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36Variability of AggressionIn T. Shackleford & V. Weekes-Shackleford (eds.), Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, . 2021.Variability of aggression: human aggressive behavior varies on a number of dimensions. We argue that this variability is best understood through an interdisciplinary evolutionary approach.
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33A review of David Hull, science and selection: Essays on biological evolution and the philosophy of science (review)Biology and Philosophy 17 (5): 739-742. 2002.
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32The Role of Ancient DNA Research in ArchaeologyTopoi 40 (1): 285-293. 2019.In this paper I briefly introduce work on ancient-DNA and give some examples of the impact this work has had on responses to questions in archaeology. Next, I spell out David Reich’s reasons for his optimism about the contribution aDNA research makes to archaeology. I then use Robert Chapman and Alison Wylie’s framework to offer an alternative to Reich’s view of relations between aDNA research and archaeology. Finally, I develop Steven Mithen’s point about the different questions archaeologists …Read more
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31The basic components of the human mind were not solidified during the Pleistocene epochIn Francisco José Ayala & Robert Arp (eds.), Contemporary debates in philosophy of biology, Wiley-blackwell. 2010.There are a number of competing hypotheses about human evolution. For example, Homo habilis and Homo erectus could have existed together, or one could have evolved from the other, and paleontological evidence may allow us to decide between these two hypotheses (see, e.g., Spoor et al., 2007). For most who work on the biology of human behavior, there is no question that human behavior is in some large part a product of evolution. But, there are competing hypotheses in this area as well. Some clai…Read more
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29Empirical investigation or rational reconstruction?Behavioral and Brain Sciences 14 (4): 742-743. 1991.
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29Shallow versus deep genetic causesBehavioral and Brain Sciences 46. 2023.We argue that Madole & Harden's distinction between shallow versus deep genetic causes can bring some clarity to causal claims arising from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). However, the authors argue that GWAS only finds shallow genetic causes, making GWAS commensurate with the environmental studies they hope to supplant. We also assess whether their distinction applies best to explanations or causes.
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23Herbert Simon's Computational Models of Scientific DiscoveryPSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1990 97-108. 1990.In this paper I evaluate Herbert Simon 's important computational approach to scientific discovery, which can be characterized as a contribution to both the "cognitive science of science" and to naturalized philosophy of science. First, I tackle the empirical adequacy of Simon 's account of discovery, arguing that his claims about the discovery process lack evidence and, even if substantiated, they disregard the important social dimension of scientific discovery. Second, I discuss the normative …Read more
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23Simulating Science: Heuristics, Mental Models, and Technoscientific Thinking. Michael E. Gorman (review)Isis 85 (1): 195-197. 1994.
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21A Philosophical Ethnography of Human-Computer InteractionSocial Epistemology 1 (1): 27-36. 1987.
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21Confronting Variation in the Social and Behavioral SciencesPhilosophy of Science 83 (5): 909-920. 2016.I pose problems for the views that human nature should be the object of study in the social and behavioral sciences and that a concept of human nature is needed to guide research in these sciences. I proceed by outlining three research programs in the social sciences, each of which confronts aspects of human variation. Next, I present Elizabeth Cashdan and Grant Ramsey’s related characterizations of human nature. I go on to argue that the research methodologies they each draw on are more product…Read more
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18How Biology Shapes Philosophy: New Foundations for Naturalism by Livingstone Smith, David (ed.) (review)Evolutionary Studies in Imaginative Culture 1 (2): 149-152. 2017.
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17Modeling scientific practice: Paul Thagard's computational approachNew Ideas in Psychology 11 (2): 229-243. 1993.In this paper I examine Paul Thagard's computational approach to studying science, which is a contribution to the cognitive science of science. I present several criticisms of Thagard's approach and use them to motivate some suggestions for alternative approaches in cognitive science of science. I first argue that Thagard does not clearly establish the units of analysis of his study. Second, I argue that Thagard mistakenly applies the same model to both individual and group decision making. Fina…Read more
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16Book Review: Conquest of Abundance: A Tale of Abstraction versus the Richness of Being, The Worst Enemy of Science? Essays in Memory of Paul Feyerabend (review)Science, Technology, and Human Values 27 (1): 160-167. 2002.
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14Book ReviewKim Sterelny, The Evolution of Agency and Other Essays. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press , xvi + 310 pp., $54.95 (review)Philosophy of Science 69 (3): 538-540. 2002.
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13Evolutionary psychology is not the only productive evolutionary approach to understanding consumer behaviorJournal of Consumer Psychology 23 (3): 400-403. 2013.I respond to Vladas Griskevicius and Douglas T. Kendrick (G&K) and Gad Saad's (S) defenses of the view that Consumer Studies would benefit from the appeal to evolution in all work aimed at understanding consumer behavior. I argue that G&K and S's reliance on one theoretical perspective, that of evolutionary psychology, limits their options. Further, I point out some specific problems with the theoretical perspective of evolutionary psychology. Finally, I introduce some alternative evolutionary a…Read more
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12Reform for the evolutionary social sciences or new theory of human nature? (review)Metascience 25 (3): 479-485. 2016.
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8Baldwin effects and the expansion of the explanatory repertoire in evolutionary biologyIn Bruce H. Weber & David J. Depew (eds.), Evolution and Learning: The Baldwin Effect Reconsidered, Mit Press. pp. 33--351. 2003.
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7Are You Experienced?In Fritz Allhoff & Stephen E. Schmid (eds.), Climbing ‐ Philosophy for Everyone, Wiley‐blackwell. 2010-09-24.This chapter contains sections titled: Coda: Getting Something Back Notes.
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5Herbert Simon’s Computational Models of Scientific DiscoveryPSA Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1990 (1): 97-108. 1990.Herbert Simon’s work on scientific discovery deserves serious attention by philosophers of science for several reasons. First, Simon was an early advocate of rational scientific discovery, contra Popper and logical empiricist philosophers of science (Simon 1966). This proposal spurred on investigation of scientific discovery in philosophy of science, as philosophers used and developed Simon’s notions of “problem solving” and “heuristics” in attempts to provide rational accounts of scientific dis…Read more
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4The Disunity of Science: Boundaries, Contexts, and Power by Peter Galison; David J. Stump (review)Isis 88 517-518. 1997.
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3Diversifying Tenure-Line FacultyBlog of the American Philosophical Association. 2020.A blog post in the APA series on diversity in the profession. This post outlines some suggested practices for hiring and retention of tenure-line faculty with a particular focus on hiring women.
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
Areas of Specialization
Philosophy of Biology |
Philosophy of Cognitive Science |
Philosophy of Social Science |
Philosophy of Probability |