Philosophy Wire: Sahara, change, perception...

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2013-04-09]:

Sahara changed in a flash.
In about 100-200 years it went from green to desert. [1, 2, 3]

What characterizes things?
If even fundamental characteristic can change so fast, where can we base our perception upon?
Dust in the wind we are... Or maybe not?
What is that underlying common thing which transcends all and allows us to even think?

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective...

Philosophy Wire: Termites, fairies, theories...

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2013-03-30]: Termites, not fairies, cause plant circles in African deserts after all. [source: Science News] But what is the difference? If we think again, we will see that in any case a small creature with more than 4 limbs and the ability to breath in the Earth's atmosphere was indeed the cause of the weird formations. How much do we need to call a theory "false" and a new one "correct"?

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective...