Includes Spanish version of Vita Secundi (Life of Secundus of Athens) by Vincent of Beauvais, and the Spanish version (Castellana) by Walter Burley (Gualterus Burlaeus) with the Latin version in his "Tractatus de vita et moribus philosophorum et de quibusdam dictis eorum" from his ms. in the "Biblioteca Nacional de Madrid Vit. 18-7 (Olim T. 9), fols. 50r-51v"--See page 33.

ermeneutics is the art of interpretation – we shall not forget that and we will return to it again and again, for that is what hermeneutics is – the art of interpretation. We might do well, however, to stare at the word ‘hermeneutics’ just by way of a starting point. Hermeneutics – the word goes back to a name, Hermes. Who is Hermes? Among the earliest references to him is made by no less than Plato in the dialogue, Cratylus.1 The (...) dialogue begins rather abruptly, with someone called Hermogenes inviting Socrates to be a party to an argument between him and Cratylus. Cratylus is therefore one of the characters in the dialogue, and it is his name that is also given to the dialogue. The other party to it is Hermogenes, a name which literally means ‘son of Hermes’. Socrates suspects that Cratylus is making fun of Hermogenes, saying that the latter is “no true son of Hermes, because always looking after a fortune and never in luck.” Hermogenes means ‘son of Hermes’. Who, then, is Hermes? The cue is that Hermes is what Hermogenes is not, making the latter not a true son of the former, because Hermes is always looking after a fortune and is apparently always lucky, something Hermogenes is not. Hermes is always in search of a fortune and is always lucky, always fortunate. Always to be in search is always to be on the move, always to be on the way, never still, a nomad. Indeed, as the dialogue ends we hear Cratylus admitting that “I incline to Heraclitus.”2 And why not? The argument between him and Hermogenes has all to do with names, with language. And it looks as though the debate between them is going nowhere, and so they are now intending to bring Socrates into the discussion, hoping that this third party will be able to come to their rescue, help them find the key and bring the restless journey to a quiet conclusion. Even Socrates, however, true to his form, properly excuses himself. “If I had not been poor,” he says, “I might have heard the fifty-drachma course of the great Prodicus, which is a complete education in grammar and language . . . and then I should have been at once able to answer your question about the correctness of names. But, indeed, I have only heard the single- drachma course, and therefore I do not know the truth about such matters.”. (shrink)

The Somatic Mutation Theory has been challenged on its fundamentals by the Tissue Organization Field Theory of Carcinogenesis. However, a recent publication has questioned whether TOFT could be a valid alternative theory of carcinogenesis to that presented by SMT. Herein we critically review arguments supporting the irreducible opposition between the two theoretical approaches by highlighting differences regarding the philosophical, methodological and experimental approaches on which they respectively rely. We conclude that SMT has not explained carcinogenesis due to severe epistemological and (...) empirical shortcomings, while TOFT is gaining momentum. The main issue is actually to submit SMT to rigorous testing. This concern includes the imperatives to seek evidence for disproving one’s hypothesis, and to consider the whole, and not just selective evidence. (shrink)

Different cell lineages growing in microgravity undergo a spontaneous transition leading to the emergence of two distinct phenotypes. By returning these populations in a normal gravitational field, the two phenotypes collapse, recovering their original configuration. In this review, we hypothesize that, once the gravitational constraint is removed, the system freely explores its phenotypic space, while, when in a gravitational field, cells are “constrained” to adopt only one favored configuration. We suggest that the genome allows for a wide range of “possibilities” (...) but it is unable per se to choose among them: the emergence of a specific phenotype is enabled by physical constraints that drive the system toward a preferred solution. These findings may help in understanding how cells and tissues behave in both development and cancer. In microgravity, cells undergo spontaneous and reversible transitions between different phenotypes. In the absence of physical constraints, living systems could yield bi-stable decisions. On the contrary, physical ‘boundaries’ constrain cells to acquire only a specific configuration by selecting and shaping different gene expression patterns provided by the intrinsic genetic stochasticity. (shrink)

In the past decades, an enormous amount of precious information has been collected about molecular and genetic characteristics of cancer. This knowledge is mainly based on a reductionistic approach, meanwhile cancer is widely recognized to be a ‘system biology disease’. The behavior of complex physiological processes cannot be understood simply by knowing how the parts work in isolation. There is not solely a matter how to integrate all available knowledge in such a way that we can still deal with complexity, (...) but we must be aware that a deeply transformation of the currently accepted oncologic paradigm is urgently needed. We have to think in terms of biological networks: understanding of complex functions may in fact be impossible without taking into consideration influences outside of the genome. Systems Biology involves connecting experimental unsupervised multivariate data to mathematical and computational approach than can simulate biologic systems for hypothesis testing or that can account for what it is not known from high-throughput data sets. Metabolomics could establish the requested link between genotype and phenotype, providing informations that ensure an integrated understanding of pathogenic mechanisms and metabolic phenotypes and provide a screening tool for new targeted drug. (shrink)

