Science, politics, and vaccine acceptance Science, politics, and vaccine acceptance As the COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed across the country, new research out of the Department of Philosophy shows that knowledge about the nature of science can combat political biases.
On Galápagos beaches, human presence conclusively affects sea lions Twice a week between June and December of 2017 and 2018, local Galapagueño students observed sea lion behavior at four local beaches. The community scientists assessed how frequently the animals growled, barked, and moved toward the observer, as well as conducted an overall census of the animals. (Pre-pandemic image: Courtesy Michael Weisberg) On Galápagos beaches, human presence conclusively affects sea lions Penn researchers, in conjunction with Galapagueño high school students, found that on more crowded beaches, the endangered animals are less aggressive to people.
How have new social norms emerged as COVID-19 has spread? How have new social norms emerged as COVID-19 has spread? In a study of nine countries, researcher Cristina Bicchieri found that motivating people to modify behavior requires changing their expectations about the actions and thoughts of those who matter to them.
When should we mind our business right now? Here’s how to decide Penn In the News 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. Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences September 18, 2020 Understanding death In the latest episode of Penn Today’s ‘Understand This ...’ podcast series, assistant professor of Religious Studies Jolyon Thomas and Director of Pastoral Services James Browning explore dialogues around death. View large image Welcome to the third episode of “Understand This ...,” a Penn Today podcast. With the onset of a global pandemic comes the inevitable questions surrounding death: How do I talk about it? How can I prepare? How do I mourn? What is a ‘good’ death? And while not all of these questions can be answered, they are worth discussing. Joining in this edition of the podcast, which brings together different disciplines in the University to tackle shared problems, is Chaplain James Browning, director of pastoral care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and Jolyon Thomas, assistant professor of religious studies in the School of Arts & Sciences. Together, they explore the delayed grief the pandemic has brought, traditions of mourning, and an unpacking of what a dignified death may, or may not, look like. 4:35: Browning discusses navigating death with people in the hospital. 8:55: Thomas talks about the unique moment of being surrounded by the “capriciousness” of death. 12:10: Browning recalls the collective mourning of the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy and the concept of “storing up grief” during the pandemic. 15:50: Thomas explores the idea of selective mourning. “We run a risk as soon as we put things into a national frame, because these are things that don’t respect national boundaries; a pandemic doesn’t respect national boundaries,” he says. “… We have a duty to think about the much broader global community.” 18:50: Thomas places death in the context of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, describing how those instances of mass death have been memorialized. 22:40: Browning remembers an instance of allowing a patient to die on their own terms. 25:30: Quote break: a reading of Walt Whitman’s “Burial” verses from “Leaves of Grass.” 26:30: Thomas describes the Buddhist tradition of dealing with death. 31:00: Browning explains meeting people where they are with their beliefs, as a chaplain. 42:40: Browning emphasizes using the word “death” plainly and asking people about what they need. “It’s like the elephant in the room,” he says. 51:00: Thomas talks about planning for death and recognizing mortality without being morbid. This episode is available for download through Apple Music. View Transcript Share this article Rooting out systemic bias in neuroscience publishing Rooting out systemic bias in neuroscience publishing An interdisciplinary research team has found statistical evidence of women being undercited in academic literature. They are now studying similar effects along racial lines. Kok-Chor Tan on how external factors inform individual responses to COVID-19 Kok-Chor Tan on how external factors inform individual responses to COVID-19 The professor of philosophy says the ways in which individuals are affected by the pandemic are a result of a complex tapestry of economic, social, and cultural factors. Ecuador’s vice president talks biodiversity protection Ecuador's Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner speaks at Perry World House. Ecuador’s vice president talks biodiversity protection Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner spoke to a packed Perry World House about protecting the environment while balancing economic growth. Learning civil discourse and open-mindedness from high schoolers Learning civil discourse and open-mindedness from high schoolers In the city’s first regional Ethics Bowl, facilitated by Penn philosopher Karen Detlefsen and Graduate School of Education doctoral student Dustin Webster, six local teams competed for a chance at Nationals. On the condition of alienage for refugees On the condition of alienage for refugees Eilidh Beaton, doctoral candidate in philosophy, argues for the reconsideration of the alienage condition for refugee status. Load More
Rooting out systemic bias in neuroscience publishing Rooting out systemic bias in neuroscience publishing An interdisciplinary research team has found statistical evidence of women being undercited in academic literature. They are now studying similar effects along racial lines.
Kok-Chor Tan on how external factors inform individual responses to COVID-19 Kok-Chor Tan on how external factors inform individual responses to COVID-19 The professor of philosophy says the ways in which individuals are affected by the pandemic are a result of a complex tapestry of economic, social, and cultural factors.
Ecuador’s vice president talks biodiversity protection Ecuador's Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner speaks at Perry World House. Ecuador’s vice president talks biodiversity protection Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner spoke to a packed Perry World House about protecting the environment while balancing economic growth.
Learning civil discourse and open-mindedness from high schoolers Learning civil discourse and open-mindedness from high schoolers In the city’s first regional Ethics Bowl, facilitated by Penn philosopher Karen Detlefsen and Graduate School of Education doctoral student Dustin Webster, six local teams competed for a chance at Nationals.
On the condition of alienage for refugees On the condition of alienage for refugees Eilidh Beaton, doctoral candidate in philosophy, argues for the reconsideration of the alienage condition for refugee status.