Anton Zeilinger; 12. Speakable and unspeakable, past and future Aephraim M. Steinberg; 13. Conceptual tensions between quantum mechanics and general relativity: are there experimental consequences? Raymond Y. Chiao; 14. Breeding non-local Schrödinger cats: a thought experiment to explore the quantum classical boundary Serge Haroche; 15. Quantum erasing the nature of reality - or, perhaps, the reality of nature? Paul G. Kwiat and Berthold-Georg Englert; 16. Quantum feedback and the quantum-classical transition Hideo Mabuchi; 17. What quantum computers may tell us about quantum mechanics Christopher R. Monroe; Part V. Big Questions in Cosmology: 18. Cosmic inflation and the arrow of time Andreas Albrecht; 19. Cosmology and immutability John D. Barrow; 20. Quantum cosmology, inflation, and the anthropic principle Andrei Linde; 21. Parallel universes Max Tegmark; 22. Quantum theories of gravity: results and prospects Lee Smolin; 23. A genuinely evolving universe Joao Magueijo; 24. Planck-scale models of the universe Fotini G. Markopoulou; 25. Implications of additional spatial dimensions to questions in cosmology Lisa Randall; Part VI. Emergence, Life, and Related Topics: 26. Emergence: us from it Philip D. Clayton; 27. True complexity and its associated ontology George F. R. Ellis; 28. The three origins: cosmos, life and mind Marcelo Gleiser; 29. Autonomous agents Stuart A. Kauffman; 30. To see a world in a grain of sand Shou-Cheng Zhang; Appendix A. Science and ultimate reality program committees; Appendix B. Young researchers competition in honor of John Archibald Wheeler for physics graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and young faculty.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE TIMES SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEARNEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF THE YEARFINALIST FOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYA revelatory and vibrant story of measurement which will make you look at the world around you anew.''A wildly ambitious book by a formidably talented young writer.''ROBERT MACFARLANE''Vivid, epic, and full of curiosities. This is a book to delight and fascinate.''TIM HARFORD, bestselling author of How to Make the World Add Up''Beyond Measure offers, with much intellectual flair and style, a bracing new history: how the once innocent urge to quantification took over our lives, our sense of ourselves and the world.''PANKAJ MISHRAThe exact value of this book is hard to quantify. Weighty, precise and satisfyingly obsessive, it's also an absolute pleasure to read.'SIMON GARFIELD, bests

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisStrevens proposes a novel theory of scientific explanation and understanding that overhauls and augments the familiar causal approach to explanation. The result is an account of explanation that has especially significant consequences for the higher-level sciences: biology, psychology, economics, and other social sciences.Trade ReviewDepth is an excellent book--the best treatment of explanation in the philosophical literature. Strevens draws on a wealth of scientific and philosophical knowledge to craft a theory that is true to the facts about how scientific explanation actually works, while avoiding the traps that have snared previous attempts at providing a systematic theory. -- Brian Weatherson, Cornell UniversityStrevens proposes a substantial revision and upgrading of traditional causal approaches to explanation in the sciences. Focusing on what he calls "causal difference-making," the non-causal relation "entanglement," and requiring progressive abstraction toward deeper explanatory models employing lower-level causal laws, Strevens outlines a theory of explanation that will no doubt attract a significant amount of interest--especially among those interested in the structure of the biological and social sciences (for which it has interesting consequences)...Although the concepts are not easy ones, and even though the arguments are directed at professionals, undergraduates will be able to read this book with profit. The very brief final chapter on the aesthetics of explanation raises thought-provoking questions that readily invite response from students, other philosophers, or possibly Strevens himself. In short, this is a valuable book for any program that includes the philosophy of science. -- C. D. Kay * Choice *This volume will prove indispensable for philosophers working in the field of explanation...Strevens's book provides an excellent survey of recent argumentation on causal explanation with a rigorous defense of his own brand of explanation. -- Jeremy S. Kirby * Quarterly Review of Biology *[An] impressive book...Depth provides many intellectually stimulating and highly original thoughts on a number of critical and venerable philosophical topics. Any philosopher of science today will surely find it to be a rewarding read. -- Stephan Hartmann and Jonah N. Schupbach * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Table of Contents* List of Figures* and Table** * Preface * Part I. The Causal Approach to Explanation *1. Approaches to Explanation *1.1 Causal Explanation and Explanatory Relevance *1.2 Preliminaries *1.3 Accounts of the Explanatory Relation *1.4 The Causal Element in Explanation *1.5 The Pursuit of Explanation *2. Causal and Explanatory Relevance *2.1 The Minimal Causal Account of Event Explanation *2.2 The Problem of Relevance *2.3 The Probabilistic Solution *2.4 The Counterfactual Solution *2.5 The Manipulationist Solution * Part II. The Kairetic Account of Explanation *3. The Kairetic Account of Difference-Making *3.1 Overview of the Kairetic Account *3.2 Causal Models *3.3 States of Affairs *3.4 The Eliminative Procedure *3.5 Abstraction and Optimizing *3.6 Cohesion *3.7 The Optimizing Procedure *3.8 Rival Accounts of Difference-Making Reconsidered *4. The Kairetic Account of Explanation *4.1 Standalone Explanation *4.2 Difference-Making and Transitivity in Compound Explanations *4.3 Comparing Standalone Explanations *4.4 Laplacean Blindness *5. Extending the Kairetic Account *5.1 Quantifying Explanatory Relevance *5.2 Trading Off Accuracy for Generality *5.3 The Explanatory Framework *5.4 Black Boxes, Functional Properties, and Multiple Realizability *5.5 Aggregative Explanation *5.6 Contrastive Explanation *5.7 Beyond Causal Explanation *6. Event Explanation and Causal Claims *6.1 Background Conditions versus Causes *6.2 Preemption *6.3 Nonevents as Difference-Makers *6.4 Nonevents as Explananda *6.5 Transitivity *6.6 Three Kinds of Causation * Part III. Explanation of Laws and Regularities *7. Regularity Explanation *7.1 Approaches to Regularity Explanation *7.2 Explaining Laws with Mechanisms *7.3 Basing Generalizations *7.4 Property Laws *7.5 Other Laws *7.6 The Metaphysics of High and Low *8. Abstraction in Regularity Explanation *8.1 Problems of Abstraction in Regularity Explanation *8.2 Explaining Boyle's Law *8.3 A Theory of Idealization *8.4 Mathematically Driven Explanation * Part IV. Probabilistic Explanation *9. Approaches to Probabilistic Explanation *9.1 Explanatory Questions *9.2 Varieties of Probabilistic Explanation: Examples *9.3 Varieties of Probabilistic Explanation: Commentary *9.4 Accounts of Probabilistic Explanation *9.5 Elitism versus Egalitarianism *9.6 Probability and Determinism *9.7 Formal Elements of the Kairetic Approach *10. Kairetic Explanation of Frequencies *10.1 Probabilistic Explanation in Deterministic Systems *10.2 Explanation with Complex Probability *10.3 Explanation with Quasiprobability *10.4 Elitism versus Egalitarianism the Kairetic Way *10.5 Regularity Explanation and Probabilistic Metaphysics *11. Kairetic Explanation of Single Outcomes *11.1 Single Outcome Explanation *11.2 Robustness *11.3 Nonexplanatory Probability-Raisers *11.4 Nonexplanatory Critical Events *11.5 Elitism and Egalitarianism Revisited * Part V. Valediction *12. Looking Outward *12.1 Biology: Probabilistic Explanation *12.2 Psychology: Content and Explanation *12.3 Economics: Abstraction *12.4 Explanatory Autonomy *13. Looking Inward * Notes * References * Index ** Figures *2.1 The counterfactual and manipulationist tests for difference-making contrasted *3.1 A compound causal model for a window's breaking *4.1 A compound standalone explanation *4.2 Intensification: inserting an intermediate setup *4.3 The structure of a hybrid causal model *6.1 A single event as both a backup cause and an actual cause *7.1 A bridge diagram for interlevel explanation *9.1 Examples of probabilistic causal models *10.1 An evolution function for a simple wheel of fortune *10.2 A probability density function over initial conditions *10.3 The frequency produced by a microconstant evolution function is equal to the strike ratio, provided that the initial-condition density is macroperiodic *10.4 A nonmacroperiodic initial-condition density over a microconstant evolution function may produce a frequency that differs from the strike ratio *10.5 An evolution function with imperfect microconstancy *11.1 A probabilistic model for a bombing death expanded to show all probabilistic outcomes *11.2 An alternative expanded probabilistic model for a bomb-related death *11.3 A typical microconstant explanation of a long-run frequency expanded to show the probabilistic derivation's route through the macroperiodicity of the actual initial-condition distribution *** Table *9.1 Positions in the elitism/egalitarianism debate

