Annual Lecture Series (in-person)
Lunchtime Talks (in-person)
Conferences (in-person)
Online-Only Events
- This event has passed.
ALS: M. Haber
October 23, 2020 @ 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm EDT
Matt Haber
University of Utah, Department of Philosophy
The Species Problem Problem and the No Solution Solution
This talk will be online via Zoom and pre-registration is required.
Register here: https://pitt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_REvgdYgITVSuQ0uSG-hPCw
ABSTRACT: I propose that the species problem is a genuinely skeptical problem. That is just to say that no single answer will resolve the question of what a species is. There are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which is that we are unlikely to come to a consensus on just what, precisely, the species problem is to begin with. Namely, we don’t just have a species problem, but a species problem problem. Yet, I argue that this is a positive development, and suggests a fruitful and productive way forward. Skeptical problems aren’t necessarily bad problems, especially in science. Rather, they just require skeptical solutions. These kinds of solutions don’t provide direct solutions, but can be powerful ways to reframe research problems and advance discussions. Not only is this approach available to biologists, but has already been adopted in practice. I describe and advocate for just such a ‘no solution solution’ here.