This paper seems meant to raise questions. Likely it does: “Painlessly Killing Predators,” Ben Bramble [pictured here], Journal of Applied Philosophy, epub 2020. (Thanks to Achim Reisdorf for bringing this to our attention.) The author explains: “Animals suffer harms not only in human captivity but in the wild as well. Some of these latter harms are […]
Tag: theory
In Theory: A Short Abstract
Ig Nobel Prize winner Ray Goldstein is receiving compliments for his newly published biophysics paper—because the paper’s entire abstract is one (1) word in length. The New Paper The paper is: “Are Theoretical Results ‘Results’?” Raymond E. Goldstein, eLife, vol. 7, no. e40018, 2018. The abstract reads, in its entirety: Yes. Goldstein is in the […]
Introducing the SPOT effect : “Spontaneous Preference for their Own Theories”
A research team from the Centre for Research on Self and Identity (CRSI) at the University of Southampton, UK, have identified a new psychological bias, which they are calling : “Spontaneous Preference for their Own Theories” – SPOT. A series of three experiments showed that : “[…] even where theory ownership is established in the […]
Him, and his theory of things
Do you have a theory of things? Bunge has a theory of things. And Bunge has something to say about someone who said something about his theory of things: “Reply to Van Rootselaar’s Criticisms of My Theory of Things,” Mario Bunge [pictured here], International Journal Of General Systems, no. 3 (1977): 181-182. Bunge, McGill University […]
A Stupidity-Based Theory of Organizations
Stupidity, organizations, and the combination of stupidity and organizations all receive consideration in this study: “A Stupidity-Based Theory of Organizations,” Mats Alvesson, André Spicer [pictured here], Journal of Management Studies, vol. 49, no. 7, November 2012 pages 1194–1220. (Thanks to investigator Mats Andersson for bringing this to our attention.) The authors, at Lund University, Sweden […]
Anne Elk’s theory, and that of The Connectome
This video shows Anne Elk’s theory: Zen Faulkes reminded us of its existence, as he explained the new theory someone has advanced about The Connectome. BONUS: An neuroscientist’s theory of The Connectome:
On anything that explains everything
David Hume, in his essay called “The Sceptic”, talked about anything that explains everything: I have long entertained a suspicion, with regard to the decisions of philosophers upon all subjects, and found in myself a greater inclination to dispute, than assent to their conclusions. There is one mistake, to which they seem liable, almost without […]
Mozart dies yet another way: Darkness
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [pictured here] has died a hundred deaths, more or less. Here’s a new one: darkness. Doctors over the years have resurrected the story of Mozart’s death again and again, each time proposing some alternative horrifying medical reason why the 18th century’s most celebrated and prolific composer keeled over at age 35. A […]
Overheated theory: Central heating -> obesity
The beloved question “why are there more fat people now?” may (or may not) have found an equally lovable explanation. A new study study suggests that central heating is a major cause of people becoming fat: “Could increased time spent in a thermal comfort zone contribute to population increases in obesity?” F. Johnson, A. Mavroggiani, […]
Mr. Hinkley’s universe
Mr. Robert Hinkley sent us a letter. In the spirit of exploration, we searched the universe (or a portion thereof) and discovered copies of similar letters. One was published recently in The Daily Review, in Mr. Hinkley’s home town, Towanda, Pennsylvania, USA. Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post received a similar letter from Mr. Hinkley […]