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMagisterial—merging primatology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology and evolution…Makes an impressive argument that most distinctly human traits are established early in childhood and that the general chronology in which these traits appear can at least—and at last—be identified. -- David P. Barash * Wall Street Journal *How does human psychological growth run in the first seven years, in particular how does it instill ‘culture’ in us? Tomasello addresses this question…by comparing us to chimpanzees and bonobos. Most of all, how does the capacity for shared intentionality and self-regulation evolve in people? This is a very thoughtful and also important book. -- Tyler Cowen * Marginal Revolution *An empirically rich view of human uniqueness that is not only informed by developmental psychology but also by cross-cultural and comparative research. Becoming Human is a theory of human origins, but it is first and foremost an attempt to understand the constant unfolding of our nature. -- Ivan Gonzalez‐Cabrera * History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences *No philosophical question is older than What are we, we humans? Michael Tomasello contributes a splendid, empirically based answer to this hoary debate in Becoming Human. -- Benjamin Gregg * International Dialogue *Theoretically daring, experimentally ingenious, and astonishingly generative, Becoming Human squarely tackles the abiding question of what makes us human. -- Susan Gelman, University of MichiganThis grand synthesis of three decades of collaborative research at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig is a landmark in our understanding of human development. -- Paul Harris, Harvard UniversityBecoming Human is destined to become a classic. Anyone who is interested in cognitive science, child development, human evolution, or comparative psychology should read this book. It surely would have provoked a letter from Darwin—an intellectual ancestor, along with Vygotsky, of this scientific masterpiece. -- Andrew Meltzoff, University of WashingtonThis is a must-read from a thinker who has had a major hand in our current understanding of the genealogy of human uniqueness and character. -- Henry Wellman, University of Michigan

