Much evidence cited by Cohen Kadosh & Walsh (CK&W) in support of their notation-specific representation hypothesis is based on tasks requiring automatic number processing. Several of these findings can be alternatively explained by differential expertise in mapping numerical symbols onto semantic magnitude representations. The importance of considering symbol-referent mapping expertise in theories on numerical representations is highlighted.

Abstract In the present article, we provide a critical overview of the emerging field of ‘neuroeducation’ also frequently referred to as ‘mind, brain and education’ or ‘educational neuroscience’. We describe the growing energy behind linking education and neuroscience in an effort to improve learning and instruction. We explore reasons behind such drives for interdisciplinary research. Reviewing some of the key advances in neuroscientific studies that have come to bear on neuroeducation, we discuss recent evidence on the brain circuits underlying reading, (...) mathematical abilities as well as the potential to use neuroscience to design training programs of neurocognitive functions, such as working memory, that are expected to have effects on overall brain function. Throughout this review we describe how such research can enrich our understanding of the acquisition of academic skills. Furthermore, we discuss the potential for modern brain imaging methods to serve as diagnostic tools as well as measures of the effects of educational interventions. Throughout this discussion, we draw attention to limitations of the available evidence and propose future avenues for research. We also discuss the challenges that face this growing discipline. Specifically, we draw attention to unrealistic expectations for the immediate impact of neuroscience on education, methodological difficulties, and lack of interdisciplinary training, which results in poor communication between educators and neuroscientists. We point out that there should be bi-directional and reciprocal interactions between both disciplines of neuroscience and education, in which research originating from each of these traditions is considered to be compelling in its own right. While there are many obstacles that lie in the way of a productive field of neuroeducation, we contend that there is much reason to be optimistic and that the groundwork has been laid to advance this field in earnest. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s12152-011-9119-3 Authors Daniel Ansari, Numerical Cognition Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, Westminster Hall, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada Bert De Smedt, Parenting and Special Education Research Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Roland H. Grabner, Institute for Behavioral Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Journal Neuroethics Online ISSN 1874-5504 Print ISSN 1874-5490. (shrink)

Previously conducted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on the neuroanatomical correlates of mathematical abilities and competencies have a number of methodological limitations. Besides small sample sizes, the majority of these studies have employed voxel-based morphometry (VBM) – a method that, although it is easily to implement, has some major drawbacks. Taking this into account, the current study is the first to investigate in a large sample of typically developed adults the associations between mathematical abilities and variations in brain surface (...) structure by using surface-based morphometry (SBM). SBM is a method that also allows the investigation of brain morphometry by avoiding the pitfalls of VBM. Eighty-nine young adults were tested with a large battery of psychometric tests to measure mathematical competencies in four different areas: (1) simple arithmetic, (2) complex arithmetic, (3) higher-order mathematics and (4) numerical intelligence. In addition, we asked participants for their mathematics grade of their final school exam. Inside the MRI scanner, we collected high-resolution T1-weighted anatomical images from each subject. SBM analyses were performed with the computational anatomy toolbox (CAT12) and indices for cortical thickness, for cortical surface complexity, for gyrification and for sulcal depth were calculated. Further analyses revealed associations between (1) the cortical surface complexity of the right superior temporal gyrus and numerical intelligence, (2) the depth of the right central sulcus and adults’ ability to solve complex arithmetic problems and (3) the depth of the left parieto-occipital sulcus and adults’ higher-order mathematics competence. Interestingly, no relationships with previously reported brain regions were observed, thus, suggesting the importance of similar research to confirm the role of the brain regions found in this study. (shrink)

In diesem Buch geht es um die Grundfragen der Religionsphilosophie und der Religionskritik zu Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts. Dabei wird Religion vor allem als das "culturelle Gedächtnis" einer Zeitepoche und einer Zivilisation gesehen. Es werden die Grundpositionen der Analytischen Philosophie, der Hermeneutik, des Kritischen Rationalismus, der Pragmatischen Philosophie und des postmodernen Denkens dargelegt. Diskutiert werden die neuen Forschungen der Neurowissenschaft über die Entstehung religiöser Bildwelten und Glaubenslehren. Das Buch zeigt, dass die kritische Vernunft viel an innerer Dynamik in religiöse Glaubenssysteme (...) bringt."-- Back cover. (shrink)

