This study investigated how seventh-grade students rate their fear of, and disgust toward, amphibians in comparison to some other nonhuman animal species. For the purpose of evaluating these variables, a questionnaire with open-ended and self-report questions was used. The study found that direct experience of animals significantly affects students’ self-reported fear and disgust ratings. Boys generally reported less fear and disgust toward animals than girls. With regard to amphibians, students expressed relatively high disgust, but low fear. There were no differences (...) in disgust ratings between boys and girls. Also, a majority of students reported having no direct experience of amphibians, and their attitudes hovered between negative and neutral. Factor analysis placed amphibians in a category of disgust-relevant animals. The other two categories that emerged were interpreted as fear-relevant animals and companion animals. The study concluded that education should place greater importance on allowing students to experience a variety of different animal species directly in order to foster positive change in their feelings and attitudes toward them, and at the same time to build on their understanding of animals. (shrink)

The results of evolutionary algorithms depend on population diversity that normally decreases by increasing the selection pressure from generation to generation. Usually, this can lead the evolution process to get stuck in local optima. This study is focused on mechanisms to avoid this undesired phenomenon by introducing parallel self-adapted differential evolution that decomposes a monolithic population into more variable-sized sub-populations and combining this with the characteristics of evolutionary multi-agent systems into a hybrid algorithm. The proposed hybrid algorithm operates with individuals (...) having some characteristics of agents, e.g. they act autonomously by selecting actions, with which they affect the state of the environment. Additionally, this algorithm incorporates two additional mechanisms: ageing and adaptive population growth, which help the individuals by decision-making. The proposed parallel differential evolution was applied to the CEC’18 benchmark function suite, while the produced results were compared with some traditional stochastic nature-inspired population-based and state-of-the-art algorithms. (shrink)

African philosophy, as a negritude, is a moment in the postcolonial critique of European/Western colonialism and the bodies of knowledge that sustained it. Yet a critical analysis of its' original articulations reveals the limits of this critique and more broadly of postcolonial studies, while also pointing towards more radical theoretical possibilities within African philosophy. Jean-Paul Sartre's essay 'Black Orpheus', a philosophical appropriation of negritude poetry, serves as a guide for this reflection, for the text reveals the inspiration and wealth of (...) expressions of negritude, as well as their ambiguity. Sartre's essay however also renders possible a further act of re-appropriation that takes us beyond culture and identity-centred readings of African philosophy and postcolonialism, readings whose conceptual and critical potential is far greater than what has hitherto been explored. (shrink)

The article tackles the problem of studying diachronic semantic changes of modal markers in Latin. It proposes to do so by using context as a proxy for tracing the development of otherwise unchanging forms. In the first part, the main theoretical positions in modality studies are presented, especially the notions of deontic modality, epistemic modality, and pathways of modality. In the second part, Heine’s model for studying the role of context in language change is presented and applied to the modal (...) verb licet. In the case study of licet, an attempt is made to identify the so-called switch context which co-creates the conditions necessary for the semantic change. (shrink)

Changes in security environment after the end of Cold War and 9/11 have strongly affected our security concepts and paradigms. In the field of counter-terrorism, a serious conceptual and practical debate on the relationship between security and human rights and freedoms has begun. The goal of this paper is to reflect on this complex relationship at the conceptual level and introduce the empirical debate on this relationship in the field of civil aviation. The paper’s results show that the concept of (...) human security usefully integrates the care for human rights and security of individuals. The debate on the potential introduction of body scanners on the European airports was actually a debate on the ways of providing individual human security on the airports with simultaneous concern for other human rights. The output of this debate was a compromise: body scanners can be used at the discretion of individual airports and member states, but are not an obligatory measure on all European airports. (shrink)

