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Articles 1 - 30 of 152
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Generative Ai And Photographic Transparency, P.D. Magnus
Generative Ai And Photographic Transparency, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
There is a history of thinking that photographs provide a special kind of access to the objects depicted in them, beyond the access that would be provided by a painting or drawing. What is included in the photograph does not depend on the photographer’s beliefs about what is in front of the camera. This feature leads Kendall Walton to argue that photographs literally allow us to see the objects which appear in them. Current generative algorithms produce images in response to users’ text prompts. Depending on the parameters, the output can resemble specific people or things which are named in …
Early Response To False Claims In Wikipedia, 15 Years Later, P.D. Magnus
Early Response To False Claims In Wikipedia, 15 Years Later, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
Fifteen years ago, I conducted a small study testing the error-correction tendency of Wikipedia. Not only is Wikipedia different now than it was then, the community that maintains it is different. Despite the crudity of that study’s methods, it is natural to wonder what the result would be now. So I repeated the earlier study and found surprisingly similar results.
Scurvy And The Ontology Of Natural Kinds, P.D. Magnus
Scurvy And The Ontology Of Natural Kinds, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
Some philosophers understand natural kinds to be the categories which are constraints on enquiry. In order to elaborate the metaphysics appropriate to such an account, I consider the complicated history of scurvy, citrus, and vitamin C. It may be tempting to understand these categories in a shallow way (as mere property clusters) or in a deep way (as fundamental properties). Neither approach is adequate, and the case instead calls for middle-range ontology: starting from categories which we identify in the world and elaborating their structure, but not pretending to jump ahead to a complete story about fundamental being.
Appreciating Covers, Cristyn Magnus, P.D. Magnus, Christy Mag Uidhir, Ron Mcclamrock
Appreciating Covers, Cristyn Magnus, P.D. Magnus, Christy Mag Uidhir, Ron Mcclamrock
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
A recording or performance of a song is a cover if there is an earlier, canonical recording of the song. It can seem intuitive to think that properly appreciating the cover requires considering it in relation to the original, or at least that doing so will yield a deeper appreciation. This intuition is supported by some philosophical accounts of covers. And it is complicated by the possibility of hearing in, whereby one hears elements of the original version in the cover. We argue that it can nevertheless be just as legitimate to consider a cover version on its own …
The Scope Of Inductive Risk, P.D. Magnus
The Scope Of Inductive Risk, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
The Argument from Inductive Risk (AIR) is taken to show that values are inevitably involved in making judgements or forming beliefs. After reviewing this conclusion, I pose cases which are prima facie counterexamples: the unreflective application of conventions, use of black-boxed instruments, reliance on opaque algorithms, and unskilled observation reports. These cases are counterexamples to the AIR posed in ethical terms as a matter of personal values. Nevertheless, it need not be understood in those terms. The values which load a theory choice may be those of institutions or past actors. This means that the challenge of responsibly handling inductive …
Art Concept Pluralism Undermines The Definitional Project, P.D. Magnus, Christy Mag Uidhir
Art Concept Pluralism Undermines The Definitional Project, P.D. Magnus, Christy Mag Uidhir
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
This discussion note addresses Caleb Hazelwood’s ‘Practice-Centered Pluralism and a Disjunctive Theory of Art.’ Hazelwood advances a disjunctive definition of art on the basis of an analogy with species concept pluralism in the philosophy of biology. We recognize the analogy between species and art, we applaud attention to practice, and we are bullish on pluralism— but it is a mistake to take these as the basis for a disjunctive definition.
