The concept of self-organizing potential proposed by Atlan, conceived within the framework of information theory', attempts to explain the emergence of the structures and functions of the organism, as well as the concept of morphogenetic potential, conceived in the embryological laboratories. Are the two theses diverging or converging and/or complementary to each other?The paper indicates, first, the context of Atlan's thesis and the meaning of his concepts of self-organization and self-organizing potential in evolutionary systems as well as in individual systems. (...) It then develops an in-depth analysis of these individual systems and attempts to discern, in Atlan's thesis, the respective roles of the genetic factors and of the epigenetic factors in the formation of the individual, particularly during morphogenesis. This analysis reveals some difficulties inherent in the theory and induces the author to propose a few additional distinctions.Finally, the paper underlines the analogies and divergences between the concepts of self-organizing potential and morphogenetic potential.La notion de potentiel auto-organisateur proposée par H. Atlan et née dans le cadre de la théorie de l'information, veut, tout autant que la notion de potentiel morphogénétique, née dans les laboratories des embryologistes, expliquer l'émergence des structures et des functions de l'organisme. Les deux thèses sont-elles divergentes ou convergentes et/ou complémentaires?L'article précise d'abord le contexte de la thèse d'Atlan et la signification de ses notions d'auto-organisation et de potentiel auto-organisateur relatives aussi bien aux systèmes évolutifs qu'aux systèmes individuels. Il s'attarde par la suite à l'analyse de ces systèmes individuels et veut cerner quels sont, d'après la thèse d'Atlan, les rôles respectivs du génétique et de l'épigénétique dans la formation de l'individu, tout particulièrement pendant la morphogenèse. Cette analyse révèle certaines difficultés de la théorie et conduit l'auteur à suggérer quelques distinctions additionnelles.L'article souligne ensuite les analogies et les divergences entre les notions de potential auto-organisateur et de potential morphogénétique. (shrink)

Je crois qu'il est utile, avant de passer à une étude historique des théories de l'évolution, de préciser quelques notions de sémantique. Aujourd'hui, on extend par « théorie scientifique » dans le domaine des sciences naturelles une explication soit d'une structure, soit d'un mécanisme, d'un lien causal, présentant un caractère plus ou moins hypothétique mais de toute façon basée sur les faits et vérifiée par eux. Or, la première grande théorie de l'évolution biologique, celle de Lamarck, se veut expérimentale mais (...) est en réalité beaucoup plus spéculative qu'expérimentée. Et pourtant cette explication lamarckienne est une des pièces les plus importantes de l'histoire de la théorie de l'évolution et ne saurait être négligée dans notre étude. Je n'ai pas l'intention de faire ici le procès de la valeur d'une théorie scientifique biologique mais je peux simplement souligner qu'il m'apparaît nécessaire d'élargir pour les besoins de la présente analyse la signification actuelle du terme « théorie », de restreindre les exigences de rigueur interne d'une démonstration et de savoir accepter à l'occasion ce qui—en regard de l'usage actuel du terme—ne peut être considéré que comme une intuition ou même une idée assez vague et imprécise. (shrink)

In the first part of my analysis, I wish briefly to clarify the different modes of relation found in the living being, and point out the multiplicity of disciplines in which biologists use (explicitly or implicitly) the notion of laws. In the second part, I shall analyse the notion of universal laws in biology and examine successively: (1) accidental generalizations; (2) non-causal biological correlations; (3) the meaning of 'necessity' in these correlations; and (4) causal connections. Finally, in the third part, (...) I shall examine statistical laws and probabilistic laws in biology, in particular: (1) chance in biology; (2) probabilistic theories; and (3) relations between logical probability and statistical probability. (shrink)

The first aim of this article is to show the necessity of approaching differently the question of the origin of the hypothesis as pertaining to a purely deductive science or to an experimental one, such as biology. The paper also analyzes the rôle played by the hypothesis in: 1) the formation of definitions; 2) the establishment of laws; 3) explanations. It shows that in 1) and 2) the hypothetical character is relevant both to the amplifying induction and to the still (...) incomplete state of our biological knowledge. Finally, it distinguishes between the two different processes used in the hypothetico-deduction depending on the possibility - or impossibility - to link the phenomena to be explained to some known principles. (shrink)

" Le livre de Marc-François Bernier est un excellent rappel des valeurs nécessaires pour défendre, et valoriser, les journalistes dans une perspective occidentale ".

