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4597521.60038
Primitivism about the direction of time is the thesis that the direction of time does not call for an explanation because it is a primitive posit in one’s ontology. In the literature, primitivism has in general come along with a substantival view of time according to which time is an independent substance. In this paper, we defend a new primitivist approach to the direction of time –relational primitivism. According to it, time is primitively directed because change is primitive. By relying on Leibnizian relationalism, we argue that a relational ontology of time must be able to distinguish between spatial relations and temporal relations to make sense of the distinction between variation and change. This distinction, however, requires the assumption of a primitive directionality of change, which ushers in the direction of time. Relational primitivism is an attractive view for those who want to avoid substantivalism about time but retain a primitive direction of time in a more parsimonious ontology.
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4597540.600458
In this paper I argue that the concept of time-reversal invariance in physics suffers from metaphysical underdetermination, that is, that the concept may be understood differently depending on one’s metaphysics about time, laws, and a theory’s basic properties. This metaphysical under-determinacy also affects subsidiary debates in philosophy of physics that rely on the concept of time-reversal invariance, paradigmatically the problem of the arrow of time. I bring up three cases that, I believe, fairly illustrate my point. I conclude, on the one hand, that any formal representation of time reversal should be explicit about the metaphysical assumptions of the concept that it intends to represent; on the other, that philosophical arguments that rely on time reversal to argue against a direction of time require additional premises.
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4638476.600471
Game theorists and foreign policy analysts have known for long that it sometimes pays off to make others believe that you’re irrational or even “mad.” To understand why, consider the general structure of what can be called the Commitment Problem:
(i) You would want (because this is in your interest) that Other does X. …
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4654499.600481
The problem of the priors is well known: it concerns the challenge of identifying norms that govern one’s prior credences. I argue that a key to addressing this problem lies in considering what I call the problem of the posteriors—the challenge of identifying norms that directly govern one’s posterior credences, which then induce constraints on the priors via the diachronic requirement of conditionalization. This forward-looking approach can be summarized as: Think ahead, work backward. Although this idea can be traced to Freedman (1963), Carnap (1963), and Shimony (1970), it has received little attention in philosophy. In this paper, I initiate a systematic defense of forward-looking Bayesianism, addressing potential objections from more traditional views (both subjectivist and objectivist) and arguing for its advantages. In particular, I develop a specific approach to forward-looking Bayesianism—one that treats the convergence of posterior credences to the truth as a fundamental rather than derived normative requirement. And I argue that this convergentist approach is crucial for a Bayesian justification of Ockham’s razor and for establishing a Bayesian foundation for machine learning and artificial intelligence.
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4690060.600499
Humans are a di erent kind of animal. Our species has a bigger ecological range, cooperates on larger scales, and makes greater use of tools than any other vertebrate species. Many scholars argue that these novel features of human biology are the result of enhanced cognitive ability, especially the ability to create causal explanations of natural phenomena. An alternative hypothesis holds that cumulative cultural evolution has a central role, and that causal reasoning plays a secondary role. This chapter reviews this debate arguing that there are a range of models that di er about the role of causal reasoning, trial-and-error learning, and biased cultural learning. It then presents a laboratory study that indicates that cumulative cultural evolution can occur without causal understanding and an eld study among Hadza hunter-gatherers that shows that the design of an essential foraging tool does not depend on a complete understanding of the costs and bene ts of alternative designs.
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4712851.60051
Einstein's special and general relativity emerged from his systematic analysis of three seminal thought experiments: chasing a light beam, the train-platform scenario, and the equivalence principle. Following this tradition of using Gedankenexperiments as core theoretical tools, we examine eight fundamental thought experiments through the lens of Presentist Fragmentalism - a framework positing that reality consists of fragments with independent A-series temporal flows connected by B-series relations. Our analysis spans both relativistic scenarios (Einstein's train) and quantum phenomena (EPR correlations, delayed choice eraser, Schrodinger’s Cat), demonstrating how this interpretation naturally resolves apparent paradoxes without sacrificing causality or introducing faster-than-light signaling. The framework's success in systematically resolving these diverse thought experiments, while preserving both relativistic and quantum principles, suggests it captures fundamental features of physical reality. Just as Einstein's resolution of three key paradoxes led to relativity, we argue that the consistent resolution of these eight Gedankenexperiments provides compelling support for Presentist Fragmentalism as a unified framework for understanding quantum and relativistic phenomena.
