Articles tagged with Science Philosophy
Dr. Tom McClelland from the University of Cambridge believes that our current evidence is insufficient to determine whether artificial intelligence has achieved consciousness. He suggests that sentience, which involves positive and negative feelings, is a more critical factor in making AI ethically significant.
Scientists developed a novel catalyst system that can generate hydrogen from methane at lower temperatures while minimizing carbon buildup. The breakthrough achieved high methane conversion rates and demonstrated remarkable stability, pointing to cheaper and greener production methods for clean transportation and industrial processes.
The University of Cincinnati has established the Center for Explainable, Ethical and Trustworthy AI (CEET) with a $498,430 federal grant. The center will explore AI explainability, ethics, and trustworthiness through research and public engagement initiatives.
A new thesis on Uppsala University's Main Building delves into its architectural design, exploring how the building deviated from original plans. The study reveals the significance of antiquity-inspired themes, including a dragon mural and plaster casts of statues.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A University of Kansas scholar argues that democratic values have been transgressed in recent years, and proposes seven accountability standards to prevent further erosion. The standards focus on authority, rights, tolerance, truth claims, and professional deference.
A recent survey found that less than half of the U.S. public trusts scientists to overcome human and political biases. Despite high confidence in science overall, many question whether scientists live up to their values. The study highlights the need for trust to be earned through the scientific enterprise's efforts.
The study proposes moving beyond binary interpretations of statistical results, encouraging unfiltered reporting and cumulative evidence-based conclusions. Authors argue that NHST can lead to biased research practices and distorted literature.
Bitemark analysis, commonly used in court trials, lacks scientific backing due to the uniqueness of human teeth on skin. A study of 26 people wrongfully convicted based on this evidence reveals a high rate of distortion, rendering it unreliable for identification purposes.
A new study suggests that simple limitations in neural responses explain visual illusions, rather than deeper psychological processes. Researchers developed a model that combines information on neural firing speeds, pattern perception, and natural scene assumptions to predict how animals see colour and understand visual illusions.
Researchers aim to characterize theory structure using symmetry, but find it doesn't capture enough information for a thorough comparison of complexity. They explore alternative approaches to measuring structural complexity, but ultimately conclude that symmetry-based methods may be limited.
Research highlights centuries-old manipulation of photos and videos, raising questions about the social problems behind deepfakes, including the objectification of women and dehumanization of marginalized groups. Dr. Joshua Habgood-Coote argues for media reform and institutional change to combat these issues.
A new study found that reflecting on life values before a debate can inspire individuals' intellectual humility, with 60.6% of participants showing more humility compared to the average person. The researchers suggest this process could lead to more harmonious debates in online and offline worlds.
A new paper provides evidence-based strategies to create safer experiences for marginalized gender and sexual identities in ecological field research. The authors recommend comprehensive protocols, safety plans, inclusive housing policies, and affirming healthcare to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
A York University expert argues that invertebrates can feel pain, have emotions, and deserve moral consideration. Research suggests that decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs are sentient, challenging traditional views on animal welfare.
A Michigan State University scholar is warning about conflicts of interest in research, advising readers to apply everyday skepticism and check reputable scientific societies for guidance. Case studies show groups with financial interests have deliberately withheld or distorted information to achieve desired results.
Clement Loo, a University of Cincinnati doctoral student, presented his research on invasive species and the Shifting Balance Theory at an international conference. His paper argues that this theory is more nuanced than traditional Fisherian gradual mass selection in understanding the evolution of invasiveness.
Dana S. Scott, a renowned mathematician, has been awarded the Sobolev Institute Gold Medal for his fundamental contributions to contemporary logic and domain theory. He will receive the award at the Malt'sev Meeting in Novosibirsk, Russia.
Research has identified five hotspots of high mercury contamination in fish and birds across eastern North America, posing a risk to human health and wildlife. The study highlights the need for stricter regulations on mercury emissions from coal-fired power stations and municipal waste incinerators to mitigate this environmental threat.
The Stevens Institute of Technology has launched its list of 100 Greatest Science Books, featuring prominent works such as The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James and A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Readers are encouraged to engage with the list, share their opinions, and nominate additional candidates.
Peter Lynds' paper challenges assumptions about determined instantaneous physical magnitude and time, proposing a necessary trade-off between precisely determined physical values and continuity through time. He addresses long-standing issues in physics, including cosmology and the role of imaginary time.