Ying Liu

Title

Assistant Researcher

Research Interests

My primary research interests include philosophy of biomedicine, philosophy of artificial intelligence, and studies of science and technology systems.

My earlier work has addressed topics such as the relationship between "design explanation" and "mechanistic explanation" in systems biology, evolutionary explanations of consciousness, and moral debunking arguments related to the origins of morality. My doctoral dissertation, grounded in naturalism, examines the concept of disease through biological dysfunction, with a particular emphasis on conceptual transformations in the context of contemporary medicine.

Currently, my research focuses on strategics for reforming China's science and technology system in the context of AI for Science.

Education

·         2016.09—2024.06: Ph.D. in Philosophy of Science and Technology, Renmin University of China (Supervisor: Prof. Xiaoli Liu)

·         2017.09—2019.09: Visiting student, University of Sydney (Supervisor: Prof. Paul Griffiths)

·         2013.09—2016.06: M.A. in Logic, Renmin University of China (Supervisor: Prof. Junwei Yu)

·         2008.09—2012.06: B.Sc. in Animal and Plant Quarantine, Hunan Agricultural University

Professional Positions

·         2024.12—Present: Special Research Assistant, Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Publications

·         Ying, Liu (2024). “Godfrey-Smith’s Evolutionary Explanation of Subjective Experience.” Studies in Dialectics of Nature, 2024(4): 49-54. [CSSCI]

·         Ying, Liu (2024). “Exploring the Real-world Significance and Philosophical Research to the Concept of Disease.” Medicine and Philosophy, 2024(7): 1-6. [Chinese Core Journal]

·         Ying, Liu (2024). “A Continuum from Minimal Sentience to Human’s Subjective Experience: A Study of the Origin of Consciousness by Godfrey-Smith.” Journal of Dialectics of Nature, 2024(7): 41-49. [CSSCI]

Talks and Presentations

·         “Design Principle and Reevaluating Design Explanation in Systems Biology,” Contributed Paper, The 29th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association, New Orleans, USA, Nov 14-17, 2024.

·         “A Unifying Account of Function,” Paper Proposal, International Society for the History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Biology (ISHPSSB), Oslo, Norway, July 7-12, 2019.

·         “Pain, Qualia, and Subjectivity,” The 37th Mingde Forum on Philosophy and Cognitive Science, Renmin University of China, Beijing, Nov 26, 2023.

·         “The Evolution of Consciousness,” The 21st Conference on "Mind and Machine," Session II, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, June 15, 2024.

·         “Subjectivity in Evolutionary History,” Speaker and Panel Discussant, The 42nd Mingde Forum on Philosophy and Cognitive Science: "Subject and Subjectivity," Renmin University of China, Beijing, July 12, 2024.

·         “The Mind and Cognition of Octopuses,” Speaker and Panel Discussant, The 43rd Mingde Forum on Philosophy and Cognitive Science: "Animal Mind and Cognition," Renmin University of China, Beijing, July 26, 2024.

·         “Research and Ethical Challenges of Human Brain Organoids,” The 2nd Collaborative Research Forum on Science and Technology Ethics Governance, Anhui University, Hefei, Oct 19-20, 2024.

·         “Philosophical Journey: From Study to Research,” Invited Lecture, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, Dec 14, 2024.

Contact Information

Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 55 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China

Email: liuying@ihns.ac.cn