Showing results for "The Limits of Science" in Politics & Social Sciences

How much can we know about the world? In this audiobook physicist Marcelo Gleiser traces our search for answers to the most fundamental questions of existence, the origin of the universe, the nature of reality, and the limits of knowledge. In so doing he reaches a provocative conclusion: Science, like religion, is fundamentally limited as a tool for understanding the world. As science and its philosophical interpretations advance, we face the unsettling recognition of how much we don't know.

Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) now lives under the shadow cast by his more famous brother Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859, naturalist, explorer, geographer and much else), but Wilhelm was an important figure in Prussian-German history in his own right. He contributed considerably through his work as a diplomat, educationalist (he was one of the principal founders of the Humboldt University of Berlin), philologist and linguist. Yet The Sphere and Duties of Government (originally titled The Limits of State Action) has proved to be one of his most enduring legacies.

This podcast, hosted by Katy Shields, is about the true story behind the groundbreaking 1972 study “The Limits to Growth”, and why the world ignored its message. Based on the late author's unpublished memoirs and featuring rare original audio recordings, this podcast accompanies Dana and Dennis Meadows and their team of scientists on their mission to tell the world about coming ecological crises and their solutions. Learn more at tippingpoint-podcast.com.

Connecting our speed-obsession with today's global capitalism, Taylor composes a grand narrative showing how commitments to economic growth and extreme competition, combined with accelerating technological innovation, have brought us close to disaster. Psychologically, environmentally, economically, and culturally, speed is taking a profound toll on our lives.

When does liberty matter? It is often thought that personal liberty is always valuable and that it has a unique intrinsic value. In The Limits of Liberty, philosopher Sarah Conly argues that it is much less valuable than traditionally believed. Conly posits that liberties that bring good things have value, but liberties that bring bad consequences have no value. This means that in many cases where liberty has been valued, we are mistaken. Restrictions on certain liberties are more acceptable than commonly thought.

If adolescent girls agree on one thing, it's that adults don't "get" what's going on in their lives. Friendship drama, self-image, grades, dating, bullying, fear of failure—these pressures impose limits. So what can you do? How can you ensure each and every girl lives up to her potential?

Michael Crawley immerses himself in various endurance cultures and asks what makes enduring together meaningful to people. He learns how Nepalese runners face different challenges depending on their location up a mountain, from those in the lowlands and ‘middle hills’ to Sherpas from the Solu Khumbu, and observes Tarahumara ultrarunners’ ability to cover extreme distances on highly technical terrain. But he also delves into the history of Dance Marathons, six-day pedestrianism races in Madison Square Gardens and the unique Enhanced Games.

With telling anecdote and detail, Pulitzer Prize-winner David K. Shipler explores the territory where the Constitution meets everyday America, where legal compromises - before and since 9/11 - have undermined the criminal justice system’s fairness, enhanced the executive branch’s power over citizens and immigrants, and impaired some of the freewheeling debate and protest essential in a constitutional democracy.

The Recovery of Family Life defends marriage and family life while exposing the limits and blind spots in these powerful revolutionary ideologies. After suggesting a general framework within which to understand the ends and means of family policy, Scott Yenor explores what a liberal society should seek to accomplish in marriage and family policy.

Media and public discussion tends to understand Russian politics as a direct reflection of Vladimir Putin's seeming omnipotence or Russia's unique history and culture. Yet Russia is remarkably similar to other autocracies - and recognizing this illuminates the inherent limits to Putin's power. Weak Strongman challenges the conventional wisdom about Putin's Russia, highlighting the difficult trade-offs that confront the Kremlin on issues ranging from election fraud and repression to propaganda and foreign policy.

From religious communities to therapeutic spaces, the importance of forgiving those who’ve wronged us is often enshrined as an unqualified good. But what about horrifying cases of abuse, predatory behavior, or systemic wrong? Too often, when predators or abusers are exposed, the chorus comes immediately: “What about forgiveness?” In these cases, forgiveness places the onus on victims, diminishes real hurt and anger, lets perpetrators off the hook, and prevents justice from being done. In Not So Sorry, Kaya Oakes tackles these questions with intelligence, nuance, and a bit of righteous anger.

At the same time that the Civil Rights Movement brought increasing opportunities for blacks, the United States liberalized its immigration policy. While the broadening of the United States's borders to non-European immigrants fits with a black political agenda of social justice, recent waves of immigration have presented a dilemma for blacks, prompting ambivalent or even negative attitudes toward migrants. What has an expanded immigration regime meant for how blacks express national attachment?

"For Gadget Geek in the Oval Office, High Tech Has Its Limits" is from the U.S. section of The New York Times. It was written by Michael D. Shear and narrated by Keith-Sellon Wright .

"Trump’s Business Dealings Test a Constitutional Limit" is from the November 21, 2016 United States section of The New York Times. It was written by Adam Liptak and narrated by Caroline Miller.

"On Twitter, Hate Speech Bounded Only by a Character Limit" is from the October 02, 2016 Opinion section of The New York Times. It was written by Jim Rutenberg and narrated by Kristi Burns.

"Trump Donation Is His Latest Brush with Fund Limits" is from the September 7, 2016 US section of The New York Times. It was written by Steve Eder and Megan Twohey and narrated by Caroline Miller.

"Who's Too Young for an App? Musical.ly Tests the Limits" is from the September 18, 2016 Business section of The New York Times. It was written by John Herrman and narrated by Corey M. Snow.

"Iraqi Forces Breach Mosul City Limits, Heralding Complex Phase in Campaign" is from the January 11, 2016 World section of The New York Times. It was written by Tim Arango and Falih Hassan and narrated by Fleet Cooper.

"Trump Suggests He'd Expand His Plans to Limit Immigration" is from the July 24, 2016 U.S. section of The New York Times. It was written by Nicholas Confessore and narrated by Kristi Burns.

"Early Voting Limits Trump's Time to Turn Campaign Around" is from the August 16, 2016 US section of The New York Times. It was written by Patrick Healy and narrated by Caroline Miller.