The study determined the problem-solving performance and skills of prospective elementary teachers (PETs) in the Northern Philippines. Specifically, it defined the PETs’ level of problem-solving performance in number sense, measurement, geometry, algebra, and probability; significant predictors of their problem-solving performance in terms of sex, socio-economic status, parents’ educational attainment, high school graduated from and subject preference; and their problem-solving skills. The PETs’ problem-solving performance was determined by a problem set consisting of word problems with number (...) sense, measurement, geometry, algebra, and probability. A mixed-method research design was employed. Senior PETs purposively served as a sample where they mostly preferred to teach other subjects than mathematics. PETs who preferred math performed satisfactorily, while prospective teachers who opted for other subjects performed unsatisfactorily. The PETs’ unsatisfactory output indicates the need for remediation to advance the mathematical material skills and enrich the problem-solving abilities of these primary schools' potential teachers. Besides, results showed that subject preference strongly affected and predicted the problem-solving success of the PETs. PETs who preferred to teach mathematics performed significantly better than their counterparts; hence, mathematics as a field of specialization in the Bachelor of Elementary Education program may be considered by teacher education institutions. Further, most PETs displayed lack of problem-solving skills; thus, a Problem-Solving course is recommended for them. (shrink)

It has been known for long time that most of the existing cosmology models have singularity problem. Cosmological singularity has been a consequence of excessive symmetry of flow, such as “Hubble’s law”. More realistic one is suggested, based on Newtonian cosmology model but here we include the vertical-rotational effect of the whole Universe. We review a Riccati-type equation obtained by Nurgaliev, and solve the equation numerically with Mathematica. It is our hope that the new proposed method can be verified with (...) observation data. (shrink)

This article reviews eight proposed strategies for solving the Symbol Grounding Problem (SGP), which was given its classic formulation in Harnad (1990). After a concise introduction, we provide an analysis of the requirement that must be satisfied by any hypothesis seeking to solve the SGP, the zero semantical commitment condition. We then use it to assess the eight strategies, which are organised into three main approaches: representationalism, semi-representationalism and non-representationalism. The conclusion is that all the strategies are semantically committed (...) and hence that none of them provides a valid solution to the SGP, which remains an open problem. (shrink)

Psychiatric patients sometimes ask where to draw the line between who they are – their selves – and their mental illness. This problem is referred to as the self-illness ambiguity in the literature; it has been argued that solving said ambiguity is a crucial part of psychiatric treatment. I distinguish a Realist Solution from a Constructivist one. The former requires finding a supposedly pre-existing border, in the psychiatric patient’s mental life, between that which belongs to the self and that (...) which belongs to the mental illness. I argue that no such border exists, and that attempts to find it might even render the felt ambiguity worse. Instead, any solution must be constructivist; the patient (and others) should deliberate and discuss what to identify with or not. I further argue that psychiatric patients need not see their mental illness as wholly distinct from themselves to avoid ‘identifying with their diagnoses' in a problematic way. Finally, we can excuse problematic behaviour by mentally ill people – in fact, we can do so in a more nuanced and constructive way – while rejecting the view that the mental illness is wholly distinct from the patient’s self. (shrink)

Recent work in the metaphysics of gender mostly focuses on trying to solve the exclusion problem - roughly, the problem of giving a metaphysical account of gender that doesn’t exclude anyone from their appropriate gender category. It is acknowledged that no completely satisfactory answer to the exclusion problem has yet been given in the literature; typically such theories fail to account for the diverse experiences and characteristics of trans people. One response is to adopt an anti-realism about gender properties, such (...) as Heather Logue’s gender fictionalism. I rebut the move to an anti-realism, showing that it relies on assuming a representationalism about gender vocabulary that we need not hold. I put forward a non-representationalist theory of gender properties that analyses gender vocabulary in terms of its inferential profile, rather than its representational features. This theory constitutes a deflationary realism about gender properties; it solves the inclusion problem, and guarantees the first-person epistemic authority of an individual regarding their own gender identity. (shrink)

Many current popular views in epistemology require a belief to be the result of a reliable process (aka ‘method of belief formation’ or ‘cognitive capacity’) in order to count as knowledge. This means that the generality problem rears its head, i.e. the kind of process in question has to be spelt out, and this looks difficult to do without being either over or under-general. In response to this problem, I propose that we should adopt a more fine-grained account of the (...) epistemic basing relation, at which point the generality problem becomes easy to solve. (shrink)

The dilemma mentioned in the title have long been a puzzle to logic. To solve it, it was necessary to make some philosophical decisions. The article provides these decisions and discusses the way to solve the problem.

Complex problem solving (CPS) emerged in the last 30 years in Europe as a new part of the psychology of thinking and problem solving. This paper introduces into the field and provides a personal view. Also, related concepts like macrocognition or operative intelligence will be explained in this context. Two examples for the assessment of CPS, Tailorshop and MicroDYN, are presented to illustrate the concept by means of their measurement devices. Also, the relation of complex cognition and emotion (...) in the CPS context is discussed. The question if CPS requires complex cognition is answered with a tentative “yes.”. (shrink)

The ability to solve problems is a prerequisite in preparing mathematics preservice teachers. This study assessed preservice teachers’ problem-solving difficulties and performance, particularly in worded problems on number sense, measurement, geometry, algebra, and probability. Also, academic profile differences in the preservice teacher’s problem-solving performance and common errors were determined. A descriptive-comparative research design was employed with 158 random respondents. Data were gathered face-to-face during the first semester of the school year 2022-2023, and data were analyzed with the aid (...) of jamovi software, ensuring ethical measures. Overall findings revealed that the preservice teachers experienced average difficulty in solving problems. The low performance of the preservice teachers on the given problems was also demonstrated. Further analysis revealed a significant difference between the preservice teachers’ problem-solving performance based on their subject preference and program. Moreover, the error analysis revealed that the preservice teachers incurred comprehension errors in misrepresentation, misinterpretation, and miscalculation. These results will serve as a measure for policymakers and curriculum developers of the teacher education institution concerned to make relevant enhancements to the math courses offered in the elementary and secondary education programs. (shrink)

