Invited Lecture at Buffalo University Interview with Professor Rita Šerpytytė.

The problem of the relation and difference between things and objects is one of the most decisive issues for the conception of the real. These words are usually used interchangeably – and not only in their everyday usage. There are some contemporary philosophical positions that consider almost “everything” as an object; on the other hand, there are proponents of a strict separation of objects and things. How did it happen that the concept of thing (res) and object (obiectum) not only (...) began to theoretically “compete” with each other but also sometimes came to represent differently conceived realities, and even occasionally came to represent an identical conception of reality? This article, on the one hand, discusses the philosophical strategies that reveal the difference between objects and things and enable such a conception of reality which takes into account the Kantian distinction between Realität and Wirklichkeit. On the other, it reconstructs Giorgio Agamben’s project of modal ontology. Agamben’s take on the question What is real? is oriented toward the modus of being and could be traced back to the recognition of the difference between objects and things as well as the “restoration of the life of things themselves.”. (shrink)

Resumen: El artículo trata del concepto e imagen de templum y sus transformaciones en un mundo globalizado. El punto de arranque del análisis es la ambiguedad que puede ser revelada en el funcionamiento del concepto de lo sacrum. El concepto de profanación está directamente relacionado con el aspecto negativo de lo sacro. Así la ambiguedad del acto de profanación puede observarse en los casos de la conversión de los santuarios en «instituciones públicas» en el tiempo soviético. El análisis se centrará (...) en el gesto de profanación, que será elucidado a través del caso de des-consagración y re-consagración de la catedral de Vilnius.Key Words: templum; sacer; sacrum; profanum; profanación. (shrink)

The article deals with the concept and image of templum and its transformations in a globalized world. The starting point of the analysis is the ambiguity that could be disclosed in the functioning of the concept of sacrum. The concept of profanation is directly related with the negative aspect of the sacrum. Thus, the ambiguity of the act of profanation can be also seen in cases of the conversion of sanctuaries into «public institutions» in the Soviet period. The analysis will (...) focus on the gesture of profanation, which will be elucidated through the case of the de-consecration and re-consecration of the Vilnius Cathedral. (shrink)

RESUMO O presente artigo toma como objeto de investigação a relação entre literatura e educação. Nossa posição hiante de professor-pesquisador é aquela que nos autoriza a recolher testemunhos de experiência docente, bem como extrair elementos interrogantes de ambas as margens, arriscando pensar a respeito da potência deste encontro entre “experiência estética da literatura” e “discurso pedagógico”. Alguns estudos tem nos apontado que a relação intrigante entre literatura e educação convida os protagonistas e espectadores da cena escolar cotidiana a inaugurarem outros (...) modos de existência, produzindo assim um reposicionamento do lugar de narratividade e de enunciação dos discursos que os constituem. Em companhia de autores como Giorgio Agambem, Walter Benjamin, Clarice Lispector e Roland Barthes, desafiamo-nos a percorrer alguns temas como linguagem, infância e alteridade, dedicando-nos a pensar a elaboração simbólica da experiência existencial através da literatura. Em nossa pesquisa, assumimos, por excelência, um compromisso com o lugar da formação, entendendo esta última como um contínuo e ininterrupto trabalho sobre si mesmo, efeito de certo modo de tomar a linguagem como criação, escritura poética. Nossa hipótese é de que a presença da literatura no cenário escolar produz um deslocamento do lugar e da função docente, inscrevendo modificações importantes, alterando os contornos que formam a suposta postura pedagógica investida de saber-poder. Inclinamo-nos a pensar que quando nos entregamos às práticas de escrita, leitura e narração de histórias algo acontece e este “algo” traz contribuições importantes para refazer os contornos do campo pedagógico instituído. Palavras-chave: 1. Linguagem. 2. Formação. 3. Alteridade. RESUMEN: El presente artigo tiene como objeto de investigación la relación entre literatura y educación. Nuestra posición abierta de profesor/investigador es la que nos autoriza a recoger testimonios de experiencia docente, así como extraer elementos interrogantes de ambas las márgenes, arriesgando pensar con respecto de la potencia de este encuentro entre “experiencia estética de la literatura” y “discurso pedagógico”. Algunos estudios están señalándonos que la relación intrigante entre literatura y educación invita a los protagonistas y espectadores de la escena escolar cotidiana para que inauguren otros modos de existencia, produciendo así un reposicionamiento de la posición de narratividad y de enunciación de los discursos que los constituyen. En compañía de autores como Giorgio Agambem, Walter Benjamin, Clarice Lispector e Roland Barthes, nos desafiamos a recorrer algunos temas como lenguaje, infancia y alteridad dedicándonos a pensar la elaboración simbólica de la experiencia existencial a través de la literatura. En nuestra investigación, asumimos, por excelencia, un compromiso con el lugar de la formación, entendiendo ésta última como un continuo e ininterrumpido trabajo sobre sí mismo, efecto de cierto modo de tomar el lenguaje como creación, escritura poética. Nuestra hipótesis es que la presencia de la literatura en el escenario escolar produce un desplazamiento del lugar y de la función docente, inscribiendo modificaciones importantes, alterando los contornos que forman la presunta postura pedagógica investida de saber/poder. Nos inclinamos a pensar que cuando nos entregamos a las prácticas de escrita, lectura y narración de historias algo acontece y este “algo” trae aportes importantes para rehacer los contornos del campo pedagógico instituido. Palabras clave: 1. Lenguaje. 2. Formación. 3. Alteridad. ABSTRACT: This article's research object is the relationship between literature and education. Our position of teacher-researcher is one that authorizes us to collect testimonies of the teaching experience, as well as extract interrogative elements from all of the margins, challenging us to think about the power of the encounter between "the aesthetic experience of literature" and "pedagogical discourse". Some studies have pointed us to the intriguing relationship between literature and education inviting the protagonists and viewers of the everyday school scene to begin with other modes of existence, thus producing a repositioning of narratives and the enunciation of the discourses that constitute them. In the company of authors such as Giorgio Agambem, Walter Benjamin, Clarice Lispector and Roland Barthes, we challenge ourselves to explore topics such as language, childhood and otherness that push us to think of the symbolic framing of existential experience through literature. We assume a pure commitment to the place of educational development in our research, understanding it as a continuous and uninterrupted work on oneself, the effect of a certain language of creation, a poetic writing. Our hypothesis is that the presence of literature in the school setting serves to decenter the role of the teacher, applying important modifications that alter the contours that form the supposed pedagogical stance invested in the knowledge-power relationship. We are led to believe that when we open ourselves up to the practices of writing, reading and storytelling something happens and this "something" brings important contributions to remaking the contours of the pedagogical field we are inserted in. Key words: 1. Language. 2. Educational Development. 3. Otherness. (shrink)

