Yuri Cath
@ywcath
Philosopher at La Trobe Uni (views mine) in Naarm/Melbourne. Thinking about practical knowledge, knowledge of experience, and other stuff I lack. Originally from NZ. He/him
The word 'rat' can close people's minds like a spring trap, but it's probably better to think of them as beaver like. So, a water adapted rodent. And they are beautiful with a gorgeous rusty yellow belly and striking black with a white tip tail.
First time seeing a rakali (Australia's awesome native water rat), and after watching it swim around (they really are like an otter in the water), it suddenly popped up right beside us!!
I think I have woken up early to watch the 2nd half of the World Cup semi, but my cat insists it's all about feeding him early.
Had a nice walk on my lunch break in the beautiful Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sactuary. We're so lucky to have this on the La Trobe campus. Didn't spot the emus today, but I did see kangaroos, parrots, and a little flash of a pardalote.
Philosophy for the sick or drugs for philosophers? Either way, it's probably not a good idea. (On the Boulevard des Philosophies in Geneva)
Arrived midday in Geneva and kept myself awake by walking up to the cathedral and going up all the stairs to the top. The city's vibes are currently a bit weird, with lots of shops boarded up ahead of the G7. But it was a gorgeous day to see the sights. The suitably austere chair is Calvin's.
Looking forward to this conference in June organised by the Creativity and Imagination group at the University of Geneva. I'll be discussing how my work on 'what it is like' knowledge coming in degrees can help with some puzzles around empathy and understanding other people.
I've had a nice Saturday attending this online workshop "Knowing What It Is Like, Experience, and Testimony" organised by Dr. Kunimasa Sato (Ibaraki Uni). Interesting to see the diff ways people are engaging with my work in this area, and just to see lots of new work emerging on WIL-knowledge'.
Had a great week in Hong Kong where the Dept of Philosophy at HKU brought me over to do some guest lectures on the idea that VR is an empathy machine for their MA in AI, Ethics and Society. HKU is investing heavily in the philosophy of AI, which makes it a very stimulating place to visit.
Had a great time looking around the Auckland Art Gallery today. I worked here for a couple of years as a gallery assistant post art school and pre studying philosophy. A lot of the artworks here feel like old friends as I spent so many hours staring at them back then.
Stoked to see that the ARC Discovery Project on which I am lead CI got funded!! 🎉My awesome co-CIs are Richard Skarbez (LTU), Mary Walker (LTU), Margot Strohminger (ACU), and Tim Bayne (Monash). We have exciting plans incl international collaborations, a conference, a post-doc, and a public event.
Some striking heads and patterns from the NGV's wonderful Kimono exhibition. (Thanks to that weird game they play here for giving us a public holiday today.)
Catching the river ferry is a fun way to travel to the opening of the AAP @aaphilosophy.bsky.social
Got a nice delivery today! My chapter tries to show how ideas from Hawley on the social role of the concept of KH and work I've done on 'downstream knowledge' can give a unifying explanation of various apparent disanalogies between KH and KT wrt to e.g. testimony and epistemic injustice.
It was a beautiful day to visit La Trobe's Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary on the lands of the Wurundjeri people. And we saw one of the new emus! It even gave my teenage son an inquisitive (and non-painful) nip.
With higher ed falling apart I suggest we academics all turn to product placement to pay the bills. Here is my recent attempt to showcase my wares to Tip Top Ice Cream and/or Tourism New Zealand.
In a nice coincidence the author copies of my book arrived today. (If anyone is interested in reviewing it let me know and I can post you a copy.)
Not what I was expecting to find when I googling for things on access consciousness. Someone needs to set up a rival phenomenal consciousness company because while I've got no idea what an "experience bar" is I'm pretty sure it would be better if it included some phenomenal consciousness #philsky
Sketching a sprawling pot plant seemed like a decent way to while away some time on the first afternoon of the new year. Wishing you all a happy 2025 with lots of new growth and life.
Happy New Year!! Fireworks photo is 100% authentically live from Sydney harbour and not from my living room tv screen in Melbourne.
Meri Kirihimete! (One of my kids put a hat on their no face present and its giving me a lot of Xmas cheer)
My favourite part of the publication process: perusing proofs with proper pagination.
Most years a Tawny Frogmouth pair nest in the little park outside our apt building. And after the chicks fledge they always move into a group of trees right outside our balcony. Such a privilege to see them grow up. This is a little video of the chicks checking me out this morning.