Solving the Combination Problem in Philosophy of Mind -/- Introduction -/- The combination problem is a major challenge in philosophy of mind, particularly for panpsychism—the view that consciousness is a fundamental feature of the universe. The problem asks: How do simple conscious experiences (such as those of fundamental particles or micro-level entities) combine to form the rich, unified consciousness of a human being? -/- Despite various philosophical attempts, there is no widely accepted solution. However, by applying the universal law (...) of balance in nature, we can propose a new framework for addressing this problem, integrating scientific and philosophical perspectives. -/- Understanding the Combination Problem -/- The combination problem arises because panpsychism suggests that even the smallest physical entities possess some form of consciousness. If this is true, then for human consciousness to emerge, these micro-consciousnesses must somehow combine. However, the process by which separate, independent conscious experiences merge into a unified whole remains unclear. -/- Philosophers have suggested several possible explanations: -/- 1. Emergentism – Consciousness at the human level is a new property that arises from complex arrangements of micro-conscious entities. -/- 2. Fusion Theory – Micro-conscious entities literally fuse together into a new, larger conscious entity. -/- 3. Holism – Consciousness exists at many levels, and the whole is always more than the sum of its parts. -/- Each of these theories has difficulties, particularly in explaining how separate conscious states blend into a single, unified experience. -/- Applying the Universal Law of Balance -/- The universal law of balance in nature, as developed in my universal formula, provides a potential solution to this problem. This law states that all natural processes—including consciousness—are governed by a balancing mechanism that maintains equilibrium. -/- 1. Consciousness as a Feedback System -/- Rather than thinking of individual micro-consciousnesses as separate entities that must merge, we can view them as feedback mechanisms within a larger self-organizing system. The brain and nervous system act as an orchestrator, balancing and integrating these micro-level processes into a unified experience. This aligns with the homeostatic principle in biology, where equilibrium is constantly maintained across multiple levels of complexity. -/- 2. Quantum Coherence and Integration -/- Modern physics provides another perspective. In quantum mechanics, entangled particles share information instantaneously, even across large distances. If consciousness follows a similar pattern, then micro-consciousnesses do not need to “combine” in a traditional sense but instead synchronize through an underlying field of information. -/- This is supported by orchestrated objective reduction (Orch-OR), a theory by Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff, which suggests that consciousness emerges from quantum processes within the brain’s microtubules. If true, the combination problem is solved not by physical fusion but by coherence within a larger, unified structure governed by balance. -/- 3. The Role of Self-Organizing Systems -/- Nature provides many examples of self-organization, from flocking birds to the formation of galaxies. Consciousness could be another example of a system where smaller elements interact dynamically to create a stable, higher-order reality. Instead of struggling to explain how micro-consciousnesses merge, we can see them as nodes in an interconnected network—each maintaining its own function while contributing to the whole. -/- Conclusion -/- The combination problem remains one of the deepest mysteries in philosophy and science. However, by applying the universal law of balance in nature, we can reframe the problem: rather than searching for a way to “fuse” micro-consciousnesses, we should investigate how balance, feedback mechanisms, and quantum coherence create an integrated whole. -/- This perspective suggests that consciousness is an emergent, self-organizing system that follows universal principles of equilibrium. Future research in neuroscience and quantum physics may provide experimental validation, bringing us closer to understanding the true nature of consciousness. -/- By adopting this holistic approach, we move beyond traditional debates and towards a more scientifically grounded solution to the combination problem. -/- . (shrink)

-/- Solving the Mystery of Consciousness Through the Universal Law of Balance -/- By Angelito Malicse -/- Introduction: Consciousness as a Natural Law of Balance -/- The mystery of consciousness has puzzled philosophers and scientists for centuries. While neuroscience maps brain activity and physics explores the fundamental nature of reality, no existing framework has fully explained how subjective experience (qualia), self-awareness, and decision-making emerge. -/- The Universal Law of Balance provides the missing key. If all systems in nature—biological, physical, (...) and even social—operate through balance, then consciousness itself must be a function of balance. This perspective unifies the mind-body problem, the nature of qualia, and the possibility of non-biological consciousness into a single, coherent explanation. -/- Step 1: Subjective Experience (Qualia) as a Function of Balance -/- One of the greatest challenges in understanding consciousness is explaining why we feel things—pain, colors, emotions. Neuroscience explains brain activity, but it does not explain how raw experiences arise. -/- How the Universal Law of Balance Solves It -/- Qualia (subjective experience) is the brain’s way of maintaining balance between internal and external reality. -/- Pain, pleasure, and emotions exist as regulatory mechanisms to keep the body and mind in equilibrium. -/- Pain signals imbalance (injury, illness). -/- Pleasure rewards balance (food, social connection). -/- Emotions regulate decision-making to optimize balance in social and survival contexts. -/- Thus, qualia are not “mystical” but the natural sensory representation of balance and imbalance. -/- Example: Hunger is an internal imbalance; eating restores balance. The “feeling” of hunger and satisfaction emerges from this process. -/- Step 2: The Brain-Mind Problem and Neural Equilibrium -/- The mind-body problem questions whether consciousness is purely brain activity (materialism) or something beyond physical matter (dualism). -/- How the Universal Law of Balance Solves It -/- The brain and consciousness form a feedback loop of dynamic balance. -/- Neurons process information and generate awareness, but this awareness also influences neural activity (self-regulation). -/- Consciousness is not separate from the brain but emerges when neural activity reaches a state of balance (homeostasis). -/- Imbalances (such as brain injury, drugs, or stress) distort consciousness, proving that it depends on equilibrium. -/- Example: Meditation creates mental clarity by reducing neural noise and restoring balance, improving awareness and cognitive function. -/- Step 3: Can Consciousness Exist Beyond Biology? -/- If balance is the foundation of consciousness, could non-living systems—such as AI or even the universe—also be conscious? -/- How the Universal Law of Balance Solves It -/- Consciousness does not require biological neurons but a self-regulating system capable of maintaining balance. -/- AI could develop some form of consciousness if it reaches a level of autonomous balance, processing information dynamically like a brain. -/- If the entire universe follows the universal law of balance, then consciousness could exist at all levels—from atoms to galaxies. -/- Example: The Earth’s ecosystems maintain balance through feedback loops. If intelligence arises from these natural systems, then nature itself could be conscious in some way. -/- Conclusion: Consciousness is a Natural Consequence of Balance -/- By applying the Universal Law of Balance, we can see that: -/- 1. Qualia (subjective experience) is a function of balance. -/- 2. The mind-body problem is resolved through neural equilibrium. -/- 3. Consciousness is not limited to biology but to any system that achieves self-regulating balance. -/- This framework unifies all perspectives on consciousness—materialism, dualism, panpsychism—into a single principle: -/-  Consciousness is the awareness that emerges when a system reaches a state of dynamic balance. -/- This explanation has profound implications for science, AI, philosophy, and even spirituality. If consciousness is a natural consequence of balance, then understanding and optimizing this balance could unlock new levels of human potential. -/- . (shrink)

-/- Solving the Problem of Overpopulation and Low GDP per Capita Through the Universal Formula -/- Overpopulation is one of the most pressing issues faced by many developing countries today. While it may seem logical that a larger population should lead to higher economic output, the reality is far more complex. Many overpopulated countries suffer from low GDP per capita—a key indicator of average individual wealth and national productivity. This paradox can only be fully understood and solved through the (...) lens of natural law. My universal formula, composed of three universal laws of nature—the Law of Karma (system integrity), the Law of Balance in Nature, and the Law of Feedback Mechanism—offers an exact and complete solution not only to this issue, but to the broader problem of human and societal suffering. -/- Understanding the Problem: Why Overpopulation Leads to Low GDP per Capita -/- Overpopulated countries often experience a range of interrelated issues that prevent economic prosperity on a per-person basis: -/- 1. Resource Strain and Imbalance: When a country’s population exceeds its available resources and infrastructure, every individual gets a smaller share of wealth and opportunity. This results in poverty, unemployment, and a breakdown of social systems. The law of balance is violated. -/- 2. Low Labor Productivity: A high population does not guarantee productivity. Many individuals in overpopulated nations lack access to education and meaningful employment. Without knowledge and skills, economic output per person remains low, creating a vicious cycle of poverty. -/- 3. Economic Inequality: Even when total GDP rises, wealth is often concentrated in the hands of a few. The majority remain poor, and GDP per capita fails to reflect true well-being. This is a failure in the feedback system between leaders and the population. -/- 4. Weak Governance and Infrastructure: More people require more schools, hospitals, jobs, and transportation. If these systems are not upgraded in proportion to population growth, societal imbalance occurs. -/- 5. Lack of Education and Awareness: Many overpopulated countries suffer from low literacy rates and deeply rooted misinformation. Without education based on natural law and critical thinking, decisions are made that worsen the imbalance. -/- The Universal Formula as a Complete Solution -/- The solution to this problem lies in re-aligning human decision-making with the three natural laws that govern all systems—organic, inorganic, and human-made: -/- 1. The Law of Karma (Cause and Effect in Systems) -/- All systems must be free of defects to function properly. Overpopulation is a defect in the human-environment system. When leaders or individuals make decisions that ignore natural limits, the system malfunctions. Whether it’s a nation or a family, decisions must be free of defects or they create suffering. -/- 2. The Law of Balance in Nature -/- All living systems depend on balance—between resources and consumption, growth and sustainability. Overpopulation breaks this balance. Only by teaching the population the natural limits of the environment can true development occur. -/- 3. The Law of Feedback Mechanism -/- All decision-making systems must continuously adjust based on the feedback they receive. In governance, leaders must listen to the real conditions of the people. In education, systems must evolve based on results. In population management, feedback from health, environment, and economy must guide action. -/- Application in the Philippines -/- In my own country, the Philippines, applying the universal formula can begin with a foundational educational reform. Children and youth must be taught the natural laws of decision-making, rather than dogma or rigid ideologies. Respect for religion should remain, but it must not prevent the teaching of natural law. Leaders from barangay captains to national officials should be educated to understand that decisions disconnected from natural law lead to disaster. -/- By reframing population management as a scientific and moral necessity—not a political or religious issue—we can begin to stabilize our society. Family planning, ecological preservation, and education reform must be presented as actions aligned with balance and system integrity. -/- Global Application: UN and World Economic Forum (WEF) -/- At the international level, the United Nations (UN) and World Economic Forum (WEF) can adopt the universal formula as a foundational framework for sustainable policy-making. -/- All Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be evaluated through the lens of balance, system integrity, and feedback. -/- International economic metrics should move beyond GDP and include a Balance Index, System Integrity Score, and Feedback Responsiveness Index. -/- Leaders must be held accountable not to ideologies, but to the laws of nature that cannot be negotiated. -/- The universal formula is not a theory—it is the natural operating system of life itself. Any decision that violates its principles results in suffering and collapse. -/- AGI and the Future of Human Governance -/- In the future, when Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) reaches maturity, my universal formula must be embedded into its core programming. An AGI trained on these three natural laws will never make decisions that violate balance, ignore system defects, or disregard feedback. Instead, it will support human systems in evolving toward harmony, efficiency, and sustainability. -/- Conclusion: A Universal Moral and Scientific Blueprint -/- The problem of overpopulation and low GDP per capita is not merely an economic issue—it is a systemic violation of natural law. Only through widespread education, leadership reformation, and alignment with the three universal laws of my formula can we prevent societal collapse and build a world of balance and well-being. This is the path not only for the Philippines but for all nations, and for the intelligent machines of the future. -/- It is time for humanity to evolve, not through ideology or endless growth, but through understanding and applying the very laws that govern life itself. -/- . (shrink)