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4712870.600523
The validity of a virtual human-based research methodology, in which simulated humans are used to generate knowledge about real humans, depends on substantiating multiple correspondence claims which are currently indefensible. One must substantiate that real and virtual humans are sufficiently similar with respect to their (1) control structures, (2) environments and embodied experiences, (3) adaptive histories and attunements, (4) social and cultural contexts, and (5) institutional contexts. If one’s confidence in any of these correspondences is undermined, then the foundation of this approach will crumble.
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4712891.600535
What is active touch? A common conception of active touch gives a rough but rather intuitive sketch. That is, active touch can be understood as mainly object-oriented, controlled movement. While parts or the totality of this characterization is espoused by an important number of researchers on touch, I will argue that this conception faces important challenges when we pay close attention to each of its features. I hold that active touch should be considered as before all else purposive. This view has its roots in the active sensing literature in robotics but will be amended to give insight into human touch in the natural world.
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4770527.600545
It is often said that successful scientific research must be built on trust. Focusing on the alleged necessity of trust for successful scientific communication and thus for scientific cooperation (which underlies much of contemporary science), I argue that science mustn’t be built on trust. Appearances to the contrary come from a failure to distinguish different attitudes toward scientists’ testimony, in particular trusting and relying on other scientists. This article proposes an account of scientific reliance and explains how it differs from scientific trust; it also shows why this distinction matters for science.
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4770544.600554
In this article I study how the problem of time of canonical approaches to quantum gravity affects the simple minisuperspace models used in quantum cosmology. I follow some authors who have argued that this issue makes the quantization of general relativity problematic to conclude that the same applies in the case of quantum cosmology. In particular, I argue that temporal structures are lost in quantization and that this is a problem, as they encode part of the empirical content of classical cosmology, such as the age of the universe.
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4770574.600566
When choosing between two courses of action having the same two possible outcomes, we should choose the act for which the conditional chance of the preferred outcome, given its performance, is higher. This simple principle is, I argue, both a basic condition of instrumental rationality and the core of our conception of chance. To support this latter claim, I show that it in the presence of very weak rationality conditions on choice, the principle implies: 1. A version of Lewis’ Principal Principle (and that the converse is false). 2. Stochastic Dominance: a principle endorsed by all main theories of rational decision making under risk. 3. That the evidential and causal decision values of an act, conditional on the chances, are the same.
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4770610.600585
Quantum Mechanics has been the most spectacularly successful theory in the history of science. As is often mentioned the accuracy to which the gyromagnetic ratio of the electron can be calculated is a staggering nine decimal places. Quantum Mechanics has revolutionized the study of radiation and matter since its inception just over one hundred years ago. The impact of the theory has been felt in such fields as solid state physics, biochemistry, astrophysics, materials science and electronic engineering, not to mention chemistry, the subject of this conference. Quantum Mechanics offers the most comprehensive and most successful explanation of many chemical phenomena such as the nature of valency and bonding as well as chemical reactivity. It has also provided a fundamental explanation of the periodic system of the elements that summarizes a vast amount of empirical chemical knowledge. Quantum Mechanics has become increasingly important in the education of chemistry students. The general principles provided by the theory mean that students can now spend less time memorizing chemical facts and more time in actually thinking about chemistry. I hope that with these opening words I have succeeded in convincing the audience that I do not come before you to deny the power and influence of Quantum Mechanics in the field of chemistry.
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4770629.600603
In an article published in the Journal of Chemical Education in 2003 I made a number of criticisms concerning what I saw as confusions and problems within the constructivist approach to chemical education (Scerri, 2003). Recently a response was published by the chemical educator, Keith Taber (Taber, 2010). I would now like to take this opportunity to the twentieth century. I believe that this presents a problem for Taber for two reasons. First of all, logical positivism is now a highly discredited view of the nature of science. Moreover, logical positivism has been traditionally, and rather contemptuously, derided by constructivist science educators (e.g., Spencer, 1999).
