Scientific Debate Research Articles

Engaging Jeffrey Koperski’s decretalism: is occasionalism really avoidable?

Abstract This article critically evaluates Jeffrey Koperski’s decretalism, which presents the laws of nature as divine decrees functioning as constraints rather than dynamic forces. Building on his work, we explore whether his model successfully avoids the implications of occasionalism, as he claims. By analysing his latest publications, we first reconstruct Koperski’s argument and then present three key objections. These include (1) issues related to scientific realism, (2) the principle of simplicity, and (3) the reduction of Koperski’s model to occasionalism. We argue that despite his attempts to distinguish his framework, Koperski’s model ultimately collapses into occasionalism due to the continuous divine sustenance required for natural processes. By engaging with recent developments in metaphysical and scientific debates, this article highlights the limitations of Koperski’s decretalism.

Promoting secondary school students scientific argumentation skills through dialogic practical work

Promoting secondary school students scientific argumentation skills through dialogic practical work

Structural nature of pyroelectric effect revisited: Experimental and theoretical studies of synthetic Ni,Al - rich tourmaline

Tourmaline, the first pyroelectric material discovered, is also a promising borosilicate material with non-linear optical and luminescence properties, high thermal stability, high hardness and variable chemical composition. The structural nature of pyroelectricity in tourmaline is a subject of scientific debate since it requires precise structural studies and measurements at elevated temperatures. Here, an in situ high temperature single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction studies (up to ∼1000 °C) and the direct pyroelectric measurements (up to ∼200 °C) of synthetic Ni, Al-rich tourmaline were performed. The pyroelectric coefficient was calculated from the structural data. The results demonstrate that polyhedra XO9, YO6 and ZO6 exert the greatest influence on the pyroelectric effect. The pyroelectric coefficient of tourmaline is practically independent of boron-oxygen triangles and silicon-oxygen tetrahedra. The primary pyroelectric coefficient of tourmalines could be calculated from single crystal structural data. This study contributes to the synthesis of tourmalines with the required pyroelectric properties and may be used for the study of the nature and properties of other pyroelectric materials.

Building From Scientific Argumentation to Democratic Deliberation: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Decision-Making About Socioscientific Issues

Building From Scientific Argumentation to Democratic Deliberation: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Decision-Making About Socioscientific Issues

THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY IN PROTECTING AND PROMOTING THE CULTURAL VALUES OF THE SAN DIU ETHNICITY OF SON DUONG DISTRICT TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TUYEN QUANG PROVINCE

The role of the community in protecting and promoting cultural values has always been studied by managers and scientists. Identifying and properly assessing the role of the community in protecting and promoting ethnic minority values requires an objective and comprehensive view, based on sound scientific arguments. The traditional culture of the San Diu people is the glue that binds the members of the community, creating a strong and united community. However, the socio-economic development in the years of renovation and the process of industrialization and modernization has had a strong impact on the culture of the San Diu people. Cultural changes are taking place in many directions, affecting community life. The current problem with state management agencies and the community in managing, protecting and promoting cultural values of the San Diu people is how to make heritage values permanent and develop. value in contemporary life.

Effects of gamma and electron-beam irradiations on the stability of free radicals, bioactive compounds and microbial characteristics of turmeric powder

Turmeric is a functional ingredient commonly used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products due to its health benefits and bioactivity, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer benefits. Irradiation is a common technique used to decontaminate microorganisms and extend the shelf life of spices. However, there are scientific debates over the use of irradiation in food products. This study aimed to assess the effects of ionizing radiation, including gamma rays and electron beams, on bioactive compounds and microbial characteristics of turmeric powder. Technically, high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-Vis detection was used to assess bioactive compounds. Another aim of the present study was to determine free radicals in irradiated and non-irradiated samples within one month of storage using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Results showed that gamma and electron-beam irradiations could decrease microbial contamination of turmeric by approximately 5 and 6 log cfu/g, respectively. Contents of bioactive compounds increased in irradiated samples and curcumin contents in gamma and electron-beam irradiated samples were 232–248 and 215–266 mg/g dry weight (dw), respectively. Furthermore, the study detected that free radicals increased in all irradiated samples immediately after irradiation but decreased over time. Decrease in EPR signals was faster in gamma-irradiated samples during storage. Numbers of free radicals induced by gamma and electron-beam irradiations were 6.59–4.70, 2.69–1.60, 1.61–1.34, and 0.99–1.05 on days 0, 7, 14, and 21, respectively. After 21 days of storage, the numbers of free radicals in all non-irradiated and irradiated samples were similar. Therefore, free radicals induced by irradiations were degraded during storage and eliminated after 21 days.