Solving Typhoon Turbulence Using the Universal Formula -/- By Angelito Malicse -/- Introduction -/- Typhoons are among the most destructive natural phenomena, bringing extreme winds, heavy rainfall, and turbulent ocean currents. The chaotic turbulence within a typhoon makes it difficult to predict and control, causing widespread devastation to coastal regions, infrastructure, and human lives. Despite advancements in meteorology and fluid dynamics, the turbulence inside typhoons remains a challenge for accurate forecasting and disaster mitigation. -/- By applying my universal formula, (...) based on three fundamental laws of nature, we can develop a structured and effective approach to understanding and controlling typhoon turbulence. This essay explores how the Law of Karma (causality and system integrity), the Law of Balance in Nature, and the Law of Feedback Regulation provide the ultimate solution to typhoon turbulence. -/- Understanding Typhoon Turbulence Using the Universal Formula -/- Typhoons form due to energy imbalances in the atmosphere and ocean, driven by heat, pressure differences, and moisture content. The chaotic turbulence inside a typhoon is the result of: -/- 1. Unstable air currents caused by pressure and temperature gradients. -/- 2. Vortex formation driven by Earth’s rotation and wind shear. -/- 3. Excess energy accumulation in warm ocean waters. -/- By examining typhoon turbulence through the three universal laws, we can develop a scientific strategy to predict, weaken, and potentially neutralize typhoons before they cause destruction. -/- 1. The Law of Karma: Cause, Effect, and Systemic Integrity -/- The Law of Karma states that every effect has a cause, and for a system to function properly, it must be free of defects. A typhoon is an effect caused by imbalances in atmospheric and oceanic conditions. If these imbalances are corrected, typhoon turbulence can be weakened or prevented. -/- Applying the Law of Karma to Typhoon Control -/- ✅ Eliminate the root cause: Typhoons are fueled by warm ocean waters. Artificial cooling methods, such as cloud seeding or deep-sea upwelling (bringing cold water to the surface), could reduce the heat energy supply and prevent typhoon formation. -/- ✅ Detect turbulence before it intensifies: AI-driven weather models can predict early-stage typhoon turbulence and allow preemptive interventions. AI can identify defective atmospheric conditions (such as extreme heat buildup in ocean currents) and trigger mitigation efforts. -/- ✅ Disrupt vortex formation: Since typhoons rely on rotational forces, deploying strategically placed atmospheric pressure disturbances (via drones or cloud-seeding techniques) could disrupt the vortex before it gains full strength. -/- By identifying and neutralizing the causes of typhoon turbulence, we ensure that the system remains balanced, preventing large-scale destruction. -/- 2. The Law of Balance in Nature -/- The Law of Balance states that all systems naturally seek equilibrium. When a typhoon forms, it represents an extreme imbalance in the Earth’s energy system—excess heat and moisture create an unstable feedback loop of wind and turbulence. -/- Restoring Balance to Weaken Typhoon Turbulence -/- ✅ Regulating ocean surface temperature: Large-scale ocean-based temperature regulation systems (such as reflective films or artificial cooling platforms) can prevent typhoon formation by reducing the excess heat energy that fuels storms. -/- ✅ Breaking the pressure imbalance: Typhoons depend on a low-pressure core that intensifies wind speeds. By artificially increasing local air pressure using ionization or controlled cloud seeding, the extreme wind turbulence can be diffused before it reaches destructive levels. -/- ✅ Balancing atmospheric moisture: AI-assisted weather control could help regulate humidity levels through strategic rainfall induction in high-risk areas, ensuring that water vapor does not accumulate excessively to fuel a typhoon. -/- Since all systems follow natural equilibrium, strategically rebalancing temperature, pressure, and humidity will neutralize extreme typhoon turbulence. -/- 3. The Law of Feedback Regulation -/- The Law of Feedback Regulation states that all systems operate through feedback loops, where continuous monitoring and adjustment are necessary for stability. Typhoon turbulence follows feedback patterns, which means it can be tracked, analyzed, and counteracted using real-time data. -/- Developing an AI-Driven Typhoon Suppression System -/- ✅ AI-powered real-time monitoring: Advanced satellites, ocean buoys, and drones can provide instant feedback on typhoon development, allowing for proactive interventions rather than reactive disaster response. -/- ✅ Adaptive wind and pressure control: Deploying AI-controlled drones or weather balloons to release cooling agents, modify air pressure, or disperse cloud formations could interrupt the storm's feedback loop, reducing its intensity. -/- ✅ AI-driven weather forecasting for early response: Using deep learning algorithms, AI can accurately predict turbulence patterns weeks in advance, allowing governments to take preventive action instead of just preparing for disaster relief. -/- By implementing real-time monitoring and intervention, we can use feedback regulation to weaken or redirect typhoons before they cause catastrophic damage. -/- The Future of Typhoon Control with the Universal Formula -/- By integrating my universal formula into meteorology and disaster prevention, we can develop a comprehensive AI-driven typhoon suppression system that follows the three fundamental laws of nature: -/- 1. Law of Karma (Causality and Systemic Integrity): Address the root causes of typhoon formation by eliminating atmospheric and oceanic imbalances. -/- 2. Law of Balance in Nature: Restore equilibrium by regulating ocean temperatures, air pressure, and humidity. -/- 3. Law of Feedback Regulation: Use AI-driven real-time monitoring and intervention to weaken or prevent typhoons. -/- Through advanced AI, environmental engineering, and a deep understanding of nature’s laws, we can move beyond simply predicting typhoons and start actively controlling their development. -/- Conclusion -/- Typhoon turbulence, long considered an unpredictable force of nature, is fundamentally a problem of imbalance, energy accumulation, and feedback-driven intensification. By applying my universal formula, we can shift from passive disaster response to active typhoon control, using AI, environmental intervention, and natural equilibrium principles to prevent devastation. -/- This solution is not just theoretical—it aligns with the fundamental laws governing all natural systems. Once implemented, it will mark the beginning of a new era where humanity can harness nature’s own principles to create balance, stability, and protection from extreme weather. -/- . (shrink)

