12/6
Michele W. Berger
Senior Science News Officer
mwberger@upenn.edu
Philosophy
Penn fourth-year Vikram Balasubramanian named George J. Mitchell Scholar
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’
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Two Penn seniors named 2022 Marshall Scholars
Two Penn seniors named 2022 Marshall Scholars
Kennedy Crowder and Chinaza Ruth Okonkwo have been named 2022 Marshall Scholars, among 41 chosen in the U.S. this year. Established by the British government, the Marshall Scholarship funds up to three years of study for a graduate degree in any field at an institution in the United Kingdom.
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In the News
WDET (Detroit)
New book discusses different types of curiosity and how to encourage it
Dani Bassett of the School of Engineering and Applied Science discusses their new book on curiosity and intellectual humility, “Curious Minds,” co-authored with twin Perry Zurn.
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The Guardian
Are you a busybody, a hunter, or a dancer? A new book about curiosity reveals all
Dani S. Bassett of the School of Arts & Sciences speaks on their new book, “Curious Minds: The Power of Connection,” co-authored with identical twin Perry Zurn, which investigates the foundations of curiosity.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
When should we mind our business right now? Here’s how to decide
Sukaina Hirji of the School of Arts & Sciences offered advice about when to intervene in a variety of scenarios. “Sometimes you have to speak up. Sometimes you have to stay in your lane. There is no easy answer,” she said.
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NPR
‘Can we change social norms?’
Cristina Bicchieri of the School of Arts and Sciences joins a philosophical discussion about the possibility of changing social norms.
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Christian Science Monitor
Grab your moral compass: ‘The Good Place’ takes philosophy mainstream
Errol Lord of the School of Arts and Sciences offered commentary on the Emmy-nominated series “The Good Place,” which regularly grapples with ethical issues. “I don’t think there has ever been a network sitcom that talks about philosophers in this way,” said Lord.
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Inside Higher Ed
7 hours a week on existential despair
In a uniquely reflective course taught by Justin McDaniel of the School of Arts and Sciences, students meet weekly to read an entire book cover to cover and then discuss. Noting the quality of the resulting discourse, McDaniel said, “it’s the best conversation I’ve ever had in a classroom.”
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