Nothing seems more possible to me than that people some day will come to the definite opinion that there is no copy in the… nervous system which corresponds to a particular thought, or a particular idea, or, memory.WittgensteinIn a recent essay it was emphasized that brain and mind appear to the mind as complementary and reciprocally recursive domains of a hermeneutic circle (Fischer, 1987). An outstanding and not yet recognized feature of this hermeneutic circle is that interpretation within this circle (...) is not rule-governed and hence appears self-organized: individual features of the world (or the brain) become intelligible in terms of the whole context (of the mind)… while the entire context becomes intelligible through individual features (or brain functions). How, or from where then is significance arising? (shrink)

L'interrogation du phénomène esthétique est contemporaine de l'autonomisation de l'art au cours des Temps modernes et de la relativisation de sa fonction lorsqu'il n'est plus que le moyen d'exprimer la vie émotionnelle subjective. En revanche, lorsque la singularité même de l'œuvre d'art se voit mise en question au XXe siècle, ce sont les frontières séparant l'art du non-art qui deviennent évanescentes. C'est sur le fond de cet évènement que s'est déployée la réflexion de Roland Quilliot, que les contributions de (...) ce recueil se proposent de poursuivre. Celles-ci reviennent sur la notion d'image puis sur la manière dont elle se déploie du côté de la littérature comme des arts plastiques y compris du cinéma. Le second temps du recueil s'inscrit, lui, dans le cadre d'une réflexion relative à la crise de l'art moderne, en suggérant aussi que le phénomène esthétique demande à être considéré dans un cadre moral et anthropologique bien plus englobant. (shrink)

La gnose constitue un des phénomènes les plus fascinants de l’histoire des idées. Elle est apparue sous le Haut-Empire romain (Ier-IIe siècle), période brillante et inquiète, qui voit aussi l’essor du christianisme. Les gnostiques, Basilide, Valentin, Marcion, prêchent des doctrines étranges se présentant comme une connaissance secrète (gnose) que Jésus-Christ aurait transmise à ses proches. Christianisme philosophique ou sulfureuse contrefaçon? Sagesse élevée ou charlatanisme? Religion sui generis ou maladie infantile du christianisme? Ultime expression de la philosophie grecque ou anticipation de (...) l’existentialisme? Vecteur d’influences juives ou au contraire rejet du judaïsme? La gnose garde une partie de son mystère. Née en Orient (Syrie, Egypte), répandue à Rome, dénoncée par les Pères de l’Eglise (saint Irénée, Tertullien), elle connaît peut-être son sommet aux confins de l’Empire perse avec Mani (IIIe siècle) dont la doctrine, le manichéisme, se répand jusqu’en Chine et pourrait avoir inspiré le bouddhisme. Depuis la fin des cathares (XIVe siècle), dernier avatar de la gnose européenne, celle-ci se survit par des traditions initiatiques (franc-maçonnerie, théosophie), des lignées de maîtres spirituels qui s’en réclament et des influences diffuses sur la littérature, particulièrement romantique, la musique, la philosophie. Par son rejet radical du monde réel ou sa volonté d’émanciper l’esprit des contraintes de la condition charnelle, le mode de pensée gnostique imprègne à bien des égards la culture contemporaine. Sur un sujet complexe et controversé, l’auteur présente, dans une perspective historique, une synthèse claire, vivante et équilibrée. (shrink)