Nos escritos kantianos sobre o tema da educação (Erziehung), podemos perceber que o filósofo refere-se ao processo educativo de diversos modos, seja como sendo uma arte de educar (Erziehungskunst), como formação (Bildung), como doutrina da educação (Erziehungslehre) ou como sendo uma ideia (Idee). Essa multiplicidade de noções não é de modo algum arbitrária, mas cada uma se relaciona entre si e tem como ponto fulcral o conceito de educação como uma ideia, isto é, um conceito da razão que seja a (...) medida do que se pretende, assim como a condição de possibilidade da própria experiência educativa. Sendo, desse modo, para todos os casos, um máximo como medida em consideração a outras grandezas menores. Na recomposição do conceito de educação, a ideia é o princípio regulador da teoria ou da doutrina da educação, a arte certamente é a habilidade que desenvolverá in concreto o que foi raciocinado no cânon doutrinal. Isso posto, a educação, enquanto ideia, assume a função reguladora da perseguição de fins, sendo ela o fim da doutrina da educação e, para a arte de educar, isto é, para a pedagogia (Pädagogik), ela é o máximo grau de perfeição a que se deve comparar a educação do tempo presente. (shrink)

O texto assinala que os estudos e pesquisas de Pierre Bourdieu apresenta uma clara identificação com a educação e com a análise educacional. Observa que no Brasil, até bem pouco tempo, a abordagem desse autor esteve associada com uma de suas obras A reprodução, sendo por isso transformado num pedagogo ou num filósofo educacional, cuja pedagogia devia ser rejeitada em nome de um humanismo otimista, que era justamente o que ele estava criticando. Mais recentemente, no entanto, verifica-se que Bourdieu passa (...) a ser considerado como um teórico social importante para a análise e para a própria teoria da educação. (shrink)

Better memory, greater motivation and concentration lead to greater productivity, efficiency and performance, all of which are features that are highly valued in a modern society focused on productivity. In the effort for better cognitive abilities, otherwise healthy individuals use cognitive enhancers, medicines for the treatment of cognitive deficits of patients with various disorders and health problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, stroke, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ageing. The use of these is more common in professions with emphasised cognitive (...) abilities, or in occupations that require more attention, focus and alertness. Their use is also associated with the general working population, in that they are supposed to use them to alleviate the effects of sleep deprivation and to cope with increasing workloads. In the paper, we are addressing the ethical issue and the dilemmas of the use of pharmaceutical enhancements by healthy people who have no medical reason for taking such substances, in the context of improving their cognitive functions. (shrink)

Formiranje prepričanja v Humovi filozofiji je glavna tema članka, ki izhaja iz temeljnega razlikovanja med naravno in nenaravno domišljijo v Humovem svetu Narave. Za razliko od vere prepričanje pri Humu prestopa meje zaznave v smeri skritih vzrokov, a vendar ostaja v okvirih izkustva in navade; naloga filozofije, ki je razpeta med skepticizem in vsakdanje življenje, je formiranje domišljije, na katero se opira vzročno sklepanje v prepričanjih. Formiranje domišljije se pri Humu neposredno izrazi v razmerju filozofije na eni strani in literature (...) ter zgodovinopisja na drugi, kot gaje mogoče zaznati v kratkem spisu A Dialogue in nadaljevanja tretjega poglavja Raziskovanja človeškega razuma. To obliko neposrednega formiranja domišljije, ki jo opredeljuje razmerje odkrite prevare, Hume dopolni z razmerjem prikrite prevare, ki subjektu formiranja hkrati omogoča distanco in onemogoča, da bi se prevare zavedal. (shrink)

For much of its modern history, the notion of talent has been associated with the idea of ‘careers open to talent’. Its emancipatory promise of upward social mobility has radically transformed the distribution of advantaged social positions and has had a lasting influence on the very idea of social status itself. Nevertheless, unlike concepts traditionally associated with distributive justice, e.g. fairness, (in)equality, desert, equality of opportunity as well as justice itself, the notion of talent has received only limited examination. This (...) article discusses some of the most pressing problems and challenges arising out of a reductionist understanding of talents’ anatomy and a distorted characterization of their overall distributive value. In particular, it aims to address those issues revolving around talents’ anatomy existing conceptions of distributive justice leave either neglected or outrightly ignored. The introductory part outlines the basic egalitarian conception of equal opportunities and then proceed with the examination of fairness embedded in it. The central part of the paper identifies the key elements of talents’ anatomy. We then discuss some of the implications egalitarianism either leaves out of the discussion or neglects. In particular, we challenge the idea of moral arbitrariness as the key mechanism to discard talents as a form of unfair advantage in the process of competition for advantaged social positions. In the final part, we outline two fundamental problems that call into question the cogency of egalitarian conceptions of talent(s) as a form of unfair disadvantage. (shrink)

