February 18, 2011
by peter.taylor
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Contention motivating this taxonomizing: Research as well as the application of knowledge resulting from research are untroubled by heterogeneity to the extent that populations are well controlled. Such control can only be established and maintained with considerable effort or social … Continue reading
February 17, 2011
by peter.taylor
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Discussion on WUMB Commonwealth Journal based on new exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science exhibit, Race: Are we so different? Broadcast on Sunday February 13, 2011. Speakers: Peter Taylor, Nina Nolan, Chair, RACE Education Team, Boston Museum of Science, … Continue reading
February 16, 2011
by peter.taylor
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The history of ideas about nature can be read in terms of the social order being defended or promoted — see previous posts. This post presents a schema of Raymond Williams’s history of changing and conflicting ideas about nature and … Continue reading
January 28, 2011
by peter.taylor
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Idea: The traditional subjects of epidemiology become agents when: a. they draw attention of trained epidemiologists to fine scale patterns of disease in that community and otherwise contribute to initiation and completion of studies; b. their resilience and reorganization of … Continue reading
January 14, 2011
by peter.taylor
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In advising on the most effective measures to be taken to improve the health of a population, epidemiologists may focus on different determinants of the disease than a doctor would when faced with sick or high-risk individuals. This contrast is … Continue reading
January 13, 2011
by peter.taylor
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I have heard some argue that prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion would reduce society’s burden in having to give special care for very disabled people and that this would free up funds for general health care, education, etc. for the … Continue reading
January 12, 2011
by peter.taylor
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In 1977 independent scholar Allan Chase (1914-93) published The Legacy of Malthus: The Social Costs of the New Scientific Racism, a lengthy, critical historical account of scientific–Chase would say “pseudoscientific”–rationales to support the division of humanity into two “races”–a small, … Continue reading
January 9, 2011
by peter.taylor
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My previous conceptual starter kit for thinking about genes, race, and IQ test scores jumped in too quickly. It might be better as a sequel to the new starter kit here (designed for a high school audience at a museum … Continue reading
January 4, 2011
by peter.taylor
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The simple classroom activity presented in the previous two posts allows us to unpack the simple picture of science as empirical observation and rational interpretation (i.e., identifying patterns and trying to explain them). These are only two of the many … Continue reading
January 3, 2011
by peter.taylor
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OK readers. Keep in mind your answers to the questions raised in the previous post about patterns in data that link parents and offspring. In this post I describe what usually emerges when I ask these questions in my classes … Continue reading