This blog post examines the debate between Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould on evolution and discusses how their theories define the boundaries between progressivism and conservatism. In the evolutionary theory debate between Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould, it is often said that Richard Dawkins, a staunch believer in science, is progressive, while Stephen Jay Gould, who raises...
Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’: What questions does it pose to humanity’s quest to control nature?
This blog post examines the significance today of the attitude toward controlling nature and the questions it raises, as explored through Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’. The ‘Silent Spring’ that came to a once peaceful village After rain mixed with chemicals fell on a peaceful village once filled with birdsong and the scent of flowers, a ‘Silent Spring’ arrived where even when...
Blind Trust in Science: How Did Thomas Samuel Kuhn Shake It?
This blog post delves deeply into Thomas Samuel Kuhn’s paradigm theory and its philosophical significance, which challenged the belief that science represents absolute truth. Since the modern era, science has earned humanity’s boundless trust. The material prosperity promised by science and technology, coupled with the epistemological justification that science represents...
The Changing Face of Ladakh: Should We Follow Their Path?
This blog post examines the shift between Ladakh’s traditional values and modern development, sharing reflections on whether we should follow their path. We often refer to the process of transforming a backward society into a modern one as ‘development,’ ‘urbanization,‘ and ‘Westernization.’ Development is the effort to change society for the better. Through development...
What is the fundamental difference between Eastern and Western ways of thinking?
In this blog post, based on The Geography of Thought, we examine the differences in Eastern and Western ways of thinking and explore how these differences influence each culture’s values and social behavior. I first pondered the meaning of the title ‘The Geography of Thought’. The first image that came to mind was that it might be a kind of ‘map of the mind’, visually representing...
Is money a real entity, or merely a fictional concept created by humans?
In this blog post, we explore whether ‘money’—something we take for granted—is truly a real entity or just a fictional concept invented by humans. In modern society, money has established itself as a very important entity. Money constantly torments modern people. From those who grieve over lack of money to those who find happiness in the very act of earning it, money’s influence is...
Can Dataism Replace Humanism?
This blog post explores the possibility of Dataism replacing human-centered value systems and discusses how it might resolve philosophical debates about free will and self-formation. According to Yuval Noah Harari, religion is a reflection of superhuman laws within social structures, serving as an intersubjective reality that legitimizes human norms and values. Therefore, religion must not...
Darwin’s Confidence (Does Evolution Mean Progress?)
This blog post explores the relationship between evolution and progress through Darwin’s Confidence. Based on the debate between Dawkins and Gould, it takes an in-depth look at whether evolution truly signifies progress. The book Darwin’s Confidence takes the form of a fictional debate between two world-renowned biologists, Dawkins and Gould. Before discussing the fifth story...
Will technological advancement lead humanity to progress, or will it bring about the extinction of Homo sapiens?
This blog post explores whether technological advancement will bring progress to humanity or lead to the extinction of Homo sapiens. The final part of the book Sapiens discusses how Homo sapiens, modern humans, will ultimately face extinction. Most people who haven’t read this book would likely imagine catastrophic events like the meteor strike that wiped out the dinosaurs, an ice...
Can Alan Chalmers’ Observations Serve as the Starting Point for Scientific Theory?
This blog post examines critical perspectives on Alan Chalmers’ observations and discusses the importance and role of observation in scientific theory. In ‘What Is This Thing Called Science?’, Alan Chalmers presents a negative perspective on ‘observation’. This is a view commonly accepted not only by Alan Chalmers but also within the relevant academic community. They argue that...