Navigating Assumptions and Complexity Across Fields

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The chapter explores the implications of societal assumptions on justice and fairness, highlighting the challenges of applying local-scale intuitions to larger populations. It discusses the role of modeling in testing the reliability of assumptions and draws parallels between philosophy and physics in prioritizing reasoning over answers. The conversation delves into the concept of complexity in understanding systems, emphasizing the limitations of analytic solutions and statistical models.

When it comes to social change, two questions immediately present themselves: What kind of change do we want to see happen? And, how do we bring it about? These questions are distinct but related; there's not much point in spending all of our time wanting change that won't possibly happen, or working for change that wouldn't actually be good. Addressing such issues lies at the intersection of philosophy, political science, and social dynamics. Sahar Heydari Fard looks at all of these issues through the lens of complex systems theory, to better understand how the world works and how it might be improved.

Blog post with transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2024/03/18/269-sahar-heydari-fard-on-complexity-justice-and-social-dynamics/

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Sahar Heydari Fard received a Masters in applied economics and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Cincinnati. She is currently an assistant professor in philosophy at the Ohio State University. Her research lies at the intersection of social and behavioral sciences, social and political philosophy, and ethics, using tools from complex systems theory.

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