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The pursuitworthiness of experiments in neurolinguistics
Full text linkThis paper explores the pursuitworthiness of experiments in neurolinguistics by investigating whether criteria for pursuitworthiness can be established for experiments in this field and, if so, which factors are most relevant. Drawing on a detailed analysis of research practices and case studies in neurolinguistics, we propose that pursuitworthiness in this domain should be evaluated along two dimensions: methodological and pragmatic. These dimensions, while both essential, stand in an asymmetrical relationship: methodological criteria primarily serve as non-negotiable thresholds for epistemic adequacy, filtering the space of viable experiments, whereas pragmatic criteria, although context-sensitive, play a role in guiding comparative prioritization within that viable space. Additionally, we critically assess Jamie Shaw’s distinction between luxury and urgent science by exploring its utility in mapping the interplay between methodological and pragmatic criteria. We contend that, while the distinction offers valuable theoretical insights, its applicability to neurolinguistics is limited, mainly due to difficulties in predicting which experiments will yield the most impactful outcomes. Ultimately, our analysis demonstrates the value of adopting a structured yet context-sensitive approach to experimental pursuitworthiness in neurolinguistics, grounded in the interplay of methodological integrity and pragmatic viability
A SUFFICIENT CONDITION FOR DISENTANGLING CAUSAL OVERDETERMINATION
Full text linkCausal overdetermination occurs when distinct events make symmetrical causal contributions to the occurrence of an effect. A criterion is called for that would allow us to distinguish cases where the overdetermining causes are on par with the effect from those where they are not. This study provides a partial answer to this question. To this end, we introduce a novel approach to characterize causal relations in terms of algebraic structures. Starting with a formal definition of symmetric redundancy couched in terms of the symmetries of the causal structure, we prove that, if such symmetries satisfy certain conditions, then the causal roles of overdetermining causes can be individuated in principle
The right to participate in science. Navigating cooperation among epistemic jurisdictions
Full text linkMichela Massimi takes steps in defining the notion of ‘epistemic cooperation’. By contrast with institutional and legal cooperation, Massimi understands ‘epistemic cooperation’ primarily as cooperation among ‘epistemic jurisdictions’. The latter are understood as jurisdictions concerning the allocation of knowledge and expertise (i.e. who the experts are in a given scientific domain of inquiry). Massimi elucidates a received view of epistemic jurisdiction which she calls the territory-centred view and shows its shortcomings when it comes to understanding the value and significance of cooperation among different ways of knowing. Massimi proposes an alternative view—the community-based view.
Instead of allocating expertise and knowledge to silos, the community-based view focuses on the
situated knowledge of epistemic communities. It highlights the reciprocal and relational (rather than
mutually exclusive) interactions among ways of knowing, which are key to the implementation of the
right to participate in science and to the collective pursuit of goals of justice
The Fate of Behavioral Modernity
Full text linkOver the past twenty years, empirical and theoretical advances have significantly reshaped the research agenda on “behavioral modernity” and its conceptualization. Major shifts involve the material signatures of the phenomenon, the general archaeological pattern, the proposed mechanisms of evolutionary change, and species attribution. In response, some researchers have called for eliminating the concept altogether. In this paper, I contend that, while eliminativist arguments are gaining traction, their justification remains unsatisfactory. I consider three angles of attack: (1) the relationship between “anatomical” and “behavioral” modernity and their purported shared fate, and two explicit eliminativist positions as advanced by (2) Shea (2011) and (3) Garofoli (2016). I suggest that major concerns can be addressed through conceptual “housekeeping” and, possibly as a result, “relabeling”, while contending that the ongoing debate has not yet erased a fundamental explanandum—a transition—that still warrants further investigation. This pertains to a conceptual core that has not yet been defeated. Thus, I suggest that tempering enthusiasm towards the concept’s elimination is more conducive to a nuanced discussion of archaeology’s practice and aims
Eternalism and Everettian Quantum Mechanics
Full text linkThis paper shall explore the conjunction of eternalism and Everettian quantum mechanics. It shall be argued that there is a strong analogy between these two views. In case there is an indefinite number of worlds and observers that are all equally real, there should be an indefinite number of local times which are all also equally real. Whereas Everettianism, specifically the diverging version, treats
