18Sep 2010
News and Notes
11:32 - By Steven Peterson - 3 comments
Blog entry (by Ken Blanchard) on group selection: http://naturalrightandbiology.blogspot.com/2015/09/how-group-selection-works.html
Story about rapid evolutionary change in chickens: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151027213417.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
A recent note from NSF shows what a tough slog it is for scientific research to be accepted by people who don't agree with the conclusions arrived at. A challenge to practitioners of biopolitics, who face a public with a substantial percentage doubting trhe validity of evolution. http://nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=117697&org=NSF&from=news
Genetics and psychological traits. . . .
Here is an article that outlines the argument that personality traits have underlying genetic factors. If interested, here is the article.
The Baldwin Effect
Here is an article on the Baldwin Effect. Might be of interest to readers. . . .
NEUROSCIENCE, EVOLUTION, AND MORALITY
A debate among experts on implications of knowledge from the neurosciences and evolutionary theory for morality.
http://thesciencenetwork.org/programs/the-great-debate
PUBLIC OPINION AND EVOLUTION: AN UPDATE
Recent polling data on people's views regarding evolution.
RON WHITE AND THE BIOLOGY OR MORALITY
An interesting take on differing views of the roots of morality. Check out this blog entry.
PETER CORNING'S TAKE ON "DEATH SQUADS"
Peter recently posted a point about withholding of transplants and so on on economic grounds. His argument? Those who support this are the real advocates of "death squads." See the argument on his blog.
THE BRAIN AND DECISION MAKING
Interesting piece on the brain and its involvement in cost versus benefit decision making. Take a look here.
THE BRAIN AND RIGHT-LEFT IDEOLOGICAL THINKING
An interesting report on how the brain might function differently for those on different sides of the ideological divide. See this.
BIOLOGY AND DEMOCRACY: CASE STUDY OF EGYPT
A recent article on democracy as a result of human nature. Check this out here.
3 comments
An item from the Human Ethology online group on the brain and beliefs.
http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/dc/lau...
Continuing the discussion raised by Roger Masters: until the approval of embryonic stem-cell research in Brazil, the situation here was paradoxical (or illogical, if I follow Masters´ argument well). While the law did not establish a limit for the number of "embryos" that could be created through IVF, the discarding of supernumerary "embryos" and/or their use in research was prohibited. Some argued, then, that for the sake of coherence artificial uteruses needed to be created for these supernumerary embryos. Legislation in Italy and in Germany have tried to solve similar paradoxes by limiting the number of embryos produced through IVF. That is to say: fertility clinics are allowed to produce only embryos that will be implanted. Implied in this kind of norm, however, is the principle that the cell that derives from the union between a sperm and an ovum has a higher moral status than sperms and ovums by themselves.
News about a more distant break between chimpanzee and human ancestors. 8 millions years ago. . . .
http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...