John S. Wilkins
@jswilkins.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy
HPS PhD Uni Melb. Writer of a number of non-income-producing books. Semi retired. Dad jokes and bad puns are free.
🌉 bridged from https://fediscience.org/@jswilkins on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
🌉 bridged from https://fediscience.org/@jswilkins on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
📖 🎙️ **Intellectual Origins of American Slavery: English Ideas in the Early Modern Atlantic World**
"_Over time, English observers started to assert that the common customs of enslavement among the nations of Africa fit within the Roman model. Englishmen had initially expressed reluctance to […]
"_Over time, English observers started to assert that the common customs of enslavement among the nations of Africa fit within the Roman model. Englishmen had initially expressed reluctance to […]
Original post on qoto.org
qoto.org
January 10, 2026 at 12:14 PM
📖 🎙️ **Intellectual Origins of American Slavery: English Ideas in the Early Modern Atlantic World**
"_Over time, English observers started to assert that the common customs of enslavement among the nations of Africa fit within the Roman model. Englishmen had initially expressed reluctance to […]
"_Over time, English observers started to assert that the common customs of enslavement among the nations of Africa fit within the Roman model. Englishmen had initially expressed reluctance to […]
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
The pessimistic meta-induction isn't just a theoretical problem for the sciences; it's part of a political problem for them. What's the response, then?
Philosophy to the Rescue of Science - Daily Nous
The pessimistic meta-induction---the argument that since past scientific theories have been shown to be false, we should expect that today's will turn out false, too---makes the New York Times. . Elay...
dailynous.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The pessimistic meta-induction isn't just a theoretical problem for the sciences; it's part of a political problem for them. What's the response, then?
A name suggestion for a metal band with really old members: Iron Oxide
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
January 2, 2026 at 6:07 AM
A name suggestion for a metal band with really old members: Iron Oxide
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
So SubRussia is following in Russia's footsteps and seizing things illegally
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-11/us-seizes-oil-tanker-off-coast-of-venezuela/106128382
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-11/us-seizes-oil-tanker-off-coast-of-venezuela/106128382
US seizes oil tanker off coast of Venezuela, Trump says
US President Donald Trump says the tanker is "the largest one ever seized".
www.abc.net.au
December 11, 2025 at 5:31 AM
So SubRussia is following in Russia's footsteps and seizing things illegally
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-11/us-seizes-oil-tanker-off-coast-of-venezuela/106128382
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-11/us-seizes-oil-tanker-off-coast-of-venezuela/106128382
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
When budget cuts and state laws end philosophy major programs, how can philosophy still have a role in the education of undergraduates?
Philosophy in College Beyond the Philosophy Major - Daily Nous
It's not just budget cuts that are leading some colleges and universities to get rid of their philosophy major programs. Sometimes its legislation. For example, as reported this summer, the state legi...
dailynous.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:44 PM
When budget cuts and state laws end philosophy major programs, how can philosophy still have a role in the education of undergraduates?
I’m making great progress on my chapter. No more than four readings per sentence. At this rate I’ll only be two or three months past the deadline.
October 9, 2025 at 6:16 AM
I’m making great progress on my chapter. No more than four readings per sentence. At this rate I’ll only be two or three months past the deadline.
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
Alarming piece from @carolecadwalla.bsky.social on Blair + Murdoch + Ellison + Ellison Jr + a touch of Musk and the new world order.
www.thenerve.news/p/tony-blair...
www.thenerve.news/p/tony-blair...
'WHAT WILL JESUS SAY?' TONY BLAIR, BIG TECH AND THE ISRAEL CONNECTION
As Trump announces the former British PM as his choice to help govern Gaza, Carole Cadwalladr investigates the opaque workings of Blair's institute, its funding from friends of Israel – including bill...
www.thenerve.news
October 5, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Alarming piece from @carolecadwalla.bsky.social on Blair + Murdoch + Ellison + Ellison Jr + a touch of Musk and the new world order.
www.thenerve.news/p/tony-blair...
www.thenerve.news/p/tony-blair...
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
A light has gone out of the world.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/oct/01/jane-goodall-world-renowned-primatologist-dies
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/oct/01/jane-goodall-world-renowned-primatologist-dies
October 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
A light has gone out of the world.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/oct/01/jane-goodall-world-renowned-primatologist-dies
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/oct/01/jane-goodall-world-renowned-primatologist-dies
So, I am trawling through the literature (thank you, BHL!) from the late 17th century to the mid 20th century on the development of the discipline and name of "systematics". This will become one or more papers. If anyone has suggestions other than what's found in Mayr, Cain, or Stevens, let me know.
September 22, 2025 at 7:23 AM
So, I am trawling through the literature (thank you, BHL!) from the late 17th century to the mid 20th century on the development of the discipline and name of "systematics". This will become one or more papers. If anyone has suggestions other than what's found in Mayr, Cain, or Stevens, let me know.
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
Ask your local police if they will protect residents from masked marauders
September 21, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Ask your local police if they will protect residents from masked marauders
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
The majority of animals do show various forms of hierarchy - but is the concept of ‚alpha‘ relevant or even real?
https://www.livescience.com/animals/are-alpha-males-real
https://www.livescience.com/animals/are-alpha-males-real
Are alpha males real?
The term "alpha male" was coined in 1970 to describe wolves. But what does science think about the term now?
www.livescience.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The majority of animals do show various forms of hierarchy - but is the concept of ‚alpha‘ relevant or even real?
https://www.livescience.com/animals/are-alpha-males-real
https://www.livescience.com/animals/are-alpha-males-real
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
New research on the question of whether studying philosophy makes students better thinkers...
