Academic Philosophy Events in the Netherlands
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‘Fossils, Possibility & Robots’ Adrian Currie, University of Exeter
22 March @ 15:15 - 17:00
Theoretical Philosophy Colloquium, University of Groningen:
‘Fossils, Possibility & Robots’
Adrian Currie, University of Exeter
Place: Faculty of Philosophy (Oude Boteringestraat 52), University of Groningen
Date and time: March 22, 15:15 – 17:00
Abstract:
(At least sometimes) Paleontology is a science of possibility, not history. Spinosaurus aegyptiacus is putatively the largest therapod dinosaur and—extremely speculatively—an aquatic pursuit predator. In developing such hypotheses, paleontologists situate particular species in a wide variety of what I’ll call ‘profiles’: multi-dimensional comparison classes, constructed via phylogenetics, comparative methods, morphological analysis, and even morphological robotics. Drawing on study of Spinosaurus, I’ll highlight how paleontological knowledge explores biologically relevant areas of possibility, developing various ‘profiles’, secondarily knitting these together towards reconstructing the actual past. These explorations of possibility, in contrast with much modelling work in biology, are grounded in intimate, iterative conversation with fossils and other specimens. This grounding helps ensure that biological relevant areas of possibility are explored in a productive direction.
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The OZSW event calendar lists academic philosophy events organized by/at Dutch universities, and is offered by the OZSW as a service to the research community. Please check the event in question – through their website or organizer – to find out if you could participate and whether registration is required. Obviously we carry no responsibility for non-OZSW events.