"Même si l'existentialisme est passé de mode, Sartre reste bien l'une des figures les plus fortes de la pensée française du XXe siècle et il est possible d'en proposer une relecture en phase avec la sensibilité de notre époque. Cet essai commence par rappeler les idées les plus connues du philosophe, en les discutant, puis propose une relecture de certains de ses textes majeurs, en montrant qu'ils ont parfois correspondu, dans leur agressivité subversive même, à de véritables découvertes intellectuelles. Ce (...) texte montre que le principal intérêt de l'œuvre sartrienne tient à son caractère torturé et au fait que nous sommes face à un auteur qui, de son propre aveu, a sans cesse 'pensé contre lui-même', oscillant au fond entre trois voies opposées : la recherche d'une morale libertaire, qui s'avère en pratique introuvable ; la fascination beaucoup plus profonde, pour la dimension d'échec et de folie présente dans toute son existence ; et enfin la critique du rêve d'authenticité et la revendication paradoxale, au sein même de la pratique de l'autodérision, d'une sorte de bonheur sans justification." [Source : 4e de couv.]. (shrink)

“Real prophecy is always “if... then...” If you commit adultery with your neighbor's wife, then you will roast in hell. But if you love God with all your heart, then you can create the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.”According to the Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology the meanings of ‘divine’ are ‘pertaining to God, godlike, soothsayer and seer’ while ‘to divine’ (after the Latin divinare) is to ‘foretell, predict or make out as by supernatural insight’.

Cosmopolitanism is currently one of the most prominent topics in the social sciences and humanities, and a key concept for understanding globalization. This collection of essays, featuring a line-up of leading international scholars, argues that most work on cosmopolitanism uses a normative model, rather than fully interrogating the issue empirically, comparatively and globally. This ambitious and ground-breaking collection will push the boundaries of the debate on cosmopolitanism into new areas, opening up new lines of inquiry and analysis that will have (...) an impact on the study of globalization and global process for years to come."--Publisher's website. (shrink)

How does meaningfulness relate to morality? Despite several works on this topic, the relationship remains not only controversial but also strangely undefined within the field of objectivist theories of meaning in life. Moreover, some authors define the relationship contradictorily: on one hand, moral action is understood as a branch of a meaningful life, and on the other, meaningfulness is understood as a distinct dimension of value that stands alongside morality. In this paper, I examine this contradiction to redefine the relationship (...) between meaningfulness and morality. I resolve the contradiction by rejecting the distinctness claim and developing an understanding of meaningfulness as a comprehensive value that includes morality. The paper will also present the advantages that this approach offers and its defences against various possible objections. (shrink)

Brain functions are stochastic processes without intentionality whereas mind emerges from brain functions as a Hegelian “change from quantity”, that is, on the order of 1012 profusely interconnected neurons, “into a new quality”: the collective phenomenon of the brain's self-experience. This self-referential and self-observing quality we have in mind is capable of (recursively) observing its self-observations, i.e., interpreting change that is meaningful in relation to itself. The notion of self-interpretation embodies the idea of a “hermeneutic circle”, that is, (in interpretation (...) theory) the treatment of the whole in relation to its parts. (shrink)

Das Buch etabliert, vor dem Hintergrund einer Darstellung der herkömmlichen Begriffe und Vorstellungen, eine - als phänomenologisch bezeichnete - Konzeption des Lebens als Erleben und des Todes als Nichterleben und entwickelt und exemplifiziert auf dieser Grundlage eine Erweiterung einerseits des Konzepts des Lebens und andererseits des Konzepts des Todes, des letzteren in Form von phänomenologischem Tod innerhalb des biologischen Lebens und des ersteren in Form von - allerdings nur sekundärem - phänomenologischem Leben vor dem biologischen. Flucht- und Zielpunkt des Buches (...) aber ist die Entwicklung einer - auf die Erkenntnis der Janusköpfigkeit von Leben und Tod gegründeten - Konzeption von biologischem Leben nach dem biologischen Tod, einer Konzeption von Wiedergeburt und Folgeleben unter Beibehaltung nur des innersten Kerns unseres Ichbewußtseins. (shrink)

