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Commanders projected to sell offensive lineman at NFL trade deadline
ESPN reporter Bill Barnwell believes Washington Commanders will trade offensive lineman Andrew Wylie to the Patriots
Writers Series hosts Andrew Wittkop Nov. 4
The Laureate Writers Series presenter for November will be Andrew Wittkop, a distinguished geologist and former Winona State University science student who has had a lifelong interest in creative writing.
Fight over Golden Wok continues after founder’s death
Connie Andrews’ estate is seeking answers about her business interests, disputed property and a partnership agreement it says was altered without her knowledge.
Live updates: Trump to rally for Byron Donalds in Florida
Annie Andrews, South Carolina’s Democratic Senate nominee, will hold a town hall this afternoon as she attempts to defeat Republican Sen. Darline Graham.
Mark Andrews posts another full practice
Ravens TE Mark Andrews a full participant for second straight day
Purdue leaders connect with NYC alumni to discuss the future of business
Two hundred New York City-based Purdue alumni and friends gathered Oct. 13 for a reception at the New York Athletic Club overlooking Central Park. Dubbed “Boilermakers in the Big Apple…
Los Angeles Dodgers Announce Shohei Ohtani Update After Playoff Exit
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman announced an update on Shohei Ohtani after their playoff exit. The post Los Angeles Dodgers Announce Shohei Ohtani Update After Playoff Exit appeared first on HEAVY.
Mark Andrews fully practices Wednesday
Ravens TE Mark Andrews a full participant in first practice of week
T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach's exes announce engagement
Marilee Fiebig and actor Andrew Shue, former spouses of newly married journalists T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach, are engaged.
Andrew Thomas’ latest update leaves the Giants waiting
John Harbaugh didn’t declare Andrew Thomas or Jermaine Eluemunor ready for Houston on Monday. He said both tackles, along with […]
Lockton names Andrew Littlejohn to lead Entertainment & Sports Practice
Lockton names Andrew Littlejohn to lead Entertainment & Sports Practice
Chiefs Week 6 snap count analysis: Andrew Armstrong steps up
Here are the important notes from Kansas City’s snap-count breakdown in the Week 6 win.
Elizabeth Holmes documentary stuns entertainment industry with $15 million opening weekend
CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin reports on the latest news.
Andrew Hastie blasts One Nation’s ‘MAGA-style politics’ after cartoon mocking Jacqui Lambie’s vaginal prolapse
The 'Please Explain' cartoon series from Pauline Hanson's One Nation continues to depict Hastie as a traitor.
I bought a cheap house in rural Japan. I don't expect it to make money.
Andrew Koller visited Japan for the first time in 2023. Three years later he bought a home there and plans to use it for vacationing and rentals.
Meet the marine technician documenting Antarctica's beauty while protecting its future
Andrew Naslund crosses the world's roughest sea to help scientists study Antarctica's fastest-warming region.
“Harry Potter” star Bonnie Wright announces birth of second child
She also shares a son, Elio Ocean, with husband Andrew Lococo.
Brenner named Guardian of Small Businesses
COLUMBUS – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Ohio’s leading small business advocacy organization, named state Sen. Andrew Brenner and state Rep. Meredith Craig as Guardians of Small Business, NFIB’s highest legislative honor. NFIB Ohio State Director Jared Weiser presented the awards at NFIB’s Ohio Leadership Council meeting Thursday.
J. Harrison Ghee Exits Oh, Mary! Tour to Focus on Health Recovery
Alaska Thunderf*ck and John-Andrew Morrison will continue to lead the tour through early 2027, with further casting to be announced.