ContextPeople with mental disorders can acquire long-term disabilities, which could impair their functioning and quality of life (QoL), requiring permanent care and social support. Systematic data on QoL and functioning, which could support a better management of these people, were not available.ObjectiveTo analyze the QoL, level of functioning and their association with sociodemographic and clinical factors of people with mental disorders who underwent deinstitutionalization using assisted living facilities.MethodsA Cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2018 and July 2019, through interviews using (...) the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) to determine the QoL scores, and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) to determine the level of functioning. All adults (≥18 years old) with mental disorders, who underwent deinstitutionalization, users of assisted living facilities and assisted by the Psychosocial Assistance Centers III, in a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were selected. For statistical analysis of the associated factors, Student’st-test was used for dichotomous variables and ANOVA for polynomial variables. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure the association between QoL and functioning scores.ResultsOut of 359 people who underwent deinstitutionalization with mental disorders, 147 met the eligibility criteria. The mean total score for the WHOQOL-BREF was 66.5 ± 13.4 and the mean score for WHODAS 2.0 was 10.4 ± 7.6. An association was found between people who were studying (n= 65.8; 95%CI, 63.5–68.1vs. n= 73.9; 95%CI, 67.5–80.3;p= 0.04) and better WHOQOL-BREF QoL scores or WHODAS 2.0 levels of functioning (n= 10.9; 95%CI, 9.6–12.2vs. n= 5.1; 95%CI, 2.5–7.7;p= 0.01). A weak negative correlation (r= 0.41) emerged between higher QoL scores and functioning improvement.ConclusionThis study indicates that the QoL of the sample is associated by their functioning levels, which, in turn, may reflect on their social interactions. Public policies that favor interventions increasing socialization of this population can result in better health outcomes. The QoL and functioning scores provide valuable insights to develop public policies more suited to this population profile. (shrink)

Para Kant, humanidade signi!ca o universal sentimento de participação e a faculdade de comunicação íntima e universal, sendo o que distingue o homem do animal. Dessa formulação, surge o conceito de sociabilidade legal, pelo qual um povo constitui uma coletividade duradoura, capaz de conciliar liberdade, igualdade e coação. Rohden sustentou que esse conceito, apesar de se relacionar com o contexto estético, não se restringiria a este, implicando uma compreensão ampliada do conceito de humanidade. A partir de tal hipótese, poder-se-ia entender (...) também a sociabilidade legal como um pré-requisito para uma constituição política, no sentido de uma capacidade e disposição para se deixar guiar por princípios do direito. Nesse sentido, o direito constituir-se-ia na forma da sociabilidade legal e na possibilidade de expressá-la concretamente. O objetivo deste texto é examinar em que sentido essa interpretação do conceito de sociabilidade legal sugerida por Rohden pode ou não corresponder ao texto kantiano. (shrink)

Cet ouvrage est un bel hommage à une chercheure incarnant le dialogue entre terrains, actions et analyses. Ancienne présidente de l’Association belge de Science politique-Communauté française et directrice du Centre d’études latino-américaines de l’Institut de Sociologie, Bérengère Marques-Pereira, professeure à l’Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), est depuis 2012 présidente de l’Association d’éducation populaire, l’Assemblée des femmes. Les quinze chapitres qui composent cet ouvrage s’insc...