The past decade has witnessed a shift in the ambitions of pharmacists away from the core role of dispensing medicines towards more interesting and rewarding relationships and responsibilities with other healthcare providers and patients. The patient-centred role of pharmacists has allowed ethical issues experienced in medical practice to surface in pharmacy practice, resulting in an increase in the number and variety of ethical dilemmas that pharmacists face in their routine pharmacy practice. Pharmacy education prepares pharmacy students for practice and must (...) be in tune with the professional dynamics. Many countries that provide patient-centered pharmacy services have redesigned pharmacy ethics education while others are in various stages of revision of their curriculum in order to adequately equip future pharmacists with the rudiments required to handle ethical issues in clinical pharmacy practice. In contrast, in Nigeria, little or no pharmacy ethics is taught to pharmacy students and the challenge lies with the curriculum design and method of teaching. (shrink)

Many consumers are sceptical or suspicious about the functional mechanisms of electronic commerce, its intransparent processes and effects, and the quality of many products that are offered online. This paper analyses the role of consumer trust as a foundation for the diffusion and acceptance of electronic commerce. Starting from a functional perspective trust is seen as distinct but potentially coexisting mechanism for reducing the uncertainty and complexity of transactions and relationships in electronic markets. The analysis focuses on conditions of e-commerce (...) transactions that are relevant for the formation of trust problems. Drawing on the theory of information two types of uncertainty are described: system-dependent and transaction-specific uncertainty. Finally different activities and instruments are described and categorized that Internet firms can use to establish and maintain trust. (shrink)

La búsqueda de la inmortalidad es probablemente tan antigua como la propia humanidad. En las últimas décadas, un grupo de científicos y futuristas que se describen a sí mismos como transhumanistas, han explorado la posibilidad de cargar la mente humana en un ordenador como una posible forma de alcanzar la “inmortalidad”. Este artículo analiza la idea de cargar la mente desde el punto de vista de la antropología teológica y la escatología. Examina las implicaciones de la transferencia mental en nuestra (...) comprensión de la relación entre el cuerpo, la mente y la identidad personal, comparándola con la concepción cristiana de la resurrección. (shrink)

If one believes the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze, Alfred North Whitehead's work is one of the most important events in the exploration of the universes of thought in recent times. Whitehead's text confronts us with the feeling of existing in a world that cannot be defined by any creed or method, but offers us unexpected friends: ideas--ideas that unleash and alleviate, play and mitigate despair, swim in the rough waters, but without effort let go of us if we cannot fathom (...) them. For adventurers who risk the encounter with Whitehead's text, its treasures feel like balm on the overheated, burning sensation of wounds of division. A way out. A new way. A revolution--not of violent overturning, but of gentle reorientation in which compassionate thinking breathes. It is not about systems, but permeated with musical rhythms and harmonics, composing significance with impermanence. It does not arrive at a promised land, but perhaps is a harbinger of things to come, sensing a universe that will surprise our descendants. It does not reveal a mind in which we can live, but one that challenges all rest. (shrink)

Kant a montré plusieurs fois sa position vis-à-vis des révolutions de son temps et de toute révolution en général. En quoi sa réflexion peut-elle nous éclairer? La réponse en surprendra plus d'un, d'autant que Kant apparaît d'ordinaire comme un réformateur. Sous quelles conditions un droit de révolution est-il pensable? L'est-il dans son rapport à la légalité? Sinon, est-il envisageable en dehors de ce rapport? Mais alors sur quelle instance rationnelle faut-il le fonder? Pour Kant, la finalité de l'histoire universelle repose (...) sur un jugement certain, une histoire qui utilise tous les moyens dont elle dispose pour parvenir à une meilleure fin possible, quoique non définitive. Parmi ces moyens, peut-être la révolution! (shrink)

The word “real” (from the Latin “res” = thing) was coined in the 13th century to signify “having Properties” (Pierce. 1958, p. 358), whereas a “model” refers to an analogical representation, the structure of which should correspond to the structure or properties of that which it represents. For Scudder the mind is a system of models and each mind develops different models. We all have a different reality in mind and so we each live in a slightly different world (Scudder, (...) 1975). Hence the real nature of the model and the model nature of reality are often indistinguishable. A snail, for example, when exposed to four tactile stimuli per second (with a rod on his belly) will be compelled to crawl upon that non-existing coherent spatial surface (Brecher, 1966). For the snail four tactile stimuli per second correspond to, or are isomorphic with, the structure of a spatial surface, but it is impossible for the snail to “know” which of the two structures is real. (shrink)