Read more less

Book SynopsisHomology - a similar trait shared by different species and derived from common ancestry, such as a seal's fin and a bird's wing - is one of the most fundamental yet challenging concepts in evolutionary biology. This book provides a mechanistically based theory of what homology is and how it arises in evolution.Trade Review"Homology, Genes, and Evolutionary Innovation makes a seminal contribution to evolutionary biology. As Wagner argues, his view provides an opportunity for a major research program on the study of novelty as distinct from adaptation."--Carl Simpson and Douglas H. Erwin, Science "There is much information that is good here."--Choice "The book is beautifully written, in a precise yet conversational and often humorous tone; still, it is not light reading. Like the chocolate tortes of the author's native Vienna, it requires time to savor. Buy it, and find a seat in your favorite library or cafe in which to appreciate its richness."--J. A. Bolker, Evolution and Development "This is a book I've waited for all of my professional life (plus a bit--I'm 80)."--Gorkana Group, Biologist "[A]s a treatise on the homology concept in relation to evolutionary morphological novelties, we cannot think of a better current treatment. We congratulate the author for having written a truly inspiring book that will influence the field for many years to come."--Lennart Olsson, Systematic Biology "It is with great pleasure that readers may learn in the pages of Gunter Wagner's book how to solve such recalcitrant de Beerian puzzles by their own, guided by the author's expertise both as a gifted philosopher and first rank scientist... Wagner's beautifully written four hundred and twenty five pages are full of important qualifications of the framework and excellent illustrations of each and every of the author's points."--Guillermo Lorenzo Gonzalez, Theorema "[A]s a treatise on the homology concept in relation to evolutionary morphological novelties, we cannot think of a better current treatment. We congratulate the author for having written a truly inspiring book that will influence the field for many years to come."--Systematic Biology "Deeply thought provoking... This survey of homology in the light of modern genetic research ... is timely and helpful."--Peter Moore, The BulletinTable of ContentsPreface xi Introduction What This Book Aims to Do and What It Is Not 1 PART I: Concepts and Mechanisms CHAPTER 1 The Intellectual Challenge of Morphological Evolution: A Case for Variational Structuralism 7 Contrasting Ontologies 9 Facts and Ideas about Bodies 20 Re-focusing on the Role of Development 26 The Emergence of Molecular Structuralism 29 The Enigma of Developmental Variation 37 CHAPTER 2 A Conceptual Roadmap to Homology 39 Two Observations: Sameness and Continuity 40 A Detour into Genetics: Homologous Genes 44 Character Identity and Character States 51 Characters and Character States: Who Is Who? 54 Variational Modalities: More Than One Way of Being a Certain Character 58 Character Identity and Repeated Body Parts: Serial Homology 65 Character Swarms: Persistent Cases of Partial Individuality 71 Alternative Conceptualizations of Homology 71 A Case for Conceptual Liberalism 78 Sorting Patterns of Morphological Variation 79 CHAPTER 3 A Genetic Theory of Homology 82 Why Continuity of Genetic Information Is Not Enough 82 Lessons from the Variable Development of Homologs 90 Homeotic Genes and Character Identity 93 A Model: Character Identity Networks 96 Variation and Conservation of Segment Development 98 Eye Development and the ey/so/eya/dac (ESED) Networks 102 The Role of Protein-Protein Interactions 114 Characteristics of Character Identity Networks 117 CHAPTER 4 Evolutionary Novelties: The Origin of Homologs 119 Modes of Evolution 120 Revisiting the Conceptual Roadmap: Which Way to Novelty? 123 Phenomenological Modes for the Origin of Type I Novelties 127 From Phenomenology to Explanation 135 Explaining Robustness and Canalization 151 Natural Selection and the Origin of Novelties: A Roundup 156 CHAPTER 5 Developmental Mechanisms for Evolutionary Novelties 158 The Environment's Role in Evolutionary Innovations 158 Where Does the Positional Information for Novel Characters Come From? 164 Derived Mechanical Stimuli and the Origin of Novelties in the Avian Hind Limb Skeleton 170 The Origin of Character Identity Networks 173 The Evolution of Novel Signaling Centers 175 The Developmental Biology of Novelties: Reflections 184 CHAPTER 6 The Genetics of Evolutionary Novelties 186 Evolution of cis-Regulatory Elements 187 Are Novel Pigment Spots Novelties, and Why Does It Matter? 195 Sex Combs: The Origin of a ChIN 199 Origin of Novel cis-R egulatory Elements: Transposable Elements 204 The Role of Gene Duplications 209 Evolution of Transcription Factor Proteins 213 The Evolution of miRNAs 224 A Material Difference between Innovation and Adaptation? 227 CHAPTER 7 The Long Shadow of Metaphysics on Research Programs 229 Metaphysics as the Sister of Science 230 Classes and Individuals 232 Individuals and Natural Kinds 238 Definitions and Models 240 PART II : Paradigms and Research Programs CHAPTER 8 Cell Types and Their Origins 250 Developmental Genetics of Cell Types 253 The Evolutionary Origin of Cell Types 272 Case Studies of Cell Typogenesis 280 Concluding Reflections 292 CHAPTER 9 Skin and a Few of Its Derivatives 294 Developmental Evolution of Amniote Skin and Skin Appendages 296 Mammalian Skin Derivatives: Hairs and Breasts 304 Devo-Evo of Bird Skin: Scales into Feathers 308 Origin of Feathers 313 CHAPTER 10 Fins and Limbs 327 Paired Fins 327 From Fins to Limbs 333 Concluding Reflection on the Nature of Character Identity 354 CHAPTER 11 Digits and Digit Identity 356 The Origin of Digits 356 Digits Come and Go: Is There a Pentadactyl Ground Plan? 357 Developmental and Morphological Heterogeneity of the Tetrapod Hand 359 Digit Loss and Re-evolution in Amniotes 365 The Pentadactyl Autopodium (PDA) Type 366 Developmental Genetics of Digit Identity 369 Digit Identity: Real or Imaginary? 374 A Fingerpost on the Nature of Character Identity 382 CHAPTER 12 Flowers 385 What Is a Flower? 386 Angiosperm Phylogeny and Flower Character Evolution 389 Genetics of Canonical Flower Development 391 The Developmental Genetic Architecture of the Flower Bauplan 396 Flower Variation and Novel Flower Organ Identities 398 The Origin of the Bisexual Flower Developmental Type 401 Perianth Evolution and the Origin of Petals 407 Genetics of Organ Identity: Challenges from Gene Duplication 412 Summary and Conclusions 414 CHAPTER 13 Lessons and Challenges 416 What Are the Core Claims of This Model of Homology? 416 Characters Are Real But Historically Limited 418 Homology Is Not Hierarchical 420 The Quasi-C artesian Model of Character Identity 421 Character Individuality and Gene Regulatory Network Cooperativity 422 Open Questions and Difficulties 423 Population, Tree, and Homology Thinking 424 References 427 Index 467

