Dr Heather Browning (Veit)

Oh thank you! So glad you enjoyed it 😊

Today for the first time in several weeks I've got time to work on my book project, and I'm buzzing with excitement for it. A nice reminder of why I do this work, and how much I love it (when not bogged down by other tasks!)

I agree we will probably never know for certain, but I think we can make more or less well-supported inferences based in background theory and available evidence - work like this helps in figuring out what sort of theory and evidence we need to come to certain conclusions

Ned Block, Can only meat machines be conscious? - PhilPapers Computational functionalism claims that executing certain computations is suf- cient for consciousness, regardless of the physical mechanisms implementing those computations. This view neglects a comp...

I definitely don't think there's a dualist leaning here, but an attempt to tease out the different possible physicalist options (and here's the PhilPapers link if you want to read more: philpapers.org/rec/BLOCOM-3)

Ned Block, Can only meat machines be conscious? - PhilPapers Computational functionalism claims that executing certain computations is suf- cient for consciousness, regardless of the physical mechanisms implementing those computations. This view neglects a comp...

Apologies for only giving the paywalled link - here's the PhilPapers version that everyone can access: philpapers.org/rec/BLOCOM-3

Ned Block, Can only meat machines be conscious? - PhilPapers Computational functionalism claims that executing certain computations is suf- cient for consciousness, regardless of the physical mechanisms implementing those computations. This view neglects a comp...

Yes, he uses the standard definition for phenomenal consciousness. Here's the PhilPapers link for the whole article: philpapers.org/rec/BLOCOM-3

Ned Block, Can only meat machines be conscious? - PhilPapers Computational functionalism claims that executing certain computations is suf- cient for consciousness, regardless of the physical mechanisms implementing those computations. This view neglects a comp...

Here's the PhilPapers link: philpapers.org/rec/BLOCOM-3

Can only meat machines be conscious? Computational functionalism claims that executing certain computations is sufficient for consciousness, regardless of the physical mechanisms implementing those computations. This view neglects a comp...

Interesting new paper by Ned Block, exploring the implications if subcomputational biological mechanisms turn out to be necessary for consciousness (the entertainingly named "meat hypothesis")
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...

Found it, thanks. It is definitely eye-opening - "An estimated third of the forty-eight-billion-dollar budget of the N.I.H. goes toward funding animal research" ..

Were you intending to attach a link, Anna?

Animal testing to be phased out faster as UK unveils roadmap for alternative methods New plan backs researchers to seize on new and developing opportunities to phase out animal tests with specific commitments for the coming years.

Very happy to see the UK government making a commitment to phasing out animal testing
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Back home now. Osaka aquarium was incredible (whale sharks 😍) and with some help from Happy Cow I found lots of delicious vegan ramen!

In Osaka meeting the first fish to have been shown to possess self-awareness in mirror experiments!

Very cool new resource frm @faunalytics.bsky.social covering the major current issues in aquaculture
faunalytics.org/fundamentals...

Have days where I deliberately don't open my email ..

That's such a lovely story! I think animals like these get overlooked too often

Impact of Animal Encounter Modality and Species on Zoo Visitor Knowledge, Concern, and Conservation Intent Zoos fill an important role in connecting humans with nature, especially given an increasing rate of both urbanization and biodiversity loss. With the advent of new technologies, however, there are m...

This study shows that in-person encounters with animals help build connection and empathy, but I can't help feel sad for the poor stingrays who were less popular across all conditions than the more charismatic elephants
doi.org/10.1002/zoo....

#science #philsci #books #education
Walt's got a new book out! I should be reading it, but I can't stop watching gullible wealth-hoarding elite participate in their new favourite pastime — starfish yoga!
Thankfully, his book can be downloaded, free for the next 2 weeks. I hear it's worth a read.

Modelling Evolution Cambridge Core - Philosophy of Science - Modelling Evolution

My new book 'Modelling Evolution' is now published! Please share. Available for free download for 2 weeks with this link: www.cambridge.org/core/element...

Last week @walterveit.bsky.social and I found a little wood pigeon nestling who'd come out of his nest. We were able to care for him at home for a couple of days and he's now safely with a wildlife rescue for his rehabilitation and eventual release 🐦❤️

Thanks! Our bathroom feels strangely empty now without one

I spent a lot of time there as a kid! One of our main summer swimming spots

Longtermism and Animals Abstract. Work on longtermism has so far primarily focused on the existence and wellbeing of future humans, without corresponding consideration of animal w

New book chapter out with @walterveit.bsky.social, arguing that animals should still be important even from a longtermist perspective
academic.oup.com/book/60794/c...

Love these guys! We'd get them occasionally in Canberra and every time I heard their calls I'd scan the skies

Wow! I had no idea

Small announcement: my third book "Modelling Evolution" has been accepted for publication with CUP. 😊

Animal Rights, Moral Motivation, and the Experience of Wonder Despite being strong, arguments for animal rights often fail to motivate. One reason for this is that rights are associated with concepts, such as respect, that are difficult to apply to nonhuman ani...

My paper ‘Animal Rights, Moral Motivation, and the Experience of Wonder’ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... has just been published at @the-joap.bsky.social In it, I argue for fostering a sense of wonder at individual nonhuman animals, & for making this the basis of a reverence-based respect.

Yes, I've seen her present some work on this, really interesting

If you're an animal lover and haven't bought @zoophilosophy.bsky.social & @walterveit.bsky.social book yet, you need to. Their book “What are Zoos For?” is filled with info that can help you debate, discuss and inform others more confidently.
#philsky #animalrights #science

New podcast out! @walterveit.bsky.social and I talk with Kyle Johannsen about our book 'What Are Zoos For?'
newbooksnetwork.com/what-are-zoo...