Studying Philosophy Makes People Better Thinkers: Further Data - Daily Nous
A new study "offers the strongest evidence to date that studying philosophy does indeed make people better thinkers." Readers may recall the previous research of Michael Prinzing (Baylor) & Michael Va...
dailynous.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
New research on the question of whether studying philosophy makes students better thinkers...
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
On the practical equivalence between semantic and syntactic conceptions of theories
https://pragmatictheories.blogspot.com/2025/07/having-reviewed-work-of-most.html
#philsci #philosophyofscience
https://pragmatictheories.blogspot.com/2025/07/having-reviewed-work-of-most.html
#philsci #philosophyofscience
Reflections (1): on the practical equivalence between semantic and syntactic conceptions of theories
Having reviewed the work of the most influential authors on the syntactic and semantic views of theories (and having read a bunch of article...
pragmatictheories.blogspot.com
July 14, 2025 at 6:14 PM
On the practical equivalence between semantic and syntactic conceptions of theories
https://pragmatictheories.blogspot.com/2025/07/having-reviewed-work-of-most.html
#philsci #philosophyofscience
https://pragmatictheories.blogspot.com/2025/07/having-reviewed-work-of-most.html
#philsci #philosophyofscience
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
TYPES 2025 has been lots of fun so far—I’ve been learning heaps, and I’m seeing unexpected connections between recent work in type theory and other issues I’m curious about.
I have no idea how I (or my audience) will cope with a 20 minute timeslot straight after lunch, but my talk is more of a […]
I have no idea how I (or my audience) will cope with a 20 minute timeslot straight after lunch, but my talk is more of a […]
Original post on hcommons.social
hcommons.social
June 10, 2025 at 10:47 AM
TYPES 2025 has been lots of fun so far—I’ve been learning heaps, and I’m seeing unexpected connections between recent work in type theory and other issues I’m curious about.
I have no idea how I (or my audience) will cope with a 20 minute timeslot straight after lunch, but my talk is more of a […]
I have no idea how I (or my audience) will cope with a 20 minute timeslot straight after lunch, but my talk is more of a […]
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
For weeks I have been telling reporters that #trump could have the power to switch off our tech in #europe. It felt a bit alarmist until I just read the #microsoft, on the behest of the #US gov has suspended the email account of Karim Khan, #ICC chief prosecutor.
One of the most important […]
One of the most important […]
Original post on eupolicy.social
eupolicy.social
May 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
For weeks I have been telling reporters that #trump could have the power to switch off our tech in #europe. It felt a bit alarmist until I just read the #microsoft, on the behest of the #US gov has suspended the email account of Karim Khan, #ICC chief prosecutor.
One of the most important […]
One of the most important […]
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
(Not so) controversial opinion: immigration is good actually.
May 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
(Not so) controversial opinion: immigration is good actually.
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
Alphonso Lingis, professor emeritus of philosophy at Penn State, has died.
Alphonso Lingis (1933-2025) - Daily Nous
Alphonso Lingis, professor emeritus of philosophy at Penn State University, has died. Professor Lingis specialized in phenomenology, existentialism, modern philosophy, and continental philosophy. He w...
dailynous.com
May 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Alphonso Lingis, professor emeritus of philosophy at Penn State, has died.
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
After having a few conversations with Christoph Schuringa about analytic philosophy and its history, I’m very much looking forward to reading his social history, and it’s not too long to wait, now.
https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3018-a-social-history-of-analytic-philosophy
https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3018-a-social-history-of-analytic-philosophy
A Social History of Analytic Philosophy
Analytic philosophy is the leading form of philosophy in the English-speaking world. What explains its continued success? Christoph Schuringa argues that its enduring power can only be understood by examining its social history. Analytic philosophy tends to think of itself as concerned with eternal questions, transcend
www.versobooks.com
May 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
After having a few conversations with Christoph Schuringa about analytic philosophy and its history, I’m very much looking forward to reading his social history, and it’s not too long to wait, now.
https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3018-a-social-history-of-analytic-philosophy
https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3018-a-social-history-of-analytic-philosophy
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
April 26, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
I've got a quick favour to ask. If you're reading this post on Mastodon (or the Fediverse), please click share.
How come?
I recently moved across to my own self-hosted single-user server (using GoToSocial.org). For a bunch of reasons, including visibility across the Fedi, it would really help out.
How come?
I recently moved across to my own self-hosted single-user server (using GoToSocial.org). For a bunch of reasons, including visibility across the Fedi, it would really help out.
April 20, 2025 at 6:59 AM
I've got a quick favour to ask. If you're reading this post on Mastodon (or the Fediverse), please click share.
How come?
I recently moved across to my own self-hosted single-user server (using GoToSocial.org). For a bunch of reasons, including visibility across the Fedi, it would really help out.
How come?
I recently moved across to my own self-hosted single-user server (using GoToSocial.org). For a bunch of reasons, including visibility across the Fedi, it would really help out.
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
If you replace 'woke' with 'empathetic' it's pretty clear that the conservatives are looking to craft a less-empathetic world, where they and their mates are at the top of the pile.
Australia better do the right thing next month […]
Australia better do the right thing next month […]
Original post on fediscience.org
fediscience.org
April 3, 2025 at 8:38 AM
If you replace 'woke' with 'empathetic' it's pretty clear that the conservatives are looking to craft a less-empathetic world, where they and their mates are at the top of the pile.
Australia better do the right thing next month […]
Australia better do the right thing next month […]