Este texto propõe uma crítica da tecnologia conforme abordada na narrativa pós-natureza do antropoceno. Para essa narrativa, também chamada de pós-ambientalismo, o antropoceno é o momento histórico em que fica clara a impossibilidade de uma noção idealizada da natureza, distinta da intervenção humana. Neste texto, argumenta-se que, embora tenha méritos no questionamento de aspectos cruciais do pensamento moderno, essa narrativa tem também problemas teórico-conceituais significativos derivados da centralidade atribuída à mediação técnica, que acaba convertendo-a em uma espécie de metafísica. A (...) exposição das teses da narrativa pós-natureza do antropoceno se dá a partir do diálogo com textos de ativistas do pós-ambientalismo, como Michael Shellenberger e Ted Nordhaus, e de pensadores que fornecem a essa corrente o fundamento teórico-conceitual, como Bruno Latour e Peter Sloterdijk. A crítica se ampara na argumentação dos filósofos contemporâneos Dieter Mersch e Andreas Luckner, que desdobram ideias já sinalizadas por Martin Heidegger e indicam caminhos para compreender os limites de perspectivas metafísicas sobre tecnologia. (shrink)

PurposeThe purpose of this paper selected by ICIL 2019 committee in Rome is to demonstrate the current importance of the internet in the protection of democracy in developting countries.Design/methodology/approachIt is intended to make a comparison with the growing and current phenomenon of Brazilian disinformation with other contemporary phenomena related to new technologies through literature review methodology.FindingsThe Brazilian elections in 2018 represent an authentic model in a post-Cambridge Analytical phase where the myth of the sanctity of data has been broken. The (...) big influence of the algorithmic revolution on democracies in Latin America has never been more evident. The misuse of algorithms created an artificial environment that does not put us in contact with different realities; the consequences of this conjuncture have the deepest impacts, especially in countries that rely on a deficient educational system.Social implicationsBesides that, the broad use of zero-rating on the internet delivery in developing countries is also considered a factor of fake news dissemination. The information bubbles promote political polarization to the detriment of diversity – and the diversity is par excellence one of the pillars of democracy.Originality/valueThe research about the impact that the phenomenon of disinformation has on underdeveloped countries, it is essential to analyze the new role of the legislator in the elaboration of hypercomplex laws with multi-stakeholder interests that respect the essential core of digital human rights as the freedom of expression online. (shrink)

Despite readily available facts and figures regarding human-caused natural degradation, a large portion of the public still refuses to believe that the environment is suffering because of our actions. This refusal to believe, paired with a lack of environmental motivation, has become so evident that it recently attracted the attention of scientists and psychologists attempting to account for it from various perspectives. The disbelief in, for instance, climate change, is hard to explain without referring to a mechanism best described as (...) “environmental denial”. Analysis shows that people may be prone to deny anthropogenic environmental damage because their personal identity, as well as the quest for meaning in their lives, depends upon a consumerist modus vivendi. Consciously or unconsciously faced with the dilemma of either accepting that this lifestyle endangers the life of the planet , and thus accepting its consequences and the responsibility for change, or refusing to believe that the environmental degradation is occurring in the first place, they choose the latter option. This choice is also motivated by the lack of sound alternatives around which new, “greener” identities could be built. Thus any attempt at changing public opinion regarding anthropogenic environmental degradation, as well as any strategy that advocates putting an abrupt end to our environmentally damaging practices, is not likely to be successful if it neglects to provide new footing for identity building.Allen bereitwillig verfügbaren Tatsachen und Zahlen hinsichtlich der menschenbedingten Naturgefährdung zum Trotz verschließt sich weiterhin ein Großteil der Öffentlichkeit der Gewissheit, dass die Umwelt unter unserem Vorgehen zu leiden bekommt. Diese Einsichtsablehnung, gepaart mit dem umweltlichen Motivationsmangel, wurde derart offenkundig, dass sie das Augenmerk der Wissenschaftler und Psychologen auf sich gerichtet hat, die bemüht waren, sie aus diversen Blickwinkeln auszudeuten. Beispielshalber lässt sich der Unglaube an dem Klimawandel nur mühsam darlegen ohne Berufung auf den Mechanismus, der aufs Beste als „ökologische Leugnung“ bezeichnet wurde. Die Analyse deutet darauf hin, die Menschen seien geneigt, anthropogene Umweltschäden zu bestreiten, weil deren persönliche Identitäten samt ihrer Suche nach dem Sinn des Lebens auf den konsumorientierten Modus Vivendi angewiesen sind. Bewusst oder unbewusst dem Dilemma gegenübergestellt – entweder einzuräumen, ein derartiger Lebensstil setze das Dasein auf dem Planeten aufs Spiel und daher dessen Konsequenzen bzw. die Verantwortlichkeit für den Umbruch zu akzeptieren, oder dagegen den Ablauf des Umweltniedergangs generell zu verneinen – entscheiden sie sich für die letztere Option. Eine solche Wahl ist desgleichen angeregt durch Knappheit an soliden Alternativen, um die frische, „grünere“ Identitäten aufgebaut werden können. Jedwedes Vorhaben, die öffentliche Meinung in puncto anthropogener Umweltbelastung zu beeinflussen, als auch jegliche Strategie, ein abruptes Ende der umweltschädlichen Verfahrensweisen zu befürworten, dürfte infolgedessen einen Misserfolg erleben, wenn sie es verfehlen sollte, neuen Boden für die Identitätserschaffung vorzubereiten. (shrink)

