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theramseylab.bsky.social
The Ramsey Lab
@theramseylab.bsky.social
1.3K followers 1.3K following 69 posts
The Ramsey philosophy of biology lab at KU Leuven, Belgium.
https://www.theramseylab.org • #HPbio #philsci #philsky #evosky #paleosky #cogsci
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theramseylab.bsky.social
The Ramsey Lab @theramseylab.bsky.social · 8d
Defining non-human #ToolUse remains contested, complicating scientific generalization & inspiring the concept of “tooling.” Our new 📄 @philscijournal.bsky.social proposes a synthetic framework to advance research on 🔧 use & tooling 👇 www.cambridge.org/core/journal... #philsci #cogsci #evosky #HPbio
Screenshot of the first page of a Philosophy of Science journal article titled “Tool Use Beyond Humans” by Gianmaria Dani and Grant Ramsey, published by the Philosophy of Science Association. The authors are affiliated with the Center for Logic and Philosophy of Science at KU Leuven, Belgium. Abstract: The definition of tool use has long been debated, especially when applied beyond humans. Recent work argues that the phenomena included within tool use are so broad and varied that there is little hope of using the category for scientific generalizations, explanations, and predictions about the evolution, ecology, and psychology of tool users. One response to this argument has been the development of tooling as a replacement for tool use. In this article, we analyze the tool use and tooling frameworks. Identifying advantages and limitations in each, we offer a synthetic approach that suggests promising avenues for future research.
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
andrameneganzin.bsky.social
Much of the empirical & theoretical landscape on #behaviouralmodernity has changed, and many think it’s high time we ditched the concept altogether. Here’s a minority voice in the choir: I’m skeptical that eliminativism is the panacea it’s often made out to be. 🔜 in Biol Theory

#philsky #evosky🧪🏺
The Fate of Behavioral Modernity - PhilSci-Archive
philsci-archive.pitt.edu
November 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
wileyprof.bsky.social
Our special issue on Evolutionary Functions of Consciousness, coedited with Tecumseh Fitch and Adina Roskies, now online royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/202...

Contributions by (1) Irina Mikhalevich; (2) Eva Jablonka and Simona Ginsburg; (3) Nicholas Humphrey; (cont'd)
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: Vol 380, No 1939
royalsocietypublishing.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
biotay.bsky.social
This is a great proposal for studying tool use.
I've been thinking about this for a long time, and when I came across it, I was hoping I would dislike it!
However, I believe that the "four categories of tool use" approach is the right way to study tool use.

Read it if you're interested in the topic
theramseylab.bsky.social The Ramsey Lab @theramseylab.bsky.social · 8d
Defining non-human #ToolUse remains contested, complicating scientific generalization & inspiring the concept of “tooling.” Our new 📄 @philscijournal.bsky.social proposes a synthetic framework to advance research on 🔧 use & tooling 👇 www.cambridge.org/core/journal... #philsci #cogsci #evosky #HPbio
Screenshot of the first page of a Philosophy of Science journal article titled “Tool Use Beyond Humans” by Gianmaria Dani and Grant Ramsey, published by the Philosophy of Science Association. The authors are affiliated with the Center for Logic and Philosophy of Science at KU Leuven, Belgium. Abstract: The definition of tool use has long been debated, especially when applied beyond humans. Recent work argues that the phenomena included within tool use are so broad and varied that there is little hope of using the category for scientific generalizations, explanations, and predictions about the evolution, ecology, and psychology of tool users. One response to this argument has been the development of tooling as a replacement for tool use. In this article, we analyze the tool use and tooling frameworks. Identifying advantages and limitations in each, we offer a synthetic approach that suggests promising avenues for future research.
November 15, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
theramseylab.bsky.social
Defining non-human #ToolUse remains contested, complicating scientific generalization & inspiring the concept of “tooling.” Our new 📄 @philscijournal.bsky.social proposes a synthetic framework to advance research on 🔧 use & tooling 👇 www.cambridge.org/core/journal... #philsci #cogsci #evosky #HPbio
Screenshot of the first page of a Philosophy of Science journal article titled “Tool Use Beyond Humans” by Gianmaria Dani and Grant Ramsey, published by the Philosophy of Science Association. The authors are affiliated with the Center for Logic and Philosophy of Science at KU Leuven, Belgium. Abstract: The definition of tool use has long been debated, especially when applied beyond humans. Recent work argues that the phenomena included within tool use are so broad and varied that there is little hope of using the category for scientific generalizations, explanations, and predictions about the evolution, ecology, and psychology of tool users. One response to this argument has been the development of tooling as a replacement for tool use. In this article, we analyze the tool use and tooling frameworks. Identifying advantages and limitations in each, we offer a synthetic approach that suggests promising avenues for future research.
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
nicolettapetridou.bsky.social
Only a few days left for abstract submission at the brand new EMBO|EMBL Symposium Collectivity in living systems: emergence, function and evolution. We have stellar speakers in cell, animal collectives & beyond @priscaliberali.bsky.social @icouzin.bsky.social @ricardsole.bsky.social