Studies performed in absence of gravitational constraint show that a living system is unable to choose between two different phenotypes, thus leading cells to segregate into different, alternative stable states. This finding demonstrates that the genotype does not determine by itself the phenotype but requires additional, physical constraints to finalize cell differentiation. Constraints belong to two classes: holonomic (independent of the system's dynamical states, as being established by the space‐time geometry of the field) and non‐holonomic (modified during those biological processes (...) to which they contribute in shaping). This latter kind of “constraints”, in which dynamics works on the constraint to recreate them, have emerged as critical determinants of self‐organizing systems, by manifesting a “closure of constraints.” Overall, the constraints act by harnessing the “randomness” represented by the simultaneous presence of equiprobable events restraining the system within one attractor. These results cast doubt on the mainstream scientific concept and call for a better understanding of causation in cell biology. (shrink)

Este artigo é resultado da pesquisa que teve como objetivo estudar as percepções dos professores de física na cidade de Vilhena-RO sobre suas necessidades de formação contínua em tecnologias digitais no ensino. O problema de pesquisa consiste em saber quais as percepções dos professores de física, da rede estadual de Rondônia, que atuam na cidade de Vilhena-RO, sobre as necessidades de formação contínua em relação ao uso de recursos de tecnologias digitais salas de aula? Tratou-se de um levantamento com aplicação (...) de questionário a amostra de 13 professores via Survey Monkey e para a análise de dados foi utilizado análise estatística básica: análise da frequência. Os resultados evidencias necessidades formativas percebidas pelos docentes que apontam para formação contínua em RTD. Os professores percebem suas limitações para uso desses recursos em sala de aula e necessidade de suprir tais carências formativas advindas, também, da formação inicial. Ao mesmo tempo que reconhecem a urgência de buscar novas qualificações focadas na melhoria do ensino e aprendizagem de Física. (shrink)

Apresentamos os resultados dos nossos estudos entre os processos educacionais e processos de subjetivação. Associamos este fato com a dificuldade dos educadores deslocarem o corpo do lugar de quem ensina para o lugar de quem aprende. Estudamos as implicações do corpo nos processos educacionais e sugerimos uma “atitude moderna” a partir do “cuidado de si”, apoiados em Foucault, como a ação do educador que “toma partido” do educando.

A growing body of research has shown that symbolic number processing relates to individual differences in mathematics. However, it remains unclear which mechanisms of symbolic number processing are crucial—accessing underlying magnitude representation of symbols (i.e., symbol‐magnitude associations), processing relative order of symbols (i.e., symbol‐symbol associations), or processing of symbols per se. To address this question, in this study adult participants performed a dots‐number word matching task—thought to be a measure of symbol‐magnitude associations (numerical magnitude processing)—a numeral‐ordering task that focuses on (...) symbol‐symbol associations (numerical order processing), and a digit‐number word matching task targeting symbolic processing per se. Results showed that both numerical magnitude and order processing were uniquely related to arithmetic achievement, beyond the effects of domain‐general factors (intellectual ability, working memory, inhibitory control, and non‐numerical ordering). Importantly, results were different when a general measure of mathematics achievement was considered. Those mechanisms of symbolic number processing did not contribute to math achievement. Furthermore, a path analysis revealed that numerical magnitude and order processing might draw on a common mechanism. Each process explained a portion of the relation of the other with arithmetic (but not with a general measure of math achievement). These findings are consistent with the notion that adults’ arithmetic skills build upon symbol‐magnitude associations, and they highlight the effects that different math measures have in the study of numerical cognition. (shrink)

In a previous paper recently published in this journal, we argue that the two main theories of carcinogenesis should be considered as compatible, at the metaphysical, epistemological and biological levels. In a reply to our contribution, Bizzarri and Cucina claim we are wrong since SMT and TOFT are opposite and incompatible paradigms. Here, we show that their arguments are not satisfactory. Indeed, the authors go through the same mistakes that we already addressed. In particular, they confuse reductionism, as an (...) ontological frame, and genetic determinism, as a causal pathway. Beside, they make an inadequate use of the Kuhnian notion of paradigm shift. Finally, we confirm our previous conclusion: there is no strong argument to totally abandon the somatic mutation theory. It describes a partial causal pathway, compatible with the one proposed by TOFT. (shrink)

Years before his death, Romualdo Abulad made himself controversial, a controversy that was not so much on his positive contribution to philosophy as his apology for Duterte and his regime. In this paper, Abulad’s apology for Duterte will be discussed. The discussion will be framed from within Abulad’s concept of the post-Machiavelli. This concept was earlier developed by Abulad in a chapter of a book co-authored by Alfredo Co. I argue that his concept of the post-Machiavelli is based on (...) a privileging of The Prince and a reading that is subtly anti-Machiavellian. I further argue that the ethics of the post-Machiavelli, one that is guided by the philosophical compass of postmodernism, provided the ideological support for Duterte and his regime as it is both obscurantist and empty. The ethics of the post-Machiavelli obscures the politics of the regime by way of the ethics of the good. In doing so it legitimizes the political via the ethical. Here, the coupling or intersection of the political and the ethical provided an ideological support of the former by way of the abstract resources of the latter. However, I assert that ethics and politics ought to be decoupled. The ethics of the post-Machiavelli is likewise empty. Such an emptiness allows, at least in the level of theory, a liberal openness and accommodation to virtually any version of (a future) order, including that of fascism. (shrink)