Der Verfasser betrachtet die Frage der Globalisierung im Kontext der Philosophie und schwenkt in etwas unerwarteter Richtung ab: Gegenstand seiner Untersuchungen sind nicht Bedeutung und Folgen des als „global“ bezeichneten Prozesses, sondern die Art und Weise, in der die Globalisierung die philosophisch-theoretische und literarische Produktion beeinflusst. Anstatt also umgehend „die Globalisierung zu reflektieren“, möchte der Verfasser zeigen, „was die Globalisierung dem Denken angetan hat“. Um sein Bestreben zu veranschaulichen, verweist er auf Afrika, Lateinamerika und Indien, drei Hauptbereiche, die es zu (...) untersuchen gelte, da es sich um repräsentative Regionen der sog. „Dritten Welt“ oder des „globalen Südens“ handle. Der von P. Hountondji übernommene Grundgedanke lautet, dass die philosophische und übrige fachliterarische Produktion der Wirtschaftsproduktion nacheifere; a fortiori stellten sie ein und denselben Prozess dar, was anhand zahlreicher Beispiele veranschaulicht wird. Des Weiteren soll gezeigt werden, dass trotz großer Unterschiede in den hermeneutischen Positionen, trotz der großen geografischen Entfernungen und sukzessiven Traditionen die gesamte philosophische und literarische Produktion der „Dritten Welt“ ein ähnliches Schicksal erlebt. Dies kann nach Ansicht des Autors eine Folge ihrer strukturalen Positionierung innerhalb des zeitgenössischen „Weltsystems“ sein. Autoren aus „peripheren“ Bereichen der philosophisch-theoretischen Produktion sehen sich nicht nur ähnlichen Problemen gegenübergestellt, sondern teilen, wie im Text nachzulesen ist, ähnliche Gedanken darüber, was getan werden kann, um das Ungleichgewicht zwischen den Kulturen und die asymmetrische Position ihrer eigenen Kulturen zu minimieren und abzuschaffen. (shrink)

When tackling with the issue of globalization in the context of philosophy, this article takes somewhat different route than expected: it doesn’t ponder upon the meaning and the consequences of the processes we call ‘global’, but instead tries to find out how philosophy, theoretical and literary production themselves have been affected by globalization. Instead of an attempt to immediately “think the globalization” it tries to show what “globalization has done to thinking”. In order to illustrate this point three main areas (...) to be explored are taken into account: Africa, Latin America and India. They are chosen on the basis of being representative regions of the so-called “Third-World” or “Global South”. Main idea, taken from the arguments of P. Hountondji is that philosophical and theoretical productions mimic economic one; a fortiori: they are actually the same process. This point is illustrated in a number of cases. Further, the paper tries to show that, in spite of huge differences in hermeneutical outlooks, geographical distance and successive traditions, all “Third-World” philosophical/literary production faces similar fate, what could be a consequence of its structural positioning in a contemporary “World-System”. However, the authors who come from “peripheral” areas of theoretical production don’t only face similar problems but, as shown, also share similar ideas of what could be done in order to minimize and level out the imbalance and asymmetrical position of their cultures. (shrink)

