This work intends to be a generalization and a simplification of the techniques employed in [2], by the proposal of a general strategy to prove satisfiability theorems for NLGM-s (= normal logics with graded modalities), analogously to the well known technique of the canonical models by Lemmon and Scott for classical modal logics.

Proof-theoretic semantics is an alternative to model-theoretic semantics. It aims at explaining the meaning of the logical constants in terms of the inference rules that govern their behaviour in proofs. We argue that this must be construed as the task of explaining these meanings relative to a logic, i.e., to a consequence relation. Alas, there is no agreed set of properties that a relation must have in order to qualify as a consequence relation. Moreover, the association of a consequence relation (...) to a logical calculus is not as straightforward as it may seem. We show that these facts are problematic for the proof-theoretic project but the problems can be solved. Our thesis is that the consequence relation relevant for proof-theoretic semantics is the one given by the sequent-to-sequent derivability relation in Gentzen systems. (shrink)

Typical presentism asserts that whatever exists is present. Moderate presentism more modestly claims that all events are present and thus acknowledges past and future times understood in a substantivalist sense, and past objects understood, following Williamson, as “ex-concrete.” It is argued that moderate presentism retains the most valuable features of typical presentism, while having considerable advantages in dealing with its most prominent difficulties.

I discuss paradoxes of implication in the setting of a proof-conditional theory of meaning for logical constants. I argue that a proper logic of implication should be not only relevant, but also constructive and nonmonotonic. This leads me to select as a plausible candidate LL, a fragment of linear logic that differs from R in that it rejects both contraction and distribution.

According to Chomsky, creativity is a critical property of human language, particularly the aspect of ?the creative use of language? concerning the appropriateness to a situation. How language can be creative but appropriate to a situation is an unsolvable mystery from the Chomskyan point of view. We propose that language appropriateness can be explained by considering the role of the human capacity for Mental Time Travel at its foundation, together with social and ecological intelligences within a triadic language-grounding system. Our (...) proposal is based on the change of perspective from the analysis of individual sentences to the flux of speech in which the temporal dimension of language is much more relevant. (shrink)

The focus of this paper is the analysis of the epistemological and practical role played bypathe/affections in Epicurus’ philosophy. Epicurus firstly considered the affections not as emotional/passional conditions, but as firm criteria of truth and more specifically as the third criterion of the canonic (i.e. the epistemological part of his philosophical system). In this article the critical reactions (in particular by the Peripatetic side: Aristocles of Messene) against the Epicurean position about the function of the affections will be investigated too. (...) Finally, two parts of this paper are devoted to the Cyrenaic tripartition ofpathe(in all likelihood, a subject criticized by Epicurus) and to the probable doctrinal relationship between Epicurus’patheand Aristotle’sNicomachean EthicsBook 2. (shrink)

The present paper argues that substantialist metaphysics are in tension with the physicalist idea that the universe is causally closed. The argument is a rather specific one and proceeds through three steps. The first step consists in arguing that monistic substance metaphysics allow for the existence of entities that cannot belong to the intended first order domain. This result sensitively depends on the nature of substances as invariant entities. The second step concludes that, if further domains are to be admitted, (...) then they are inhabited by “higher” or (systematically) “nonstandard” entities and that, in both cases if not made somehow innocuous, such entities may take part on the metaphysical construction of the world through their own distinctive properties and causal powers. However, this latter claim is in contradiction with causal closure. But closure is the principle that mainly characterizes physicalist approaches in metaphysics and as such physicalist metaphysics cannot get rid of it. Who attempted making exotic properties and causal powers innocuous usually appealed to the Supervenience Argument. Unfortunately, as the third step proves, this argument is invalid. Finally, the paper looks forward and toward alternative models for physicalist metaphysics, like processbased models. Keywords: Metaphysics of Quantities, Abstraction Principles, Locationism. (shrink)

In this paper we propose a narrative hypothesis on the nature of language and a proto-discursive hypothesis on the origin of our communicative abilities. Our proposal is based on two assumptions. The first assumption, concerning the properties of language, is tied to the idea that global discourse coherence governs the origin of our communicative abilities as well the functioning of these abilities. The second assumption, concerning processing devices, is connected to the idea that the systems of spatial and temporal navigation (...) are implicated in discourse coherence processing. Analysis of the relationship between these two assumptions allows us to integrate the model of language based on clues proposed by Sperber and Wilson with Relevance Theory with the discursive foundation of human communication. In this respect, our proposal can be considered as a tentative extension of Relevance Theory. (shrink)

