Showing results for "Society" in Science & Engineering

Ever wanted to know how music affects your brain, what quantum mechanics really is, or how black holes work? Do you wonder why you get emotional each time you see a certain movie, or how on earth video games are designed? Then you've come to the right place. Each week, Sean Carroll will host conversations with some of the most interesting thinkers in the world. From neuroscientists and engineers to authors and television producers, Sean and his guests talk about the biggest ideas in science, philosophy, culture and much more.

Listen to "Consciousness and the Bicameral Mind: The Julian Jaynes Society Podcast," where we explore Princeton University psychologist Julian Jaynes's theory of the origin of consciousness and the bicameral mind, as described in his best selling book, "The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind." Produced by Julian Jaynes Society Executive Director Marcel Kuijsten. Learn more about Julian Jaynes's theory or become a member by visiting the Julian Jaynes Society at https://www.julianjaynes.org.

A podcast devoted to clinical radiology and allied sciences, owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America.

Sacred Economics traces the history of money from ancient gift economies to modern capitalism, revealing how the money system has contributed to alienation, competition, and scarcity, destroyed community, and necessitated endless growth. Today, these trends have reached their extreme—but in...

This sweeping exploration of the impact of epidemic diseases looks at how mass infectious outbreaks have shaped society, from the Black Death to today, and in a new preface addresses the global threat of COVID-19. In a clear and accessible style, Frank M. Snowden reveals the ways that diseases have not only influenced medical science and public health, but also transformed the arts, religion, intellectual history, and warfare.

Merchants of Doubt has been praised—and attacked—around the world, for reasons easy to understand. This book tells, with “brutal clarity” (Huffington Post), the disquieting story of how a loose-knit group of high-level scientists and scientific advisers, with deep connections in politics and industry, ran effective campaigns to mislead the public and deny well-established scientific knowledge over four decades.

Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Sam is also the creator of the Waking Up app. Combining Sam's decades of mindfulness practice, profound wisdom from varied philosophical and contemplative traditions, and a commitment to a secular, scientific worldview, Waking Up is a ...

Why is the genome of a salamander 40 times larger than that of a human? Why does the avocado tree produce a million flowers and only a hundred fruits? Why, in short, is there so much waste in nature? In this lively and wide-ranging meditation on the curious accidents and unexpected detours on the path of life, Daniel Milo argues that we ask these questions because we’ve embraced a faulty conception of how evolution - and human society - really works.

It was 13 October 1972. Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, carrying a team of young rugby players, their families and friends, took off for the very last time. A deadly miscalculation saw F571 crash directly into the Andean mountains to devastating consequences: the body of the plane broke violently into two, its floor torn to smithereens; seats flew out of the air taking passengers with them. In the weeks that followed, the remaining people who were on board - the society of the snow - emerged to fight a dire, gruelling battle for survival.

In Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy, Bertrand Russell penned a profound exploration while imprisoned for his anti-war activism during World War I. This work delves into the groundbreaking contributions of late nineteenth-century mathematicians and presents Russells own philosophy of mathematics known as Logicism, which posits that all mathematical truths are ultimately logical truths. He reflects on his earlier significant achievements in addressing the paradoxes that challenged the foundations of mathematics, culminating in the renowned three-volume Principia Mathematica, co-authored ...

In Part 2, we delve into Deweys intriguing concept of IMPULSES, exploring how they represent the dynamic interplay between individuals and their environment. When environmental challenges clash with ingrained HABITS, it is these innate impulses that drive us to rethink and adjust both our behaviors and our surroundings. The age-old debate of Nature vs Nurture can be misleading, as it often oversimplifies the complexities of human personality. Our inherent behaviors are essentially a blend of habits shaped by cultural customs. Notably, much of education is less about learning in the traditional...

Originally published in Latin in 1644 and later translated into French in 1647, The Principles of Philosophy by René Descartes unveils the foundational principles of nature and the Laws of Physics through his unique lens. This groundbreaking work offers a systematic exploration of natural philosophy and metaphysics, presenting the first truly comprehensive, mechanistic view of the universe. Selections from the Principles of Philosophy includes the entirety of the first part, Of the Principles of Human Knowledge, along with selected passages from the second part, Of the Principles of Material ...

In A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge, commonly referred to as the Treatise, Irish Empiricist philosopher George Berkeley presents a compelling challenge to the views of his contemporary John Locke regarding human perception. While both philosophers acknowledged the existence of an external world that influences our mental ideas, Berkeley boldly posits that this world is not made up of physical objects but is instead entirely composed of ideas. He famously argues that Ideas can only resemble Ideas, suggesting that our mental experiences are reflections of other ideas ...

In Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, David Hume presents a concise and accessible version of his seminal work, A Treatise of Human Nature. Aimed at reaching a broader audience, this enlightening text addresses the sharp critiques aimed at his earlier book. Hume delves into his epistemological theories while challenging the ideas of prominent philosophers such as John Locke, George Berkeley, and Nicolas Malebranche. Join us as we explore Humes thought-provoking insights into the nature of human understanding. (Summary by Kirsten Ferreri)

In Riddle of the Universe, renowned biologist Ernst Haeckel delves into the profound questions of existence, exploring the essence of life, the nature of reality, and the intricate relationship between our physiology and our thoughts. Join us as we journey through Haeckels philosophical insights that challenge our understanding of the universe. (Summary by A. Gramour)

Charles MacKays insightful work reminds us that Men think in herds; they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one. This classic analysis of human behavior dives deep into the history of nations, revealing how communities can become fixated on singular delusions. From the Crusades to the Witch Mania, MacKay explores eight captivating topics, shedding light on the nature of crowd psychology and its relevance today. His observations about economic bubbles, such as the dot com surge of the late 90s, continue to resonate in our increasingly populated world. Join ...

In a world where education and status are supposed to open doors, Barbara finds herself struggling to secure a teaching position that would help support both herself and her ailing mother. Faced with adversity, she makes the difficult decision to take on the role of a hired girl in her community—a choice that challenges her sense of self-worth. Can service truly be devalued? Will the trials and judgments she encounters in this new role strip her young life of meaning, joy, and the dreams she holds dear? - Summary by HannahMary

Published in 1859, On Liberty explores John Stuart Mills compelling argument that individuals should enjoy complete freedom in their actions, thoughts, and beliefs, as long as they do not harm others. This seemingly straightforward idea challenges our perceptions of government and society, offering insights into some of todays most pressing issues. As a cornerstone of political philosophy, On Liberty has remained in print since its initial release, continuing to resonate through the ages. (Summary by David Barnes)

The Why Files covers mysteries, myths and legends. We tell stories and seek the truth in a fun and lighthearted way. Our content is heavily researched; we don't release an episode unless we're sure we can bring something new to a topic.

Storytelling, a tradition that built human civilization, may soon destroy it Humans are storytelling animals. Stories are what make our societies possible. Countless books celebrate their virtues. But Jonathan Gottschall, an expert on the science of stories, argues that there is a dark side to...