California students post gains in math, science and English in 2025-26
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California students made gains across key academic and success measures during the 2025-26 school year, with test scores rising in English, math and science while the statewide graduation rate reached a record high of 87.9 percent. For the first time, the state released assessment results and California School Dashboard data together to give families and educators a more complete picture of student performance.English language arts scores increased 0.5 percentage points to 49.3 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced, while math scores rose 1.1 percentage points to 38.4 percent. Science showed the strongest improvement, jumping 3.3 percentage points to 36 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced.The statewide chronic absenteeism rate dropped 1.1 percentage points to 18.3 percent. The suspension rate declined to 2.8 percent, marking the third consecutive year of improvement."At a time when California continues to focus on accelerating learning and closing opportunity gaps, these results provide important evidence that our sustained investments are making a difference," Gov. Gavin Newsom said. "The continued progress we are seeing is a testament to the hard work of students, families and educators across the state—and we will continue working to build on these gains."The percentage of students prepared for college and career increased to 55.2 percent, up 2 percentage points from the previous year. More than 54 percent of graduates completed coursework required for admission to University of California and California State University systems, an increase of 0.9 percentage points."California has made important strides in expanding student supports and opportunities, but the pace of academic improvement reminds us that our work is far from finished," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said.Eighth grade students posted the strongest score trends in both English language arts and math. Science performance improved across all tested grades, with the strongest gains at the high school level.African American students demonstrated larger-than-average improvements across English, math and science. Hispanic or Latino students showed larger-than-average improvements in English and math, with positive math score trends across all grades.Students who were socioeconomically disadvantaged made gains across all 3 subjects, including larger-than-average improvements in English and math. Students who were homeless continued to demonstrate gains across grades, with particularly strong improvements in math."We are encouraged to see students making gains across all 3 major assessments and are especially encouraged by the progress of African American students, Hispanic or Latino students, socioeconomically disadvantaged students and homeless youth," said Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the California State Board of Education.The progress comes as California's public school system undergoes significant demographic change. Statewide school enrollment declined to approximately 5.73 million students in 2025-26, nearly 500-thousand fewer students over the past decade.The number of students with disabilities increased approximately 25 percent over the same period, from about 680-thousand to more than 850-thousand students. Graduation rates increased across nearly all student groups, including notable increases for American Indian or Alaskan Native students at 4.3 percentage points and students with disabilities at 3.7 percentage points.In Downey Unified School District, the rate of students demonstrating proficient or advanced grade-level knowledge increased by 2.1 percentage points in English, 2.8 percentage points in math and 4.7 percentage points in science. The district aligned graduation requirements with college admission expectations and invested in inclusive special education practices, expanded career technical education and expanded learning opportunities."The gains Downey Unified is seeing in student assessment results and on the Dashboard are the result of years of focused, consistent work across the district," Superintendent Roger Brossmer said.In Exeter Unified School District, proficiency rates increased by 4.6 percentage points in English, 2.3 percentage points in math and 3.6 percentage points in science. The district placed a strong focus on phonics and the science of reading, particularly in kindergarten through second grade."The gains Exeter Unified is seeing in student assessment results and on the Dashboard are the result of having great people who are focused on the right work, and great students who want to do well," Superintendent Melanie Dorough said.Union Elementary School District saw proficiency rates increase by 1.5 percentage points in English, 2 percentage points in math and 4 percentage points in science. Teachers regularly analyze state and local assessment data to guide instruction, supported by strong core instruction and early literacy strategies."Union Elementary School District's achievement gains reflect a focused, data-driven approach to meeting the needs of every student while fostering a strong sense of belonging, safety and connection," Superintendent Carrie Andrews said.The California Department of Education is examining local results to better understand strategies and conditions associated with stronger student outcomes. The state has made significant investments in recent years, including literacy and math coaching, tutoring, expanded learning opportunities, community schools and universal transitional kindergarten.
'Street Fighter' review: What if it's giving Super Mario Bros. live-action, but I love that?
Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Cody Rhodes, and more bring this epic video game to new life.
US Justice Dept sues California to block votes from alleged noncitizens
By Andrew Goudsward and Luc Cohen WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The US Justice Department sued California on Thursday, asking a federal judge to block the state from counting mail
DOJ sues California to block votes from alleged noncitizens
By Andrew Goudsward and Luc Cohen WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The US Justice Department sued California on Thursday, asking a federal judge to block the state from counting mail
Andrew Garfield, Elizabeth Holmes are set to crash the Oscar race
NEW YORK – After nearly three whirlwind weeks, the New York Film Festival drew to a close Oct. 12 – and with it, we got newfound clarity about this year’s
'Artificial' review: Andrew Garfield enters his villain era
Luca Guadagnino makes Sam Altman a cult leader.
Bills and Pills: How Congress and Science Could Make the Future Less Lonely
A Bill for Loneliness? Proposed legislation would fund more research and social support—and create an office to advise the President A decade ago, official Washington wasn’t thinking about America’s loneliness epidemic. “Congress was paying zero attention to this issue, the executive branch was paying zero attention to this issue,” says Andrew MacPherson, chair of the
Andrews questions Graham’s family business ties to China; Graham fires back
A dispute that erupted during Monday’s U.S. Senate debate in South Carolina is spilling onto the campaign trail, with Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews and Republican Sen. Darline Graham clashing over alleged foreign business ties.
Annie Andrews attacks Graham over reported China business; calls for answers
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews called on interim Sen. Darline Graham on Wednesday to answer questions about her ties to China.
Annie Andrews attacks Graham over reported China business; calls for answers
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews called on interim Sen. Darline Graham on Wednesday to answer questions about her ties to China.
Chick-fil-A CEO slammed over evasive answer about LGBTQ rights during “Today” interview
Katie Couric, Valerie Bertinelli, “Drag Race” star Willam, and more reacted to Craig Melvin asking Andrew Cathy about the company’s controversial LGBTQ stance.
Cleveland Browns 2027 Week One Roster Prediction
Previous Position RoomWe will start by looking at how Andrew Berry's position room has been built to start the season each year:2020 - Hooper, Njoku, Bryant, Carlson 2021 - Hooper, Njoku, Bryant 2022 - Njoku, Bryant, James 2023 - Njoku, Bryant, Akins 2024 - Njoku, Akins 2025 - Njoku, Fannin, Whiteheart 2026 - Fannin, Whiteheart, RyanCash Spending Per YearHere is the cash they have spend on the...
