How does consciousness weave its magical web of inner awareness—appreciating music, enjoying art, feeling love? Even when all mental functions may be explained, the great mystery—what it ‘feels like’ inside—will likely remain. This is the ‘Hard Problem’ of consciousness. What could even count as a theory of consciousness, even in principle?
Ecology, environmental protection, and dealing with climate change are among humanity’s most serious problems. Can a philosophical perspective clarify old issues and suggest new solutions?
What is “human” nature? While human beings are animals, we believe we are special, radically different from other animals. Why? What traits are unique to humans? Are we sure? How to explore human nature from a biological and evolutionary perspective?
What is the extended evolutionary synthesis (EES) and why better? Includes multilevel selection, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, niche construction, evolvability, and ideas from evolutionary developmental biology. Why is EES controversial?
Altruism, selfless concern for others, seems a challenge for evolution, as it seems the opposite of “survival of the fittest.” Why then is altruism so important in evolutionary studies? How does animal altruism relate to human morality?
Altruism, selfless concern for others, seems a challenge for evolution, as it seems the opposite of “survival of the fittest.” Why then is altruism so important in evolutionary studies? How does animal altruism relate to human morality?
What is the classification system in biology, the taxonomy used to categorize organisms in a structured hierarchy? What are species and individuals in biological and evolutionary contexts, and what is the relationship between them?
What is the classification system in biology, the taxonomy used to categorize organisms in a structured hierarchy? What are species and individuals in biological and evolutionary contexts, and what is the relationship between them?
What is a gene? Molecular biology, genome, genetic engineering, as well as genes, define our century of biology. But what do these terms actually signify? How to understand each term precisely?
What is a gene? Molecular biology, genome, genetic engineering, as well as genes, define our century of biology. But what do these terms actually signify? How to understand each term precisely?