Le mouvement de réappropriation des espaces physiques et virtuels de parole pour dénoncer les injustices et ceux qui les commettent a pris des formes multiples : de l’occupation de places publiques à la libération de la parole contre les violences systémiques, sexistes et racistes en particulier, via des mouvements comme #MeToo et #OnVeutRespirer. Les féminismes contemporains s’inscrivent ainsi dans un contexte de mobilisation caractérisé par la défiance vis-à-vis d’une démocratie représentative perçue comme confisquée par les élites et par un horizon (...) de « convergence des luttes » ne recomposant pas l’hégémonie d’un critère ou d’une idéologie. Comment, au sein de la société française contemporaine, l’entrecroisement des urgences écologique, sociale et sanitaire questionne-t-il le rapport à l’engagement, en particulier féministe? Cette interrogation est appréhendée à partir d’une enquête qualitative, menée de juillet 2019 à août 2020, auprès de plus de 120 responsables associatifs féministes, anti-racistes, écologistes, antispécistes, pour la justice sociale et/ou de lutte contre la pauvreté, mais aussi d’activistes avec des affiliations plurielles et fluides. Après avoir abordé la manière dont la question du « faire commun » se pose à l’ère de la Covid-19 et des controverses autour de la « cancel culture », nous examinerons comment les féminismes contemporains sont mis à l’épreuve par l’horizon d’une émancipation partagée dans une interdépendance apaisée. (shrink)

Este trabalho se refere a um relato de experiência sobre a concepção do docente da educação básica a respeito da existência do bullying no ambiente escolar, especialmente, no que concerne ao aluno em situação de inclusão. Para isso, foram realizadas seis questões a um(a) professor(a) de Língua Portuguesa de uma escola pública municipal de Campo Grande-MS, sendo uma, exclusivamente, sobre a ocorrência de bullying contra aluno em situação de inclusão.

Free will and determinism have recently attracted the attention of Buddhist scholars who have defended conflicting views on this issue. I argue that there is no reason to think that this problem cannot arise in Buddhist philosophy, since there are two senses of ‘free will’ that are compatible with the doctrine of non-self. I propose a reconstruction of a problem of free will and determinism in Early Buddhism, given a) the assumption that Buddhist causation entails universal causal determinism, and b) (...) a crucial passage suggesting that Early Buddhism is committed to the principle of alternative possibilities which is arguably incompatible with a determinist interpretation of causation. This passage suggests that Early Buddhism must leave room for a robust, incompatibilist form of free will, and that a conception of indeterminist free will in the spirit of Robert Kane’s theory allows us to make sense of that notion. (shrink)

Paul Bernier | : Cet article discute de diverses versions du représentationnalisme de la conscience. L’objectif principal est de défendre une interprétation de la théorie auto-représentationnelle de la conscience (TARC) selon laquelle le contenu d’un état mental conscient serait une proposition de re qui est constituée, en partie, par l’état mental conscient lui-même. Je souligne d’abord certains problèmes importants auxquels est confrontée une des théories de la conscience les plus influentes, soit la théorie représentationnelle de la conscience (TRC) et (...) soutiens que la principale théorie rivale, soit la théorie de la conscience d’ordre supérieur (TCOS) doit lui être préférée. Je montre que les versions standards de la TCOS sont confrontées à un problème de régression à l’infini intolérable, et je propose la TARC comme une version non standard de la TCOS. | : This article discusses various versions of Consciousness Representationalism. Its main purpose is to defend an interpretation of the Self-Representational Theory of Consciousness (SRTC) according to which the content of a conscious state is a de re proposition which is constituted, in part, by the very conscious state itself. I first undescore some important problems for the Representational Theory of Consciousness (RTC), which is one of the most influential approach in the literature. I argue that the main rival theory, the Higher-Order Theory of Consciousness (HOTC) should be preferred. I argue that the standard versions of the HOTC are faced with an intolerable infinite regress and I propose the SRTC as a non-standard version of the HOTC. (shrink)

In Canada, the Assisted Human Reproduction Act received royal assent on 29 March 2004. The approach proposed by the federal government responds to Canadians’ strong desire for an enforceable legislative framework in the field of reproduction technologies through criminal law. As a result of the widening gap between the rapid pace of technological change and governing legislation, a distinct need was perceived to create a regulatory framework to guide decisions regarding reproductive technologies.In this article the three main topics covered in (...) the new legislation are commented on: cloning, germline therapy, and purchase of gametes and embryos. Some important issues also covered in the new legislation, such as privacy and access to information, data protection, identity of donors, and inspection, will not be addressed. (shrink)