Introduction:To meet and take care of people with dementia implicate professional and moral challenges for caregivers. Using force happens daily. However, staff also encounter challenges with the management in the units. Managing the caretaking function is also significant in how caretakers experience working in dementia care.Purpose:The purpose of this study is to explore the caregiver’s experiences with ethical challenges in dementia care settings and the significance of professional leadership in this context.Method:The design is qualitative, and data appear through narrative interviews. (...) A total of 23 caretakers participated in the study. The transcribed interviews were subjected to a phenomenological-hermeneutical interpretation.Ethical considerations:The respondents signed an informed consent for participation prior to the interviews. They were assured anonymity and confidentiality in the publication of the data. Ricoeur’s method for interpretation ensures anonymity as the researcher relates to the data as one collective text. The study is part of a larger research project in ethics, in its entirety approved in line with the Helsinki Convention.Results:The findings show that the caretakers experienced inadequacy. Some of them described a negative work atmosphere where they experienced that their leaders did not take them seriously. Because of this, informal negative sub-groups functioned as an exclusive debriefing arena. Some of the informants described the opposite experience where the leaders actively supported them.Discussion:The analyses of the findings are discussed in light of the concepts of trust and mistrust in leadership.Conclusion:There is a correlation between the leadership and the caregivers’ experience of being in difficult situations. (shrink)

Journal Name: Semiotica Issue: Ahead of print.

