History and Philosophy | Popular Science

History and Philosophy Articles

Pascal's Wager for AI: Should We Assume Superintelligence Will Be Friendly?

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) presents both remarkable opportunities and profound risks. As we approach the possibility of superintelligent AI—intelligence that surpasses the best human minds in practically every field—we face critical questions about its nature and implications.

The Simulation Argument: Is There Any Way to Prove We're Not Living in a Computer?

The idea that we might be living in a computer simulation has gained significant traction in both philosophical discourse and popular culture. With the rise of advanced technology, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, the notion that our perceived reality could be a sophisticated simulation has transitioned from the realms of science fiction into serious academic consideration.

Occam's Razor in the Age of Multiverses: Is Simplicity Still a Virtue in Physics?

In the realm of scientific inquiry, the principles that govern our understanding of the universe are continually challenged and refined. Among these principles is Occam's Razor, a philosophical axiom attributed to the 14th-century logician and Franciscan friar William of Ockham.

The Fermi Paradox Revisited: New Philosophical Solutions to the Silence of the Universe

The universe is vast, containing billions of galaxies, each with millions or even billions of stars, many of which are likely to have planets capable of supporting life. Given these staggering numbers, the question that emerges is: Where is everybody?

Marie Curie's Notebooks: Still Radioactive a Century Later – The Price of Discovery

Marie Curie is often celebrated as one of the most notable scientific pioneers of the 20th century. Best known for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity—a term she coined—Curie's work laid the foundation for advancements that would transform medicine, energy production, and our understanding of atomic science.

The Rosetta Stone of Physics: How Newton's Principia Mathematica Decoded the Universe

When we think of pivotal moments in the history of science, few can rival the impact of Isaac Newton's "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica," commonly known as the Principia. Published in 1687, this groundbreaking work laid the foundations for classical mechanics and forever altered humanity's understanding of the natural world.

Galileo's Telescope: How One Instrument Sparked the Scientific Revolution

The dawn of the 17th century marked a pivotal moment in human history—the emergence of the Scientific Revolution. This transformative period reshaped humanity's understanding of the cosmos, laying the groundwork for modern science.

Darwin's Delay: Why He Waited 20 Years to Publish 'On the Origin of Species'

The Manhattan Project's Moral Dilemma: Science, War, and the Birth of the Atomic Age

Animal Consciousness: Why Philosophers and Scientists Still Can't Agree