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor a thing to be real, it must be able to communicate with other things. If this is so, then the problem of being receives a straightforward resolution: to be is to be in communion. So the fundamental science, indeed the science that needs to underwrite all other sciences, is a theory of communication. Within such a theory of communication the proper object of study becomes not isolated particles but the information that passes between entities. In Being as Communion philosopher and mathematician William Dembski provides a non-technical overview of his work on information. Dembski attempts to make good on the promise of John Wheeler, Paul Davies, and others that information is poised to replace matter as the primary stuff of reality. With profound implications for theology and metaphysics, Being as Communion develops a relational ontology that is at once congenial to science and open to teleology in nature. All those interested in the intersections of theology, philosophy and science should read this book.Trade Review’This is a clear, fresh, stimulating, and provocative book. I enjoyed reading it, and recommend it to anyone who would like to think more deeply about information, evolution and creativity.’ Rupert Sheldrake, University of Cambridge, UK 'Being as Communion is a masterpiece. Dembski's treatment of information is deep, rich and staggeringly original, gathering together many different threads from theology, philosophy and science. In an intellectual world that prizes outrageous proposals, Dembski modestly seeks to turn the world upside down by making the case that information is more fundamental than matter or energy. He thereby illuminates the primacy of mind in the cosmos. This book is a fresh and significant threat to materialist imperialism.’ Mark Fitzmaurice, General Medical Practitioner, Sydney, Australia ’William Dembski is one of the most original and rigorous thinkers of his generation, and his new book, Being as Communion, pulls together in a satisfying way the many threads in the theory of design and information that he has developed over the last 15 years. Philosophical and theological critics of the intelligent design movement need to read this book, since here Dembski definitively smashes the common caricatures and misrepresentations of the movement, including the notion that ID is committed to a metaphysics that is mechanist, dualist, interventionist, or occasionalist. Dembski argues persuasively that information cannot be simply identical with its physical manifestations, and that the concepts of information and teleology are indispensable tools for the contemporary metaphysician.’ Robert C. Koons, University of Texas - Austin, USA ’The first Scientific Revolution was the recognition that the book of nature was written in mathematics. The second Scientific Revolution - that the chapter on biology is written in information theory - is taking place in our lifetime. Biology is replete with information, from the genetic code and intricaTable of ContentsPreface 1 The Challenge of a Material World 2 Free Will: The Power of No 11 3 Information as Ruling Out Possibilities 4 Possible Worlds 5 Matrices of Possibility 6 Measuring Information 7 Information Theory 8 Intelligence vs. Nature? 9 Natural Teleological Laws 10 Getting Matter from Information 11 The Medium and the Message 12 Embodiment and Transposition 13 Energy 14 An Informationally Porous Universe 15 Determinism 16 Contingency and Chance 17 Search 18 Conservation of Information 19 Natural Selection 20 The Creation of Information 21 A World in Communion

Read more less

Book SynopsisForeground Following the Logos through the Labyrinth of Life.- One From The Elusive Primeval Logos to the Open-Ended Great Plan of Life.- One The Primeval Logos.- Two Life and Non-Life.- Three Life in Its Specifics.- Tying Point One The Manifestation of Life Through the Nature-Life Complex and Its Radius.- Nature -Life.- Two Embodiment And the Transformation of Sense.- One The Embodiment of the Logoic Lifedynamics and The Phases of the Conversion of Sense.- Two The Gathering of the Dynamic Logoic Threads.- Three The Embodiment of the Logos in the Second Phase: Transformation of Sense.- Four Voluminosity Crystalizing the Vital Dimension of Beingness.- Five The Differentiation of the Logos in Constitutive and Intelligible Expression.- Tying Point Two Anticipating the Manifestation of the Logos of Life.- One Metaphysics of Manifestation Logos in the Individualization of Life, Sociability, and Culture.- Two Spontaneity, Constructive Dynamism, and Ciphering in the Human Condition.- Three MaTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. In praise of philosophy. Introduction. Foreground. Following the logos through the labyrinth of life. Part One: From the elusive primeval logos to the open-ended great plan of life. 1. The primeval logos. 2. Life and non-life. 3. Life in its specifics. Tying point one. The manifestation of life through the nature-life complex and its radius. Nature-life. Part two: Embodiment and the transformation of sense. 1. The embodiment of the logoic life dynamics and the phases of the conversion of sense. 2. The gathering of the dynamic logoic threads. 3. The embodiment of the logos in the second phase: transformation of sense. 4. Voluminosity crystalizing the vital dimension of beingness. 5. The differentiation of the logos in constitutive and intelligible expression. Tying point two. Anticipating the manifestation of the logos of life. 1. Metaphysics of manifestation. Logos in the Individualization of Life, Sociability, Culture. 2. Spontaneity, constructive dynamism, and ciphering in the human condition. Part III: Manifestation and differentiation. 1. The surging manifestation of life. 2. The strategies of differentiation and harmony in the self-individualizing life process. 3. Ontopoietic diversity and the unity of apperception. Tying point three. The great plan of life anticipating the triadic logos. 1. The esoteric logos. 2. The great plan of life, the esoteric passion of the mind. Part IV: The emergence of the triadic logos: the turning point. 1. The manifestation of the intellection in the universe in the triadic logos: the turning point. 2. Knowledge and cognition in the self-individualizing progress of life. 3. The creative rise of the human spirit. Tying point four. The logos of subliminal passions - their crucial role in human self-interpretation in existence. 1. The passion for place as the thread leading out of the labyrinth of life. 2. Spacing/Scanning as the foundational function of individualization within the territory of life. 3. The release of subliminal yearnings. Part V: The promethean direction of the logos of life in quest of accomplishment. 1.The human self in the communal fabric. 2. From Husserl's formulation of the soul-body problem to the differentiation of faculties. 3. Telos and destiny. Tying point five. Introducing the measure: Chronos and Kairos. Introduction. Life's timing itself vs. the human esoteric passion for accomplishment. 1. Chronos and Kairos: ordering on the one side and radiating on the other. 2. Chronos and Kairos seen in their ontopoietic roles. Part VI: The strategies of impetus/equipoise in communal sharing-in-life. 1. The fulguration of the logos in the `overt' strategies of the existential interaction. The Communal Significance of Life. 2. The dialectic junction in the logoic strategies: moral law vs. commitment. 3. The creative forge of the logos within the human condition. The Twilight of Consciousness, the Human Virtues. 4. Moral and civic virtue as the bedrock of the manifest game of life, the cornerstone of dynamic social equipoise. Tying point six. The golden measure: toward a new enlightenment. The meta-ontopoietic closure. Notes. Index of names.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSummarizing this century's major debates over realism and the rationality of scientific knowledge, Joseph Rouse believes that these disputes oversimplify the political and cultural significance of the sciences. He provides an alternative understanding of science that focuses on practices rather than knowledge.Rouse first outlines the shared...Trade ReviewAn ambitious attempt to outline an alternative to the dominant philosophical and social constructivist efforts to make sense of science.... [Rouse] extends his examination of practice, local knowledge, and the politics of science into a full-fledged conception of philosophy of science as cultural studies. * Isis *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIlluminates the importance of the early history of cloning for the biosciences and their institutional, disciplinary, and intellectual contexts.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTogether, they reveal how tools and data from automated textual analysis, or machine “reading,” combined with methods and models from game theory and cultural evolutionary theory, can begin to answer fundamental questions about the nature and history of science.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines the phenomenological and cultural roots of Goethe's approach to science, and argues that Goethe's insights represent the foundation for a future science of nature.Trade Review'Henri Bortoft is one of the world's foremost experts on Goethean science.'David Lorimer, Scientific & Medical Network'This is a gem of a book. Bortoft has made Goethe's thinking available in a particularly clear way.'-- David Peat, author of Blackfoot Physics'Bortoft shows how the contemporary impulse for participatory science can be realized. What's more, the book is beautifully written.'-- Brian Goodwin, author of Nature's Due and How the Leopard Changed Its Spots