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4789934.600613
1. Trump’s proposal for the US to “take over” Gaza and expel its inhabitants is, like nearly everything else Trump has said and done over the past two weeks and indeed the past decade, completely batshit insane. …
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4828305.600622
How to explain the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect remains deeply controversial, particularly regarding the tension between locality and gauge invariance. Recently Wallace argued that the AB effect can be explained in a local and gauge-invariant way by using the unitary gauge. In this paper, I present a critical analysis of Wallace’s intriguing argument. First, I show that the unitary gauge transforms the Schrodinger equation into the Madelung equations, which are expressed entirely in terms of local and gauge-invariant quantities. Next, I point out that an additional quantization condition needs to be imposed in order that the Madelung equations are equivalent to the Schrodinger equation, while the quantization condition is inherently nonlocal. Finally, I argue that the Madelung equations with the quantization condition can hardly explain the the AB effect, even if in a nonlocal way. This analysis suggests that the unitary gauge does not resolve the tension between locality and gauge invariance in explaining the AB effect, but highlights again the profound conceptual challenges in reconciling the AB effect with a local and gauge-invariant framework.
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4828325.600631
The geometry of the universe is today widely believed to be flat based on combined data obtained during the 2000s. Prior to this, the geometry of the universe was essentially unknown. However, within the relevant literature one finds claims indicating a strong preference for a (nearly) closed universe, based on philosophical and other “non-experimental” reasons. The main aim of this article is to identify these reasons and assess the extent to which philosophical reasoning influenced the establishment of the dark matter hypothesis and the development of models for a closed universe. Building on groundwork laid by de Swart (2020), this study expands the discussion by (a) arguing that opinions on the geometry of the universe during the 1970s and 1980s were more divided than often assumed, (b) uncovering a lesser-known Machian argument for flat geometry proposed by Dennis Sciama, and (c) presenting a fine-tuning argument stemming from the ‘coincidence problem’ articulated by Robert Dicke. The study provides a nuanced perspective on how philosophical considerations contributed to shaping early views on cosmology and dark matter and highlights the significant role philosophical reasoning can play in guiding scientific inquiry in physics.
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4828344.600641
We introduce what we call the paradox of self consultation: This is the question of how apriori inquirers, like philosophers, mathematicians, and linguists, are able to (successfully) investigate matters of which they are initially ignorant by systematically questioning themselves. A related phenomenon is multiple grades of access: We find it extremely hard to think up analyses of our concepts that do not suffer from counterexamples; moderately hard to think up counterexamples to proposed analyses; and trivial to verify that a provided counterexample is genuine. We consider a range of potential explanations, including two-system approaches, and show why they are unsatisfactory, despite being on the right track. We then proceed to give a naturalistic solution to the paradox and multiple grades of access. In doing so, we present a novel theory of epistemic work, which we connect to formal learning theory.
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4828363.600651
Several philosophers of science have taken inspiration from biological research on niches to conceptualise scientific practice. We systematise and extend three niche-based theories of scientific practice: conceptual ecology, cognitive niche construction, and scientific niche construction. We argue that research niches are a promising conceptual tool for understanding complex and dynamic research environments, which helps to investigate relevant forms of agency and material and social interdependencies, while also highlighting their historical and dynamic nature. To illustrate this, we develop a six-point framework for conceptualising research niches. Within this framework, research niches incorporate multiple and heterogenous material, social and conceptual factors (multi-dimensionality); research outputs arise, persist and differentiate through interactions between researchers and research niches (processes); researchers actively respond to and construct research niches (agency); research niches enable certain interactions and processes and not others (capability); and research niches are defined in relation to particular entities, such as individual researchers, disciplines, or concepts (relationality), and in relation to goals, such as understanding, solving problems, intervention, or the persistence of concepts or instruments (normativity).
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4828383.600662
This paper is about a problem which arose in mathematics but is now widely considered by mathematicians to be a matter “merely” for philosophy. I want to show what philosophy can contribute to solving the problem by returning it to mathematics, and I will do that by elucidating what it is to be a solution to a mathematical problem at all.
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4869602.600676
We can use a Mahatma Ghandi or a Mother Teresa as a moral exemplar to figure out what our virtues should be. But we cannot use an Usain Bolt or a Serena Williams as a physical exemplar to figure out what our physical capabilities should be. …
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4892697.600686
Preliminary Note: The following is very speculative! I’ve been writing occasionally on AI here, especially about how the advent of AI may change our conception of ourselves as agents (here, here, and here). …
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4940591.600695
Angelic visitations in our world are at best rare, and at worst they never occur at all. Not so in Neil Fisk’s world. There, angelic visitations are common – and often deadly. Neil lost his wife to such a visitation, and he’s hated God ever since. The problem with this hatred is that Neil is quite sure his wife is in heaven, as he saw her soul ascending and has never seen her walking around in hell during the frequent glimpses the living are given of the underworld. Since Neil thinks he cannot willingly become devout, he must rely on a divine glitch; those who are caught in heaven’s light during an angelic visitation involuntarily become devout, and thus go to heaven. Luckily for Neil, he drives into a beam of heaven’s light, loses his sight, and becomes devout. Unluckily for Neil, God sends him to hell anyway.
