Timothy D. Wilson’s book Strangers To Ourselves provides compelling evidence for an adaptive unconscious, a part of us that evolved to make decisions for us. Wilson’s evidence came mostly from psychological experiments, which did not involve brain scans. There is also evidence from neuroscience for non-conscious decision making. The Wall Street Journal reports on several studies that found evidence in the brain of a decision made before it became conscious. In one experiment with a small sample, researchers at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience found signals [of brain behavior leading up to the moment of conscious decision] that let … Continue reading »
Jun 242008
During my exchange with Pat Frank in the comments to my post on the climate crisis, he raised a question about CO2‘s pollutant status. When I researched the question, I found a write up by Weather Underground that recounted the history of that question: It stems from a campaign founded by Exxon. An article on the Doubt Makers by Michelle Nijhuis describes how industries, starting with tobacco, use a similar tactic to create doubt: The climate science models are just too unreliable, therefore we don’t really have to do anything.
A post over at the Feminist Philosophers’ blog talks about an amazing woman, Alia Sabur, who is the world’s youngest professor in the history of academia. She also happens to be a Muslim. JJ ends her post stating that in many Muslim countries women are a strong presence in science classrooms, as students and teachers. This reminded me of an article I read in Free Inquiry about the dismal state of science in Muslim countries, written by a professor in Pakistan, which seemed to call into question any celebration of strong female presence. Either way, I was intrigued and tried … Continue reading »
Jun 152008
Aside from Nancy Polikoff’s recently published book Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage, there is also an online statement calling for activists, especially in the LGBT movement, to move beyond marriage, which goes back to July 2006. It is an encouraging affirmation of all forms of relationships and families. Marriage is not the only worthy form of family or relationship, and it should not be legally and economically privileged above all others. While we honor those for whom marriage is the most meaningful personal – for some, also a deeply spiritual – choice, we believe that many other kinds of kinship … Continue reading »
Jun 112008
I just got the latest eSkeptic, a weekly email sent by the Skeptic Society. Michael Schermer has just edited a pamphlet for the (gasp) Templeton Foundation entitled “Does Science Make Belief in God Obsolete?”. Although I think that Schermer made the skeptic equivalent of a Faustian bargain, and with that gave Templeton false credibility, the question is interesting, especially in light of many religious-wrong groups’ argument that science undermines religion. Since Templeton has enough money, the essays are available for a free read online… The full list of essayists includes: On the “Yes” side Victor Stenger: Yes. Worse. Science renders … Continue reading »
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