Read more less

Book SynopsisIncludes Whewell's seminal studies of the logic of induction (with his critique of Mill's theory), arguments for his realist view that science discovers necessary truths about nature, and exercises in the epistemology and ontology of science. This book sets forth a coherent statement of a historically important philosophy of science.

Read more less

Book SynopsisControl is a key ingredient of scientific experimentation; arguably, an uncontrolled intervention or manipulation is not even a genuine experiment. Experiments in the life sciences, however, are notoriously difficult to control due to the complexity and variability of living things. This Element discusses general features of controlled experimentation, epistemic and practical aspects, and historical perspectives. It argues that controlled experimentation has a material-technical and a conceptual side. It shifts the focus from control experiments, comparisons with a control, to the broader issue of controlling for background factors as the epistemologically fundamental issue in experimentation. To understand the nature of controlled experimentation, one needs to consider the making ? the design phase ? of controlled experiments, particularly the conceptualization and treatment of background factors. The making of controlled experiments is at the same time constitutive for the knowledge that can be gained in the experiment, contingent on a research situation, and historically shaped.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the first book dedicated to the topic of epistemic autonomy. It features original essays from leading scholars that promise to significantly shape future debates in this emerging area of epistemology.While the nature of and value of autonomy has long been discussed in ethics and social and political philosophy, it remains an underexplored area of epistemology. The essays in this collection take up several interesting questions and approaches related to epistemic autonomy. Topics include the nature of epistemic autonomy, whether epistemic paternalism can be justified, autonomy as an epistemic value and/or vice, and the relation of epistemic autonomy to social epistemology and epistemic injustice.Epistemic Autonomy will be of interest to researchers and advanced students working in epistemology, ethics, and social and political philosophy.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Puzzles Concerning Epistemic Autonomy Jonathan Matheson and Kirk LougheedPart I: The Nature of Epistemic Autonomy 1. Epistemic Autonomy and Externalism J. Adam Carter 2. Autonomy, Reflection, and EducationShane Ryan 3. The Realm of Epistemic EndsCatherine Elgin 4. Professional Philosophy Has an Epistemic Autonomy ProblemMaura Priest Part II: Epistemic Autonomy and Paternalism 5. Norms of Inquiry, Student-Led Learning, and Epistemic Paternalism Robert Mark Simpson 6. Persuasion and Intellectual Autonomy Robin McKenna 7. What’s Epistemic about Epistemic Paternalism? Liz Jackson Part III: Epistemic Autonomy and Epistemic Virtue & Value 8. Intellectual Autonomy and Intellectual Interdependence Heather Battaly 9. The Virtue of Epistemic Autonomy Jonathan Matheson 10. Understanding and the Value of Intellectual Autonomy Jesús Vega-Encabo 11. Epistemic Myopia Chris Dragos12. Intellectual Autonomy and its Vices Alessandra Tanesini 13. Gaslighting, Humility, and the Manipulation of Autonomy Javier González de Prado Part IV: Epistemic Autonomy & Social Epistemology 14. Epistemic Autonomy for Social Epistemologists: The Case of Moral Inheritance Sarah McGrath 15. Epistemic Autonomy and the Right to be ConfidentSanford Goldberg 16. We Owe it to Others to Think for OurselvesFinnur Dellsén 17. Epistemic Self-Governance and Trusting the Word of Others: Is There a Conflict?Elizabeth Fricker

