The HPS Podcast - Conversations from History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science

Professor Cordelia Fine joins Samara this week to talk about 'norms of reaction' in relation to sex differences. Feminist critics of sex difference research are often accused of claiming there are no sex differences, or that sex hormones have no influence on human behaviour. Cordelia talks us through why this is a false characterisation. Instead, feminist researchers are digging into the ways in which the developmental outcomes of genes and hormones on behaviour can vary radically depending on environmental conditions.   Links to some of the works Cordelia mentions in the podcast are provided below:Rebecca Jordan-Young, Brain Storm: The Flaws in the Science of Sex DifferencesJillian Barker, Beyond Biofatalism: Human Nature for an Evolving World 2015Video: Daphna Joel, ‘Neuroscience of Sex and Gender’ Cordelia Fine, Delusions of Gender 2010Cordelia Fine, Testosterone Rex 2016A transcript of the interview can be found here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/episode-4-transcriptThanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

Does nature have a purpose? The simple scientific answer is no, but the fuller story is, of course, more complicated than that. Concepts like goal directedness, directionality, and even purpose are used - usefully! - in biology all the time. How can we reconcile these two realities? Today's guest on the HPS podcast is Professor Alan C. Love. Alan is professor of philosophy at the University of Minnesota and principal investigator of 'The Purpose Project'. Alan joins Samara Greenwood to talk about how we can develop richer understandings of purpose in the sciences, and potentially, more broadly.Alan also raises some interesting points on the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinarity. He discusses what scientists need to be aware of when working collaboratively, and how philosophers of science can add great value.A transcript of the episode can be found here - https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/episode-3-transcriptMore about Alan Love and his work:Project Website: ‘Biological Purpose’ - https://www.biologicalpurpose.org/General Article: ‘Alan Love on the Science of Purpose’ - https://bit.ly/AlanLoveArticleAcademic Article: ‘Organising Interdisciplinary Research on Purpose’ -https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biac041  Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

How do you view science? Is it a unified discipline that relies on a single method, or are the sciences more diverse than the standard image implies? In this episode of the podcast, Samara meets with the University of Melbourne’s own Dr Kristian Camilleri to talk about the Disunity of Science. Kristian highlights the problems with a monolithic vision of science and argues for seeing the sciences as diverse and differently evolving practices. This 'disunity' becomes clear when we appreciate that scientific disciplines often employ very different methodologies and have developed in divergent ways.  The disunity of science also has practical implications, as scientists may face barriers when collaborating if they hold to an overly simplified model of science.  Recognising science as highly variegated allows for a more helpful and accurate understanding.Follow the links below to learn more about Kristian Camilleri and his workInterview with Kristian: ‘Unpacking the History of Quantum Mechanics’ 2021Kristian's Book: Heisenberg & the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics 2009On the Disunity of ScienceEdited collection: The Disunity of Science: Boundaries, Contexts, and Power 1996Article: ‘The Disunity of Nature and Science’ 2002A transcript of the podcast can be found here.Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

In this episode of The HPS Podcast, Samara interviews a member of 'HPS Royalty' - Donna Haraway, who highlights the important role of narrative and storytelling in the sciences.For Donna, storytelling in science involves being aware of how important scientific narratives are to scientific practice, and to the ways science contributes to humanities broader 'story' of the world. Donna proposes that engaging in 'polymath curiosity' by reading more in the world of HPS and beyond can help scientists ensure they stay innovative and playful with their thinking. Donna also suggests 'thinking about thinking' is helpful. For example, not just considering relationships as being linear or hierarchical, but rather thinking in webs of interactions, like in the game of 'Cat's Cradle'. Ultimately, Donna would love everyone to appreciate more the camaraderie, sense of humour and exploratory capacities of good scientists.Follow the links below to learn more about Donna Haraway and her work, as discussed in the episode: Article: ‘A Manifesto for Cyborgs’ 1985Article: ‘Situated Knowledges’ 1988Book: Primate Visions 1989 Article: ‘A Game of Cat’s Cradle’ 1994Video: Donna Haraway Lecture ‘Making Oddkin: Story Telling for Earthly Survival’ 2017Video: Donna Haraway & Bruno Latour Discussing ‘Storytelling for Earthly Survival’ 2020A transcript of the episode can also be found here.Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

Welcome to The HPS Podcast! Before we dive into the history and philosophy of science interviews we’ve all been waiting for, our host Samara Greenwood takes us through the backstory to the podcast. Samara discusses what HPS is all about, the aims of the podcast, as well as a bit about the history of the discipline. We then meet the rest of the podcast crew, Fiona Fidler and Indigo Keel, before learning more about the upcoming season. To find out more about HPS at the University of Melbourne and beyond, here are some further resources to explore:The HPS@UniMelb website, which also contains information about the HPS seminar series, the HPS blog and further resources. More about HPS at the formal UniMelb HPS websiteA Short Video on HPS by Dr Kristian Camilleri An article on the History of HPS at the University of MelbourneA transcript of the episode can be found here.Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org