Join us!
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 AM
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djnicholson.bsky.social
I had SO much fun talking to Paul for almost 2 hours about my new book on Schrödinger & molecular biology. Easily one of the most enjoyable podcasts I've ever done. Check it out!

P.S. CUP has made the PDF of my book free to download for 2 more weeks. Get it here: www.cambridge.org/core/element...
braininspired.bsky.social Paul Middlebrooks @braininspired.bsky.social · 13d
What Is Life? A misleading title for Schrödinger's book.

What is Life? Revisited. A spot-on title for Dan's @djnicholson.bsky.social book, which happens to be a gem.

After reading it and discussing with Dan, I can only picture Schrödinger as a cartoon villain now.

braininspired.co/podcast/224/
November 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
theramseylab.bsky.social
How did hominins became human? And what is the fate of the "behavioural modernity" concept? Preprint 👇📄

#hpbio #paleosky #philsci
andrameneganzin.bsky.social Andra Meneganzin @andrameneganzin.bsky.social · 10d
Much of the empirical & theoretical landscape on #behaviouralmodernity has changed, and many think it’s high time we ditched the concept altogether. Here’s a minority voice in the choir: I’m skeptical that eliminativism is the panacea it’s often made out to be. 🔜 in Biol Theory

#philsky #evosky🧪🏺
The Fate of Behavioral Modernity - PhilSci-Archive
philsci-archive.pitt.edu
November 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
alejandrofabregastejeda.com
What makes a neurolinguistics experiment worth pursuing? Nevia Dolcini & colleagues propose two axes of pursuitworthiness standing in an asymmetric relationship: methodological (thresholds for epistemic adequacy) & pragmatic (contextual priorities) 👇📃 link.springer.com/article/10.1... #philsci #HPS
Screenshot of the article header from the European Journal for Philosophy of Science titled “The pursuitworthiness of experiments in neurolinguistics” by Nevia Dolcini, Bernard A. J. Jap, Chan Wa Kun and Stephen Politzer-Ahles. The header indicates it is a paper in philosophy of science in practice. The DOI is https://doi.org/10.1007/s13194-025-00691-z
November 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
theramseylab.bsky.social
Defining non-human #ToolUse remains contested, complicating scientific generalization & inspiring the concept of “tooling.” Our new 📄 @philscijournal.bsky.social proposes a synthetic framework to advance research on 🔧 use & tooling 👇 www.cambridge.org/core/journal... #philsci #cogsci #evosky #HPbio
Screenshot of the first page of a Philosophy of Science journal article titled “Tool Use Beyond Humans” by Gianmaria Dani and Grant Ramsey, published by the Philosophy of Science Association. The authors are affiliated with the Center for Logic and Philosophy of Science at KU Leuven, Belgium. Abstract: The definition of tool use has long been debated, especially when applied beyond humans. Recent work argues that the phenomena included within tool use are so broad and varied that there is little hope of using the category for scientific generalizations, explanations, and predictions about the evolution, ecology, and psychology of tool users. One response to this argument has been the development of tooling as a replacement for tool use. In this article, we analyze the tool use and tooling frameworks. Identifying advantages and limitations in each, we offer a synthetic approach that suggests promising avenues for future research.
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
theramseylab.bsky.social
How did hominins became human? And what is the fate of the "behavioural modernity" concept? Preprint 👇📄

#hpbio #paleosky #philsci
andrameneganzin.bsky.social Andra Meneganzin @andrameneganzin.bsky.social · 10d
Much of the empirical & theoretical landscape on #behaviouralmodernity has changed, and many think it’s high time we ditched the concept altogether. Here’s a minority voice in the choir: I’m skeptical that eliminativism is the panacea it’s often made out to be. 🔜 in Biol Theory

#philsky #evosky🧪🏺
The Fate of Behavioral Modernity - PhilSci-Archive
philsci-archive.pitt.edu
November 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
profmatthaber.bsky.social
If you know an undergrad that would like to spend the summer doing research in my philosophy of biology lab, encourage them to apply to the U’s SPUR program. Includes a $5,000 stipend and subsidized housing to work in my lab.