Philosophers of religion are often caught up with the epistemic justification of their religious beliefs, rather than the qualities of the religious life that make it valuable. Mark Bernier argues theory of hope, which involves the distinction between mundane and authentic hope, and makes three principal claims. Firstly, while despair involves the absence of hope, a rejection of oneself, and a turn away from one's relation to God, despair is fundamentally an unwillingness to hope. This unwillingness is directed toward (...) authentic hope, conceived of by Kierkegaard as an expectation for the possibility of the good. Secondly, hope is not simply an ancillary activity of the self; rather, the task of becoming a self is essentially constituted by hope. Thus, when in despair one is unwilling to hope, one is in fact rejecting one's task of becoming a self. Thirdly, faith stands in opposition to despair precisely because it is a willingness to hope. An essential role of faith is to secure the ground for hope, and in this way faith secures the ground for the self. In short, authentic hope is not merely a fringe element, but is essential to Kierkegaard's project of the self. (shrink)

Figure éminente de la Kulturkritik allemande, c’est-à-dire de la critique de la civilisation moderne, Siegfried Kracauer a rencontré Theodor W. Adorno alors que ce dernier, de quatorze ans son cadet, n’était encore que lycéen. Une amitié s’est nouée à travers le singulier rituel hebdomadaire d’une lecture de la Critique de la raison pure. Ce rituel qui a duré plusieurs années a tissé une durable amitié que des différends théoriques, survenus plus tard, ont néanmoins mise à rude épreuve. Les deux penseurs (...) ne se sont donc jamais perdus de vue et leur correspondance, telle un baromètre, enregistre leurs éloignements stellaires, leurs retrouvailles comme leurs conflits philosophiques. Nous livrons ici quelques échantillons de ces oscillations barométriques. (shrink)

As it has been pointed out in the literature, a Theory of Consciousness should satisfy two desiderata: i) account for the particular qualitative character of any particular conscious state, and ii) account for the fact that a conscious state is conscious ‘for the subject’.. Many have claimed that the RepresentationaI Theory of Consciousness can satisfy the first desideratum. It obviously fails, however, to meet the second desideratum. Higher-Order Approaches to Consciouness satisfy the second desideratum straightforwardly, but it remains unclear whether (...) they satisfy the first desideratum. In the first section, I underscore some problems indicating that RTC fails to satisfy the first desideratum. These problems suggest that qualitative character should be understood not as a non-mental represented feature of the world, as RTC suggests, but as a represented feature of the very conscious state itself. This suggests that HOAC are, after all, in a better position than RTC to satisfy the first desideratum, and hence both desiderata. I argue, however, that insofar as HOAC are supposed to satisfy the first desideratum, they are faced with an intolerable vicious regress. I propose that an alternative approach, the Self-Representational Theory of Consciousness is in a better position than HOAC to satisfy both desiderata. (shrink)

Dans la foulée de divers arguments antiphysicalistes visant à montrer que les qualia ne sont pas fonctionnalisables, Ned Block a proposé un autre argument de ce type, qui repose sur son expérience de pensée de la Terre inversée. L’argument de Block montrerait qu’un sujet peut avoir deux expériences de couleur du même type « phénoménal » qui seraient de deux types fonctionnels distincts puisque, selon lui, elles auraient des contenus intentionnels distincts. Il existerait donc une différence fondamentale entre le contenu (...) phénoménal des expériences sensorielles et leur contenu intentionnel et, dans la mesure où le contenu phénoménal ne pourrait être fonctionnalisé, le fonctionnalisme serait ainsi réfuté, à tout le moins en ce qui concerne les expériences sensorielles. Je soulève une objection qui, si elle est correcte, montre que la distinction que Block tente d’établir entre le contenu phénoménal et le contenu intentionnel des expériences est incohérente.Following the popular trend of antiphysicalist arguments which aim at showing that qualia cannot be functionalized, Ned Block has suggested yet another antiphysicalist argument, on the basis of his Inverted Earth thought experiment. The purpose of his argument is to show that a subject could have two color experiences which are of the same phenomenal type but of different functional types, insofar as they have different intentional contents. This argument would support the idea that there exists a substantial distinction between the phenomenal content of sensory experiences and their intentional content, and that functionalism is false, at least with respect to sensory experiences. I raise an objection to Block's argument which, if correct, shows that the distinction he proposes between the phenomenal and the intentional content of sensory experiences is incoherent. (shrink)