This paper intends to verify the extent and effectiveness of the transforming appropriation of the Derridean concept of ‘differance’ by Stiegler with respect to the problems that, according to Stiegler, make this creative critical operation necessary; in particular with respect to the most recent question concerning the possibility of thinking about and putting into practice a ‘neganthropological différance’ capable of facing the ecological crisis that today seems to threaten the very existence of life on earth. The paper goes back to (...) Technics and Time 1. to analyze the distinction between ‘vital difference’ and ‘noetic difference’ that constitutes the condition of possibility of the ‘neganthropological différance.’ In this perspective, the distinction proposed by Stiegler seems to re-propose the hierarchically oriented oppositional structure that characterizes metaphysical thought and in particular the opposition between man and animal, attributing to the human being the ability to free himself from the constraints of his biological-natural condition. Finally, the paper attempts to account for the repercussions of this approach on the very possibility of an effective response to the ecological crisis, concluding with a provocation regarding the role that theory can and must play with regard to such an urgent and far-reaching problem. (shrink)

The paper discusses some formal difficulties concerning the theory of universals of Trope-Only ontologies, from which the formal theory of predication advanced by Trope-Only theorists seems to be irremediably affected. It is impossible to lay out a successful defense of a Trope-Only theory without Russellian types, but such types are ontologically inconsistent with tropes’ nominalism. Historically, Tropists’ first way to avoid the problem is appealing to the supervenience claim, which however fails on its terms and, thus, fails as a ground (...) for a solution to the higher-order or ‘type’ problem. A later solution involves the invariance of primitive equivalence relations in order to make universals ontologically innocuous. However, I argue that this latter solution fails to meet the requirements imposed on an ontologically unbiased nominalist attitude. So, this paper discusses how Trope-Only theories alter standard formal moves in Nominalism, and also is interested in clarifying further the formal assumptions for these problems. (shrink)

Nella nostra vita quotidiana, abbiamo a che fare con un numero sempre crescente di schermi. Tutti i dispositivi e media a noi più famigliari – dal computer allo smartphone, dal tablet alle screen façades – sono caratterizzati da schermi. Una tale diffusione viene a modificare la natura stessa dello schermo. Quest’ultimo non è più una superficie su cui la realtà è rappresentata con rinnovata forza e chiarezza (includendo la realtà dei sogni), come lo era attraverso il film – lo schermo (...) non è più il luogo di una tale “epifania”, per riprendere un termine utilizzato dai primi teorici del cinema. Lo schermo dei nuovi dispositivi funziona più come un display, ovvero come un luogo su cui delle immagini che fluttuano liberamente vengono ad arrestarsi per un momento, rendendosi disponibili agli utenti, e permettendo così di essere manipolate, prima di riprendere la loro circolazione verso nuove direzioni. Non è un caso che le metafore tradizionali utilizzate per descrivere lo schermo – come finestra, specchio, quadro – sono ora sostituite da altre metafore – monitor, bacheca, muro – che sottolineano un simile processo fatto di un continuo fermarsi e ripartire. Approdato a questi nuovi dispositivi, anche il cinema ha finito per seguire la logica del display: le sue immagini appaiono ora più precarie, meno limitate dalla narrazione, e si aprono a diversi significati. Il successo crescente di film che utilizzano immagini provenienti – o che si vogliono derivanti – da archivi preesistenti è un sintomo di come anche le immagini filmiche sembrano fare parte di un tornado di immagini che di tanto in tanto si inabissa e lascia alcuni dietro di sé. In ogni caso, il punto in cui le immagini “decollano” non arriva mai in modo casuale. Un’immagine può rendersi disponibile ad una folla o a un individuo, in uno spazio pubblico o in privato, temporalmente prossima o distante rispetto agli eventi che rappresenta: in ogni caso, l’immagine assumerà diversi valori, su un piano esperienziale e politico. A lungo, il cinema ha funzionato come una sfera pubblica fondamentale, e in questo senso esso ha mostrato l’importanza della condivisione collettiva di immagini e suoni. Ora, in un regime di circolazione intensa e continua di immagini, è importante ricordare che immagini e suoni devono essere condivisi anche in un contesto in cui pubblico e situazione divengono sempre più precari. (shrink)