This paper compares and contrasts the taxonomies and periodizations of Filipino philosophy by seven Filipino scholars -- Fernando Zialcita, Florentino Timbreza, Emerita Quito, Romualdo Abulad, Napoleon Mabaquiao, Rolando Gripaldo, and Alfredo Co -- in order to determine the various philosophical discourses that are present in the country, and in order to pinpoint which of these discourses offer higher developmental potentials for Filipino philosophy. For each taxonomy and periodization, this paper looks into: (1) the period covered, (2) the inclusivity or (...) exclusivity of the classification/configuration, (3) the taxonomizer/periodizer utilized, (4) the implied structure of the classification/configuration, (5) the problematic classes/periods suggested by the classification/configuration, and (6) the promising classes/Periods suggested by the classification/configuration. This paper concludes with an attempt to synthesize the thoughts of these seven scholars in a comprehensive taxonomy of Filipino philosophies and to give an overall assessment for each of these philosophies' strengths and weaknesses. (shrink)

Elefanti nani, inesistenti regni medievali, parodie politiche scambiate per vere, panzane virali e dibattiti privi di senso sui social media. Le bufale un tempo erano oggetto di curiosità, bizzarri orpelli della credulità umana di cui discutere fra il serio e il faceto. Oggi causano allarme sociale, come ci dimostra la cronaca recente: la baraonda digitale prodotta dal diffondersi di un'epidemia può minare alla radice i tentativi di combatterla, o al contrario facilitare una risposta collettiva sensata ed efficace. Perché la (...) disinformazione online è soprattutto il sintomo di cambiamenti radicali nelle nuove tecnologie di comunicazione. Convivere felicemente con tutto questo è possibile, e persino necessario. Per farlo, bisogna considerare le bufale non spazzatura di cui sbarazzarsi, ma piuttosto fantastici laboratori su cui affinare le nostre competenze. Una proposta originale per orientarsi meglio nella nuova ecologia dell'informazione--Page 2 of cover. (shrink)

A pesquisa "Perfil do Estudante da PUC-MG" foi concebida para oferecer dados e subsídios ao Serviço de Pastoral da Universidade - SPU PUC Minas. Coordenou a pesquisa o prof. Paulo Agostinho N. Baptista, que atuou junto aos professores Euclides Guimarães Neto e Maria Clara Baeta Galuppo na análise e redação do relatório. Ainda da PUC Minas, foram consultores os professores Pe. Alberto Antoniazzi, Maria Beatriz Ribeiro de Oliveira Gonçalves, Elisete de Assis Rebello e Romualdo Francisco Dâmaso. O professor Carlos (...) Eduardo Rezende Jacob atuou com analista de sistema e a professora Vírginia Mata Machado como revisora. Foram entrevistados 382 estudantes (3%), dos 22 cursos existentes na universidade em 1991, num universo de 12.733 alunos. O nível de confiabilidade foi de 95% e a margem de erro variou entre 3 e 5%. Dados gerais, religião, avaliação da universidade, participação em movimentos sociais, políticos e culturais, hábitos socioculturais e avaliação das disciplinas Cultura Religiosa e Filosofia foram os dados analisados neste relatório. O texto original impresso do relatório datilografado encontra-se na Biblioteca Pe. Alberto Antoniazzi da PUC Minas. (shrink)

A pesquisa "Perfil do Estudante das Instituições Católicas de Ensino Superior" foi realizada e concebida com o objetivo de contribuir para o planejamento e o subsídio do trabalho da pastoral universitária. O projeto nasceu do interesse do setor de Pastoral Universitária da ABESC - Associação Brasileira de Escolas Superiores Católicas - em conhecer a realidade juvenil para esse planejamento pastoral. Um ano antes havia sido realizada a pesquisa "Perfil do Estudante da PUC-MG" que serviu como modelo. Participaram da pesquisa 22 (...) instituições, correspondendo ao universo de 122.917 estudantes. Porém, apenas 17 instituições (106.403), em sete estados da federação, enviaram seus dados que foram analisados neste relatório, numa amostra de 3.039 alunos (2,9%). Coordenou a pesquisa o prof. Paulo Agostinho N. Baptista, que atuou junto aos professores da PUC Minas Euclides Guimarães Neto e Maria Clara Baeta Galuppo na análise e redação do relatório. Foram consultores os professores da mesma universidade Pe. Alberto Antoniazzi, Maria Beatriz Ribeiro de Oliveira Gonçalves, Elisete de Assis Rebello e Romualdo Francisco Dâmaso. O professor Carlos Eduardo Rezende Jacob atuou com analista de sistema e a professora Vírginia Mata Machado como revisora. A versão original impressa do relatório foi datilografada e está na Biblioteca Pe. Alberto Antoniazzi, da PUC Minas. A publicação do relatório online tem o objetivo de divulgar e disponibilizar essa importante referência para estudos sobre o perfil da juventude universitária, especialmente em relação à temática religiosa. (shrink)