This article offers an overview of various theological discourses on the concept of nature. These are illustrated with examples of contributions to reformed theology from within the South African context. It is argued that there is ample room for confusion to reign in the connotations attached to ‘nature’ and the underlying theological problems that emerge. Often such connotations are merely adopted from other disciplines. To juxtapose such discourses would not by itself help to overcome such confusion but is a necessary (...) step in that direction.Contribution: This article analyses the conflicting uses of the term ‘nature’ especially in reformed theological discourse in the South African context. It circumscribes the distinctive theological problems that emerge in each case without seeking to resolve them. (shrink)

L'œuvre de Cassirer nous offre une vision pluraliste du XVIIIe siècle. Sous cet éclairage, Rousseau redevient citoyen de Genève et Bayle le banni de Rotterdam, le cartésianisme se fait principalement hollandais et Voltaire l'interprète de Newton. Pour Cassirer, le XVIIIe siècle est ce foisonnement convergent qui rompt les frontières nationales comme les frontières de langues, de classes ou de disciplines. Dans cette brillante synthèse, Cassirer s'emploie à balayer les poncifs. Certes, le XVIIIe siècle politique, mais il est aussi un grand (...) siècle religieux : celui de la lutte contre l'intolérance et la superstition, celui, surtout, de l'élaboration des fondements de la foi. Siècle qui marque la naissance de l'esprit historique, le XVIIIe siècle a le sens de la relativité des valeurs. Enfin, il est le siècle de l'esthétique : toute théorie de l'art en viendra. (shrink)

The introduction maps five panoptic-shaped establishments in Australia's colonial history, as well as discusses how the convict industry in Australia developed a unique pattern, alternating out-door and in-door penal servitude. In-door confinement was modelled on a variety of influences, of which Bentham’s is one among many. The label Panopticon might appear inaccurate to describe these prisons, however it is still used today as the term is loaded with connotations with encapsulates some of the spirit of the penal colony.

This contribution explores the assertion that climate change may be described as a “wicked problem.” It notes that the term was introduced in the context of the management sciences where a managerial ethos prevailed and where moral connotations were excluded. Subsequent references to climate change as a wicked problem maintained both these features. Yet, if climate change not only poses technological, economic, and political problems but also has moral and, indeed, spiritual challenges—as is widely maintained—then such moral connotations cannot be (...) avoided. The description of a problem as wicked then becomes part of the problem. It is argued that the term is best understood as one used in jest, so that if we seek to define a problem’s wickedness in a conceptually precise way, we are missing the joke. The major moral dimensions of the challenges posed by climate changes should be taken seriously, but perhaps there is no need to take the term wicked problems all that seriously. What should not be laughed off is the managerial ethos that presumes that the challenges posed by climate changes can be addressed “exactly” through climate engineering or even social engineering. (shrink)

This contribution is aimed at some provocation by questioning the basic assumptions of current development discourse. It asks for conceptual clarification and differentiation on the meaning of various process terms. It needs to be recognised that the word development remains a metaphor than can indeed be extended but can also become over-extended and ossified. The concept of development is then contrasted with the process of maturation. It is argued that the concept of maturation is, better able to indicate the final (...) goal of the process than most other process terms, recognises inherent limitations and follows natural cycles better than exponential growth, sustained development or endless progress. (shrink)

Multitude of strangely beautiful natural forms: Radiolaria, Foraminifera, Ciliata, diatoms, calcareous sponges, Siphonophora, star corals, starfishes, Protozoa, flagellates, brown seaweed, jellyfishes, sea-lilies, moss animals, sea-urchins, glass sponges, leptomedusae, horny corals, trunkfishes, true sea slugs, anthomedusae horseshoe crabs, sea-cucumbers, octopuses, bats, orchids, sea wasps, seahorse, a dragonfish, a frogfish, much more. All images black-and-white.

Die vorliegende Arbeit ist aus Studien übel' das Problem des Natur rechtes entstanden, in deren Verlauf sich immer deutlicher hera~sgestellt hat, daß dieses Problem nur einen Teilaspekt universell verbreiteter und das vor- und außerphilosophische Denken ebenso wie die sogenannte traditionelle Philosophie zumindest maßgeblich mitbestimmender Formen der Weltauffassung darstellt. Der Fortgang _~ieser Untersuchungen hat in einer Reihe von Aufsätzen seinen Niederschlag gefUhden, die seit 1950 erschienen sind und auf die hier fallweise zurückgegriffen wird. Während eines Studienaufenthaltes an der Harvard-University (1953/54) ist (...) der Plan des Buches endgültig ausgereift, doch verzögerte sich der Abschluß des Manuskriptes infolge anderweitiger beruflicher Inanspruchnahme bis zum Beginn dieses Jahres. Dem Verfasser ist bewußt, daß der Ausdruck "Metaphysik" äußerst vieldeutig ist, so daß vielleicht mancher Leser hier nicht das behandelt finden wird, was er unter Metaphysik versteht. Doch beziehen sich die folgenden Untersuchungen zweifellos auf Doktrinen, die nach einem sehr verbreiteten Sprachgebrauch als metaphysisch bezeichnet werden wld die in der traditionellen Philosophie eine hervorragende Rolle gespielt haben bzw. heute noch spielen. (shrink)