Exercer le métier d’assistant(e) maternel(le) dans le cadre spécifique d’une crèche familiale préventive à gestion associative requiert, outre des compétences « techniques » avérées, une disponibilité et un « savoir-être » bien particuliers, sur lesquels repose une large part de la qualité du service personnalisé rendu aux familles qui s’y adressent. L’ensemble de ces aptitudes se manifeste aux niveaux certes de l’accueil des enfants, mais aussi des relations intenses et complexes établies avec les parents et de l’organisation, nécessairement très minutieuse, (...) du travail en équipe. Il importe aujourd’hui de consolider et de diffuser les expériences acquises dans ce contexte par les assistant(e)s maternel(le)s de façon à en enrichir les pratiques déployées dans le champ de l’action socio-éducative et des politiques familiales. (shrink)

Feeling anxious and presenting self-determined motivations about returning to sport after a break may impair sport performance and increase the risk of sustaining an injury. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore differences in anxiety and motivation to return to sport according to gender, expertise, training status before and during the lockdown, and athletes’ availability at the time of the lockdown. A total of 759 competitive athletes completed the cross-sectional study. Participants were invited to state their expertise, training (...) status before and during the lockdown, and whether they were injured at the start of the lockdown. Additionally, participants filled out psychometric self-report measures of anxiety and motivation to return to sport. Due to non-normal distributions in the TFAI and SMS scores, non-parametric group comparisons were performed to compare participants for each categorical variable: non-parametric correlation tests were also performed to test the associations between continuous variables. Group comparisons showed higher scores of anxiety for females, younger athletes, athletes practicing and competing at the highest level, and athletes without a training program during the lockdown. Moreover, results suggested lower motivation scores for older athletes, experts, athletes practicing and competing at a lower level, and athletes without a training program during the lockdown. Additionally, participants who were injured at the start of the lockdown reported higher scores of cognitive anxiety to return to sport than non-injured participants. The results of this study suggest that elite athletes may have suffered from external pressures to return to sport during the lockdown. Additionally, participants with a training program during the lockdown seemed to be less anxious and more self-determined to return to sport after the lockdown. Future studies may focus on the impact of cognitive behavioral interventions on anxiety and motivation to return to sport. (shrink)

Since Hume, some philosophers deny that conscious thinking requires the existence of a thinking subject. This claim is well illustrated by LichtenbergI thinkThinking is going on” (Es denkt). Bernard Williams has argued that the claim that there can be thinking without a thinking subject is incoherent. My purpose, in this paper, is to suggest an interpretation of that claim which overcomes the problem raised by Williams.

: Watsuji Tetsurō defined ethics as being generated by a double negation: the individual's negation of the community and the self-negation of the individual who returns to the community. Thus, ethics for him is based on the individual's sacrifice for the collectivity. This position results in the conception of the community as an absolute. I contend that there is a congruence between Watsuji's conception of ethics as self-sacrifice and the way he perceived the Japanese political system. To him, the imperial (...) system in Japan is based on the organic unity of the Japanese people, represented by the emperor, who embodies the general will of, and is therefore coterminous with, the Japanese nation. (shrink)

Book Reviews Paul Bernier, Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review/Revue canadienne de philosophie, FirstView Article.

According to a representational theory of phenomenal consciousness (RTPC), the phenomenal character of a conscious experience is completely exhausted by its representational content. Some considerations suggested by Christopher Peacocke raise an important problem for the RTPC. In his recent bookConsciousness, where he defends a version of the RTPC, Christopher Hill argues that to solve Peacocke’s problem, visualqualiamust be identified with “visual appearances” understood as relational properties of external objects. I raise two problems for Hill’s solution and I suggest an alternative (...) way of understanding visualqualiaas visual appearances. (shrink)