Category Archives: Philosophy of Science

What exactly is the scientific method and why do so many people get it wrong?

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

There’s a big difference between science and pseudoscience. But if people don’t understand how science works in the first place, it’s very easy for them to fall for the pseudoscience. Source: What exactly is the scientific method and why do … Continue reading →

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A Life of Meaning (Reason Not Required) – What is the nature of our relationship with reason?

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

If philosophy is to stay relevant, it must bridge the gap between feeling, thought and reason. Few would disagree with two age-old truisms: We should strive to shape our lives with reason, and a central prerequisite for the good life … Continue reading →

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Where’s the Proof in Pseudoscience?

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

Peter Ellerton, The Conversation Contrast this with homeopathy, a field that has generated no discernible growth in knowledge or practice. While the use of modern scientific language may make it sound more impressive, there is no corresponding increase in knowledge … Continue reading →

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Teaching the nature of science (and keeping students engaged)

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

Peter Ellerton, The Conversation What’s particularly disturbing about current science education at the primary, secondary and tertiary level is the almost complete lack of explicit consideration of what I’ve referred to as the “nature of science”. Not only are many … Continue reading →

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Why You Don’t Know Your Own Mind

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

Alex Rosenburg, The Stone. It is often said that we can never truly know the minds of others, because we can’t “get inside their heads.” Our ability to know our own minds, though, is rarely called into question. It is … Continue reading →

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The value of subjective experience (or not)

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

From smbc

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Why would anyone believe the Earth is flat?

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

                Peter Ellerton, The University of Queensland Belief in a flat Earth seems a bit like the attempt to eradicate polio – just when you think it’s gone, a pocket of resistance appears. … Continue reading →

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Dilbert on Zeno

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

Zeno does it again.

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We can’t trust common sense but we can trust science

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Peter Ellerton

Peter Ellerton, The University of Queensland When a group of Australians was asked why they believed climate change was not happening, about one in three (36.5%) said it was “common sense”, according to a report published last year by the … Continue reading →

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The Principle of Sufficient Reason

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Peter Ellerton

Form the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy “The Principle of Sufficient Reason is a powerful and controversial philosophical principle stipulating that everything must have a reason or cause. This simple demand for thoroughgoing intelligibility yields some of the boldest and most … Continue reading →

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Hume’s criticism of the design argument

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Peter Ellerton

Hume-Dialogues – Jeff Speaks

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What use Philosophy?

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Peter Ellerton

Discuss.  

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A Useful Introduction to Critical Thinking Skills

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Peter Ellerton
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The Language of Science

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Peter Ellerton

Listen and learn: the language of science and scepticism Peter Ellerton Making sure what’s intended is what’s heard can be more difficult than it seems. Melvin Gaal (mindsharing.eu) As scientists, one of our responsibilities should be to promote clarity. A lot … Continue reading →

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Another Double Blind Test surprise

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Peter Ellerton

Stradivarius Fails Sound Test Versus Newbie Violins Download pdf (from sciam) Can you tell the difference between modern violins and antiques crafted by Italian masters? Don’t feel too bad – expert players can’t do it either. In a double-blind test, 21 experienced … Continue reading →

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Logic, Knowledge Systems and World Views

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Peter Ellerton

The way of logic – 02 December 1995 – New Scientist FOR almost two centuries, anthropologists have been studying how non-European cultures understand the world around them. Now philosophers of science are getting in on the act. Armed with intellectual … Continue reading →

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The Changing Climate of Skepticism

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Peter Ellerton

Via Embiggen Books In this excellent talk given by Peter Ellerton (winner of the 2008 Australian Skeptics prize for Critical Thinking) on the Climate Change debate, the viewer is encouraged to examine the way in which the debate is being … Continue reading →

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Imagining the Tenth Dimension

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Peter Ellerton

Excellent intellectual exercise

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A Wonderful Piece of Pseudoscience in Advertising

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Peter Ellerton

Well worth reading the whole lot. The language is absolute nonsense. “By strengthening the body’s own natural energy and innate intelligence, the QLink allows it to recognise and differentiate between which external energies are healthy, and which are not. The … Continue reading →

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How Science Works in Action

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Peter Ellerton

Faster-than-light neutrinos show science in action Making a very good point about when to believe evidence.      via Scientific American Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past 24 hours, you’ve probably heard about the neutrinos that … Continue reading →

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