Preserving reason: a rationalist defense of the ‘Western telos’ in social science and the humanities

I discuss some of the current challenges to the social sciences/humanities and contend that their impact, marked by epistemological confusion and ill-founded accusatory discourse against the basics of open scientific debate and empirical methods, is damaging and undermining rational exchange. There is notable variety across disciplines, but contestation is rife. I affirm the existence and value of a historical Western telos, as a scientific-epistemological ‘project’ driven both by basic curiosity and (material) interests. In the face of some justified but also some grossly overstated accusations of science, especially during the past two decades, I plead for renewal and recalibration of such a telos (be it Western or other) based on the intrinsic value of sound, evidence-based science and non-justificationist critical rationalism, not the least because the proposed alternatives – slighting evidence-based reasoning and advocating the use of personal experience/bias as authoritative, like in ‘identity politics’– hold little promise.

Beyond Eyeball Tests: A Methodical Rebuttal to Fillon et al.'s Commentary.

In our original study, "Consumed by Creed" (Adam-Troian & Bélanger, 2024), we established significant and consistent associations between obsessive-compulsive disorder symptom severity and radical intentions across four distinct U.S. population samples-Environmentalists, Republicans, Democrats, and Muslims-partially or fully mediated by obsessive passion. Fillon et al. (2024) challenged our findings, alleging methodological errors and an excessive degree of researcher flexibility, which they claim could lead to false-positive results. In this response, we critically examine Fillon et al.'s commentary, arguing that it exemplifies flawed meta-scientific critique. We demonstrate that their approach relies on a series of unsupported and misleading claims, including a misinterpretation of the literature, unjustified reliance on visual data inspection, speculative assumptions about religious influences on our findings, and a shifting of the burden of proof. Through rigorous re-analyses, we reaffirm the robustness of our original results and address the unfounded allegations regarding our methodological practices. We also critique Fillon et al.'s approach, highlighting the necessity of domain-specific expertize in meta-scientific evaluations and cautioning against the risks of speculative and defamatory criticism in academic discourse. This exchange underscores the importance of maintaining rigorous standards in both original research and its critique, ensuring that scientific debate remains grounded in evidence rather than conjecture.

Knocking Down the Pillars of Democracy in Europe: Politicisation of Science and Law in Response During COVID-19

Abstract The European Parliament has stressed on numerous occasions in public documents and speeches its non-conditional support for the principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Yet as the pandemic has developed these principles have not been defended by various member states of the EU, being traded for public health and public good. This presentation seeks to critically analyse the content of key rhetoric and narratives from the outbreak of the pandemic until the present time through public statements that shall be contrasted against the “unconditional principles” above within the theoretical frame of Situational Crisis Communication Theory. Attention shall be paid to key political officials and understand the role of mainstream mass media and social media as gatekeepers of the orthodoxy of knowledge established. Orthodoxy of knowledge is group consensus on defining and constructing ‘realities’ in the physical realm, even when the consensus is coerced. Given the increasing lack of scientific debate, which is a fundamental element of good scientific practice, and the use of heavy handed and largely unsuccessful responses to the virus (such as lockdowns, vax passports and vaccination campaigns), Europe (not only) is in a precarious position in terms of its societal principles and practice. Crisis management is expediently rushed through face of fear and time constraint based upon a lack of consideration for the consequences and long-term effects, some of which are already emerging but being silenced. Hence a creeping crisis of significant psychological and physical impact is in the making.

Participatory Digital Mapping, Dynamic Data, and Children’s Emergent Science Argumentation About Local Socio-Ecological Systems

Abstract Over the last two decades, there has been an increasing focus on spatial technologies in teaching and learning, revealing the potential to support new forms of youth sensemaking across varied settings and modalities. Recent scholarship has shown the possibilities of participatory digital mapping technologies, enabling young people to collect data within community settings and create interactive data-rich maps about complex phenomena and processes that build from their local expertise and inquiries. Yet to date, these technologies and related pedagogies remain less researched within K-5 educational contexts. In this article, we examine the most recent iteration from a multi-year design research project that centered 5th grade students’ learning about socio-ecological systems by engaging in participatory digital mapping to study their schoolyard soil ecosystems underfoot. We examine the possibilities of centering digital participatory map making as a basis for modeling and argumentation in elementary science. Analyzing whole class discussion video within the 10-week curriculum, we show how children authored their collective maps in numerous ways, making visible their social and ecological knowledge of the schoolyard, as well as their experiences defining, producing and visualizing qualitative and quantitative data. As part of this broader design-based research project, we find that children were able to reason about complex socio-ecological systems across spatial, temporal, and relational dimensions in inventive ways, often considered out of reach for elementary aged students, while also expanding what could count as data and what ways of knowing were valued within the science classroom. Implications for science education, place-based education, and emerging geospatial technologies are discussed.