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book develops a new approach to naturalizing phenomenology. The author proposes to integrate phenomenology with the mechanistic framework that offers new methodological perspectives for studying complex mental phenomena such as consciousness.While mechanistic explanatory models are widely applied in cognitive science, their approach to describing subjective phenomena is limited. The author argues that phenomenology can fill this gap. He proposes two novel ways of integrating phenomenology and mechanism. First, he presents a new reading of phenomenological analyses as functional analyses. Such functional phenomenology delivers a functional sketch of a target system and provides constraints on the space of possible mechanisms. Second, he develops the neurophenomenological approach in the direction of dynamic modeling of experience. He shows that neurophenomenology can deliver dynamical constraints on mechanistic models and thus inform the search for an Trade Review"Mechanisms and Consciousness expresses a new voice in the naturalizing phenomenology debate. Marek Pokropski proposes to rethink the issues involved in naturalization in the context of recent discussions about explanatory integration in the cognitive sciences. He provides a lucid overview of the relevant explanatory models, and he articulates a fresh and thought-provoking look at Husserlian phenomenology, bridging it with the seemingly opposite, neomechanistic approach. I recommend this book for those who are intrigued about how to integrate the first-person study of consciousness with cognitive neuroscience."Shaun Gallagher, Lillian and Morrie Moss Professor of Philosophy, University of Memphis, USA"Marek Pokropski's book is an excellent contribution to the discussion on mechanistic explanation. By bringing naturalized phenomenology under the mechanistic umbrella, Pokropski offers a highly compelling view on how naturalized phenomenology may proceed further in the study of consciousness. For all serious students of consciousness and phenomenology, this book is a must-read."Marcin Miłkowski□, Polish Academy of Sciences"As Pokropski rightly notes, work on naturalizing phenomenology is often couched in terms of 20th Century conceptions of scientific explanation and integration, ignoring the growing popularity of mechanistic accounts in recent years. Pokropski’s book should change that for the better. Anyone seeking to integrate phenomenology with cognitive science will benefit from reading it."Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews"Marek Pokropski’s book is a valuable and honest voice in the still heated discussion on the relationship of phenomenology and cognitive sciences. What distinguishes the presented position is, above all, the original, mechanistic-based, integrative perspective, which assumes, first of all, the cooperation of researchers working in various paradigms."Michał Piekarski, Philosophical Psychology"Pokropski shows a strong familiarity with an impressive range of topics across different traditions and disciplines. Readers unfamiliar with work at the intersection of phenomenology and cognitive neuroscience, or with work on mechanistic explanation in the mind sciences, would benefit from a great deal of the text. Overall, Pokropski’s work makes a contribution to the ongoing dialogue between phenomenological philosophy and the empirical sciences of the mind. Readers sympathetic with the (neo)mechanistic approach to cognition will find a number of places in which that approach is brought into fruitful engagement with topics from Husserl’s work."Michael Madary, Husserl Studies"This is an excellent work which makes an innovative and fruitful contribution to the literature. What is novel about the book is its detailed consideration of a topic that has garnered much attention in cognitive science and analytic philosophy over the last 70 years, but which remains (comparatively) understudied in the phenomenological movement: explanation."Heath Williams, Phenomenology and the Cognitive SciencesTable of ContentsIntroductionPart I. Integrating Phenomenology with Cognitive Science1. The Concept of Phenomenology 2. Naturalizing Phenomenology Reconsidered3. Models of Explanation in Cognitive SciencePart II. Phenomenology and Mechanism: In Search of Constraints 4. Phenomenology and Functionalism 5. Phenomenology and Dynamical Modeling6. Conclusion: Towards Methodologically Guided Mutual Constraints

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat do philosophy and computer science have in common? It turns out, quite a lot!In providing an introduction to computer science (using Python), Daniel Lim presents in this book key philosophical issues, ranging from external world skepticism to the existence of God to the problem of induction. These issues, and others, are introduced through the use of critical computational concepts, ranging from image manipulation to recursive programming to elementary machine learning techniques. In illuminating some of the overlapping conceptual spaces of computer science and philosophy, Lim teaches readers fundamental programming skills and allows them to develop the critical thinking skills essential for examining some of the enduring questions of philosophy.Key Features Teaches readers actual computer programming, not merely ideas about computers Includes fun programming projects (like digital image manipulation and Game of Life simulation)Trade Review"Philosophy and computer science have fascinating interconnections concerning knowledge, reality, and morality. With clarity and insight, Daniel Lim’s book provides an excellent introduction to computing and philosophical investigation. He valuably shows how philosophical arguments and computer programs can combine to address deep questions about thinking and the world."Paul Thagard, University of Waterloo, Canada Table of ContentsPreface 1: Philosophy and Computer Science 2: Python 3: Algorithms 4: Logic 5: Iteration 6: Image Manipulation 7: Skepticism 8: Functions 9: Mind 10: Game of Life 11: Free Will 12: Recursion 13: God 14: Data 15: Machine Learning 16: Induction 17: AI Ethics 18. Solutions Appendix