Le statut des corps dans la metaphysique de Leibniz continue de resister a tout effort de reconstitution. Qu'il n'y ait au monde que les substances simples et leurs modifications ne presente plus l'evidence d'une position philosophique achevee. Dans le meilleur des mondes possibles, les ames ne sont jamais sans corps et la moindre portion de matiere renferme un univers de creatures vivantes. Au moment meme ou Leibniz semble embrasser une position idealiste en peuplant le monde d'une infinite d'entites psychiques, ne (...) developpe-t-il pas le concept d'organisme comme en marge de cette metaphysique? Deja, dans les annees ou la celebre theorie de la notion complete servait a penser la substance individuelle, la realite du corps organique imposait l'idee d'une substantialite proprement corporelle. Composition infinie irreductible aux modalites de l'etendue, le corps organique, machine de la nature, force a repenser les conditions d'existence de l'individualite vivante, dont l'ego cartesien n'est plus qu'une problematique modele. La question n'est plus tant de savoir si Leibniz a admis l'existence de substances corporelles en sus des monades, que de comprendre en quoi la realite organique devient le modele pour penser la connexion de toutes les substances, des simples aux composees, des brutes aux raisonnables. Du moi a la monade, comment la necessaire inscription corporelle de l'individualite s'opere-t-elle? De quelles modifications du concept de substance cette exigence s'accompagne-t-elle? (shrink)

t. 1. Relation, formule logique, compacité, complétude.--t. 2. Théorie des modèles.--t. 3. Récursivité et constructibilité.

Au nom d'un "rationalisme économique morbide" une nouvelle colonisation des esprits envahit la planète. Avec ses agences d'évaluation et ses hommes de main, cette "religion du marché" interdit de penser le monde, notre monde, autrement que comme un stock de marchandises ou de produits financiers. Pour réaliser cette nouvelle manière de civiliser les moeurs il fallait faire chuter la valeur de l'expérience et celle du récit - de la parole - qui la transmet. En faisant baisser le cours de la (...) parole au profit de l'information, de sa part la plus technique et mesurable, nous perdons le monde commun, nous perdons notre monde. Et plus encore en Occident, nous nous habituons à lâcher la démocratie pour l'ombre d'une technocratie qui organise insidieusement nos servitudes volontaires. Cet ouvrage invite au retour du politique pour retrouver les conditions sociales et culturelles permettant de penser, de juger et de décider. Cela exige que soit d'abord interrogé le statut du savoir dans la culture, son rapport à l'expérience et aux pratiques sociales. Mais comment retrouver aujourd'hui la dignité de penser dans une culture qui ignore la légitimité du savoir du conte, du rêve, du jeu et de leurs récits? La France qui se lève tôt a-t-elle encore le temps de raconter sa vie, son histoire et ses rêves? (shrink)

This book is part of aaThe Minimum You Need to Knowaa family of books by Logikal Solutions. As the family expands they will cover an increasing variety of topics. This book is designed to be used as a text book for classes in logic from high school to college level. It should be one of the first courses you have on IT and this should be one of the first books you read when starting in IT. Not only does this (...) book cover flow charting and pseudocode, it teaches the reader to think before they start mapping out the logic to solve a problem. The author of this book is an industry veteran with nearly 20 years in the field. It has been his experience that recent graduates, from any country, are nearly useless at problem solving. If they cannot point, click, and drag, they cannot solve the problem. This book is an attempt to teach them how to solve the problem. An instructoraas guide is available for schools looking to make this book the basis of coursework. (shrink)

In this book, Roland Kupers argues that the climate crisis is well suited to the bottom-up, rapid, and revolutionary change complexity science theorizes; he succinctly makes the case that complexity science promises policy solutions to address climate change.