【Philosophy】African philosophy cannot be a thing
This essay unpacks several arguments about the metaphilosophic nature of African philosophy and charts a way through the problems these arguments enco... [more]
【Philosophy】Fusion Philosophy and Epistemic Injustice
I use the concept of epistemic injustice to think through the practice and methodology of comparative, or fusion, philosophy. I make two related claim... [more]
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Platonic number in the 'Parmenides' and 'Metaphysics' XIII
I argue here that a properly Platonic theory of the nature of number is still viable today. By properly Platonic, I mean one consistent with Plato's own theory, with appropriate extensions to take into account subsequent developments in mathematics. at P
Kierkegaard and what we mean by 'philosophy'
Against influential views to the contrary, notably formulated in Henry Allison's Christianity and Nonsense, it is argued that Kierkegaard's Concluding Unscientific Postscript is not in itself, as a whole or in any part, an elaborate joke. The work conta
Dreams in the history of philosophy
For 2,500 years western philosophers showed great interest in dreams-as subjects, examples, analogies, and contexts. Since 1960 this interest has declined, while scholars in other disciplines continue to study dreams, often addressing philosophical issues
Island biogeography and the multiple domains of models
This paper adopts a symmetrical approach to controversies over R.H. MacArthur and E.O. Wilson's equilibrium model of island biogeography, in order to show how different interpretations of the model depend upon different philosophical understandings of th
Socio-ecological webs and sites of sociality: Levins' strategy of model building revisited
This essay extends Levins' 1966 analysis of model building in ecology and evolutionary biology. A model, as the product of modeling, might be valued according to its correspondence to reality. Yet Levins' emphasis on provisionality and change redirects
Evolution of strategies to stay in the game
Life-history evolution is a complex process. Life-history theory covers the fundamental level of the process, the evolution of life-history traits. Life-history traits interact; those coevolving as a response to the same selection pressure form life-histo
Beyond the nature-culture dualism
It is commonly accepted that the western view of humanity's place in nature is dominated by a dualistic opposition between nature and culture. Historically this has arisen from externalization of nature in both productive and cognitive practices; instanc
The backward induction argument
The backward induction argument purports to show that rational and suitably informed players will defect throughout a finite sequence of prisoner's dilemmas. It is supposed to be a useful argument for predicting how rational players will behave in a vari
The 'natural' and the 'formal' (Logic)
The paper presents an argument against a 'metaphysical' conception of logic according to which logic spells out a specific kind of mathematical structure that is somehow inherently related to our factual reasoning. In contrast, it is argued that it is a
Winch's philosophical bearings
Winch's The Idea of a Social Science is explicitly based on a conception of philosophy. This article outlines and criticizes this conception, and then explores the relevance of this for Winch's conception of social science. Winch identifies philosophy w
Darwin on variation and heredity
Darwin's ideas on variation, heredity, and development differ significantly from twentieth-century views. First, Darwin held that environmental changes, acting either on the reproductive organs or the body, were necessary to generate variation. Second, h
Labeling products of biotechnology: Towards communication and consent
Recently, both consumers and producers of biotechnology products have insisted that communication between the two be improved. The former demand more democratic participation in the risk assessment process of biotechnology products. The latter seek to cor
Stewardship of natural resources: Definition, ethical and practical aspects
Stewardship is potentially a useful concept in modernizing management philosophies. Use of the term has increased markedly in recent years, yet the term is used loosely and rarely defined in land management literature. The connections between this practic
The precautionary principle and pesticides
In 1998, Greenpeace, Natuur en Milieu (Nature and Environment), Milieudefensie (Environmental Defense), and the National Consumers Union presented a report about the possible risks and hazards associated with pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables. A
How to apply ethical principles to the biotechnological production of food -: The case of bovine gro
Ben Mepham has proposed that a matrix be used in the analysis of ethical problems in food production and elsewhere. In particular cases, this matrix would ideally cross the most important moral principles involved, and the individuals and groups affected