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book explores the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence Psychology (AIPsy) on human psychology, identity, theology, and agency, addressing the urgent need to define the future of humanity amidst evolving technological landscapes.The book challenges traditional notions of human uniqueness and agency, contemplating the transformative potential of a technological singularity where AI may surpass human intelligence, rendering civilization obsolete. Divided into four sections, it covers the psychological implications of AI on human cognition and behaviour, analyses theological perspectives on AI, re-examines agency and identity in the age of AI, and fosters a multidisciplinary dialogue synthesizing insights from psychology, theology, ethics, philosophy, computer science, and sociology. Key chapters explore human-AI interaction, trust in AI, and the emerging field of Artificial Intelligent Machine Psychology (AIPsy), alongside theological dilemmas, divine intelligence, moral responsibility, and the legal rights of creative intelligent machines.Positioned as a critical resource for scholars, researchers, theologians, ethicists, psychologists, and policymakers, the book aims to deepen our understanding of the complex relationship between humanity and AI, guiding informed decisions and ethical considerations in the transformative era of AI.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe holy grail of theoretical physics is to find the theory of everything that combines all the forces of nature, including gravity. This book addresses the question: how far are we from such discovery? Over the last few decades, multiple roads to finding a quantum theory of gravity have been proposed but no obvious description of nature has emerged in this domain. What is to be made of this situation? This volume probes the state-of-the art in this daunting quest of theoretical physics by collecting critical interviews with nearly forty leading theorists in this field. These broad-ranging conversations give important insights and candid opinions on the various approaches to quantum gravity, including string theory, loop quantum gravity, causal set theory and asymptotic safety. This unique, readable overview provides a gateway into cutting edge research for students and others who wish to engage with the open problem of quantum gravity.Trade Review'The two great achievements in fundamental physics of the 20th century are quantum mechanics, embodied in the standard model of particle physics, and general relativity, Einstein's theory of gravity. Their reconciliation is the challenge that is addressed in these fascinating interviews with many of the leading experts. Superstring theory, also developed in the 20th century, is the leading candidate to provide the answer, but other ideas are being explored. The wide range of viewpoints presented gives the reader a sense of this profound challenge.' John H. Schwartz, Harold Brown Professor of Theoretical Physics, Emeritus, Caltech'Conversations on Quantum Gravity is a unique resource for students and researchers of quantum gravity, for philosophers and sociologists of science, and for future historians of physics. Jácome Armas has admirably accomplished a herculean task: 37 interviews, peppered with his provocative questions informed by a broad appreciation of the scope of the physics problems and the panoply of approaches to solving them, and copiously referenced to the relevant literature.' Ted Jacobson, Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland'This book presents an unconventional ten-year 'long-exposure photograph' of the evolving research field of quantum gravity. In this field, there is potential for breakthroughs in interlinking diverse approaches, many of which are covered in this book. Thus the book provides an informative read to complement more specialised textbooks. It is suitable for students, researchers and anyone interested in learning what practitioners of quantum gravity consider as the critical obstacles to understanding quantum spacetime.' Astrid Eichhorn, CP3-Origins, University of Southern Denmark'… students and professionals will find the book an excellent portal into the field … Highly recommended.' A. Spero, Choice Magazine'As the title states, it consists of experts discussing their research, but at a level which should be accessible to all physicists who have a basic idea as to why a theory of quantum gravity is worth looking for. I recommend it highly to those and to future historians who want to know what those people were really thinking.' Phillip Helbig, The ObservatoryTable of ContentsIntroduction, The Interviews: 1. Jan Ambjørn; 2. Nima Arkani-Hamed; 3. Abhay Ashtekar; 4. Jan de Boer; 5. Steven Carlip; 6. Alain Connes; 7. Robbert Dijkgraaf; 8. Bianca Dittrich; 9. Fay Dowker; 10. Laurent Freidel; 11. Steven Giddings; 12. Rajesh Gopakumar; 13. David J. Gross; 14. Gerard 't Hooft; 15. Petr Horava; 16. Renate Loll; 17. Juan Maldacena; 18. Shiraz Minwalla; 19. Hermann Nicolai; 20. Roger Penrose; 21. Joseph Polchinski; 22. Alexander Polyakov; 23. Martin Reuter; 24. Carlo Rovelli; 25. Nathan Seiberg; 26. Ashoke Sen; 27. Eva Silverstein; 28. Lee Smolin; 29. Rafael Sorkin; 30. Andrew Strominger; 31. Leonard Susskind; 32. Thomas Thiemann; 33. Cumrun Vafa; 34. Erik Verlinde; 35. Steven Weinberg; 36. Frank Wilczek; 37. Edward Witten; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMany scientists regard mass and energy as the primary currency of nature. In recent years, however, the concept of information has gained importance. Why? In this book, eminent scientists, philosophers and theologians chart various aspects of information, from quantum information to biological and digital information, in order to understand how nature works. Beginning with a historical treatment of the topic, the book also examines physical and biological approaches to information, and its philosophical, theological and ethical implications.Trade Review'This is the anthology we have been waiting for … Philosophers, theologians and scientists all have their say, wrestling with the theme of God as the ultimate informational and structuring principle in the universe.' Professor Sir Brian Heap, President, European Academies Science Advisory Board, German Academy of SciencesTable of Contents1. Introduction: does information matter?; Paul Davies and Niels Henrik Gregersen; Part I. History: 2. From matter to materialism … and (almost) back Ernan McMullin; 3. Unsolved dilemmas: the concept of matter in the history of philosophy and in contemporary physics Philip Clayton; Part II. Physics: 4. Universe from bit Paul Davies; 5. The computational universe Seth Lloyd; 6. Minds and values in the quantum universe Henry Pierce Stapp; Part III. Biology: 7. The concept of information in biology John Maynard Smith; 8. Levels of information: Shannon-Bolzmann-Darwin Terrence W. Deacon; 9. Information and communication in living matter Bernd-Olaf Küppers; 10. Semiotic freedom: an emerging force Jesper Hoffmeyer; 11. Care on earth: generating informed concern Holmes Rolston; Part IV. Philosophy and Theology: 12. The sciences of complexity - a new theological resource? Arthur Peacocke; 13. God as the ultimate informational principle Keith Ward; 14. Information, theology and the universe John F. Haught; 15. God, matter, and information: towards a Stoicizing Logos christology Niels Henrik Gregersen; 16. What is the 'spiritual body'? Michael Welker; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this original and integrated approach to theoretical reasoning in physics, Malcolm Longair illuminates the subject from the perspective of real physics as practised by research scientists. Concentrating on the basic insights, attitudes and techniques that are the tools of the modern physicist, this approach conveys the intellectual excitement and beauty of the subject. Through a series of seven case studies, an undergraduate course in classical physics and the discovery of quanta are reviewed from the point of the view of how the great discoveries and changes of perspective came about. This approach illuminates the intellectual struggles needed to attain understanding of some of the most difficult concepts in physics. Longair''s highly acclaimed text has been fully revised and includes new studies on the physics of fluids, Maxwell''s great paper on equations for the electromagnetic field and problems of contemporary cosmology and the very early universe.Trade Review'… a brilliant exposé of theoretical reasoning adds discussions on properties of fluids and more concepts related to gravitational waves and cosmology ... Excellent indexing, including an author index, along with many helpful diagrams and useful chapter notes, add utility and charm.' F. Potter, ChoiceTable of ContentsPreface and acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; Case Study I. The Origins of Newton's Laws of Motion and of Gravity: 2. From Ptolemy to Kepler: the Copernican Revolution; 3. Galileo and the nature of the physical sciences; 4. Newton and the law of gravity; Case Study II. Maxwell's Equations: 5. The origin of Maxwell's equations; 6. Maxwell (1865): A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field; 7. How to rewrite the history of electromagnetism; Case Study III. Mechanics and Dynamics: Linear and Non-Linear; 8. Approaches to mechanics and dynamics; 9. The motion of fluids; 10. Dimensional analysis, chaos and self-organised criticality; Case Study IV. Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics: 11. Basic thermodynamics; 12. Kinetic theory and the origin of statistical mechanics; Case Study V. The Origins of the Concepts of Quantisation and Quanta: 13. Black-body radiation up to 1895; 14. 1895–1900: Planck and the spectrum of black-body radiation; 15. Planck's theory of black-body radiation; 16. Einstein and the quantisation of light; 17. The triumph of the light quantum hypothesis; Case Study VI. Special and General Relativity: 18. Special relativity: a study in invariance; 19. An introduction to general relativity; Case Study VII. Cosmology and Physics: 20. Cosmology; 21. Dark matter, dark energy and the inflationary paradigm; Notes; Author index; Subject index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf the laws of nature are fine-tuned for life, can we infer other universes with different laws? How could we even test such a theory without empirical access to those distant places? Can we believe in the multiverse of the Everett interpretation of quantum theory or in the reality of other possible worlds, as advocated by philosopher David Lewis? At the intersection of physics and philosophy of science, this book outlines the philosophical challenge to theoretical physics in a measured, well-grounded manner. The origin of multiverse theories are explored within the context of the fine-tuning problem and a systematic comparison between the various different multiverse models are included. Cosmologists, high energy physicists, and philosophers including graduate students and researchers will find a systematic exploration of such questions in this important book.Trade Review'In recent years multiverse theories have attracted a great deal of attention among physicists, promising simple resolutions to fundamental long-standing problems. Philosopher of science Simon Friederich provides here a valuable, careful examination of these claims and their relation to testable science. The problems posed by the advent of such theories that arguably cannot be shown to be wrong seem to be here to stay. Friederich's comprehensive and even-handed account of all sides of the question of where we are now with this new sort of science has an important role to play.' Peter Woit, Columbia University'Friederich offers an excellent even-handed philosophical discussion of multiverse theories. By providing the first single-authored philosophical book on the topic, he moves multiverse issues towards the center of contemporary philosophy of physics and demonstrates that physical thinking about the multiverse may profit from philosophical considerations. The book will be of profound interest both for philosophers and physicists.' Richard Dawid, Stockholm University'For those who are sceptical or agnostic about a multiverse, this book brings many interesting questions to light, and it certainly issues challenges to the enthusiast. Physicist readers may find the philosophical approach … demanding at times, but the writing is very clear on the whole, with a pleasant style, and Friederich maintains a balanced position among the many different points of view that he addresses … I would certainly recommend this ground-breaking book for any reader who is interested in cosmology.' Peter J. Bussey, Contemporary Physics'The book is well written. I recommend it highly.' Phillip Helbig, The Observatory magazine'Friederich (Univ. of Groningen) explores the latter concept in this book, paying particular attention to the meaning of probability as it applies to the possible values of the fundamental constants, the concept of fine-tuning, and the testability of multiverse theories.' A. Spero, Association of American Publishers'This book is one of the best introductions to the significance of this topic for theology today. The exhaustive bibliography of science, philosophy,history, epistemology, and mathematics at the end of the volume is, by itself, worth the price of this book.' Nick Overduin, Calvin Theological Journal'… Friederich makes a significant up-to-date contribution to the ongoing de-bate surrounding the possible existence of a multiverse, a gigantic, usually infinite, collection of universes. He professes to do so as an unbiased philosopher with no axe to grind, and his treatment does indeed seem a very fair assessment of different sides of the debate.' Rodney Holder, Science and Christian BeliefTable of ContentsPreface; Part I. Setting the Stage: 1. Introduction; 2. The fine-tuning considerations; 3. Fine-tuning for life and design; Part II. Fine-tuning for Life and the Multiverse: 4. The standard fine-tuning argument; 5. Problems with priors; 6. A new fine-tuning argument; Part III. Testing Multiverse Theories: 7. Testing multiverse theories: approach; 8. Approaching practice; 9. Puzzles of self-locating belief; Part IV. Wider Still and Wilder: 10. Other multiverses; 11. Outlook; References; Subject index; Author index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAncient theories of the soul were influenced decisively by general assumptions about basic properties of living things, especially 'heat' and 'breath' (pneuma). This volume considers the relationship of the notions of heat, breath (pneuma), and soul in ancient Greek philosophy and science from the Presocratics to Aristotle.Trade Review'Ultimately, the volume makes a fine case for a collection of essays examining heat, pneuma, and soul through Aristotle, and it ably advances the scholarly discussion on them.' Rhodes Pinto, Stanford UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction. Ancient philosophy and science at the crossroads of metaphysics and medicine Colin Guthrie King; Heat, pneuma and soul in the medical tradition Hynek Bartoš; Part I. Early Greek Philosophy and Medicine: 1. Fire, heat and motive force in early Greek philosophy and medicine Gábor Betegh; 2. Parmenides on the soul Shaul Tor; 3. The spirit in the flesh: Empedocles on embodied soul Simon Trépanier; 4. Out of thin air? Diogenes on causal explanation Bryan C. Reece; 5. Soul, life and nutrition in the Timaeus Thomas K. Johansen; 6. De spiritu on heat and its roles in the formation, composition and activities of animals Orly Lewis; Part II. Aristotle: 7. Heat, meteorology and spontaneous generation Malcolm Wilson; 8. Aristotle on 'the nature in the pneuma' and the first body Karel Thein; 9. Aristotle on the powers of thermic equilibrium Tiberiu Popa; 10. Why animals must keep their cool: Aristotle on the need for respiration (and other forms of cooling) James G. Lennox; 11. Soul's tools Jessica Gelber; 12. When life imitates art: vital locomotion and Aristotle's craft analogy Patricio Fernandez and Jorgé Mittelmann; 13. Blood, πνεῦμα, or something more solid? Aristotle on the material structure of perceptual apparatus Robert Roreitner; 14. The pathological role of pneuma in Aristotle Patrick Macfarlane.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis Element extensively surveys the contemporary debate on answering the question of what constitutes cognitive scientific progress. It provides a critical summary of the key literature on the issue over the past fifteen years. It proposes an anti-realist answer to questions whose standards are ultimately subjective.Table of Contents1. The contemporary debate on scientific progress: what constitutes cognitive progress?; 2. On second order cognitive goodness makers: the aim(s) of science; 3. Inventing cognitive progress: a subjectivist, quasi-error theoretic, view; References.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis Element looks at the problem of inter-translation between mathematical realism and anti-realism and argues that so far as realism is inter-translatable with anti-realism, there is a burden on the realist to show how her posited reality differs from that of the anti-realist. It also argues that an effective defence of just such a difference needs a commitment to the independence of mathematical reality, which in turn involves a commitment to the ontological access problem the problem of how knowable mathematical truths are identifiable with a reality independent of us as knowers. Specifically, if the only access problem acknowledged is the epistemological problem i.e. the problem of how we come to know mathematical truths then nothing is gained by the realist notion of an independent reality and in effect, nothing distinguishes realism from anti-realism in mathematics.Table of Contents1. What are we Talking about?; 2. Inter-translatability; 3. Two Access Problems; 4. Independence; 5. Justification.

Read more less