This book explores the concept of the end of literature through the lens of Hegel's philosophy of art. In his version of Hegel's 'end of art' thesis, Arthur Danto claimed that contemporary art has abandoned its distinctive sensitive and emotive features to become increasingly reflective. Contemporary art has become a question of philosophical reflection on itself and on the world, thus producing an epochal change in art history. The core idea of this book is that this thesis applies quite well (...) to all forms of art except one, namely literature: literature resists its 'end'. Unlike other arts, which have experienced significant fractures in the contemporary world, Campana proposes that literature has always known how to renew itself in order to retain its distinguishing features, so much so that in a way it has always come to terms with its own end. Analysing the distinct character of literature, this book proposes a new and original interpretation of the 'end of art' thesis, showing how it can be used as a key conceptual framework to understand the contemporary novel. (shrink)

In Sophocles’ Oedipus Coloneus, after laying hands on Antigone and Ismene, Creon ridicules Oedipus by saying these words :οὔκουν ποτ’ ἐκ τούτοιν γε μὴ σκήπτροιν ἔτιὁδοιπορήσῃς.Then you shall never more walk with the aid of these two props!It is possible that Creon is here alluding to Oedipus’ actual appearance throughout the play. As far as we know, Oedipus comes on stage with no walking stick, and uses Antigone and Ismene as a crutch while walking. Creon's comparing Oedipus’ daughters to a (...) crutch, however, is also metaphorical. Such a metaphor is quite common in some modern languages, but was known by ancient Greek poetry as well. In Euripides’ Hecuba, for instance, Hecuba depicts her daughter Polyxena as her crutch. (shrink)

Il dibattito pedagogico che ha caratterizzato gli ultimi anni ha spesso insistito sull’importanza del nesso tra sviluppo tecnologico e modelli formativi. Questa relazione, però, troppo spesso non valorizza i modi in cui l’esperienza educativa e formativa dovrebbe essere sempre più accuratamente pensata, progettata e predisposta se vista dalla prospettiva delle buone pratiche tecnologiche. Tale valorizzazione dell’istanza formativa deve prendere avvio da una riflessione critica e approfondita sui modelli impliciti ed espliciti che caratterizzano le pratiche educative e formative, valorizzando l’uso e (...) l’interpretazione che i soggetti rendono attuali.Per consentire tale riflessione è necessario pensare un dispositivo pedagogico che non perda di vista la complessità delle dimensioni che agiscono nell’accadere educativo, capace di creare nuovi percorsi di sperimentazione delle conoscenze e nuove ipotesi di formazione di sé e degli altri. La formazione interpretata alla luce dei dispositivi pedagogici può offrire un valido strumento teorico e pratico per immaginare, progettare e valutare gli effetti che ogni azione formativa produce legati alla trasformazione dei saperi, alla vita delle forme e alle forme di vita contemporanee. (shrink)

Foucault come educatore non dirige da un luogo esterno verso di noi un insegnamento, una dottrina, piuttosto sente la responsabilità di cercare e di estrarre dal mondo «qualcosa» che possa animare l’esperienza che si fa del mondo, di mostrare da una prospettiva latente l’esperienza già fatta, come una scheggia di «reale» che nel mondo si manifesta. Foucault può essere un educatore se accettiamo che la verità è sempre ancora da fare, concretamente, che siamo sempre corresponsabili della verità che è in (...) gioco nella nostra formazione. Può essere educatore, infatti, solo chi è disposto non tanto a «comprendere prima», ma a comprendere nuovamente ogni volta, ogni volta che si dà un’occasione formativa e a profanare eventualmente l’attualità e la solidità di quel che si sa nella condivisione del rischio e della libertà che ogni pratica di ricerca comporta. (shrink)

Chromatin composition differs across the genome, with distinct compositions characterizing regions associated with different properties and functions. Whereas many histone modifications show local enrichment over genes or regulatory elements, marking can also span large genomic intervals defining broad chromatin domains. Here we highlight structural and functional features of chromatin domains marked by histone modifications, with a particular emphasis on the potential roles of H3K27 methylation domains in the organization and regulation of genome activity in metazoans. Chromatin domains are extended genomic (...) regions defined by the continuous enrichment of a given histone modification. Here, we review recent work highlighting the presence of chromatin domains in multiple species, their structural aspects in the context of chromatin architecture, and their potential role on the regulation of genome activity. (shrink)

