Abstract. The view that experience seems to tell us directly that time flows has long been accepted by both A-theorists and B-theorists in the philosophy of time. A-theorists take it as a powerful endorsement of their position, sometimes using it explicitly in an argument for their view, and other times more implicitly, as a kind of […]
Speakers Fay Dowker, Professor of Theoretical Physics, Imperial College London Eleanor Knox, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, King’s College London Simon Saunders, Professor of Philosophy of Physics, University of Oxford Chair Jonathan Birch, Fellow, The Forum; Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, LSE Is Schrödinger’s cat alive or dead? This thought experiment was […]
Abstract. An analysis of arguments for pain eliminativism reveals two significant points of divergence between assumptions underlying scientific research on pain and assumptions typically endorsed by physicalist accounts. The first concerns the status of the term ‘pain’, which is an operationalized description of a phenomenon, rather than an explanatory construct. The second concerns an explicit […]
What are black holes? What happens inside one? We discuss black holes, philosophy, and the relationship between science and sci-fi.
What does the replication crisis mean for trust in science?
Will a future COVID vaccine be undermined by anti-vaxxers? Why does medical scepticism persist, and how might it be tackled? Rohin Francis, Katherine Furman, and Heidi Larson discuss the causes of and cures for distrust in medical expertise.
Ian Cross, Diana Omigie, and Barry Smith explore the phenomenon and evolution of music. How deep does music go in human history? What role does music play in the evolution of the mind? And is the ability to hear music uniquely human?
When presented with two equally good theories, scientists prefer the more beautiful. Artist Adrian Holme and philosopher Milena Ivanova discuss the nature of beauty and the relationship between art and science.
From COVID-19 to QAnon, misinformation is more ubiquitous and dangerous than ever. Lisa Bortolotti, Quassim Cassam, and Cailin O'Connor discuss why misinformation so attractive to so many and what can be done about it.
Keynotes by Sabina Leonelli and Alexander Bird Registration now open for the online BSPS 2021 Annual Conference. You can find details on the conference homepage. Draft programme available here. As well as the usual papers and symposia, the programme includes special interest lunches and a games night We ask attendees to consider becoming a member […]