High school sports roundup for Oct. 12, 2026
Volleyball Lynnwood defeated Mountlake Terrace 3-2 22-25, 23-25, 25-19, 27-25, 15-13 Lynnwood top individual stats: Evelyn Hall: 4 aces, 11 kills Jordana Leme Pezzano: 3 aces, 30 assists Audrey Williams: […]
USDA Rural Business Development Grants Program has awarded over 1 million dollars
In a major effort to stimulate economic growth and expand job opportunities across rural Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Director Andrew Iverson announced $1.024 million in investments through the USDA Ru…
How “Heart of the Beast” animal coordinator knew he found his canine star: ‘He’s the Brad Pitt of dogs’
Andrew Simpson tells EW about finding a rookie animal actor, Uber the German Shepherd, to star opposite Brad Pitt in the survival drama.
Seth Campbell: An electoral reckoning for Republicans?
With the midterm elections approaching, President Donald Trump can clearly see his grasp on the American electorate slipping. Despite the seemingly endless speeches, rallies and public appearances to try and save Republican majorities, the pre-midterm Trump tour seems to be falling flat. Well over a century ago, President Andrew Johnson went on a similar tour
In north Alabama congressional race, a Democrat pitches affordability and political reform
Throughout all of the 20th century, Alabama's 5th Congressional District, anchored in north Alabama, was represented by a Democrat. But in 2010, after the two parties had evolved and ideologically solidified into what they are today, voters sent Republican Mo Brooks to Congress, upending that longstanding electoral stasis.
Whittingham Pulls Andrew Marsh From Punt Returns, Cites Injury
Kyle Whittingham is making a punt return change before Penn State, and injury is part of why. #GoBlue
Achyut Saroj: What New Science Tells Us About Late-Night Snacking and Liver Health?
Achyut Saroj: What New Science Tells Us About Late-Night Snacking and Liver Health? / Achyut Saroj, Andrew T. Chan, Andrew W. McHill, cancer care, Cancer
Live updates: Trump to rally for Republican candidates in Ohio
Live updates and the latest news as Trump rallies for GOP candidates in Ohio, new White House press secretary Katie Zacharia starts her job and Darline Graham and Annie Andrews clash in a debate.
Commentary: Andrew Bailey is back in Missouri and talking like a candidate
Andrew Bailey is back in Missouri after leaving the FBI, railing against Jefferson City insiders who helped build his political career.
Candidates for U.S. Senate clash over data centers, debt and healthcare
SCETV hosted the first U.S. Senate general election debate, bringing Darline Graham, Annie Andrews and Kasie Whitener to the debate stage.
AB Jets Reports Clean Bill of Health in Argus Audit
Third Starlink-equipped Challenger 3500 joins charter certificate
Feud spills onto South Carolina debate stage
Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic nominee Annie Andrews took their social media feud to the debate stage as they vie for an open Senate seat in South Carolina
South Carolina Senate rivals spar over Iran war, AI and Trump in fiery debate
Darline Graham and Annie Andrews are running to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, and the winner will make history as the first female senator elected from South Carolina.
Andrew Garfield says OpenAI film 'Artificial' turns lens on creators of 'new world'
LONDON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Curiosity and fear powered actor Andrew Garfield's performance in Luca Guadagnino's OpenAI movie "Artificial", which premiered at the London Film Festival on Sunday.
Takeaways from the South Carolina Senate debate
South Carolina has emerged as perhaps the most surprisingly competitive Senate race late in the 2026 midterm elections. And on Sunday night, appointed GOP Sen. Darline Graham, Democrat Annie Andrews and Libertarian nominee Kasie Whitener took part in the only debate currently scheduled in the race.
STAAR Surgical Appoints Andrew Pilon, OD, as Vice President of Business Development
LAKE FOREST, Calif.—STAAR Surgical Co. (NASDAQ: STAA), a leader in phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) with its EVO family of Implantable Collamer Lenses (EVO ICL), has appointed Andrew Pilon, OD, as vice president of business development, which is a new position, the company told VMAIL. Dr. Pilon will report to Warren Foust, STAAR’s president and CEO, and work closely with the company’s senior leadership team to capitalize on opportunities that support STAAR’s innovation strategy and expand its product portfolio, according to the announcement from the company.
VV: SC Senate debate takeaways
In a contentious South Carolina Senate debate, Republican Darline Graham sought to portray Democrat Annie Andrews as too far left, while Andrews challenged Graham’s qualifications and criticized her votes on the Iran war. CNN’s Dianne Gallagher breaks it down.
Derby defeat 'one that got away' for Pompey
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator Andrew Moon reflects on Pompey's defeat by Southampton in the Championship.
Players of the game for Penn State vs. USC
Despite a loss to USC, Andrew Rappleyea and Tony Rojas stood out as key performers for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
WATCH LIVE: Graham set to debate Senate challengers Andrews, Whitener in South Carolina
South Carolina Republican Sen. Darline Graham will face off in a debate Sunday against Democratic challenger Dr. Annie Andrews and Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener.
