There are different kinds of uncertainties involved in climate science and policy. In this talk I distinguish between some of them, and reflect on their ethical implications. Specifically, I reflect on the question of whether there is a need, in the context of climate science, to advance so-called possibilistic scenario’s. What are possibilistic scenarios? Are they distinct from probabilistic predictions? And what is their relevance for precautionary principles?

Experimental investigation of the Liar paradox”: A psychophysiological experiment was conducted to test the predictions of the virtual entailment principle proposed by Jean Buridan to resolve the Liar paradox. This principle states that every sentence in natural language implicitly asserts its own truth. Adopting this principle means that the Liar sentence is not paradoxical but false, because its content is contradictory to what is virtually implied. As a result, humans should perceive the Liar sentence the same way as any other false sentence. This solution to the Liar paradox received criticism for making ad hoc claims about the natural language. However, thanks to modern advancements in psychophysiology, it became possible to empirically investigate if the human brain really perceives the Liar sentence like a false sentence. We designed and conducted an experiment to examine brain activity in response to true sentences, false sentences and self-referential sentences (including the Liar and the Truthteller). Our results provide support for the Buridan’s hypothesis and show that the Liar sentence is processed by the human brain identically to false sentences, while the Truthteller sentence is perceived identically to true sentences. This agrees with predictions derived from the virtual entailment principle and supports the idea that humans think with the logic of truth—a logic for which the truth is a designated value of its adequate semantics.​

We have the pleasure to invite You for yet another research seminar in the ‘BIOUNCERTAINTY’ research project organized with the Department of Philosophy of Natural Sciences of the Jagiellonian University. The subject of the seminar is ‘Overview of the emergence and evolution of religion from a Darwinian perspective’ and it will be delivered by Pierrick Bourrat from Macquarie University and University of Sydney. The seminar will take place on Thursday, 10th of October, at 5:30pm in room 25 of the Institute of Philosophy, 52 Grodzka Street. Pierrick Bourrat acquired his PhD in the philosophy of biology at the University of Sydney in May 2015. His interests include the interplay of biological and cultural evolution and the evolution of religious beliefs.

Professor Ilana Löwy (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) will deliver a lecture: "Prenatal Diagnosis and Disability Rights"