Empowering Biosemiotics, Charles Lassiter
Empowering Biosemiotics, Charles Lassiter
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
One way to understand the basic semiotic relation is that a sign-vehicle signifies an object to an interpretant. Biosemioticians sometimes talk about this relationship in terms of “codes”. When thinking about this relationship in the context of language, a natural move is to conceptualize semiotic relationships among speakers, meanings, and utterances as codes: speakers encode messages in sentences, which are then decoded by an interpreter. This view of communication is inconsistent with core tenets of a distributed approach to language, which holds that language is an embodied and encultured activity taking place across multiple timescales. I argue that a neo-Aristotelian …
Thinking, Faster And Slower: Toward A Dynamic View Of Organizational Cognition, Joseph Vukov, Charles Lassiter
Thinking, Faster And Slower: Toward A Dynamic View Of Organizational Cognition, Joseph Vukov, Charles Lassiter
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
Our abilities as humans—i.e. our powers—aren’t always stable across contexts. In particular, sociocultural contexts can amplify or dampen manifestations of our powers. In particular, the same sociocultural intervention can catalyze a manifestation for one sort of individual and inhibit it for another. We develop these insights within the conceptual framework of causal powers realism: An ontological theory built on the idea that causal influences and processes should ultimately be understood as the manifestation of powers. Developing capacities’ dynamism in this framework enables articulation of novel insights. First, that our psychological capacities are context-sensitive and dynamic all the way down. Second, …
Called By Beauty: Paul Ricoeur’S (Late) Liturgical Turn, Dan Bradley
Called By Beauty: Paul Ricoeur’S (Late) Liturgical Turn, Dan Bradley
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
We are now witnessing a great renewal of philosophical interest in the material aspects of religiosity. In this article I show that we have resources for this work in the very late philosophy of Paul Ricoeur, resources that are equally unexpected and deeply moving. In particular, in Ricoeur’s late turn we see the promising beginnings of a sacramental philosophy that links Baptism and the Song of Songs to show how liturgical practice is fundamentally tied to the beauty and sacredness of the natural world. The result is the realization that an ethics of hope is only truly completed in a …
Early Modern Christian Platonism, Derek A. Michaud
Early Modern Christian Platonism, Derek A. Michaud
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Inductive Risk, Science, And Values: A Reply To Macgillivray, Daniel J. Hicks, P.D. Magnus, Jessey Wright
Inductive Risk, Science, And Values: A Reply To Macgillivray, Daniel J. Hicks, P.D. Magnus, Jessey Wright
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
The Argument from Inductive Risk (AIR) is perhaps the most common argument against the value-free ideal of science. Brian MacGillivray (2019) rejects the AIR (at least as it would apply to risk assessment) and embraces the value-free ideal. We clarify the issues at stake and argue that MacGillivray’s criticisms, although effective against some formulations of the AIR, fail to overcome the essential concerns which motivate the AIR. There are inevitable tradeoffs in scientific enquiry which cannot be resolved with any formal methods or general rules. Choices must be made, and values will be involved. It is best to recognize this …
Reply To Joshua Mugg’S ‘How Not To Reply To The Tragic Dilemma', Charles Lassiter
Reply To Joshua Mugg’S ‘How Not To Reply To The Tragic Dilemma', Charles Lassiter
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Snowfall Impact Study For Spokane, Washington, Brian G. Henning, Levi Keesecker, David Camp, Erik Budsberg
Snowfall Impact Study For Spokane, Washington, Brian G. Henning, Levi Keesecker, David Camp, Erik Budsberg
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
Examines historical trends in snowfall for the Spokane region, future climate projections and mountain snow forecasts, and determines what these data suggests about the future of winter recreation at Spokane’s five-area ski resorts (Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, Silver Mountain Resort, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, and Lookout Pass Ski Area).
The Multidimensional Unity Of Life, Theology, Ecology, And Covid-19, Derek A. Michaud
The Multidimensional Unity Of Life, Theology, Ecology, And Covid-19, Derek A. Michaud
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Laudato Si, Marx, And A Human Motivation For Addressing Climate Change, Timothy A. Weidel
Laudato Si, Marx, And A Human Motivation For Addressing Climate Change, Timothy A. Weidel
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
In the face of climate change, moral motivation is central: why should individuals feel compelled to act to combat this problem? Justice-based responses miss two morally salient issues: that the key ethical relationship is between us and the environment, and there is something in it for us to act to aid our environment. In support of this thesis there are two seemingly disparate sources: Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si and the early Marx’s account of human essence as species-being. Francis argues we must see nature as an “other” with whom we have a relationship, rather than dominating nature. Marx considers …
Comparative Pride, Christopher Morgan-Knapp
Comparative Pride, Christopher Morgan-Knapp
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
Comparative pride – that is, pride in how one compares to others in some respect – is often thought to be warranted. In this paper, I argue that this common position is mistaken. The paper begins with an analysis of how things seem when a person feels pride. Pride, I claim, presents some aspect of the self with which one identifies as being worthy. Moreover, in some cases, it presents this aspect of the self as something one is responsible for. I then go on to argue that when the focus of one’s pride is comparative, things are never as …
The Legacy Of A 'Living Library': The Transatlantic Reception Of John Smith, Derek A. Michaud
The Legacy Of A 'Living Library': The Transatlantic Reception Of John Smith, Derek A. Michaud
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
No abstract provided.
How To Be A Realist About Natural Kinds, P.D. Magnus
How To Be A Realist About Natural Kinds, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
Although some authors hold that natural kinds are necessarily relative to disciplinary domains, many authors presume that natural kinds must be absolute, categorical features of the reality— often assuming that without even mentioning the alternative. Recognizing both possibilities, one may ask whether the difference especially matters. I argue that it does. Looking at recent arguments about natural kind realism, I argue that we can best make sense of the realism question by thinking of natural kindness as a relation that holds between a category and a domain.
Science, Values, And The Priority Of Evidence, P.D. Magnus
Science, Values, And The Priority Of Evidence, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
It is now commonly held that values play a role in scientific judgment, but many arguments for that conclusion are limited. First, many arguments do not show that values are, strictly speaking, indispensable. The role of values could in principle be filled by a random or arbitrary decision. Second, many arguments concern scientific theories and concepts which have obvious practical consequences, thus suggesting or at least leaving open the possibility that abstruse sciences without such a connection could be value-free. Third, many arguments concern the role values play in inferring from evidence, thus taking evidence as given. This paper argues …
Cautious Realism And Middle Range Ontology, P.D. Magnus
Cautious Realism And Middle Range Ontology, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
Anjan Chakravartty's book Scientific Ontology is centrally about how metaphysics is embrangled with epistemology. I begin by discussing the broader literature in science and values, where arguments akin to Chakravartty's have been much-discussed. Then I talk about my own preferred approach, middle range ontology, which does not fit neatly into any of the three stances Chakravartty discusses. Finally, I use these considerations to pose a dilemma.
That Some Of Sol Lewitt’S Later Wall Drawings Aren’T Wall Drawings, P.D. Magnus
That Some Of Sol Lewitt’S Later Wall Drawings Aren’T Wall Drawings, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
No abstract provided.
What Kind Of Is-Ought Gap Is There And What Kind Ought There Be?, P.D. Magnus, Jon Mandle
What Kind Of Is-Ought Gap Is There And What Kind Ought There Be?, P.D. Magnus, Jon Mandle
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
Some philosophers think that there is a gap between is and ought which necessarily makes normative enquiry a different kind of thing than empirical science. This position gains support from our ability to explicate our inferential practices in a way that makes it impermissible to move from descriptive premises to a normative conclusion. But we can also explicate them in a way that allows such moves. So there is no categorical answer as to whether there is or is not a gap. The question of an is-ought gap is a practical and strategic matter rather than a logical one, and …
Returning To Reality: Christian Platonism For Our Times, Paul Tyson, Derek A. Michaud
Returning To Reality: Christian Platonism For Our Times, Paul Tyson, Derek A. Michaud
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Natural Philosophy, Geometry, And Deduction In The Hobbes-Boyle Debate, Marcus P. Adams
Natural Philosophy, Geometry, And Deduction In The Hobbes-Boyle Debate, Marcus P. Adams
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
This paper examines Hobbes’s criticisms of Robert Boyle’s air-pump experiments in light of Hobbes’s account in De Corpore and De Homine of the relationship of natural philosophy to geometry. I argue that Hobbes’s criticisms rely upon his understanding of what counts as “true physics.” Instead of seeing Hobbes as defending natural philosophy as “a causal enterprise ... [that] as such, secured total and irrevocable assent,”2 I argue that, in his disagreement with Boyle, Hobbes relied upon his understanding of natural philosophy as a mixed mathematical science. In a mixed mathematical science one can mix facts from experience (the ‘that’) with …
Husserl’S Concept Of Position-Taking And Second Nature, Alejandro Arango Vargas
Husserl’S Concept Of Position-Taking And Second Nature, Alejandro Arango Vargas
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