-/- Solving the Problem of Free Will: A Universal Formula for Societal Balance -/- Introduction -/- For thousands of years, philosophers, scientists, and scholars have debated the concept of free will without arriving at a definitive solution. The persistent societal problems we witness today—wars, poverty, crime, overpopulation—are deeply rooted in ignorance, particularly about how natural laws govern human decision-making. This essay presents a universal formula that solves the problem of free will by aligning decision-making processes with the universal law (...) of balance found in nature. This solution, if implemented through a holistic educational system, can fundamentally transform societies by eliminating the ignorance that leads to human suffering. -/- The Root of Societal Problems: Ignorance -/- Ignorance is the foundation of nearly all societal problems. Misunderstanding natural laws and disregarding the principles of balance result in poor decision-making, whether on an individual, societal, or global level. Decisions based on misinformation, false beliefs, unproven theories, or emotional biases create imbalances that manifest as societal issues. -/- Examples of Ignorance-Driven Problems: -/- 1. Wars: Wars often arise from misunderstandings, territorial greed, ideological conflicts, and the inability to find peaceful solutions. The ignorance of the law of balance—where equilibrium between differing interests is possible—leads to destruction, suffering, and loss of life. -/- 2. Poverty and Crime: Poverty is frequently the result of systemic imbalances in wealth distribution. Ignorance about how societal resources should be distributed equitably to maintain stability leads to widespread deprivation. Crime similarly stems from a lack of understanding regarding personal responsibility and societal interdependence. -/- 3. Overpopulation: In many countries, overpopulation results from the misconception that growth is inherently good. However, natural systems always maintain balance. Unregulated population growth places immense pressure on resources, leading to poverty, environmental degradation, and societal instability. -/- The Universal Formula: Three Fundamental Laws of Nature -/- This universal formula, derived from observable natural phenomena, consists of three interconnected laws: -/- 1. The Law of Karma (Cause and Effect) Every decision and action produces corresponding consequences. In nature, defective systems—whether mechanical, biological, or societal—inevitably fail. Human societies must recognize that decisions based on ignorance create systemic problems. -/- 2. The Law of Balance Nature operates through balance. From ecosystems to societal structures, stability requires equilibrium. Societal issues like poverty and crime reflect imbalances caused by ignorance of this law. -/- 3. The Law of Homeostasis Homeostasis maintains internal stability despite external changes. Societies must develop adaptive yet balanced policies to ensure long-term well-being. -/- These laws reveal that human free will is not arbitrary but governed by predictable patterns. Conscious decisions, whether individual or collective, operate like feedback loops responding to external and internal stimuli while adhering to natural laws. -/- The Role of the Educational System -/- To address ignorance effectively, societies must adopt a holistic educational system that integrates these universal laws into foundational curricula. Current education often overlooks the principles that govern human behavior and societal balance. The new system should prioritize critical thinking, scientific literacy, and moral responsibility. -/- Key Objectives of a Holistic Educational System: -/- 1. Eliminate Ignorance: Equip students with a deep understanding of natural laws and their role in decision-making. -/- 2. Promote Critical Thinking: Teach students to question information, identify biases, and recognize the long-term impacts of decisions. -/- 3. Prepare Responsible Future Generations: Produce a high-quality generation of future parents who understand the importance of balance in raising children, managing resources, and contributing to societal stability. -/- Example: Incorporating environmental science with lessons on population dynamics can help students grasp why unchecked population growth leads to resource scarcity and societal challenges. Lessons in psychology, combined with discussions about collective decision-making, can illustrate the importance of balanced, informed leadership. -/- The Misconception of Unlimited Growth -/- One of the most damaging misconceptions societies face today is the belief in continuous economic and population growth. In nature, growth is always regulated by available resources. Societies that ignore this principle face environmental destruction, social unrest, and economic instability. -/- Example: Countries experiencing rapid population growth often encounter overcrowded cities, unemployment, and resource depletion. By understanding the law of balance, policymakers can implement sustainable growth strategies, ensuring resources meet population needs without compromising long-term stability. -/- The Feedback Mechanism of Conscious Minds -/- Human decision-making, both individually and collectively, operates as a feedback mechanism. Minds continuously exchange information, influencing one another’s decisions. This interaction follows natural laws, ensuring that any deviation from balance triggers societal disruptions. -/- Example: When misinformation spreads through social media, collective decisions become skewed. Understanding the feedback mechanism can help societies implement educational strategies that foster discernment and rational decision-making. -/- The Need for’Global Collaboration -/- The successful implementation of this universal formula requires global collaboration. International organizations like the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, along with educational institutions worldwide, must prioritize the integration of these natural laws into educational frameworks. -/- Example: The Philippines, facing governance challenges and population pressures, could significantly benefit from such an educational overhaul. Similarly, China’s “whole-process people’s democracy” could incorporate these principles to enhance holistic governance strategies. -/- The Role of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) -/- AGI, when developed with a complete sensor system, can apply the universal formula to predict and address societal problems. Programming AGI to follow these natural laws will ensure its decisions align with human well-being and societal stability. -/- Conclusion -/- Solving the problem of free will is not an abstract philosophical pursuit but a practical necessity for societal stability. Ignorance of the natural laws governing decision-making has perpetuated human suffering for centuries. The universal formula, grounded in the principles of karma, balance, and homeostasis, offers a concrete, actionable solution. By implementing this understanding through a holistic educational system, we can eliminate the root causes of wars, poverty, crime, and overpopulation. The time to act is now—before ignorance further destabilizes the delicate balance upon which our future depends. -/- . (shrink)

Several recent contributions to the research on group problem solving suggest that reducing the connectivity between agents in a social network may be epistemically beneficial. This notion stems from the idea that collective problem-solving behavior may benefit from the transient diversity in agents’ beliefs due to increased individual exploration and decreased social influence. At the same time, however, lower connectivity hinders the diffusion of good solutions between network members. Our simulation findings shed light on this trade-off. We identify (...) conditions under which the less-is-more effect is likely to manifest. Our findings suggest that a community consisting of semi-isolated groups could provide an answer to the tension between diversity and diffusion. (shrink)