Details and how to apply here:
tinyurl.com/SPUR-PhilBio...
The Philosophy of Biology Lab: Entangled Lineages, Classification, and Individuality - Office of Undergraduate Research
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
theramseylab.bsky.social
New Element in the #PhilBio series—free to download until Nov 17! Is disease an objective biological fact or a value-laden construct? Peter Takacs argues for a hybrid view that unites both sides under an evolutionary notion of dysfunction👇 www.cambridge.org/core/element... #philsky #philsci #evosky
Book cover of “Biology and Medical Theory” by Peter Takacs, in the Cambridge Elements: The Philosophy of Biology series. Against a black background, the title is surrounded by Ernst Haeckel’s illustrations of marine organisms—radial, symmetrical forms in vivid blues, oranges, reds, and greens.
November 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
petinozappala.bsky.social
My paper for the Synthese special issue on Gatekeeping in science is out! 🎉
#PhilSci #HPBio #evobio
Gatekeeping in interdisciplinary fields: the case of paleontology after the Modern Synthesis - Synthese
Setting standards for budding interdisciplinary fields is a crucial step in the acquisition of their identity and in making possible their coalescence and institutionalization. However, negotiating wh...
link.springer.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
profmatthaber.bsky.social
The thematic issue I co-edited with @javiersuarez.bsky.social "Complicating the Concept of Lineage" is online. Includes papers by Javier & @phieveigl.bsky.social, @lucielaplane.bsky.social, François Papale, Kate MacCord and me. See reply for links to articles:
doi.org/10.1007/s137...
Complicating the Concept of Lineage: A Topical Collection - Biological Theory
Biological Theory -
doi.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:35 PM
theramseylab.bsky.social
New Element in the #PhilBio series—free to download until Nov 17! Is disease an objective biological fact or a value-laden construct? Peter Takacs argues for a hybrid view that unites both sides under an evolutionary notion of dysfunction👇 www.cambridge.org/core/element... #philsky #philsci #evosky
Book cover of “Biology and Medical Theory” by Peter Takacs, in the Cambridge Elements: The Philosophy of Biology series. Against a black background, the title is surrounded by Ernst Haeckel’s illustrations of marine organisms—radial, symmetrical forms in vivid blues, oranges, reds, and greens.
November 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
grupoanfibio.bsky.social
Conference:
Ciprian Jeler, "The meaning and explanatory roles of selective mechanisms in evolutionary biology"
November 19, at 13:00 (Argentine time)

+info: www.anfibio.com.ar/.../conferen...

Please register here to attend the conference: forms.gle/1xp2q5LSgAvL...
October 28, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
andrameneganzin.bsky.social
Francesco d'Errico, Ivan Colage', and I wrote a paper on the evolution of #collectiveintelligence, epistemic #nicheconstruction, and the material traces of #hominin alterations to informational landscapes.

Forthcoming in PTRS B!

Preprint 🔗👇

osf.io/preprints/so...