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4941369.600707
I consider applications of “AI extenders” to dementia care. AI extenders are AI-powered technologies that extend minds in ways interestingly different from old-school tech like notebooks, sketch pads, models, and microscopes. I focus on AI extenders as ambiance: so thoroughly embedded into things and spaces that they fade from view and become part of a subject’s taken-for-granted background. Using dementia care as a case study, I argue that ambient AI extenders are promising because they afford richer and more durable forms of multidimensional integration than do old-school extenders like Otto’s notebook. They can be tailored, in fine-grained ways along multiple timescales, to a user’s particular needs, values, and preferences—and crucially, they can do much of this self-optimizing on their own. I discuss why this is so, why it matters, and its potential impact on affect and agency. I conclude with some worries in need of further discussion.
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4943697.600717
The article summarizes the present state of research into the conceptual foundations of the periodic table. We give a brief historical account of the development of the periodic table and periodic system, including the impact of modern physics due to the discoveries of Moseley, Bohr, modern quantum mechanics etc. The role of the periodic table in the debate over the reduction of chemistry is discussed, including the attempts to derive the Madelung rule from first principles. Other current debates concern the concept of an “element” and its dual role as simple substance and elementary substance and the question of whether elements and groups of elements constitute natural kinds. The second of these issues bears on the question of further debates concerning the placement of certain elements like H, He, La and Ac in the periodic table.
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4945180.600726
Discussions on the compositionality of inferential roles concentrate on extralogical vocabulary. However, there are nontrivial problems concerning the compositionality of sentences formed by the standard constants of propositional logic. For example, is the inferential role of AB uniquely determined by those of A and B? And how is it determined? This paper investigates such questions. We also show that these issues raise matters of more significance than may prima facie appear.
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4962247.600735
A recent interviewer asked Tyler Cowen to explain falling birth rates, and he puckishly responded, “Do you have kids?” His point: Anyone who knows what kids are actually like can instantly understand why adults are reluctant to have them. …
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5036545.600744
A few years ago, scientists feared they’d lose their jobs if they said anything against diversity programs. I was against that. Now scientists fear they’ll lose their jobs if they say anything for diversity programs. …
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5116696.600753
The advancement of and prospects for stem cell research raise a number of specific ethical issues. While navigating the ethical landscape of stem cell research is often challenging for biology researchers and biotechnology innovators, it is also difficult for the public and other persons of concern (from ethicists to policymakers) to grasp the technicalities of a burgeoning field that develops in many directions. Organoids are one of these new biotechnological constructs that are currently eliciting a rich debate in bioethics. In this guide, we argue that different types of organoids have different emerging properties with different ethical implications. Going from general properties to particular ones, we propose a typology of organoid technology and other associated biotechnology from a philosophical and ethical perspective. We point to relevant ethical issues and try to convey the sense of uncertainty peculiar to ongoing research and emerging technological objects.
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5116714.600762
Spacetime singularities are expected to disappear in quantum gravity. Singularity resolution prima facie supports the view that spacetime singularities are mathematical pathologies of general relativity. However, this conclusion might be premature. Spacetime singularities are more accurately understood as global properties of spacetime, rather than things. Therefore, if spacetime emerges in quantum gravity – as it is often claimed – then so may its singular structure. Although this proposal is intriguing, the attempt to uphold that spacetime singularities may be emergent fails. I provide three arguments in support of this claim, drawing upon different views on spacetime emergence.
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5174356.600772
The range of animal practices potentially classified as medical varies widely both functionally and mechanistically, and there is no agreed upon definition of medicine that can help determine which cases ought to count as such. In this paper, we argue that all available definitions are fatally flawed and defend our own characterisation of medicine, which incorporates both functional and mechanistic constraints. We apply our definition to the available evidence and determine which animal behaviours show a mere difference of degree with paradigmatic medical practices—and should thus be seen as medicine proper—and which should be excluded from this nomenclature.