In this work we extend results from [4], [3] and [2] about propositional calculi with graded modalities to the predicative level. Our semantic is based on Kripke models with a single domain of interpretation for all the worlds. Therefore the axiomatic system will need a suitable generalization of the Barcan formula. We haven't considered semantics with world-relative domains because they don't present any new difficulties with respect to classical case. Our language will have, as in [1], constant and function symbols, (...) but they will have a rigid interpretation. In this instance the terms will be considered rigid designators, that is, their interpretations will be the same in all possible worlds (cfr. [5]). Nevertheless we will not consider languages with identity: in this way we avoid the problems of identity in modal contexts. On the other hand, we think that in that context would arise essentially the same problems which occur in classical predicative modal logic. Finally we will consider only denumerable languages because the extension to non denumerable ones isn't conceptually problematic. (shrink)

Enormous phylogenetic variation exists in the number and sizes of introns in protein‐coding genes. Although some consideration has been given to the underlying role of the population‐genetic environment in defining such patterns, the influence of the intracellular environment remains virtually unexplored. Drawing from observations on interactions between co‐transcriptional processes involved in splicing and mRNA 3′‐end formation, a mechanistic model is proposed for splice‐site recognition that challenges the commonly accepted intron‐ and exon‐definition models. Under the suggested model, splicing factors that outcompete (...) 3′‐end processing factors for access to intronic binding sites concurrently favor the recruitment of 3′‐end processing factors at the pre‐mRNA tail. This hypothesis sheds new light on observations such as the intron‐mediated enhancement of gene expression and the negative correlation between intron length and levels of gene expression. (shrink)

"Questo volume esamina la dottrina epicurea dei minimi che rappresenta un nodo cruciale della filosofia di Epicuro e un autentico punto di svolta rispetto all'atomismo di Leucippo e Democrito. Il libro è organizzato in tre capitoli dedicati rispettivamente: all'analisi filologica e teorica delle fonti primarie, alla ricostruzione del contesto storico-filosofico a cui la dottrina dei minimi verosimilmente fa riferimento, e, infine, all'approfondimento dello sviluppo della teoria dei minimi in ambito prevalentemente geometrico all'interno della scuola di Epicuro. L'esame critico delle fonti (...) antiche, anche attraverso l'attenta analisi della letteratura secondaria, conferma il ruolo decisivo giocato dai minimi nella scienza della natura epicurea. Si tratta della prima monografia interamente consacrata allo studio di questa significativa dottrina in tutta la sua ampiezza storica e teorica."--Provided by publisher. (shrink)

This article intends to read the profound dynamics that characterise the current war in the light of certain classical philosophical categories such as the relationship established by Hegel between substance and subject, the difference between the concept of substance and the concept of function as it was discussed by Cassirer, and finally the binomial power over life and right of death reread by Foucault in a biopolitical key. In the light of these polarities, it is in fact possible to identify (...) two opposing worldviews – on which depend two completely different ways of understanding the function of the state, the weight to be ascribed to rights, and even two different ways of conceiving and conducting war – that do not necessarily coincide with the two opposing sides in the field. (shrink)

Dynamic events such as a rolling ball moving from one place to another involve change and time intervals and thus presumably successions of static events occurring one after the other, e.g., the ball’s being at a certain place and then at another place during the interval in question. When dynamic events are experienced they should count as present and thus as existent from a presentist point of view. But this seems to imply the existence of the static events involved in (...) them. This in turn seems to imply that there exist past and perhaps even future static events. Therefore, there is a problem for presentism. A possible way out for the presentist is proposed, based on allowing for time-indexed past-oriented and future-oriented properties. One may raise objections regarding the ontological status of these properties and the commitment to past and future objects and times that they seem to bring with them, but these objections can be put to rest. (shrink)

By addressing social issues, rather than maximizing profits, social enterprises are said to contribute to the well-being of societies. In this paper, we test whether social enterprises fulfil this expectation. The paper applies regression analysis to a unique dataset obtained by merging survey data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor with official statistics on social enterprises in Luxembourg. Results suggest that social enterprises contribute to subjective well-being, which is an encompassing measure of people’s satisfaction with their own life. We find that (...) when the share of social enterprises in a city increases, the ill-being of poor and unemployed people declines. Therefore, policy makers who seek to increase the well-being of economically disadvantaged people could adopt policies to promote the creation of social enterprises. (shrink)