Mark Andrews on track to play in Week 5
Ravens TE Mark Andrews not on injury report after three full practices
Democratic Senate candidate responds to anti-trans attacks pushed by Republicans
Dr Annie Andrews voices opposition to ‘biological men ... in women’s sports’ in response to Republican attacks
15 most extreme Method acting performances: Jeremy Strong to Jared Leto
Jeremy Strong practices method acting as Mark Zuckerberg in 'The Social Reckoning.' Andrew Garfield, Lady Gaga and Jared Leto have done it too.
Colorado state GOP secretary endorses Greg Lopez in governor’s race
Colorado Republican Party Secretary Russ Andrews broke with the state party Thursday to endorse unaffiliated gubernatorial candidate Greg Lopez over GOP nominee Victor Marx, saying he’d found it “impossible” to support Marx’s candidacy “in good conscience” after a series of recent revelations. “I feel it was the right thing to do, and staying true to […]
Democrat called slur by Trump airs ad urging ‘No men in women’s sports’
Senate candidate Annie Andrews, a Senate candidate in South Carolina, released a transgender issues ad days after the president called her an anti-transgender slur.
Police raids on ex-Prince Andrew's homes were unlawful, court rules
LONDON – Ex-Prince Andrew has won his legal case against British police after challenging raids on two of his royal homes that led to his arrest in February.
Mark Andrews practicing
Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews practicing Wednesday
Andrew Scott's AIDS drama 'Elsinore' kicks off London Film Festival
By Hanna Rantala LONDON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Actor Andrew Scott says the biographical drama "Elsinore", which opened the 2026 London Film Festival on Wednesday, is an ode to living
Patrick Mahomes reaches out to Fernando Mendoza after defeat
Andrew Leyden/Shutterstock.com Patrick Mahomes backs Mendoza’s path Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes backed the Las Vegas Raiders’ approach with rookie Fernando Mendoza after Kansas City’s 30 to 27 victory in Las Vegas on October 4, 2026, dropping the Raiders to 3 and 1. Mahomes said Mendoza can benefit from learning behind veteran Kirk Cousins,…
Meta partners with companies to set standards for doing business with AI bots
CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin reports on the latest news.
DEG Presents Annual EnTech Awards Honoring Entertainment Technology Innovators
DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group presented its sixth annual EnTech Awards Oct. 6 at the Culver Theater in Culver City, Calif. The 2026 Hall of Fame Award was presented to Gray Ainsworth, EVP and head of global content operations for Lionsgate. Ainsworth recalled his start in the entertainment business as an actor with the legendary … Continue reading "DEG Presents Annual EnTech Awards Honoring Entertainment Technology Innovators"
Senate candidate Andrews says Medicaid cuts 'will be devastating' to SC
In Greer, U.S. Senate candidate Annie Andrews discussed what she calls America's 'broken healthcare system' and shared ideas for making it better.
After heading home to Missouri, Andrew Bailey isn’t ruling out another run for office
The former Missouri attorney general finished a roughly yearlong stint as co-deputy director of the FBI.
Arkansas Advocate on Ozarks at Large: Maternal health, Kentucky's governor and political debates
Arkansas Advocate Editor-in-Chief Andrew DeMillo joined Ozarks at Large Senior Producer Matthew Moore on KUAF this week to discuss recent grants for maternal health, Kentucky's governor rallying Democrats and the history of political debates.
Arkansas Advocate on Ozarks at Large: Maternal health, Kentucky's governor and political debates
Arkansas Advocate Editor-in-Chief Andrew DeMillo joined Ozarks at Large Senior Producer Matthew Moore on KUAF this week to discuss recent grants for maternal health, Kentucky's governor rallying Democrats and the history of political debates.
Top Republican super PAC pledges $5 million for South Carolina Senate race
The Senate Leadership Fund’s commitment comes amid a tight contest between GOP Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews.
'Stop playing politics': Ginther, Council trade barbs over $2.5M Barack Center repairs
A fight over $2.5 million in repairs to a tornado-damaged Southside community center has escalated into a public political clash between Columbus Mayor Andrew G
Trump uses anti-trans slur against Democratic Senate candidate in South Carolina
Annie Andrews is a physician running against Sen. Darline Graham.
After FBI departure, Andrew Bailey says his focus is not on 2028
Andrew Bailey walked out of the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C. Friday and was back in Missouri watching his son play football Saturday, ending a roughly 13-month stint as co-deputy director of the FBI.
Columbus Councilmembers say mayor playing politics over damaged rec center
Columbus City Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer is accusing Mayor Andrew Ginther of using Barack Recreation Center as a "political prop" after it was damaged by a tornado in August.
Columbus Councilmembers say mayor playing politics over damaged rec center
Three Columbus City Councilmembers accused Mayor Andrew Ginther of using a storm-damaged rec center as a “political prop” in a capital budget fight.