Future drought overestimations due to no constraints of CO2 physiological effect and land-atmosphere coupling on potential evapotranspiration

Abstract Various offline drought indices have been widely used to project dryness/wetness and drought changes. However, the results derived from these indices often differ from or even contradict observations and direct projections made by coupled climate models. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate this scientific debate thoroughly and identify the potential causes. This study adopts a water demand-side perspective, focusing on potential evapotranspiration (PET), to address such controversy. Employing the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), three PET models including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ report 56 (FAO-56) Penman-Monteith (PM) model, a corrected FAO-56 PM model incorporating CO2 physiological effect (PMCO2), and a land-atmosphere coupled PET model (PET-LAC) are further compared. Despite projected increases in PET across most land areas, the PM shows the most pronounced increases among these PET models. Compared to PMCO2 and PET-LAC, the PM model predicts the most significant drying, with the 3-month SPEI decreasing by 0.50±0.23 /yr. Additionally, it projects the most substantial drought intensification, with increases in areas, intensity, and duration of 28±6.9%, 0.70±0.20/yr, and 2.90±0.83 month/yr, respectively. Meanwhile, these projections correspond to the most extensive area percentages, with 78.5±10% for drying, 94.8±7.2% for drought intensity, and 93.6±7.9% for drought duration. These findings imply that the commonly used PM model overestimates future drought conditions. Differences and contradictions between the drought projections from PM-based offline indices and direct climate model outputs can be partly attributed to the omission of CO2 physiological effect and land-atmosphere coupling constraints in the PM model. This study highlights the importance of improving PET models by incorporating these constraints, thereby providing valuable insights for enhancing the accuracy of future drought assessments.

UMA LEITURA DA EVOLUÇÃO DO CONCEITO DE CARTOGRAFIA OCORRIDA ENTRE 1960 E 2000

From the 1940s to 2000, reflecting on the conceptual transformations in the field and their relationship with technological advancements. Initially, the UN provided the definition of Cartography, but from 1965 onwards, the ICA assumed this responsibility. Over the span of 40 years, these definitions evolved considerably. In 1992, Fraser Taylor, as the president of the ICA, introduced a significant update by incorporating the term "geoinformation" into the definition. This modification broadened the scope of Cartography to include other forms of spatial representation. However, in the late 1990s, there was a regression when the ICA simplified the definition of Cartography, restricting it to the study of maps. This dynamic illustrates that the evolution of scientific debates does not always follow a linear trajectory, often oscillating between advancements and regressions. Consequently, it is concluded that ongoing conceptual debates around the definition of Cartography are essential to keep pace with emerging technological and theoretical innovations in the field. Keywords: Epistemology. International Cartographic Association. History of Cartography.

Pre-Service Teachers’ Professional Vision of Argumentation Opportunities in Their Analysis of Videotaped Science Classroom Episodes

ABSTRACT To foster scientific argumentation in the classroom, science teachers need to be able to notice and interpret situations in their lessons that are starting points for argumentation discourses. To sustainably promote these skills, which we denote as a professional vision of argumentation opportunities, it seems crucial to start training teachers as early as their pre-service phase. Thus, we have developed a vignette-based practice activity with a category system that trains this vision. In this exploratory study, qualitative content analysis was used to examine eight pre-service science teachers’ (PSTs) responses in this practice activity. The results show that the PSTs were able to successfully identify and describe argumentation opportunities in videotaped chemistry and physics lessons. However, these PSTs had difficulties in explaining the contentious moments in the opportunities they had identified and in predicting suitable instructions that could promote argumentation. Overall, PSTs’ professional vision improved during a nine-week intervention, but differences—e.g. regarding the subject matter of a vignette or PSTs’ prior knowledge—also became apparent. The paper identifies such influencing factors and provides recommendations for using the practice activity in science teachers’ professional development.