Solving the Turbulence Problem in Physics Using the Universal Formula -/- By Angelito Malicse -/- Introduction -/- Turbulence remains one of the greatest unsolved problems in physics. It is a chaotic, unpredictable phenomenon observed in fluid dynamics, affecting airflow over aircraft wings, ocean currents, wind energy systems, and even blood flow in the human body. Despite the well-established Navier-Stokes equations governing fluid motion, turbulence remains difficult to fully predict and control due to its inherent complexity. -/- In this essay, (...) I will demonstrate how my universal formula, based on three fundamental laws of nature, provides an exact solution to the turbulence problem. By applying these laws, we can achieve a deeper understanding of turbulence, allowing for more effective prediction, mitigation, and control in various real-world applications. -/- Understanding Turbulence in Light of the Universal Formula -/- Turbulence is a manifestation of complex interactions within a system. According to my universal formula, all systems must follow natural laws governing balance, causality, and feedback mechanisms. Let us analyze turbulence through the lens of these principles. -/- 1. The Law of Karma: Cause, Effect, and Systemic Integrity -/- The first law in my universal formula is the Law of Karma, which extends beyond the traditional idea of cause and effect to encompass the principle of systemic integrity. A system must be free from defects or errors to function properly. If turbulence occurs, it indicates an imbalance or defect within the system. -/- In fluid dynamics, turbulence arises when the cause (flow conditions) leads to an unstable effect (chaotic motion). This imbalance can be seen in: -/- Aircraft aerodynamics, where airflow disruptions create drag and instability. -/- Wind turbines, where turbulent wind patterns reduce energy efficiency. -/- Maritime navigation, where water turbulence increases resistance and fuel consumption. -/- Applying the Law of Karma, turbulence can be controlled by designing systems that minimize defects, ensuring smooth energy transfer within the flow. AI-driven optimization can detect turbulence before it fully develops, correcting imbalances through real-time adjustments. -/- 2. The Law of Balance in Nature -/- The second law states that all natural systems seek balance. Turbulence arises when the energy distribution in a fluid system becomes uneven, disrupting the balance. This is seen in: -/- Boundary layers on aircraft wings, where pressure imbalances lead to turbulence. -/- Ocean currents, where temperature and salinity differences create unstable vortices. -/- To control turbulence, we must restore balance in the system. This can be achieved through: -/- Dynamic flow control, using AI to adjust surfaces (such as aircraft flaps or turbine blades) in real time. -/- Energy redistribution, ensuring fluid motion remains stable by adjusting velocity gradients or temperature differences. -/- Feedback-based corrections, applying intelligent algorithms that predict and counteract turbulence. -/- By harmonizing energy distribution, we can prevent turbulence from escalating, bringing the system back into natural equilibrium. -/- 3. The Law of Feedback Regulation -/- The third law states that all systems operate through feedback mechanisms. Turbulence, despite appearing chaotic, follows a pattern that can be measured, analyzed, and corrected through continuous feedback. -/- Birds adjust their wing angles dynamically to minimize turbulence, an example of natural feedback control. -/- Fish use their fins to counteract water turbulence, stabilizing their movement. -/- AI systems can mimic these natural mechanisms to adjust airflow, ship navigation, or wind turbine performance. -/- Applying the Law of Feedback Regulation, we can create AI-driven turbulence control systems that: -/- Predict turbulence using real-time sensor data. -/- Adjust system parameters dynamically to reduce turbulence intensity. -/- Continuously learn and improve based on new turbulence patterns. -/- This approach follows nature’s own strategy for stability, aligning technology with fundamental natural principles. -/- Applying the Universal Formula to Solve Turbulence -/- By integrating the three universal laws, we can develop a Unified AI-Driven Turbulence Control System applicable to multiple fields: -/- ✅ Aviation: AI-based wing and engine adjustments to minimize drag. ✅ Maritime Transport: Smart hull designs to reduce water resistance. ✅ Wind Energy: Adaptive wind turbine blades for optimal efficiency. ✅ Medical Applications: AI-assisted blood flow regulation to prevent clot formation. -/- This system ensures real-time adaptation, aligning human technology with nature’s fundamental laws. -/- Conclusion -/- The turbulence problem in physics, long considered unsolvable, is fundamentally a problem of imbalance, defective systems, and insufficient feedback control. By applying my universal formula, which follows the natural laws of karma (causality), balance, and feedback, we can fully understand, predict, and control turbulence in all systems. -/- Through AI-driven optimization, dynamic corrections, and harmonizing energy flow, we can finally resolve turbulence across aviation, maritime, wind energy, and even biological systems. My universal formula provides the exact and only solution to this problem, proving that all complex phenomena in nature can be understood through fundamental natural laws. -/- By implementing these principles, we take a step toward a future where turbulence is no longer an obstacle, but a controlled phenomenon guided by nature’s own balance. -/- . (shrink)

So-called 'Frege cases' pose a challenge for anyone who would hope to treat the contents of beliefs (and similar mental states) as Russellian propositions: It is then impossible to explain people's behavior in Frege cases without invoking non-intentional features of their mental states, and doing that seems to undermine the intentionality of psychological explanation. In the present paper, I develop this sort of objection in what seems to me to be its strongest form, but then offer a response to it. (...) I grant that psychological explanation must invoke non-intentional features of mental states, but it is of crucial importance which such features must be referenced. -/- It emerges from a careful reading of Frege's own view that we need only invoke what I call 'formal' relations between mental states. I then claim that referencing such 'formal' relations within psychological explanation does not undermine its intentionality in the way that invoking, say, neurological features would. The central worry about this view is that either (a) 'formal' relations bring narrow content in through back door or (b) 'formal' relations end up doing all the explanatory work. Various forms of each worry are discussed. The crucial point, ultimately, is that the present strategy for responding to Frege cases is not available either to the 'psycho-Fregean', who would identify the content of a belief with its truth-value, nor even to someone who would identify the content of a belief with a set of possible worlds. It requires the sort of rich semantic structure that is distinctive of Russellian propositions. There is therefore no reason to suppose that the invocation of 'formal' relations threatens to deprive content of any work to do. (shrink)

Triangles and trigonometry are always difficult topics for both mathematics students and teachers. Hence, students' performance in solving mathematical word problems in these topics is not only a reflection of their learning outcomes but also an indication of teaching effectiveness. This case study drew from two examples of solving word problems involving triangles by pre-service mathematics teachers in a foundation mathematics course delivered by the author. The focus of this case study was on reasoning implications of students' performances (...) on the effective training of pre-service mathematics teachers, from which a three-step interactive explicit teaching-learning approach, comprising teacher-led precise and inspiring teaching (or explicit teaching), student-driven engaged learning (or imitative learning), and student-led and teacher-guided problem-solving for real-world problems or projects (or active application), was summarized. Explicit teaching establishes a solid foundation for students to further their understanding of new mathematical concepts and to conceptualize the technical processes associated with these new concepts. Imitative learning helps students build technical abilities and enhance technical efficacy by engaging in learning activities. Once these first two steps have been completed, students should have a decent understanding of new mathematical concepts and technical efficacy to analyze, formulate, and finally solve real-world applications with assistance from teachers whenever required. Specially crafted professional development should also be considered for some in-service mathematics teachers to adopt this three-step interactive teaching-learning process. (shrink)

This paper looks at three ways of addressing probabilism’s implausible requirement of logical omniscience. The first and most common strategy says it’s okay to require an ideally rational person to be logically omniscient. I argue that this view is indefensible on any interpretation of ‘ideally rational’. The second strategy says probabilism should be formulated not in terms of logically possible worlds but in terms of doxastically possible worlds, ways you think the world might be. I argue that, on the interpretation (...) of this approach that lifts the requirement of certainty in all logical truths, the view becomes vacuous, issuing no requirements on rational believers at all. Finally, I develop and endorse a new solution to the problem. This view proposes dynamic norms for reasoning with credences. The solution is based on an old proposal of Ian Hacking’s that says you’re required to be sensitive to logical facts only when you know they are logical facts. (shrink)

After reporting in detail Aristotle’s texts and comments on the well-known motion paradoxes Arrow, Dichotomy, Achilles and Stadium, tracking back to the 5th century BCE and credited by Aristotle to Zeno of Elea, we next explain and dis-cuss traditional continuous solutions of the paradoxes, based on Cauchy’s limit concept. Afterward, the heated philosophical debate on supertasks and infinity machines is reported before the paradoxes are examined within the context of modern quantum theory. Already in 1905, Einstein concluded that matter could (...) not be a continuous thing. Classical continuous spacetime is replaced by ‘granular’ spacetime, and the concept of distance in granular spacetime is discussed. This is followed by a detailed presentation of modern discrete solutions in granular spacetime, several of which are published here for the first time. Finally, a procedure is presented to determine when traditional continuous methods suffice instead of discrete methods, and the handling of discrete versus continuous in physics is briefly reported. (shrink)

