Riggs on strong justification

In 'The Weakness of Strong Justification' Wayne Riggs claims that the requirement that justified beliefs be truth conducive (likely to be true) is not always compatible with the requirement that they be epistemically responsible (arrived at in an epistemically responsible manner)1. He supports this claim by criticising Alvin Goldman's view that if a belief is strongly justified, it is also epistemically responsible. In light of this, Riggs recommends that we develop two independent conceptions of justification, one that insists upon the requirement that beliefs be truth conducive and another that insists that they be epistemically responsible. It will then, on his view, be possible to properly evaluate beliefs with regard to each conception of justification. Riggs, however, is mistaken in supposing that the two epistemic requirements are independent. If a belief is responsibly arrived at, it is therefore likely to be true. He is thus also mistaken in supposing that the two epistemic requirements are incompatible. This mistake arises because Riggs assumes that justification is possible or, at least, that it involves standards that are akin to our own. Moreover, once this assumption is made explicit, we can see why a notion of justification that connects epistemic practice with likely truth is significant

Efficacy of dust formulations of spinosad for controlling insects infesting stored wheat

Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of three new dust formulations (B1, C3, and D1) of spinosad as grain protectants on stored wheat. Evaluations were conducted on grain that was held for 1 d and 12, 24, 39, and 52 wk after insecticide treatments were applied. Bioassays for adult mortality and progeny production were conducted at 28°C and about 65% r.h. Dust formulations B1 and C3 effectively controlled adult Rhyzopertha dominica and prevented progeny development for 52 wk while formulation D1 was less effective. Only formulation B1 controlled Sitophilus oryzae adults (> 91% parental mortality) but did not prevent progeny production. None of the dust formulations were effective against Tribolium castaneum adults but progeny production was lower on grain treated with formulations B1 and C3. Egg mortality of Plodia interpunctella was similar for all treatments although overall progeny production was less on grain treated with formulation B1. The type of dust formulation of spinosad is critical in controlling stored grain insects.Keywords: Spinosad dust formulations, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, Tribolium castaneum,Plodia interpunctell