If a scientific theory throws up errors, we dump it or change it. At least that's the idea. But is the reality very different? Should we accept that our truths and errors are dependent on our models and paradigms, or would this bring scientific progress to a halt?Th
The universe is infinite, or so we believe. But might it be a mistake to apply the mathematical concept of infinity to the universe? Would it be more helpful to see infinity as an ineffable notion, or should we accept that mathematics rules? T
Where is the brave new world the Human Genome Project promised? Hilary and Steven Rose take on the bioscience industry.“A strong exposé of the hype surrounding genetics and neuroscience” Guardian Steven Peter Russel
Some neuroscientists claim to be able to predict actions up to seven seconds before we decide to make them. Does this mean human freedom and will are illusory? Should we accept that all our actions are determined in advance, or has neuroscience overstepped its
New from IAI: Newton founded the sciences with physics: the application of mathematics to the world. But just as some scientists claim that a theory of everything is at hand, might our current models be radically flawed? Do we need a new paradigm to make sense of
Can reason lead us to the truth? Spinoza, Hegel and Russell thought so. But might it be a fundamental mistake to imagine that reason is a neutral tool to arrive at incontrovertible conclusions? Should we be sceptical of the claims of logic, or would this allow blind
New from the IAI: In everyday life, and in science, we assume that effect follows cause. But could this most basic of beliefs be mistaken? In the 'block universe' postulated by theoretical physics, there is no before and after. Is the arrow of time an
Thousands of hectares of tropical dry forests in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais are now safe from logging, thanks to scientists affiliated with a project called Tropi-Dry. Using information from Tropi-Dry, the members of the Superior Court of Minas Gerais