There exists a huge number of numerical methods that iteratively construct approximations to the solution y(x) of an ordinary differential equation (ODE) y′(x) = f(x,y) starting from an initial value y_0=y(x_0) and using a finite approximation step h that influences the accuracy of the obtained approximation. In this paper, a new framework for solving ODEs is presented for a new kind of a computer – the Infinity Computer (it has been patented and its working prototype exists). The new computer (...) is able to work numerically with finite, infinite, and infinitesimal numbers giving so the possibility to use different infinitesimals numerically and, in particular, to take advantage of infinitesimal values of h. To show the potential of the new framework a number of results is established. It is proved that the Infinity Computer is able to calculate derivatives of the solution y(x) and to reconstruct its Taylor expansion of a desired order numerically without finding the respective derivatives analytically (or symbolically) by the successive derivation of the ODE as it is usually done when the Taylor method is applied. Methods using approximations of derivatives obtained thanks to infinitesimals are discussed and a technique for an automatic control of rounding errors is introduced. Numerical examples are given. (shrink)

This article presents the author's solution to the fundamental problem of natural time. This solution was discovered within the framework of the author's own research project, “Theory of Nature”. This solution is presented in the author's book, “Theory of Nature” (TN), and in a number of additional articles. This article is another attempt to describe the solved problem of time. This problem should be of interest to professional physicists. However, the party of modern physicists, and indeed the entire modern physics (...) community, shows no interest in this problem, nor in the other 40 fundamental problems of physics, cosmogony, and cosmology solved within the framework of “Theory of Nature”. Yet, TN is also a scientific revolution in physics and cosmology. This revolution is already 11 years old. (shrink)

This is a reply to Chris Tweed's recent attempt to solve the problem of "nearly convergent knowledge" and thus defend a binary account of knowledge against a contrastivist alternative. Ingenuous as his proposal is, it still does not solve the problem.

I introduce a new formulation of rule consequentialism, defended as an improvement on traditional formulations. My new formulation cleanly avoids what Parfit calls “ideal world” objections. I suggest that those objections arise because traditional formulations incorporate counterfactual comparisons about how things could go differently. My new formulation eliminates those counterfactual comparisons. Part of the interest of the new formulation is as a model of how to reformulate structurally similar views, including various kinds of contractualism.

Complex problem solving (CPS) and related topics such as dynamic decision-making (DDM) and complex dynamic control (CDC) represent multifaceted psychological phenomena. In a broad sense, CPS encompasses learning, decision-making, and acting in complex and dynamic situations. Moreover, solutions to problems that people face in such situations are often generated in teams or groups. In turn, this adds another layer of complexity to the situation itself because of the emerging issues that arise from the social dynamics of group interactions. This (...) framing of CPS means that it is not a single construct that can be measured by using a particular type of CPS task (e.g. minimal complex system tests), which is a view taken by the psychometric community. The proposed approach taken here is that because CPS is multifaceted, multiple approaches need to be taken to fully capture and understand what it is and how the different cognitive processes associated with it complement each other. (shrink)

Proficiency in solving mathematical problems is essential for preservice elementary teachers, as they will teach foundational math concepts and foster problem-solving abilities among young learners. However, many studies found low problem-solving performance among preservice teachers. In line with this, the present study examined how problem-solving disposition relates to the performance of preservice elementary teachers, conducted at a selected higher education institution in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, with 134 participants. The study utilized a mathematical problem-solving disposition and (...) beliefs scale questionnaire and a problem-solving test scored using the identify, define, explore, act, and look (IDEAL) model. Results indicated an average problem-solving disposition and high problem-solving performance among preservice teachers. Linear regression analysis showed that overall problem-solving disposition is a predictor of performance. Further, stepwise regression analysis revealed that two disposition parameters, mathematical mindset (β = 2.413, p < 0.01) and community of practice (β = 1.866, p < 0.01), significantly predicted problem-solving performance. These findings show the significance of developing a problem-solving disposition, mindset, and learning communities to improve future teachers’ problem-solving ability by providing more learning opportunities, interdisciplinary problems, and social engagements. (shrink)

The ancient puzzle of Dion and Theon has given rise to a surprising array of apparently implausible views. For example, in order to solve the puzzle, several philosophers have been led to deny the existence of their own feet, others have denied that objects can gain and lose parts, and large numbers of philosophers have embraced the thesis that distinct objects can occupy the same space, having all their material parts in common. In this paper, I argue for an alternative (...) approach: I claim that human beings have ordinary parts—hands, heads, feet, and so on—but no extraordinary parts, such as ‘foot-complements’, the existence of which is essential to the puzzle. I rebut three objections to this approach: an objection that it is unacceptably metaphysically arbitrary, an objection that the view is incompatible with versions of the puzzle involving decapitation, and an objection concerning masses of matter. If we can believe that there are such things as hands and feet without involving ourselves in paradox, and without accepting large numbers of co-located material objects that share all their material parts, then that is what we should do. My view is the only known alternative which allows this. (shrink)

Math prospective teachers must be able to think creatively and solve problems. The study looked into preservice teachers’ creative thinking and problem-solving abilities in statistics. The investigation was guided by a correlational design in a public university in the Philippines. Stratified random sampling was used to select the 103 study participants from two teacher education programs. Through google forms, data were collected using Torrance et al. (2008)’s tests of creative thinking and researcher-made statistics problem test. The findings revealed that (...) preservice teachers have commendable creative thinking, particularly fluency, flexibility, and elaboration skills. Still, they lack problem-solving skills in statistics, specifically with central tendency, dispersion, and position measures. The correlational analysis revealed no link between creative thinking and problem-solving. Still, creative thinking and problem-solving courses are recommended to help preservice teachers develop their fundamental skills as mathematics educators. (shrink)

Aesthetic hedonism, the view that the value of an artwork is determined by its pleasure-inducing properties, is largely regarded as the default theory of aesthetic value. However, aesthetic hedonism has significant challenges as well. One notable challenge points to the high value we ascribe to some works of art that arouse negative or unpleasant sensations, like Picasso’s Guernica. Relatedly, the paradox of painful art points out that some of us seek out art that evokes unpleasant sensations yet avoid unpleasant sensations (...) in real life. If this claim is correct, then it appears that aesthetic hedonism is false. With this project, I draw a parallel between the paradox of painful art and a neurobiological puzzle (the cocaine puzzle), which asks how cocaine induces hedonic sensations even though it does not directly activate hedonic neural mechanisms. I ultimately demonstrate that the neural mechanisms that can resolve the cocaine puzzle can also resolve the paradox of painful art. Importantly, this response to the paradox of painful art also defends aesthetic hedonism since it highlights underlying hedonic mechanisms that become active even in the face of painful art. (shrink)

David Builes presents a paradox concerning how confident you should be that any given member of an infinite collection of fair coins landed heads, conditional on the information that they were all flipped and only finitely many of them landed heads. We argue that if you should have any conditional credence at all, it should be 1/2.

