著者
有賀 暢迪
出版者
京都大学文学部科学哲学科学史研究室
雑誌
科学哲学科学史研究 (ISSN:18839177)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.2, pp.61-74, 2008-01-31

In 1956, American meteorologist Norman Phillips published an article entitled "The General Circulation of the Atmosphere: A Numerical Experiment," which is considered a landmark in the history of meteorology as well as in that of computer simulation. In this paper, we present Phillips's numerical experiment as a natural development of a dishpan experiment―a laboratory experiment with rotating fluid. Both kinds of experiments are 'model experiments,' and we can regard their models as a tool for understanding general circulation. In the history of meteorology, computer simulation emerged as a kind of experiment.
著者
中尾 央
出版者
京都大学文学部科学哲学科学史研究室
雑誌
科学哲学科学史研究 (ISSN:18839177)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.3, pp.21-38, 2009-02-28

This paper will focus on and analyze the recent arguments on mental modularity. Although the Massive Modularity Hypothesis (MMH) has been criticized by many philosophers and psychologists, Barrett, Sperber, and Carruthers argue that these criticisms have misunderstood the meaning of the concept of "module" in MMH; they argue that this concept differs from Fodorian module and should be investigated in terms of functional specialization. Through clarifying the concept of module in these arguments and the reasons why MMH based on such mental modules can be supported, the author will consider the relationships between MMH and culture. In particular, the author will argue that MMH can explain social learning because some biases in the Dual Inheritance Theory can be also regarded as modules. It follows that MMH can be compatible with the Dual Inheritance Theory to a significant degree.
著者
小野田 波里
出版者
京都大学文学部科学哲学科学史研究室
雑誌
科学哲学科学史研究 (ISSN:18839177)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.5, pp.21-49, 2011-02-28

In the process of forming the general theory of relativity, demands of the theoretical principle play an important part, and these are regarded as the basis that the general theory of relativity is a relativistic theory of space and time, combined with Einstein's philosophical reference. However, historically speaking, the general theory of relativity was not constructed on some theoretical stipulations in a consistent way, but rather it went through some shifts of them. So by scrutinizing these shifts, we may clarify the actual process of the theory's construction. In this paper, we pay attention to two ideas, "the relativity of inertia" and "Mach's principle," which are not regarded as a theoretical principle of the general theory of relativity nowadays. And we will try to give an answer to the following questions: (1) why Einstein thought that "Mach's principle" was important as a theoretical principle when the general theory of relativity completed, (2) why he thought "Mach's principle" was related to what Ernst Mach claimed, and (3) what is the idea which was called "the relativity of inertia." Making these ideas clear contributes to solve some confusions on the foundation of the general theory of relativity.
著者
網谷 祐一
出版者
京都大学文学部科学哲学科学史研究室
雑誌
科学哲学科学史研究 (ISSN:18839177)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.5, pp.1-20, 2011-02-28

The species problem is the longstanding puzzle concerning the nature of the species category or how to correctly define "species." Many philosophers, as well as biologists, have attributed the recalcitrant nature of the species problem to the gap between the essentialistic nature of the species concept, on the one hand, and the vague boundaries of actual species, on the other. In this paper I will examine two possible readings of this account. On the first reading, the gap comes from the lack of non-essentialistic definitions of "species." The second reading suggests that the gap comes from biologists' psychological disposition to hold essentialistic conception of species, even when non-essentialistic definitions are available to them. Then I will argue that evidence favors the second reading over the first.

2 0 0 0 OA 書評

出版者
京都大学文学部科学哲学科学史研究室
雑誌
科学哲学科学史研究 (ISSN:18839177)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.2, pp.159-167, 2008-01-31