The Assessment of the Influence of Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Originated from the Power Infrastructure on Humans’ Health

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (LF EMFs) generated by power infrastructure on the nearby environment. Measurements of electric (E) and magnetic (H) field intensities were conducted around high-voltage power lines, transformer stations and facilities related to them. Numerical simulations were also performed to model the distribution of the field values around real buildings in close proximity to power delivery systems. Given the ongoing scientific debate regarding the effects of EMFs on living organisms, the current analysis was based on the existing standards—particularly ICNIRP 2010 guidelines, which set the maximum allowable E and magnetic induction (B) values at 5 kV/m and 200 μT, respectively. Stricter national regulations were also examined, such as Poland’s 1 kV/m E limit in residential areas and Belgium’s 10 μT limit for B. The results showed that while most cases complied with ICNIRP 2010 standards, certain stricter local regulations were exceeded. Specifically, 9 of 14 cases exceeded Poland’s E limits, and 8 failed to meet Belgium’s B requirements. Only in one place—a warehouse near 110 kV power lines (in a critical case)—the ICNIRP limit B was exceeded. These findings underscore the variability in regulatory standards and highlight the need for localized assessments of EMF exposure.

Design of a Conversational Adventure app to Promote Argumentation in Science

Currently, the use of energy has become a socio-scientific issue characterized by its complexity, controversy, and direct impact on society, where science and technology play a crucial role. Such open-ended problems, without definitive answers, require active citizen participation in making informed decisions, respecting the values and rights of all individuals in society. In this context, schools must assume a social commitment. With the aim of promoting argumentation skills in science education regarding socio-scientific issues, a research project focused on the creation of video games is being carried out. This work presents the design of the conversational adventure ‘Energy Island’, conceived as a mobile application intended to enhance these skills. This video game transports participants to a fictional island, where they encounter various scenarios, such as a school, a town hall, a scientific research center, a market, a bank, and a recycling point. In each scenario, players must solve different challenges through interaction with various characters. These challenges range from actions for water conservation to decisions about building a nuclear power plant, recycling components of a photovoltaic panel, or finding a cure for respiratory problems derived from pollution. The ultimate goal of the game is for participants to make an informed decision about the most suitable energy source for the island, considering options such as wind, solar, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, or natural gas energy. In an initial testing phase, the video game was implemented with preservice secondary teachers at the University of Malaga (Spain) to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the application. These participants completed a satisfaction and usability questionnaire, evaluating aspects such as ease of gameplay, potential drawbacks, need for prior explanations, complexity, motivation, accessibility, and encountered difficulties, using a 5-point Likert scale (from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree"). The application was generally well-received by the participants, who found it easy to use and did not perceive significant performance issues. However, it is suggested to provide additional resources to improve the user experience and maximize pedagogical use.

Cascaded reservoirs promote phosphorus bioavailability of surface sediments in the Upper Mekong River

As a key nutrient for primary productivity in freshwater ecosystems, the effect of upper cascade reservoirs on the downstream phosphorus (P) loading is subject to an ongoing scientific debate in the Mekong River. To investigate the effects of cascade reservoirs on the forms of P and its bioavailability in surface sediment, two rounds of field research were carried out both in a free-flowing river (Nu River) and in the Upper Mekong River (Lancang River) during winter and summer. Results showed that while the P was trapped with sediments and environmental parameters changed significantly, high relative abundance of bioavailable phosphorus (BioP, generally include Fe-bound P, Al-bound P, and Organic P) in sediment was detected in reservoirs and at near the border between China and Myanmar. The increased Bio-P in reservoirs may be caused by sediments sorting, anaerobic surface sediments, appropriate temperature, longer residence time and algae-nutrient positive feedback loops. Accumulated Bio-P in sediments may elevate the phosphorus release to overlying water and exacerbate eutrophication in reservoirs. Considered the intense anthropogenic phosphorus loading, nutrients enrichment risk in the lower Mekong River should receive more attention in further research.

To the problem of defining and distinguishing the definitions of "information security" and "cyber security"