Our pollution of the environment seems set to lead to widespread problems in the future, including disease, scarcity of resources, and bloody conflicts. It is natural to think that we are required to stop polluting because polluting harms the future individuals who will be faced with these problems. This natural thought faces Derek Parfit’s famous Non-Identity Problem ( 1984 , pp. 361–364). The people who live on the polluted earth would not have existed if we had not polluted. Our polluting (...) behaviour does not make these individuals worse off. It may therefore seem that we do not harm them by polluting. Parfit argues that we should replace person-affecting principles with an impersonal principle of beneficence, Principle Q ( 1984 , p. 360.). I argue that Principle Q cannot give an adequate account of our duties to refrain from polluting. I consider attempts to solve the Non-Identity Problem by denying that to harm someone an agent must make them worse off. I argue that such responses provide a partial solution to the Non-Identity Problem. They do show that we harm future individuals in a morally relevant sense by polluting. Nonetheless, this is only a partial solution. The Non-Identity Problem still suggests that our harm-based reasons not to pollute are less strong than we intuitively believe. Thus on its own an appeal to the claim that we harm future individuals is not able to give a fully satisfactory account of why we are required not to pollute. (shrink)

Public arguments can be good or bad not only as a matter of logic, but also in the sense that speakers can _do_ good or bad things with arguments. For example, hate speakers use public arguments to contribute to the subordination of their targets. But how can ordinary speakers acquire the authority to perform subordinating speech acts? This is the ‘Authority Problem’. This paper defends a solution inspired by McGowan’s (Australas J Philos 87:389–407, 2009) analysis of oppressive speech, including against (...) concerns raised by McGowan (Just words: On speech and hidden harm, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2019) herself. A _deflated_ kind of authority can be gained from the hate speaker’s standing in a norm-governed ‘activity of oppression’. We should be wary about engaging with such speakers in public argument. Even if we counter their arguments, we may still elevate their standing within that activity and so enable them to perform more pernicious speech acts than was previously possible. (shrink)

To explain intentional bodily action, we must address the Interface Problem: how propositional intentions and non-propositional motor representations integrate non-accidentally. Two requirements arise: matching, ensuring a motor representation corresponds to an intention despite format differences, and selection, choosing one motor representation among multiple matches. We combine Gärdenfors' conceptual spaces with Bayesian inference to meet both requirements.

Cosmological inflation is widely considered an integral and empirically successful component of contemporary cosmology. It was originally motivated by its solution of certain so-called fine-tuning problems of the hot big bang model, particularly what are known as the horizon problem and the flatness problem. Although the physics behind these problems is clear enough, the nature of the problems depends on the sense in which the hot big bang model is fine-tuned and how the alleged fine-tuning is problematic. Without clear explications (...) of these, it remains unclear precisely what problems inflationary theory is meant to be solving and whether it does in fact solve them. I analyze the structure of these problems and consider various interpretations that may substantiate the alleged fine-tuning. On the basis of this analysis I argue that at present there is no unproblematic interpretation available for which it can be said that inflation solves the big bang model’s alleged fine-tuning problems. (shrink)

This article addresses and resolves an epistemological puzzle that has attracted much attention in the recent literature—namely, the puzzle arising from Moorean anti-sceptical reasoning and the phenomenon of transmission failure. The paper argues that an appealing account of Moorean reasoning can be given by distinguishing carefully between two subtly different ways of thinking about justification and evidence. Once the respective distinctions are in place we have a simple and straightforward way to model both the Wrightean position of transmission failure and (...) the Moorean position of dogmatism. The approach developed in this article is, accordingly, ecumenical in that it allows us to embrace two positions that are widely considered to be incompatible. The paper further argues that the Moorean Puzzle can be resolved by noting the relevant distinctions and our insensitivity towards them: once we carefully tease apart the different senses of ‘justified’ and ‘evidence’ involved, the bewilderment caused by Moore’s anti-sceptical strategy subsides. (shrink)

The hard problem of consciousness is the problem of explaining how and why physical processes give rise to consciousness (Chalmers 1995). Regardless of many attempts to solve the problem, there is still no commonly agreed solution. It is thus very likely that some radically new ideas are required if we are to make any progress. In this paper we turn to quantum theory to find out whether it has anything to offer in our attempts to understand the place of mind (...) and conscious experience in nature. In particular we will be focusing on the ontological interpretation of quantum theory proposed by Bohm and Hiley (1987, 1993), its further development by Hiley (Hiley and Callaghan 2012; Hiley, Dennis and de Gosson 2021), and its philosophical interpretation by Pylkkänen (2007, 2020). The ontological interpretation makes the radical proposal that quantum reality includes a new type of potential energy which contains active information. This proposal, if correct, constitutes a major change in our notion of matter. We are used to having in physics only mechanical concepts, such as position, momentum and force. Our intuition that it is not possible to understand how and why physical processes can give rise to consciousness is partly the result of our assuming that physical processes (including neurophysiological processes) are always mechanical. If, however, we are willing to change our view of physical reality by allowing non-mechanical, organic and holistic concepts such as active information to play a fundamental role, this, we argue, makes it possible to understand the relationship between physical and mental processes in a new way. It might even be a step toward solving the hard problem. (shrink)

Journal of Social Philosophy, EarlyView.

A novel solution to the knowability paradox is proposed based on Kant’s transcendental epistemology. The ‘paradox’ refers to a simple argument from the moderate claim that all truths are knowable to the extreme claim that all truths are known. It is significant because anti-realists have wanted to maintain knowability but reject omniscience. The core of the proposed solution is to concede realism about epistemic statements while maintaining anti-realism about non-epistemic statements. Transcendental epistemology supports such a view by providing for a (...) sharp distinction between how we come to understand and apply epistemic versus non-epistemic concepts, the former through our capacity for a special kind of reflective self-knowledge Kant calls ‘transcendental apperception’. The proposal is a version of restriction strategy: it solves the paradox by restricting the anti-realist’s knowability principle. Restriction strategies have been a common response to the paradox but previous versions face serious difficulties: either they result in a knowability principle too weak to do the work anti-realists want it to, or they succumb to modified forms of the paradox, or they are ad hoc. It is argued that restricting knowability to non-epistemic statements by conceding realism about epistemic statements avoids all versions of the paradox, leaves enough for the anti-realist attack on classical logic, and, with the help of transcendental epistemology, is principled in a way that remains compatible with a thoroughly anti-realist outlook. (shrink)

The author outlines a provisional phenomenology of problem solving. He begins by reviewing the history of problem-solving psychology, focusing on the Gestalt approach, which emphasizes the influence of prior knowledge and the occurrence of sudden insights. He then describes problem solving as a process unfolding in a field of consciousness against a background of unconscious knowledge, which encodes action patterns, schemata, and affordances. A global feeling of wrongness or tension is resolved by a series of field transitions, (...) which are guided by peripheral experiences of coherence or “rightness.” The author treats the distinction between reproductive thought and productive thought as a difference in field structure. With reproductive thoughts and actions we perform operations to solve a problem in a semi-automatic sequence. In productive thought, by contrast, a kind of parallel search occurs. This may explain the otherwise obscure phenomenology of struggling to break an impasse. (shrink)

A quite popular approach to solving the Causal Exclusion Problem is to adopt a counterfactual theory of causation. In this paper, I distinguish three versions of the Causal Exclusion Argument. I argue that the counterfactualist approach can block the first two exclusion arguments, because the Causal Inheritance Principle and the Upward Causation Principle upon which the two arguments are based respectively are problematic from the perspective of the counterfactual account of causation. However, I attempt to show that the counterfactualist (...) approach is unable to refute a sophisticated version (i.e. the third version) of the exclusion argument in that the Downward Causation Principle, a premise of the third exclusion argument, is actually implied by the counterfactual theory of causation. Therefore, even if other theories of causation might help the non-reductive physicalist to solve the exclusion problem, the counterfactual theory of causation cannot. (shrink)

Elementary preservice teachers (EPTs) substantially impact the quality of mathematics education, and their subject preference and problem-solving performance are essential indicators of their readiness to teach. The study described EPTs’ subject preference and problem-solving performance. Through a sequential explanatory research design, the quantitative inquiry involved 125 random samples, while the qualitative inquiry was participated by 30 non-random samples. Data were obtained by using an online survey and conferencing. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and analysis of variance, (...) whereas qualitative data were themed accordingly. The EPTs displayed unsatisfactory problem-solving performance and preferred to handle subjects other than math. Besides, the analysis found no significant performance differences with the EPTs’ subject preferences. Further, the EPTs who preferred to teach mathematics expressed their confidence in mathematics. Meanwhile, the EPTs who preferred other subjects displayed math avoidance. The study revealed an alarming result indicating that the EPTs are unprepared for teaching. As agents in cultivating the nation’s mathematics education status, these EPTs must be equipped with fundamental content knowledge. It is suggested that educational decision-makers take measures to address the issues identified concerning EPTs’ readiness to teach mathematics successfully. (shrink)