🧪🏺 #philsky #paleosky #evosky
October 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
alejandrofabregastejeda.com
Each generation seems to rediscover the riddle of organismal agency: are organisms agents that pursue intrinsic goals—and how could we know? Our 📕 gathers historians, philosophers & scientists to explore this debate—now available in paperback!👇 www.routledge.com/The-Riddle-o... #philsky #HPS #evobio
Book cover of "The Riddle of Organismal Agency: New Historical and Philosophical Reflections" (Routledge, 2025). The book belongs to the "History and Philosophy of Biology" series. The editors are Alejandro Fábregas-Tejeda, Jan Baedke, Guido I. Prieto, and Gregory Radick. The design features a geometric pattern of interlocking, multicolored triangles and rectangular prisms in shades of red, yellow, teal, white, and pink. The Routledge logo appears in the lower right corner.
October 27, 2025 at 12:41 PM
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freinhard.bsky.social
I have a new paper out in Synthese! It’s about experimental strategies in the historical sciences, using case studies from origins of life research.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Re-construction or re-invention? Experimental strategies in the historical sciences - Synthese
Synthese - Prototypical historical sciences are in the business of reconstructing the past based on traces. Experimental research into the past often seems precluded by the very nature of...
link.springer.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM
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djnicholson.bsky.social
Last chance to download my book for free! It's still available until tomorrow.
theramseylab.bsky.social The Ramsey Lab @theramseylab.bsky.social · Oct 17
New Element in the Philosophy of Biology series—free to download until Oct. 24! @djnicholson.bsky.social uncovers Schrödinger’s motivations for writing "What Is Life?", revisits its central arguments & examines the book’s lasting impact on cell & molecular biology👇 www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Book cover of “What Is Life? Revisted” by Daniel J. Nicholson, in the Cambridge Elements: The Philosophy of Biology series. Against a black background, the title is surrounded by Ernst Haeckel’s illustrations of marine organisms—radial, symmetrical forms in vivid blues, oranges, reds, and greens.
October 23, 2025 at 3:40 PM
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theramseylab.bsky.social
Correlation isn’t causation, as the mantra goes—but statistical noise in correlational data can reveal causal information. When X and Y are causally linked, their noise tends to be asymmetric & this can guide #CausalInference. Check out our 📃👇 doi.org/10.1111/nous... #philsky #philsci #StatsSky #HPS
Screenshot of the first page of a Noûs article titled “Causal Inference from Noise.” Authors: Nevin Climenhaga (Australian Catholic University), Lane DesAutels (Missouri Western State University), and Grant Ramsey (KU Leuven). The citation details read: Noûs 55:1 (2021), pages 152–170, DOI: 10.1111/nous.12300.
October 21, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
luciacneco.bsky.social
Just a reminder that the @ishpssb.bsky.social 2026 Off-Year Workshops CFP is still OPEN! It’s a way to support community members to meet in smaller settings and expand the society’s reach.
Apply below if you’re organizing a workshop before early 2027!
#philsky #philsci #biology #hps #histsci #sts
2026 Off-Year Workshops: Call for proposals - ISHPSSB.org
Welcome to the ISHPSSB.
ishpssb.org
October 21, 2025 at 10:29 AM
theramseylab.bsky.social
Correlation isn’t causation, as the mantra goes—but statistical noise in correlational data can reveal causal information. When X and Y are causally linked, their noise tends to be asymmetric & this can guide #CausalInference. Check out our 📃👇 doi.org/10.1111/nous... #philsky #philsci #StatsSky #HPS
Screenshot of the first page of a Noûs article titled “Causal Inference from Noise.” Authors: Nevin Climenhaga (Australian Catholic University), Lane DesAutels (Missouri Western State University), and Grant Ramsey (KU Leuven). The citation details read: Noûs 55:1 (2021), pages 152–170, DOI: 10.1111/nous.12300.
October 21, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
theramseylab.bsky.social
New Element in the Philosophy of Biology series—free to download until Oct. 24! @djnicholson.bsky.social uncovers Schrödinger’s motivations for writing "What Is Life?", revisits its central arguments & examines the book’s lasting impact on cell & molecular biology👇 www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Book cover of “What Is Life? Revisted” by Daniel J. Nicholson, in the Cambridge Elements: The Philosophy of Biology series. Against a black background, the title is surrounded by Ernst Haeckel’s illustrations of marine organisms—radial, symmetrical forms in vivid blues, oranges, reds, and greens.
October 17, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Reposted by The Ramsey Lab
thebjps.bsky.social
Just accepted:

How Do We Know If Animals Remember? Proximal Functions and the Distribution of Episodic Memory
– Arieh Schwartz & Alexandria Boyle

Abstract in alt text or read it here: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...

#philsci #philsky
ABSTRACT. Which animals have episodic memory? One reason this is difficult to answer is that episodic memory could be expected to vary across species, making it hard to give a principled account of what ‘counts’ as an episodic memory system. In this article, we propose that the investigation of episodic memory in animals should be guided by an account of its proximal proper functions: its most basic selected effects. In short, an animal has episodic memory if it has a memory system with the proximal functions of episodic memory. While there are many accounts of episodic memory’s distal functions, little attention has been paid to its proximal functions. To remedy this, we develop a preliminary account of episodic memory’s proximal functions and use this to evaluate existing evidence about episodic memory in animals.
October 20, 2025 at 9:15 AM