Trump uses anti-transgender slur to attack South Carolina Senate candidate
President Donald Trump on Monday used an anti-transgender slur to attack Democratic South Carolina Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews, as he tries to push his hand-picked GOP candidate, Sen. Darline Graham, over the finish line in the midterm election.
Trump uses anti-transgender slur to attack South Carolina Senate nominee
(CNN) — President Donald Trump on Monday used an anti-transgender slur to attack Democratic South Carolina Senate nominee Dr. Annie Andrews, as he tries to push his handpicked GOP candidate,
Trump uses anti-transgender slur to attack South Carolina Senate candidate
(CNN) — President Donald Trump on Monday used an anti-transgender slur to attack Democratic South Carolina Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews, as he tries to push his hand-picked GOP candidate,
Lawrence brothers take on missing ’90s stars in graphic novel, ‘The Lawrence Brothers Detective Agency’
Joey Lawrence and his brothers, Matthew and Andrew, take on missing ’90s stars and nostalgia prisons in the new graphic novel, ‘The Lawrence Brothers Detective Agency.’
Collaborating with Canadian Scientists on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Research
I first met Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith in fall 2024, when Dr. Shannon Meseck and I drove just beyond the U.S.-Canada border to the St. Andrews Biological Station in New Brunswick. We went there to study larval sea scallop respiration when exposed to near-future temperature and pH. This past winter, Dr.
Mark Andrews scores first TD of 2026
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews posted five receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown on six targets in Week 4
Chick-fil-A wants to stay a family business even as it expands in the U.S. and abroad
Chick-fil-A has been expanding into new international markets and growing its menu under CEO Andrew Cathy.
Some Democrats Say Senate Race In South Carolina Is Winnable. Others, not so much.
Dr. Annie Andrews, a Democrat, is hoping to defeat Senator Darline Graham. Even some of her most ardent supporters sense that her bid is a long shot.
How to safely use AI for health advice
Many patients use AI for health advice, but doctors warn about accuracy. Learn how to use these tools safely.
How to safely use AI for health advice
Many patients use AI for health advice, but doctors warn about accuracy. Learn how to use these tools safely.
Michigan Rules Out 8 Players for Matchup vs. Minnesota
Michigan has ruled out eight players against Minnesota, but Andrew Marsh, John Henry Daley, Dom Nichols and Blake Frazier are cleared.
NVIDIA Raises Shield TV Pro Price to $299, Discontinues Standard Shield TV
NVIDIA has raised the price of the Shield TV Pro from $199.99 to $299.99, effective October 2. The streaming box launched in October 2019 at $199.99 and held that price for almost seven years. Earlier this year, NVIDIA promised to keep updating the Shield TV, with hardware engineering SVP Andrew...
HIGHLIGHTS: Hale Center vs. Iraan
IRAAN, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Iraan faced Hale Center in a neutral site game in Andrews and the Braves came out victorious 41-6. With the win, the Braves improved to 4-2, and next week they hit the road to start district play against Wink. Watch the video above for the highlights.
Red Wings Make Major Dylan Larkin Replacement Decision
The Red Wings are expected to use Andrew Copp between Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond while Dylan Larkin misses the first two games.
People on the Move: Andy Fenny Named President of Pace Life Sciences
Pace Life Sciences, the life sciences division of science and technology company Pace, has named Andrew (Andy) Fenny as its President. “Pace Life Sciences has…
Is Miami Heat's Andrew Wiggins Due For A Big Season?
After a blockbuster offseason headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, the rejuvenated veteran wing could quietly be the X-factor in Miami.