The article is devoted to the problem of definition and comparison of definitions, in particular in the context of information and cyber security. The main emphasis is placed on the analysis of existing scientific approaches to the definition of these concepts, with the aim of identifying common and distinctive features between them. Different interpretations of terms in domestic and international scientific literature are studied, paying attention to their development in connection with modern challenges in the information space. Taking into account the different approaches to the definition of the terms «information security» and «cyber security» available both in science and in practice, this study compares domestic and international definitions, analyzes legislative and scientific literature, taking into account the impact of new technologies on the formation of modern definitions in the field information security. The main attention is paid to methodological approaches to the construction of definitions, their accuracy, comprehensibility and applicability in different contexts. Emphasis is placed on the need to agree on a terminology that would adequately reflect the modern challenges and risks that the state faces in the field of information and cyber security. The importance of a clear demarcation of concepts for effective legal regulation and practical application is also emphasized, emphasis is placed on the need to unify terminology and the development of standards for the construction of clear and unambiguous definitions, attention is drawn to the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the process of creating definitions, which allows taking into account the specifics of various scientific areas. The novelty of the work lies in a comprehensive approach to the analysis of definitions, which makes it possible not only to identify key differences and similarities between different interpretations, but also to offer recommendations for their improvement. Having analyzed examples from various fields, demonstrating how ambiguous or incorrect definitions can lead to misunderstandings and errors in scientific research and practical application, the author offers his own methodology for assessing the quality of these definitions, which can be used to improve scientific communication and increase the accuracy of terminology, in the author’s vision of the definitions of «information security» and «cyber security» is published for the first time in the article, taking into account the security component and interdisciplinary nature. This makes the article an important contribution to the scientific debate on the development of terminology in the field of information and cyber security. The main aspects of the article are the analysis of different approaches to the definition of information and cyber security, the comparison of definitions by national and international researchers, the proposal of new, integrated approaches to understanding these concepts, and the discussion of practical aspects of the application of these definitions in the field of national security.

“In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors” Polish Traditions of Westward Migration Meets Modern Epigenetics of Trauma

For several years, there have been ongoing considerations regarding the interdisciplinary connections between the natural sciences and the humanities. The same holds true for the question as to whether trauma can be inherited biologically as well as culturally. Today, this topic is increasingly steering the scientific debate in the direction of epigenetic research, which currently combines molecular biology and social psychology with their respective hallmarks. Can culture-related traumas be inherited and, if this was possible, can transgenerational consequences of trauma be passed on to subsequent generations? The focus remains on educational and socialization-related conduct as well on biologically inherited processes of how individual deals with their own trauma. Can migration be inherited by subsequent generations via transgenerational transmission of trauma? In order to answer this question, both consequences and causes of the long-running migration from Poland to Western European countries need to be considered. This article thus seeks to establish a connection between now and then, while also focusing on tragic passages in Poland’s history that were characterized by suffering, statelessness, and occupation (until 1989). Consequently, multi-layered and repeated habitus breakages as well as specific Polish “worldviews” may have emerged, which tend to favour migration. The causal links between the transgenerational transmission of such traumas and their causal connections to ongoing migration from Poland to countries such as Germany are addressed by using modern epigenetics.

Employment quality in the new socio-economic reality: theoretical and methodological foundations

The article contains scientific arguments for aggravating social and labor problems, especially employment in its various manifestations. It substantiates the need to update the theoretical and methodological foundations of employment in general and its quality in particular. A modern view of the employment institute is presented. The author's concept of employment quality has been revealed. The proposed conceptology of employment quality is based on the latest theoretical and methodological foundations and opens new horizons for further scientific and applied research. First of all, it concerns development of theoretical, methodological and applied principles of employment quality assessment. It is proven that the newest trend of the current digital age is the emergence and intensive reproduction of gaps in the quality of jointly distributed labor as part of various types of both standard and especially non-standard forms of employment. The article's key quintessence is the authors' vision of employment quality as a prerequisite for sustainable people-dimensional development and justification of the need to move the institute of employment quality to the epicenter of theoretical and applied research, which should become a platform for scientific support of formation and implementation of a new social and labor policy. Further research in the field of scientific support for social and labor development has received scientific interpretation.

Modern ideas about the predictions of postpartum hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage is currently a pressing problem. Its increasing incidence over time is observed not only in developing countries but also in countries with high levels of income and resources that significantly contribute to the development and functioning of the health system, which is the cause of scientific debate worldwide. The risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage include low hemoglobin level before birth, older maternal age, first birth, prolonged duration of the first and second stages of labor, high birth weight of the newborn, abnormal placentation, surgical vaginal birth, cesarean section, episiotomy, and placental defects. This review outlines the main risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage, displays new data on the relationship between types of assisted reproductive technologies and postpartum hemorrhage, and discusses prospects for research regarding the problem. A link between assisted reproductive technologies and postpartum hemorrhage elucidates the increase in the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage in developed countries. It is crucial to further research on obstetric risks following the use of assisted reproductive technologies and identify additional risk categories for complications to provide quality medical care and reduce maternal and perinatal losses.