Razmatrajući pitanje globalizacije u kontekstu filozofije, tekst kreće u pomalo neočekivanom pravcu: ne promišlja o značenju i posljedicama procesa kojeg nazivamo ‘globalnim’ nego umjesto toga nastoji istražiti kakav je utjecaj globalizacije na filozofiju te teorijsku i literarnu produkciju. Umjesto pokušaja da odmah »misli globalizaciju«, tekst nastoji pokazati »što je globalizacija učinila mišljenju«. Za ilustraciju toga nastojanja uzet će se u obzir tri glavna područja koja treba istražiti: Afrika, Latinska Amerika i Indija. Ta su područja izabrana jer predstavljaju reprezentativne regije tzv. (...) »Trećeg svijeta« ili »Globalnog Juga«. Osnovna ideja, preuzeta od P. Hountondijija, jest da filozofska i teorijska produkcija oponašaju onu ekonomsku, a fortiori, zapravo predstavljaju isti proces, što je prikazano na mnoštvu primjera. Nadalje, tekst nastoji pokazati da se usprkos velikim razlikama u hermeneutičkim gledištima, geografskoj udaljenosti i sukcesivnoj tradiciji, cijela filozofska/literarna produkcija »Trećeg svijeta« suočava sa sličnom sudbinom, što može biti posljedicom njena strukturalnog pozicioniranja u suvremenom »sustavu svijeta«. Autori koji dolaze iz »perifernih« područja teorijske produkcije ne suočavaju se samo sa sličnim problemima, nego, kako je u tekstu pokazano, također dijele slične ideje o tome što se može učiniti kako bi se minimalizirala i izjednačila neravnoteža i asimetrična pozicija njihovih kultura. (shrink)

Alors qu’il examine la question de la mondialisation dans le contexte de la philosophie, le texte prend une direction quelque peu inattendue : au lieu de réfléchir sur la signification et les conséquences du processus dit « global », il tente d’établir comment la philosophie ainsi que la production théorique et littéraire sont à leur tour affectés par la mondialisation. Au lieu de « penser la mondialisation » d’emblée, le texte tente de montrer ce que « la mondialisation a eu (...) comme effet sur la pensée ». Afin d’illustrer cet effort, trois régions seront prises en compte : l’Afrique, l’Amérique Latine et l’Inde. Ces régions ont été choisies car elles sont représentatives du « Tiers monde » ou des « Pays du Sud ». L’idée principale, inspirée par P. Hountondji, est que les productions théoriques et philosophiques imitent la production économique ; a fortiori : elles représentent le seul et même processus. Ce point est illustré par de nombreux cas. Ensuite, le texte tente de montrer que, malgré les différences importantes des approches herméneutiques, de la distance géographique et des traditions successives, toute la production philosophique et littéraire du « Tiers monde » fait face au même destin, ce qui pourrait être une conséquence de son positionnement structurel dans le « système mondial » contemporain. Cependant, les auteurs issus des champs « périphériques » de la production théorique ne sont pas seulement confrontés à des problèmes similaires ; ils partagent en outre des idées similaires concernant ce qui peut être fait pour minimiser la position asymétrique de leurs cultures et rétablir l’équilibre. (shrink)

We formulate a predicative, constructive theory of continuous domains whose realizability interpretation gives a practical implementation of continuous ω-chain complete posets and continuous maps between them. We apply the theory to implementation of the interval domain and exact real numbers.