Full practice for Mark Andrews
Ravens TE Mark Andrews likely will play after two full practices
Good science requires much more than evidence
Empiricists believe that scientific theories are true only if they make correct empirical predictions: if we can't verify these predictions, then there is no reason to expect that they tell us anything about reality. However, Professor of Philosophy at King's College David Kyle Johnson argues that this is mistaken. In response to Bas van Fraassen, who has written on this subject for the IAI, he argues that we have many reasons for believing a theory to be true, such as it being parsimonious and having large scope — qualities which have been used throughout the history of science as criteria for judging theories. In 2024, Princeton philosopher Bas van Fraassen wrote a short article for IAI News entitled “Science Does not Describe Reality: The Limits and Benefits of Explanation.” At the time, I was working on two projects (a science book and a Great Course) that, when completed, would (among other things) defend science’s ability to describe reality. I wanted to write a response to van Fraassen, but the projects demanded too much of my attention. But now that those projects are complete, I am in a position to explain the objections to van Fraassen’s thesis. Summarizing van Fraassen’s argumentIn a nutshell, his argument is this: What scientists do is make predictions based on theories and then invite others to test to see whether those predictions are borne out. “If theory T is right, result R should happen in experimental condition C.” Many think that running an experiment that shows that R happens in condition C is proof that theory T is true (and should be believed). But, van Fraassen argues, that R happened in condition C is only a reason to think that R happens in condition C. That’s the only observable, or empirical, result we can actually see, so that is all that we are really justified in believing. (The underlying theory that made that prediction still may or may not be true.) That is why he calls those who accept his position “empiricists.”Before I explain what is wrong with this position, let me explain what it gets right. What van Fraassen Gets RightFirst, a theory correctly predicting the results of an experiment is not, strictly speaking, “proof” that the theory is correct. The basic line of reasoning is this:If the theory T is true, result R should happen. Result R did happen. Thus, theory T is true.In other words:“If T then R. R. Thus, T.”This is a deductively invalid, fallacious mode of reasoning, called “affirming the consequent.” Those premises do not guarantee that the conclusion follows. “If I am in Pennsylvania, then I am in the USA. I am in the USA. Thus, I am in Pennsylvania.” Clearly that argument doesn’t guarantee its conclusion; neither does the above argument.However, science is not a deductive method of reasoning; it is an inductive one. And inductive arguments merely try to raise the probability of their conclusion, not “prove” them for certain. Thus, the fact that an experimental result doesn’t prove a theory is true is irrelevant; it’s not supposed to. That is not what scientific reasoning is about.___If the hypothesis that something exists clearly provides the best explanation for what we can observe, then the belief that it exists is what is rational.___Second, it’s also true that a single experimental result doesn’t provide enough justification to believe that a theory is true. Scientists do not come to a consensus about whether a theory is true by looking at a single experiment; they look at all the evidence to determine where the preponderance of evidence points. The mere fact that I am in the USA raises the probability that I am in Pennsylvania, but not nearly enough to conclude that I am in Pennsylvania. However, if I am also regularly encountering people wearing Eagles and Phillies hats and seeing advertisements for Founding Father tours, I probably am. In the same way, a theory successfully predicting the outcome of one experiment is not enough to conclude that it is true; but if a theory makes a wide variety of predictions that are all vindicated by multiple experiments, performed by many different groups and people, all actively trying to prove the theory false (which is what good scientific experiments are designed to do)—that is a good reason to conclude that the theory is true. In other words, if you repeatedly try to prove something false but can’t, that is a very good indication that it isn’t. The problem of underdeterminationIn reply, those whom van Fraassen calls “empiricists” often point to the “problem of underdetermination.” For any given theory that makes successful predictions about what happens in experimental conditions, there are countless other possible theories that make exactly the same predictions—and since they do, the experimental evidence in question is just as much reason to accept any of those theories as it is to accept our original one. Thus, the argument goes, we have no way of knowing whether our original theory is true, or one of the other “predictively equivalent” theories is true. SUGGESTED VIEWING How Occam's Razor changed the world With Johnjoe McFadden As an example of underdetermination, philosophers often offer this example. The evidence of fossils seems to provide reason to conclude that the universe is quite old; ancient fossils are what the “ancient universe” hypothesis predicts. But it’s also possible that God created an ancient-looking universe 200 years ago, complete with a “fake” fossil record for us to find, to make it look old. The existence of fossils is what that theory predicts too. So, the argument goes, the fossil record can’t be used as evidence that the universe is ancient; the fossil record supports the “200-year-old ancient-looking universe” theory just as much. The problem of underdetermination points out that, for any theory with supporting evidence, we could invent another completely different theory that predicts exactly the same evidence, and thus undermine that evidence’s ability to support the original theory.But this “argument from underdetermination” betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of what scientific reasoning is and how it works. To explain, let me use another rather strange (but very real and commonly discussed) philosophical thought experiment called “The Grue Problem.” The “Grue” ProblemSuppose I want to know what color emeralds are, so I observe a few, see that they all appear green, and form the theory that “all emeralds are green.” I thus predict that the next 100 emeralds I find will also appear to be green. And let’s say that happens, and so I thus conclude that my theory that all emeralds are green is true. Now, one might rightly point out that I don’t know for sure that all emeralds are green—I have not seen them all. Maybe some I haven’t found yet are blue. Fair enough. After all, we used to think that all swans were white, until we found some black ones. But let’s say that I go on a quest and collect every emerald in the universe—and, for the sake of