I argue that Husserl’s concept of position-taking, Stellungnahme, is adequate to understand the idea of second nature as an issue of philosophical anthropology. I claim that the methodological focus must be the living subject that acts and lives among others, and that the notion of second nature must respond to precisely this fundamental active character of subjectivity. The appropriate concept should satisfy two additional desiderata. First, it should be able to develop alongside the biological, psychological, and social individual development. Second, it should be able to underlie the vast diversity of human beings within and across communities. As possible candidates, …
Kind Of Borrowed, Kind Of Blue, P.D. Magnus
Kind Of Borrowed, Kind Of Blue, P.D. Magnus
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
In late 2014, the jazz combo Mostly Other People Do the Killing released "Blue", an album which is a note-for-note remake of Miles Davis' 1959 landmark album "Kind of Blue". MOPDtK (to abbreviate the band's cumbersome name) transcribed all of the solos and performed them with meticulous care so as to produce a recorded album that replicates, as much as they could, the sound of the original. This is a thought experiment made actual, the kind of doppelgänger which philosophers routinely just imagine. I explore some of the ontological and aesthetic puzzles which the album poses. I argue that what …
Hobbes On Natural Philosophy As “True Physics” And Mixed Mathematics, Marcus P. Adams
Hobbes On Natural Philosophy As “True Physics” And Mixed Mathematics, Marcus P. Adams
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
In this paper, I offer an alternative account of the relationship of Hobbesian geometry to natural philosophy by arguing that mixed mathematics provided Hobbes with a model for thinking about it. In mixed mathematics, one may borrow causal principles from one science and use them in another science without there being a deductive relationship between those two sciences. Natural philosophy for Hobbes is mixed because an explanation may combine observations from experience (the ‘that’) with causal principles from geometry (the ‘why’). My argument shows that Hobbesian natural philosophy relies upon suppositions that bodies plausibly behave according to these borrowed causal …
Libertarian Welfare Rights? An Inquiry Into The Coherence Of Some Common Libertarian Commitments, Nicole Hassoun
Libertarian Welfare Rights? An Inquiry Into The Coherence Of Some Common Libertarian Commitments, Nicole Hassoun
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
This paper argues that libertarians should endorse some welfare rights understood as rights that all states must guarantee to their subjects as a condition of legitimacy. For, it argues that libertarians, because they should be actual consent theorists, must agree to the following condition for state legitimacy: States must do what they can to ensure that their rights-respecting subjects secure the basic reasoning and planning capacities they need to consent to their rules.
How People Think About Distributing Aid, Nicole Hassoun, Emir Malikov, Nathan Lubchenco
How People Think About Distributing Aid, Nicole Hassoun, Emir Malikov, Nathan Lubchenco
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
This paper examines how people think about aiding others in a way that can inform both theory and practice. It uses data gathered from Kiva, an online, non-profit organization that allows individuals to aid other individuals around the world, to isolate intuitions that people find broadly compelling. The central result of the paper is that people seem to give more priority to aiding those in greater need at least below some threshold. That is, the data strongly suggest incorporating both a threshold and a prioritarian principle into the analysis of what principles for aid distribution people accept. This conclusion should …
Visual Perception As Patterning: Cavendish Against Hobbes On Sensation, Marcus P. Adams
Visual Perception As Patterning: Cavendish Against Hobbes On Sensation, Marcus P. Adams
Philosophy Faculty Scholarship
In Margaret Cavendish's view, her Philosophical Letters are the "building" (1664, preface; hereafter Letters) that rests upon the foundation already laid in her Philosophical and Physical Opinions (first edition 1655; second edition 1663; hereafter Opinions). In the Letters, she criticizes Descartes, Hobbes, More, van Helmont, and others by arguing for the superiority of her philosophical system in its ability to explain various phenomena and to avoid the objections she highlights.