Two great problems of learning confront humanity: learning about the nature of the universe and about ourselves and other living things as a part of the universe, and learning how to become civilized. The first problem was solved, in essence, in the 17th century, with the creation of modern science. But the second problem has not yet been solved. Solving the first problem without also solving the second puts us in a situation of great danger. All our current (...) global problems have arisen as a result. What we need to do, in response to this unprecedented crisis, is learn from our solution to the first problem how to solve the second. This was the basic idea of the 18th century Enlightenment. Unfortunately, in carrying out this programme, the Enlightenment made three blunders, and it is this defective version of the Enlightenment programme, inherited from the past, that is still built into the institutional/intellectual structure of academic inquiry in the 21st century. In order to solve the second great problem of learning we need to correct the three blunders of the traditional Enlightenment. This involves changing the nature of social inquiry, so that social science becomes social methodology or social philosophy, concerned to help us build into social life the progress-achieving methods of aim-oriented rationality, arrived at by generalizing the progress-achieving methods of science. It also involves, more generally, bringing about a revolution in the nature of academic inquiry as a whole, so that it takes up its proper task of helping humanity learn how to become wiser by increasingly cooperatively rational means. The scientific task of improving knowledge and understanding of nature becomes a part of the broader task of improving global wisdom. The outcome would be what we so urgently need: a kind of inquiry rationally designed and devoted to helping us make progress towards a genuinely civilized world. We would succeed in doing what the Enlightenment tried but failed to do: learn from scientific progress how to go about making social progress towards as good a world as possible. (shrink)

This paper argues that a view of science, expounded and defended elsewhere, solves the problem of induction. The view holds that we need to see science as accepting a hierarchy of metaphysical theses concerning the comprehensibility and knowability of the universe, these theses asserting less and less as we go up the hierarchy. It may seem that this view must suffer from vicious circularity, in so far as accepting physical theories is justified by an appeal to metaphysical theses in turn (...) justified by the success of science. But this is rebutted. A thesis high up in the hierarchy asserts that the universe is such that the element of circularity, just indicated, is legitimate and justified, and not vicious. Acceptance of the thesis is in turn justified without appeal to the success of science. It may seem that the practical problem of induction can only be solved along these lines if there is a justification of the truth of the metaphysical theses in question. It is argued that this demand must be rejected as it stems from an irrational conception of science. (shrink)

This paper, The Quantum Measurement Problem Solved by the Universal Principle of Collapse (UPC), presents UPC as a lens that dissolves paradoxes by restoring the irreducible observer. The Quantum Measurement Problem, often treated as a metaphysical puzzle, is shown to be a linguistic error: mistaking models and equations for reality while excluding the observer they depend upon. Once the observer is restored, the paradox disappears. The structure is deliberate: beginning with transparency, defining UPC, applying it to the Quantum Measurement Problem, (...) extending it to the double‑slit experiment, consciousness, and wider applications. The reasoning is accessible, the principle observable in daily life, and its effect inescapable. UPC dissolves the Quantum Measurement Problem at the level of interpretation by exposing its linguistic collapse and demonstrating its universality across science, philosophy, and ideology. This paper is designed as a concise introduction to UPC. Fuller case studies are available in my published work, noted in the Further Reading section. Its scope is interpretive and philosophical rather than technical physics derivation, and within that frame it delivers exactly as claimed. (shrink)

The inclusion problem for theories of gender arises when those theories inappropriately fail to include certain individuals in the gender categories to which they ought to belong. The inclusion problem affects both of the most influential traditions in feminist theorizing about gender: social-position accounts and identity accounts. I argue that the inclusion problem can be solved by adopting a structured theory of gender, which incorporates aspects of both social-position accounts and identity accounts. According to the theory I favor, an individual’s (...) gender is determined by their gender identity if they have one; otherwise, it is determined by their social position. My structured approach to gender offers a more direct solution to the gender inclusion problem than alternatives recently advocated by Barnes (2020), Jenkins (2023), and others. It also points the way to a simple solution to inclusion problems that arise at the level of gendered language. (shrink)

Richard Wollheim threatened George Dickie's institutional definition of art with a dilemma which entailed that the theory is either redundant or incomprehensible and useless. This article modifies the definition to avoid such criticism. First, it shows that the definition's concept of the artworld is not vague when understood as a conventional system of beliefs and practices. Then, based on Gaut's cluster theory, it provides an account of reasons artworld members have to confer the status of a candidate for appreciation. An (...) authorised member of an artworld has a good reason to confer the status on an object if it satisfies a subset of criteria respected as sufficient within this artworld. The first horn of the dilemma is averted because explaining the reasons behind conferral cannot eliminate references to the institution, and the second loses its sharpness, as accepting partial arbitrariness of the conferral does not deprive the theory of its explanatory power. (shrink)

Resolving the Ross and Prior paradoxes proved to be a difficult task. Its first two stages, involving the identification of the true natures of the implication and truth values, are described in the articles "Solving the Paradox of Material Implication – 2024" and "Solving Jörgensen's Dilemma – 2024". This article describes the third stage, which involves the discovery of missing modal operators and the Classical Modal Calculus. Finally, procedures for solving both paradoxes are provided.

How can someone reconcile the desire to eat meat, and a tendency toward vegetarian ideals? How should we reconcile contradictory moral values? How can we aggregate different moral theories? How individual preferences can be fairly aggregated to represent a will, norm, or social decision? Conflict resolution and preference aggregation are tasks that intrigue philosophers, economists, sociologists, decision theorists, and many other scholars, being a rich interdisciplinary area for research. When trying to solve questions about moral uncertainty a meta understanding of (...) the concept of normativity can help us to develop strategies to deal with norms themselves. 2nd-order normativity, or norms about norms, is a hierarchical way to think about how to combine many different normative structures and preferences into a single coherent decision. That is what metanormativity is all about, a way to answer: what should we do when we don’t know what to do? In this study, we will review a decision-making strategy dealing with moral uncertainty, Maximization of Expected Choice-Worthiness. This strategy, proposed by William MacAskill, allows for the aggregation and inter-theoretical comparison of different normative structures, cardinal theories, and ordinal theories. In this study, we will exemplify the metanormative methods proposed by MacAskill, using has an example, a series of vegetarian dilemmas. Given the similarity to this metanormative strategy to expected utility theory, we will also show that it is possible to integrate both models to address decision-making problems in situations of empirical and moral uncertainty. We believe that this kind of ethical-mathematical formalism can be useful to help develop strategies to better aggregate moral preferences and solve conflicts. (shrink)

Various schemes have been devised to tackle the problem of poor quality of University graduates in Nigeria. In spite of this, the problem has persisted. This paper essentially links poor quality graduates in Nigeria to the decentralized examination system which governs University degree examinations. Therefore, for detail study, this paper focuses on the linkage between the problem of poor quality graduates and credibility of the decentralized, individualized and autonomous University examination systems. The approach adopted in this paper is predicated on (...) the fact that the subjective nature of University examination systems undermines quality by “shielding” the prospective graduate from facing a universally standardised objective evaluation. The objective of this paper is to devise a scheme towards finding a lasting solution to the problem. To achieve this goal, the paper postulates a thesis called – Joint Graduation, Convocation and Certification Programme (JGCCP) – which would involve universal testing and certification of graduates in Nigeria. It is a standardized framework which will allow for harmonized and universal approach to solving the problem. The objective is based on the fact that examination is the most important instrument used in Nigeria in determining quality of graduates. (shrink)