The company's profit and profitability are one of the most important criteria for assessing the enterprise performance. According to the achieved results of profit and profitability, it is being judged what benefits may receive different interest groups of the company - owners, employees, investors and creditors. All business enterprises are concerned to increase the profitability. The article analyses the theoretical aspects of profit and profitability assessment. The analysis of scientific literature of foreign and Lithuanian authors suggests that the company's profitability (...) analysis helps to determine the financial aspects of the company's financial performance, to assess the current situation in order to make appropriate management decisions. The company's profit and profitability are one of the most important criteria for assessing the enterprise performance. According to the achieved results of profit and profitability, it is being judged what benefits may receive different interest groups of the company - owners, employees, investors and creditors. All business enterprises are concerned to increase the profitability. The article analyses the theoretical aspects of profit and profitability assessmentWhile assessing company’s activity efficiency in various aspects, its competitiveness and growth possibilities, it is not enough to analyse absolute profit indices and based on them to take particular decisions, because an absolute profit index does not reflect company’s real financial situation. More comprehensive information is obtained by calculating relative profitability indices and comparing them with profitability. Besides, profitability indices in a structured form provide to company’s managers the most important and most precise information in form of indicators based on which there is a possibility to assess company’s financial situation and to forecast company’s future financial situation, foresee activity’s success and failures. Therefore, even a profitable company needs a constant analysis of these indices, their dynamics, affecting factors, because due to affecting factors the company’s managers can assess and forecast profitability indices. In search for the ways how to increase a profit and profitability indices, it is very relevant for the company’s managers to assess introduction of new services to a market, because new implemented services reach a success, the company’s managers can take decisions, determining dynamics of development of profitability indices, and direct company’s management towards profitable direction.The article analyses the theoretical aspects of profit and profitability assessment. The analysis of scientific literature of foreign and Lithuanian authors suggests that the company's profitability analysis helps to determine the financial aspects of the company's financial performance, to assess the current situation in order to make appropriate management decisions. (shrink)

In this timely and highly original merging of theory and practice, conflict photographer and critical theorist Rita Leistner applies Marshall McLuhan's semiotic theories of language, media, and technology to iPhone photographs taken during a military embed in Afghanistan. In a series of what Leistner calls iProbes—a portmanteau of iPhone and probe—Leistner reveals the face of war through the extensions of man. As digital photography becomes more ubiquitous, and as the phones we carry with us become more advanced, the process of (...) capturing images becomes more democratic and more spontaneous. Leistner's photos result from both access and impulse. Looking for Marshall McLuhan in Afghanistan will appeal anyone with an interest in the conflicts in the Middle East, the seminal communications theorist, or iPhone apps and photography. (shrink)

Across two studies, a wide age range of participants was interviewed about the nature of death. All participants were living in rural Madagascar in a community where ancestral beliefs and practices are widespread. In Study 1, children (8–17 years) and adults (19–71 years) were asked whether bodily and mental processes continue after death. The death in question was presented in the context of a narrative that focused either on the corpse or on the ancestral practices associated with the afterlife. Participants (...) aged 8 years and older claimed that death brings an end to most bodily and mental processes. Nevertheless, particularly in the context of the religious narrative, they claimed that certain mental processes continue even after death. This assertion of an afterlife was more evident among adults than children, especially with respect to cognitive processes, such as knowing and remembering. In Study 2, 5‐ and 7‐year‐olds were asked similar questions in connection with the death of a bird and a person. Seven‐year‐olds consistently claimed that bodily and mental processes cease at death, whereas 5‐year‐olds were unsystematic in their replies. Together, the two studies replicate and extend findings obtained with Western children showing that, in the course of development, different conceptions of death are elaborated—a biological conception in which death terminates living processes and a religious conception in which death marks the beginning of a new form of spiritual existence. (shrink)

'Manning successfully argues that theory and ethics should once again be reunited...thorough and provocative...'—THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW.

The purpose of this study was to illuminate the ethically difficult situations experienced by care providers working in a nursing home. Individual interviews using a narrative approach were conducted. A phenomenological-hermeneutic method developed for researching life experience was applied in the analysis. The findings showed that care providers experience ethical challenges in their everyday work. The informants in this study found the balance between the ideal, autonomy and dignity to be a daily problem. They defined the culture they work in (...) as not supportive. They also thought they were not being seen and heard in situations where they disagree with the basic values of the organization. The results are discussed in terms of Habermas’s understanding of modern society. Care settings for elderly people obviously present ethical challenges, particularly in the case of those suffering from dementia. The care provider participants in this study expressed frustration and feelings of powerlessness. It is possible to understand their experiences in terms of Habermas’s theory of modern society and the concept of the system’s colonization of the life world. (shrink)

The doctor patient relationship starts with a story. Doctors' notes, a patient's chart, the recommendations of ethics committees and insurance justifications all hinge on written and verbal narrative interaction. The "practice" of narrative profoundly affects decision making, patient health and treatment and the everyday practice of medicine. In this edited collection, the contributors provide conceptual foundations, practical guidelines and theoretical considerations central to the practice of narrative ethics.

If our sense of the past is inevitably shaped by the explanatory logic of narrative, then the stories that we create in turn reveal the inescapable presence and ...

Proposing that the interaction between reader and literature involves four “modes of textual engagement” — recognition, enchantment, knowledge, and shock — The Uses of Literature bridges the gap between literary theory and common-sense beliefs about why we read literature.

