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Philosophy
The Big Bang at 75
Theoretical physicist Vijay Balasubramanian discusses the 75th anniversary of the alpha-beta-gamma paper, what we know—and don’t know—about the universe and the “very big gaps” left to discover.
Penn fourth-year Vikram Balasubramanian named George J. Mitchell Scholar
Fourth-year Vikram Balasubramanian, a double-major in statistics and philosophy in the Wharton School and the College of Arts and Sciences, has been selected as one of 12 in the nation to receive a George J. Mitchell Scholarship, which covers one academic year of graduate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Defining neural ‘representation’
Neuroscientists frequently say that neural activity ‘represents’ certain phenomena, PIK Professor Konrad Kording and postdoc Ben Baker led a study that took a philosophical approach to tease out what the term means.
Exploring what it means to be curious
In a new book “Curious Minds: The Power of Connection,” Penn’s Dani S. Bassett and twin sibling Perry Zurn weave together history, linguistics, network science, neuroscience, and philosophy to unpack the concept of curiosity.
Undergraduate research projects look at migration from multiple angles
The Wolf Undergraduate Humanities forum takes on the topic of migration, with individual research projects ranging from slavery debates within the Jewish Orthodox community to Southeast Asian refugee youth.
Questioning what we know about dementia
Penn researchers are looking into moments of sudden, clear communication in someone with progressive neurodegenerative disease for a deeper understanding of both brain science and philosophy.
Protecting a singular ecosystem in the Galápagos
Michael Weisberg, the Bess W. Heyman President's Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, students, and Ecuador's Ambassador to the United States reflect on the momentous expansion of the Galápagos Marine Reserve.
Pandemic shifts: Oliver Kaplan on outing and education policy
The pandemic led Oliver Kaplan, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, to reconsider his academic path. He changed his major to philosophy and now hopes to shape educational policy for LGBTQ+ students.
The philosophy of visual studies
Founded 20 years ago, the interdisciplinary major of visual studies creates a bridge for students to combine interests, including philosophy, art history, architecture, fine arts, and psychology.
On the Galápagos, an underwater exploration of marine life
In collaboration with a local dive instructor and the students he trained, researchers from Penn and Villanova are learning how human presence affects life on the seafloor around these islands.
In the News
No labels, no candidate: Rejections pile up as time runs short
William Ewald of Penn Carey Law says that a contingent presidential election would be a disaster in the current political climate.
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Trump warns of ‘Pandora’s box’ of perpetual presidential prosecutions if charges against him stand
Claire Finkelstein of Penn Carey Law says that someone running for the presidency would normally reassure voters that they’re following the law, not that they’re immune to the criminal process.
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There’s no way the Georgia prosecutions of Donald Trump and Mark Meadows belong in federal court
In an Op-Ed, Claire Finkelstein of Penn Carey Law explains why the Hatch Act prevents Donald Trump and Mark Meadows from transferring their criminal cases in Georgia to federal court.
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Georgia indictment to ‘solidify’ Trump’s support for now, analysts say
Claire Finkelstein of Penn Carey Law says that the large number of Trump confidants indicted alongside him in Georgia increases the likelihood that some may turn on the former president.
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Will Georgia case against Trump end up in federal court?
Claire Finkelstein of Penn Carey Law doesn’t believe that Donald Trump can prevail in arguing that he was acting in his capacity as president while trying to win an election.
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GOP’s ‘dereliction of duty’ impeachment argument gets skeptical reviews
Claire Finkelstein of Penn Carey Law says that the “dereliction of duty” basis for impeaching a Biden administration official sounds quasi-official without requiring the GOP to say anything true or correct.
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