BI 179 Laura Gradowski: Include the Fringe with Pluralism
Nov 27, 2023
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Laura Gradowski, a philosopher of science at the University of Pittsburgh, discusses the importance of scientific pluralism and the inclusion of fringe theories in science. She cites historical examples, including the Garcia effect, that challenge mainstream theories and highlight the need for tolerance and diversity in scientific research. The podcast explores various topics such as the transition of fringe ideas to mainstream acceptance, the validation of traditional ecological knowledge, and the role of constraints in generating movement and thoughts. It also delves into the concept of the 'no end principle' and the continuous exploration of new ideas in science.
Scientific pluralism encourages acceptance and exploration of a variety of theoretical frameworks and methods in science.
Fringe theories have the potential to challenge mainstream scientific frameworks and become accepted.
Implementing extreme pluralism fosters creativity, diverse perspectives, and broader exchange of ideas in scientific investigations.
Deep dives
Fringe Theories and Scientific Pluralism
Fringe theories are alternative views that go against the consensus in a scientific field. The idea of scientific pluralism is to be open and welcoming to a variety of theoretical frameworks and methods in science. Laura Gradowski, a philosopher of science, argues for extreme pluralism or radical pluralism, suggesting that almost all theoretical frameworks should be accepted. She provides examples from the history of science, like the Garcia effect, to support her case. The podcast explores the concept of fringe theories, mainstream theories, pluralism, and various topics in neuroscience and AI, discussing the importance of tolerance towards alternative theoretical frameworks. The goal is to move away from dismissing fringe theories and develop a more inclusive approach to scientific research.
Defining Fringe Theories and Mainstream Theories
Fringe theories are alternative views that challenge the consensus among professional scientists. They often explore ideas that are considered to be on the outskirts of scientific acceptance. Meanwhile, mainstream theories represent the established views within a scientific field that are widely accepted and supported by the scientific community. Fringe theories can be characterized by being absent or marginalized within academic discourse and often defy the conventional norms and methods of science. However, certain promising fringe theories have the potential to challenge the mainstream and become accepted as new scientific frameworks.
The Journey from Fringe to Mainstream
The process of a fringe theory gaining mainstream acceptance is complex and can involve resistance, rejection, and persistent efforts from its proponents. Examples such as the Garcia effect, continental drift, and traditional ecological knowledge highlight cases where initially dismissed ideas eventually become mainstream. A key aspect is the willingness to challenge established paradigms and examine anomalies that popular theories may not account for. Although not all fringe theories will become mainstream, pluralism encourages a more inclusive and open-minded approach in scientific investigations.
The Significance and Benefits of Scientific Pluralism
Scientific pluralism emphasizes the importance of using multiple theoretical frameworks to investigate a subject, even if these frameworks are contradictory or inconsistent with each other. It recognizes that different theories provide unique perspectives, insights, and constraints in understanding complex phenomena. By embracing pluralism, scientists can avoid the limitations of a single dominant theory and gain a more comprehensive understanding of a subject matter. While implementing extreme pluralism may pose challenges, such as resource allocation and managing conflicting ideas, it offers the promise of fostering creativity, encouraging diverse perspectives, and advancing scientific knowledge through a broader exchange of ideas.
The status of fringe theories in the field of ufology
The podcast episode explores the status of fringe theories in the field of ufology. The speaker discusses how some theories, such as aliens rebranding themselves as angels and demons for a scientific audience, are still considered very fringe. However, there is a growing acceptance that there is something more to sightings and encounters, indicating a transition towards a more mainstream view. The speaker mentions that even in Congress, there have been statements about recovered crashed crafts with non-human entities. While the topic is still met with hesitancy, there is a recognition that the conversation is shifting towards a more open exploration of the phenomenon.
Pluralism, judgment, and the future of science
The podcast also delves into the concept of pluralism and its role in science. The speaker highlights that pluralism is a permanent aspect of scientific discovery and emphasizes that there may never be an end to scientific exploration. They argue that while some theories may be deemed fringe, it is important to consider the intention and impact of the theory. If a theory is fraudulent or harmful, it should not be taken seriously. However, the speaker acknowledges the challenge of judging theories and suggests that personal judgment and societal standards play a role in determining the acceptance of certain ideas. The conversation also touches on marginalized groups, such as women in philosophy and indigenous knowledge, and the need to create more inclusive spaces for diverse perspectives in scientific discourse.
Laura Gradowski is a philosopher of science at the University of Pittsburgh. Pluralism is roughly the idea that there is no unified account of any scientific field, that we should be tolerant of and welcome a variety of theoretical and conceptual frameworks, and methods, and goals, when doing science. Pluralism is kind of a buzz word right now in my little neuroscience world, but it's an old and well-trodden notion... many philosophers have been calling for pluralism for many years. But how pluralistic should we be in our studies and explanations in science? Laura suggests we should be very, very pluralistic, and to make her case, she cites examples in the history of science of theories and theorists that were once considered "fringe" but went on to become mainstream accepted theoretical frameworks. I thought it would be fun to have her on to share her ideas about fringe theories, mainstream theories, pluralism, etc.
We discuss a wide range of topics, but also discuss some specific to the brain and mind sciences. Laura goes through an example of something and someone going from fringe to mainstream - the Garcia effect, named after John Garcia, whose findings went agains the grain of behaviorism, the dominant dogma of the day in psychology. But this overturning only happened after Garcia had to endure a long scientific hell of his results being ignored and shunned. So, there are multiple examples like that, and we discuss a handful. This has led Laura to the conclusion we should accept almost all theoretical frameworks, We discuss her ideas about how to implement this, where to draw the line, and much more.
Laura's page at the Center for the Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh.
0:00 - Intro
3:57 - What is fringe?
10:14 - What makes a theory fringe?
14:31 - Fringe to mainstream
17:23 - Garcia effect
28:17 - Fringe to mainstream: other examples
32:38 - Fringe and consciousness
33:19 - Words meanings change over time
40:24 - Pseudoscience
43:25 - How fringe becomes mainstream
47:19 - More fringe characteristics
50:06 - Pluralism as a solution
54:02 - Progress
1:01:39 - Encyclopedia of theories
1:09:20 - When to reject a theory
1:20:07 - How fringe becomes fringe
1:22:50 - Marginilization
1:27:53 - Recipe for fringe theorist
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