It is often said that clinical research and the practice of medicine are fraught with uncertainties. But what do we mean by uncertainty? Where does uncertainty come from? How do we measure uncertainty? Is there a single theory of uncertainty that applies across all scientific domains, including the science and practice of medicine? To answer these questions, we first review the existing theories of uncertainties. We then attempt to bring the enormous literature to bear from other disciplines to address the (...) issue of uncertainty in clinical research and medical practice. Our main and overarching goal is to review and classify uncertainties in clinical medicine. (shrink)

This article reflects on the successes and failures of a new Philosophy and Ethics course in a low socioeconomic context in Perth, Western Australia, with the eventual demise of the subject in the school at the end of 2010. We frame this reflection within Deleuzian notions of geophilosophy to advocate for a Philosophy and Ethics that is informed by nomadic thought, as this offers a critical freedom for students to transform themselves and their society and suggests practical ways both of (...) overcoming the prejudices which led to its demise and of student reluctance to engage in open discussion in class. We consider the demise of the course a ‘missed opportunity’ because it had so much potential to be transformative of student subjectivities in schools. (shrink)

SummaryThis article sheds light on intellectual politics under Nazism by looking at a crucial shift in the field of Hobbes studies that was marked in a congress celebrating the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Thomas Hobbes's birth, organised in Kiel, 1938. Before the congress, the decisive voice in Hobbes studies had for almost fifty years been that of Kiel University professor Ferdinand Tönnies. Tönnies was purged from the university upon the Nazi seizure of power in 1933 and died three (...) years later. At the opening of the Hobbes congress in Kiel, its convener, Cay von Brockdorff, declared that the phase of Hobbes studies shaped by Tönnies was ending and that a new phase, represented by Paul Ritterbusch and Carl Schmitt, had emerged. Against the background of a long tradition of Hobbes studies in Kiel, this article summarises Tönnies's contribution to Hobbes studies; analyses organisation and proceeedings of the congress, paying special attention to politico-theoretical disagreements between Ritterbusch and Schmitt and to von Brockdorff's exploitation of their rivalry; and contextualises Schmitt's interpretation of Hobbes published in the aftermath of the congress. (shrink)

Hobbes's _Behemoth_ has always been overshadowed by his more famous _Leviathan_, which is arguably his masterpiece and is one of the greatest works of political philosophy. _Behemoth_, Hobbes's "booke of the Civill Warr," on the other hand, is most often seen as little more than a history of the English Civil War and Interregnum. This volume contains analyses and interpretations of the _Behemoth_: the structure of its argument, its relation to Hobbes's other writings, and its place in its philosophical, theological, (...) political, and religious historical context. It also explores the implications of Hobbes's analysis of the "causes of the civil-wars of England and of the councels and artifices by which they were carried on". The contributions show Hobbes's relevance for today's debates about the decline of sovereignty and the state, and the rise of religious and democratic fundamentalisms. (shrink)

V prvem delu razprave je precizirano, kdaj, kje in kako se je v francoski revoluciji uveljavila delitev na levico in desnico. Levica je definirana z delitvijo političnega prostora v nasprotni in izključujoči se entiteti, med katerima ni posredovanj. V drugem delu razprave je oblikovanje take delitve političnega prostora ponazorjeno z intervencijami Robespierra in Saint-Justa, Sieyé-sa ter Marxa in Engelsa. V sklepnem delu je delitev na levico in desnico interpretirana kot vzpostavitev nadzorovanja političnega prostora. Pozicija levice nima avtonomne identitete, predpostavlja fiksno (...) referenčno točko in implicira zunanjega opazovalca. Strukturno vsebuje pogoj možnosti za izrinjenje vesti z zavestjo in ločitev politike od morale. (shrink)

The question of whether Spinoza's political philosophy is radical is explored in the paper by focusing on the question of how successfully Spinoza solved the troubling relation between religion and public authority in his work Tractatus theologico-politicus (TTP). This is a burning political issue today and was a pressing political concern in Spinoza's time as well as for Spinoza himself. After the examination of this problematic in TTP it is clear that Spinoza does not provide a coherent and compelling argument (...) against revealed religion having a role in the founding of the state and in statecraft. A minimalist conclusion would be that Spinoza allows for a role of revealed religion in democracy. A more daring conclusion would point at the affinity between republican democracy and theocracy. In either case, with the TTP's help, we cannot avoid either theological politics or political theology. (shrink)