the argument, let’s say I can do this, and can even know that I have every one of them. So, I collect them all, look at them all, and verify that they all appear green. Can’t I now rightly conclude that all emeralds are green?Inspired by the problem of underdetermination, a friend might argue that I cannot.Sure, they all appear green now—but there could be another kind of color called “grue.” Something is grue if it is green up to a certain point in time, but then spontaneously turns blue. And there could be an infinite number of “shades” of grue. Something that is one shade of grue will turn blue at noon today, but something that is another shade of grue will turn blue at noon tomorrow, etc. So yes, the emeralds appear green now; and since they haven’t turned blue yet, they are not some “past” shade of grue. But they might be some “future” shade of grue (e.g., they may turn blue at noon tomorrow). And since all future shades of grue are consistent with “being green up to this point in time,” the evidence you have is completely consistent with the notion that all emeralds are some future shade of grue, rather than green. Indeed, that they would appear green until now is what the “some future shade of grue” hypothesis predicts. So, we have just as much reason to conclude that all emeralds are some shade of grue as we do to conclude that they are green.You’re probably thinking “It’s not equally possible that the emeralds are grue; they are obviously green.” You are right! But explaining why your instinctive reaction to my friend’s argument is correct will help inform why van Fraassen’s “empiricist” is wrong and science actually does describe reality.The main mistake my friend makes is in thinking that the “empirical evidence” (of all the emeralds appearing green) is (or even should be) all I am using to draw the conclusion that all emeralds are green. It is not. I am also considering known facts about how colors typically work; things don’t usually change color, and when they do, they don’t do so suddenly, without cause, and all at once. So, even though the simple evidence of the emeralds all appearing green up to this point is consistent with them being some future shade of grue—that is even what the grue hypothesis “predicts”—it is still exceedingly unlikely that they are. The hypothesis that they are green is much more likely. Understanding science refutes the problem of underdetermination The misunderstanding about science that the “empiricist” pointing to “the problem of underdetermination” makes is similar to the one that my friend made. Science is not just about considering experimental evidence; in fact, it’s not even just about considering empirical evidence. As Ernan McMullin and many other philosophers of science have pointed out, the inference that makes science is “inference to the best explanation” (sometimes called “abduction” or “retroduction” by McMullin). While, depending on the circumstances, scientists use many different kinds of reasoning, science as a whole is, simply put, the process of considering multiple competing explanations and comparing them to certain criteria—explanatory criteria (the kinds of things explanations must be and do, by definition, to be a good explanation)—to see which explanation is the best.And these criteria do not deal only with empirical results. Yes, successful predictions raise the probability of a hypothesis, but it’s also the case that the more new assumptions a theory makes, the less likely it is to be true; every new assumption presents an opportunity for the theory to be false. (The fewer assumptions a theory makes, the simpler or “more parsimonious” it is said to be.) Likewise, the more existing evidence a theory contradicts, the less likely it is, because in order for a theory to be true, every piece of evidence it contradicts has to be somehow faulty. (The fewer established theories a new theory contradicts, the more “conservative” it is said to be.) And, obviously, the more something explains, the better explanation it is. (This is called having “scope.”) If a theory raises unanswerable questions, it’s not expanding our understanding, and thus is not wide-scoping. Scientists consider all these things when deciding which theory to accept, because the theory that adheres best to these explanatory criteria is most likely to be true.___the mere fact that a theory’s predictive success is why it “sticks around” or “becomes accepted” in the scientific community is not a reason to be skeptical about its truth.___The reason the grue hypothesis is no good is because it invents an entirely new kind of color—not just a new shade, but an entirely different category of color (a different way colors work)—and thus is not parsimonious. It raises unanswerable questions about how and why emeralds would just spontaneously change from green to blue (and thus does not have wide scope). And it contradicts what is already well established about how color works (and thus is unconservative).The theories that the problem of underdetermination points to do the same thing. Yes, the theory that God created an “ancient-looking universe” (complete with an ancient-looking fossil record) two hundred years ago is also consistent with the empirical evidence (of a fossil record) that presently exists; but that theory is monumentally unparsimonious (it requires many extra assumptions about infinite entities) and not wide-scoping (it raises unanswerable questions about why God would do such a thing). So, I can rationally conclude that it is false.Indeed, the history of science includes many examples of theories that were rejected because they lacked parsimony and/or scope, even before their falsity (and the truth of their competing theory) was confirmed by observation. As I point out in my book, geocentrism was rejected by the scientific community because it lacked parsimony, almost 200 years before the observation of parallax confirmed that the Earth moves around the sun. And the continuum theory of matter was completely rejected by 1860, because it couldn’t explain chemical reactions or organize matter into a periodic table, even though the experiments that eventually confirmed atomic theory weren’t even proposed until the 1870s. Solving the best of a bad lot problemIn response, the “empiricists” are likely to object, this time pointing to the “best of a bad lot” problem. “We have no reason to conclude that an explanation that has been shown to be better than others is true because we have no guarantee that the true theory was among those that we were considering.” If you have a “lot” (a collection) of poor explanations, even the best one is not true.The responses to this problem, however, are numerous. Peter Lipton argues that the set of hypotheses that scientists consider are not just randomly selected and thus unlikely to contain a theory that is true; they use existing knowledge to home in on what is most likely to be true. A doctor trying to explain abdominal pain is not going to bother wondering whether demons are causing it; they are going to stick with things like appendicitis and kidney stones, because