actuality indexically, relativistic eternalism treats tense indexically. All times exist analogously to all isolated Everettian worlds. There is no unique ‘now’ that cuts throughout all that physically exists. Instead, as eternalism propounds, all times exist. The paper concludes that eternalism and the many-worlds interpretation are
not only compatible but complement each other, providing a coherent framework for understanding the nature of temporal reality
Quantum Theory from a Pragmatist Perspective
Full text linkThis essay offers a pragmatist perspective on quantum theory. From a pragmatist perspective an individual human is first and foremost an evolved organism—a part of the natural world. Applications of quantum theory have improved our understanding of that world, despite lack of consensus on the measurement problem and the problem of non-local action. The quantum measurement problem involves reconciling quantum theory with the fact that measurements have outcomes of the sort of the theory was created to predict and (as far as possible) explain. Observed violations of Bell inequalities portend non-local influence. But from a pragmatist perspective, there is no non-local influence, and the measurement problem does not arise, although a measurement outcome remains an (objective) relative fact. RQM, QBism and convivial solipsism are alternative forms of relativism. The naturalism Rovelli claims as a virtue of RQM is a robust form of object naturalism: for a subject-naturalist, it requires too much. QBism and convivial solipsism both appeal to phenomenal experience. QBists consider quantum states, Born probabilities and measurement outcomes personal to the agent applying quantum theory, not simply to a physical situation in which that agent might find herself
The Rapid Arrival of Josiah Willard Gibbs's Elementary Principles in Statistical Mechanics in European University Libraries
Full text linkThis note offers an overview of how Josiah Willard Gibbs's Elementary Principles in Statistical Mechanics, published simultaneously in London and New York in 1902, spread through European university libraries. Contrary to the received idea that the circulation of this text was slow, information gathered through direct contacts with numerous academic libraries, together with an examination of Yale University's archives, reveals an unexpectedly rapid material diffusion beginning on 15 March 1902. This early propagation can be explained by several channels: presentation copies sent by Yale University to leading universities, personal mailings by Gibbs himself to prominent scientists, and the distribution of copies by the American publisher to major scientific journals
Grouping approaches to PFAS and industry funding: a case study on the findings of a recent panel of experts
Full text linkPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of chemicals, whose carbonfluorine bonds allow a wide range of industrial applications but also make them highly persistent. Since there is evidence about only a few of them and their properties may vary, one of the pressing issues regarding PFAS is how to group them for different purposes. In this paper, I aim to show how a recent panel of experts about grouping PFAS was co-opted in a way that favor the fluorine industry. The panel consisted of eleven experts, including authors renowned for views in conflict with fluorine industry regulatory approaches, answering questions through an online application. Its main results along with the experts’ answers were published in 2022 in the journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. Through a detailed analysis of all the material published and in dialogue with the literature about industry-funded research, I will present how choices in the design of the panel (e.g., which kind of consensus the exercise could capture, the ways questions were framed or even changed), in textual analysis (e.g., criteria for assembling opinions) and in the communication of the findings (e.g., what gets included or excluded) were made in an industry friendly way affecting two specific grouping approaches. I conclude with some lessons about this kind of influence of industry funding
One-Factor versus Two-Factor Theory of Delusion: Replies to Sullivan-Bissett and Noordhof
Full text linkI would like to thank Sullivan-Bissett and Noordhof for their stimulating comments on my 2023 paper in Neuroethics. In this reply, I will (1) articulate some deeper disagreements that may underpin our disagreement on the nature of delusion, (2) clarify their misrepresentation of my previous arguments as a defence of the two-factor theory in particular, and (3) finally conduct a comparison between the Maherian one-factor theory and the two-factor theory, showing that the two-factor theory is better supported by evidence
Toward a More Accurate Notion of Exploratory Research (And Why it Matters)
Full text linkThe paper analyzes the notion of exploration that can be found in the distinction between exploratory and confirmatory research, which is sometimes appealed to in the metascience literature. We argue that this notion (a) differs in important respects from previous works in exploratory data analysis and (b) contains some counterintuitive assumptions about the nature of exploration. Engaging with works in the history and philosophy of experimentation and modeling, we develop and defend a more comprehensive and accurate notion of exploration and argue that it is better suited for a normative analysis of exploratory research