In this paper, I consider the claim that a corporation cannot be held to be morally responsible unless it is a person. First, I argue that this claim is ambigious. Person flags three different but related notions: metaphysical person, moral agent, moral person. I argue that, though one can make the claim that corporates are metaphysical persons, this claim is only marginally relevant to the question of corporate moral responsibility. The central question which must be answered in discussions of corporate (...) moral responsibility is whether corporations are moral agents or moral persons. I argue that, though we can make a case for saying corporations are moral agents, they are not moral persons, and hence, we can hold them responsible. In addition, we need not treat them the way we would be obligated to treat a moral person; we needn't have the same scruples about holding a corporation morally responsible as we would a moral person. (shrink)

Anthropology combines two quite different enterprises: the ethnographic study of particular people in particular places and the theorizing about the human species. As such, anthropology is part of cognitive science in that it contributes to the unitary theoretical aim of understanding and explaining the behavior of the animal species Homo sapiens. This article draws on our own research experience to illustrate that cooperation between anthropology and the other sub-disciplines of cognitive science is possible and fruitful, but it must proceed from (...) the recognition of anthropology’s unique epistemology and methodology. (shrink)

When is it permissible to move an issue out of normal politics and treat it as a security issue? How should the security measures be conducted? When and how should the securitization be reversed? Floyd offers answers to these questions by combining security studies' influential securitization theory with philosophy's long-standing just war tradition, creating a major new approach to the ethics of security: 'Just Securitization Theory'. Of interest to anyone concerned with ethics and security, Floyd's innovative approach enables scholars to (...) normatively evaluate past and present securitizations, equips practitioners to make informed judgements on what they ought to do in relevant situations, and empowers the public to hold relevant actors accountable for how they view security. (shrink)

This essay collects four decades of my own reflections, as an anthropologist and feminist, on gender and coloniality across various contexts in Latin America. It also highlights the decolonial methodology and vocabulary that I have had to develop in my various roles as scholar, public intellectual, and expert witness over the years. Briefly, what I present here is a decolonial feminist perspective that argues for the existence of a patriarchal political order in communal societies before colonization. Yet, in my view, (...) precolonial gender has a dual structure that is plural in essence and differs markedly from the binary gender structure of colonial-modern societies, which works in terms of a One and its marginalized others. As I argue, the capturing and transformation of precolonial dual gender structures by the modern gender system exacerbates inequality, increases violence against women, and disempowers them politically. For that reason, I speak of “low-intensity” and “high-intensity” patriarchal systems. (shrink)

What does it mean to get hooked by a work, whether a bestseller or a classic, a TV series or a painting in a museum? What is this aesthetic experience that makes us feel captivated? What do works of art do, and how, in particular, do they bind us to them? In "Hooked," Rita Felski builds an aesthetics premised on our attachments rather than our free agency and challenges the ethos of critical aloofness that is so much a part of (...) modern intellectuals' self-image. The result is sure to be as widely read, and as controversial, as Felski's 2015 book, "The Limits of Critique." Felski looks at several "attachment devices." One of these is "attunement"--those affinities and stirrings that often fall below the threshold of consciousness. Why, for example, are we drawn to a painting or piece of music in ways we struggle to explain, while being left cold by others whose merits we duly acknowledge? Another attachment device is "identification"--a widespread response to fiction that is often invoked by critics but usually treated as synonymous with either identity or empathy. But Felski shows that identifying has no neat fit with identity categories, and it can trigger ethical, political, or intellectual affinities that have little to do with co-feeling. What people most commonly identify with, Felski argues, are characters who are alluring, arresting, or alive, not in spite of their aesthetic qualities but because of them. This kind of identification is not limited to naïve readers or over-invested viewers, but is also a defining aspect of what scholars in the humanities do. Relatedly, academic "interpretation" emerges here as another circuit of connection: critics forge ties to the works they explicate, the methods they use, the disciplinary identities they inhabit. "Hooked" returns us to the fundamentals of aesthetic experience, showing that the social meanings of artworks do not lie encrypted in their depths, within reach only of expert critics, but are generated within the embrace of captivated audiences. (shrink)

We welcome the critical appraisal of the database used by the behavioral sciences, but we suggest that the authors' differentiation between variable and universal features is ill conceived and that their categorization of non-WEIRD populations is misleading. We propose a different approach to comparative research, which takes population variability seriously and recognizes the methodological difficulties it engenders.

In this paper, I survey liberal and communitarian defenses of privacy, paying particular attention to defenses of privacy in the workplace. I argue that liberalism cannot explain all our of intuitions about the wrongness of workplace invasions of privacy. Communitarianism, on the other hand, is able to account for these intuitions.