Closer To Truth’s Philosophy of Biology

Science & Philosophy
Producer: Getzels Gordon Productions & The Kuhn Foundation
Rights: Unlimited, 12/7/2023 to 12/31/2025 (Live Linear Streaming available)
5×30
High Definition

101-Why Philosophy of Biology?

Philosophy of Biology has two sides: the process of science and the content of biology. We address key questions. What is the nature of life? How does evolution work and what are its challenges? How to consider race, sex/gender, cognition, culture, morality, healthcare, religion, alien life and alien intelligences.

102-What is Biological Information?

What is information in biology? information is essential for analyzing data and testing hypotheses. But what is information in molecular genetics and neuroscience? What in evolution, population genetics and levels of selection? Why is computational biology transformational?

103-What is Evolutionary Developmental Biology?

Two big ideas in biology: the evolution of species via mutation, fitness and natural selection; and the embryological development of individuals, from fertilized egg to whole organisms. How do these two big ideas—“Evo-Dev,” as it’s called—relate? What novel ideas emerge? 

104-Is Race Real?

Race is obviously real — historically, socially, politically. What about biologically? We explore biological facts about race and their implications. What’s the relationship between color and race? Are human races subspecies of homo sapiens? Is race a “natural kind?”  How to form a coherent theory of race? 

105-What Would Alien Life & Intelligences Mean?

What could life be as we don’t know it? Three transitions in astrobiology. Non-life to life. Life to intelligent life. Intelligent life to technological civilization. For alien life, would Darwinian evolution hold? Fermi’s Paradox is profound: with at least 10²² planets in the known universe, we find no evidence of alien life, anywhere, much less alien intelligence. Is there a great filter?