they are most likely. Further, despite its name, inference to the best explanation is not just the process of comparing hypotheses and accepting the best one; we also want one that is a good explanation in its own right. If it’s not, we are going to keep looking until we find an explanation that is. And while that process does not guarantee that we will come across the exact truth, it’s very likely that the theory that emerges as the best will be at least approximately true, and thus we will be justified in believing it. And lastly, as I point out in my book, although many theories not based in scientific evidence (like geocentrism and continuum theory) have been completely overturned, science almost always progresses by the refinement of scientifically established theories—not their replacement. (Although our sun is not the center of the universe, heliocentrism was our first step in understanding the Earth’s true place in the universe.) So even if a theory we accept today may not be completely right, accepting it is a step on the journey toward the complete truth. The example of atomic theoryNow, it’s worth pointing out that most empiricists are not skeptical of all scientific theories; they are only skeptical of the ones that hypothesize the existence of “unobservables.” It’s not like they think that round Earth, heliocentrism, and germ theory are just useful (but untrue) “instruments” for making predictions about how to most efficiently navigate the seas, predict planetary motion, and treat diseases. They admit that the Earth actually is round, that the planets revolve around the sun, and that germs exist and cause disease. These facts and entities can be observed; the theories that suggest they exist are true. It’s only when theories start hypothesizing the existence of unobservables—like electrons, or quantum fields—that can’t be observed directly, that we should start doubting the theories’ truth. And to be fair to van Fraassen, in this published work, he doesn’t really say that we should doubt the truth of such theories. Only that scientific reasoning does not rationally force us to accept them as true. Skepticism, or agnosticism, he argues, is warranted. SUGGESTED READING Science is based in metaphor By Andrew Reynolds But the history of atomic theory throws a monkey wrench into that argument. Atoms used to be unobservable; again, scientists first accepted the theory that they exist because it had such grandiose explanatory power. But then atoms were seen with electron microscopes. They thus moved into the category of the observable. But this didn’t substantially change anything about what scientists were justified in believing; it certainly didn’t change any “atomic skeptics’” minds. It just confirmed what everyone already knew! If the hypothesis that something exists clearly provides the best explanation for what we can observe, then the belief that it exists is what is rational. The fact that the thing itself is not technically observable does not make doubting its existence rational.What’s more, the atoms were seen with an electron microscope. But electrons are themselves unobservable. How can an electron microscope reveal an atom if electrons are not real? This leads us to what is famously known as Hilary Putnam’s “miracle argument.” It’s (not) a miraclePhilosopher Hilary Putnam’s miracle argument is somewhat famous. Basically, he argued that a scientific theory being able to repeatedly make successful predictions—even about unobservables—without being at least approximately true would require a “miracle.” In other words, it would be such an improbable occurrence that it could not rationally be believed—the better explanation for why scientific theories about unobservables make the right predictions is because the unobservable entities and structures they hypothesize exist.Van Fraassen has addressed this argument. Indeed, in his original article, where he references Alison Gopnik’s point about orgasms not being “necessary for procreation” even though the desire for orgasm “drives the creation of progeny,” he is pointing to his own argument about how organisms are not naturally selected by evolution to get true beliefs; to the extent that belief-forming processes are selected for, the ones that are selected are the ones that are useful for survival—not the ones that produce true beliefs. In the same way, van Fraassen argues, scientific theories are accepted, not because they are true, but because they aren’t falsified; they make successful predictions; that’s what makes them “stick around.” So, the fact that they make successful predictions (and thus became accepted) is not a reason to think they are true.This argument is similar to C. S. Lewis’s “argument from reason,” which he used to argue against evolution: “The truth of evolution undercuts our ability to know that it is true.” Lewis’ argument famously failed; Elizabeth Anscombe, by Lewis’s own admission, demolished Lewis in a debate on the topic, and I have explained elsewhere why modified versions of the argument fail as well. In short, it’s because it fails to recognize that a belief-forming process can make an organism more likely to survive because it reliably produces true beliefs. It is therefore not the case that beliefs generated by naturally selected belief-forming processes are automatically false or unjustified.In the same way, the reason a theory “sticks around” could be because it’s not falsified, because it “makes correct predictions.” But the reason it makes correct predictions is most likely because it is true. (In pointing this out, I am echoing the arguments of Musgrave, Lipton, Psillos, and Kitcher, who refuted van Fraassen’s argument and analogy long before his 2024 article.) It would be a huge coincidence that it could do so without being true. And that is the point of Putnam’s miracle argument. Thus, contrary to van Fraassen’s suggestion, the mere fact that a theory’s predictive success is why it “sticks around” or “becomes accepted” in the scientific community is not a reason to be skeptical about its truth. ConclusionLet me close by saying something about the fact that empiricists don’t doubt the truth of all scientific theories, just the ones that hypothesize unobservables. In today’s society, this theory is dangerous to espouse publicly. The nuance between being skeptical about all of science, and just the highly technical theories about unobservables, is guaranteed to be lost to the average reader. And there is so much unjustified skepticism and doubt about the findings of science and experts that a headline like “Science Does Not Describe Reality” could easily fuel the anti-science movement, worsen climate change denial and cause the next pandemic.This is why I believe it was important to still respond to van Fraassen’s article, a full two years after he wrote it. Not only, as I have argued, does it represent a philosophically inaccurate view of how scientific reasoning works and what scientific reasoning can do, but it is a dangerous view to boot. It should thus be rejected.
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