The analysis of the time is a matter of first importance in the philosophical investigation. Roman Ingarden, who was a distinguished disciple of Husserl, developed an interesting theory about temporally determined objects. In this paper are presented the fundamental elements of his theory and the difficulties implied in the Ingarden’s intent to define time with independence of the subjectivity. Finally, it is argued that it is possible applying partially the concepts developed by Ingarden in order to progress in the analysis (...) of the time, as it emerges in the own subjectivity, where exist an equilibrium of endurance and transience. (shrink)

Building on the original formulation of the autopoietic theory (AT), extended enactivism argues that living beings are autopoietic systems that extend beyond the spatial boundaries of the organism. In this article, we argue that extended enactivism, despite having some basis in AT’s original formulation, mistakes AT’s definition of living beings as autopoietic entities. We offer, as a reply to this interpretation, a more embodied reformulation of autopoiesis, which we think is necessary to counterbalance the (excessively) disembodied spirit of AT’s original (...) formulation. The article aims to clarify and correct what we take to be a misinterpretation of AT as a research program. AT, contrary to what some enactivists seem to believe, did not (and does not) intend to motivate an extended conception of living beings. AT’s primary purpose, we argue, was (and is) to provide a universal individuation criterion for living beings, these understood as discrete bodies that are embedded in, but not constituted by, the environment that surrounds them. However, by giving a more explicitly embodied definition of living beings, AT can rectify and accommodate, so we argue, the enactive extended interpretation of autopoiesis, showing that although living beings do not extend beyond their boundaries as autopoietic unities, they do form part, in normal conditions, of broader autopoietic systems that include the environment. (shrink)

The autopoietic theory and the enactive approach are two theoretical streams that, in spite of their historical link and conceptual affinities, offer very different views on the nature of living beings. In this paper, we compare these views and evaluate, in an exploratory way, their respective degrees of internal coherence. Focusing the analyses on certain key notions such as autonomy and organizational closure, we argue that while the autopoietic theory manages to elaborate an internally consistent conception of living beings, the (...) enactive approach presents an internal tension regarding its characterization of living beings as intentional systems directed at the environment. (shrink)

It is part of a global trend today that new relationships are being forged between religion and society, between spirituality and materiality, giving rise to announcements that we live in a ‘postsecular’ or ‘desecularized’ world. Taking up two educational movements, the mindfulness movement in the West and the revival of Confucian education in China, this paper examines what and how postsecular orientations and sensibilities penetrate educational discourses and practices in different cultural contexts. We compare the two movements to reveal a (...) new quality of hybrid modernization in that they react, in different ways, to certain pathologies that are identified as consequences of secular modernity. Burnout syndrome, the sense of a spiritual void, but also the loss of a spiritual and cultural identity are being perceived as correlating to a one-sided push towards a modernity that emphasizes secular rationalization over mindfulness and Westernization over cultural particularity. The two case studies mark a critical insight on the present condition and limits of secularism and highlights the ongoing negotiations of values and modes of self-cultivation in schools. In an increasingly pluralistic world, the entanglement of the secular, spiritual, religious and wisdom traditions provides the opportunity to rethink education as a creative realm and an impossible possibility to re-engage the minds and lives of those in the hybrid pedagogical time. (shrink)

This paper examines a fundamental philosophical difference between two radical postcognitivist theories that are usually assumed to offer the same view of cognition; namely the autopoietic theory and the enactive approach. The ways these two theories understand cognition, it is argued, are not compatible nor incompatible but rather incommensurable. The reason, so it is argued, is that while enactivism, following the traditional stance held by most of the cognitive theories, understands cognitive systems as constituting a natural kind, the autopoietic theory (...) understands them as constituting only a conventional kind. Additionally, the paper shows that AT’s conventionalist stance about cognition, far from being an undesirable or useless position, offers some methodological virtues that might be timely and welcome in the agitated and revolutionary climate of current cognitive science. (shrink)

Classical philosophical Daoism as it is expressed in the Dao-De-Jing and the Zhuang-Zi is often interpreted as lacking a capacity for critique and resistance. Since these capacities are taken to be central components of Enlightenment reason and action, it would follow that Daoism is incompatible with Enlightenment. This interpretation is being refuted by way of developing a constructive dialogue between the enlightenment traditions of critical theory and recent philosophy of action from a Daoist perspective. Daoism's normative naturalism does neither rest (...) on a primitivist call for a return to the past, nor does it suggest future-directed activism. By way of reconstructing its descriptive, explanatory and emancipatory dimensions, it is shown that Daoism constitutes an alternative form of critical theory. In contrast to future-directed purposive action or blind rule-following, Daoism's key normative concept of "wu-wei" emphasizes effortless non-calculative responsiveness in the present. Drawing on recent insights in the philosophy of action, a reconstruction of wu-wei allows to conceive of a promising form of emancipatory agency. (shrink)

The contrast between the past-future symmetry of mechanical theories and the time-arrow observed in the behaviour of real complex systems doesn’t have nowadays a fully satisfactory explanation. If one confides in the Laplace-dream that everything be exactly and completely describable by the known mechanical differential equations, the whole experimental evidence of the irreversibility of real complex processes can only be interpreted as an illusion due to the limits of human brain and shortness of human history. In this work it is (...) surmised that in the description of real events it would be more reasonable to renounce exactness and completeness of mechanical differential equations, assuming that also further effects exist in nature, governed by different kinds of rules, in spite of being so weak to be directly unobservable in single motions. This surmise can explain not only the time-arrow, but also why, in particular cases, it can happen that approximate and/or statistical models represent an improvement of mechanical theories instead of an approximation: this happened for Boltzmann gas-model and also for the famous work of Max Planck on blackbody-radiation. And it also appears as a more promising “working hypothesis”, stimulating and guiding us to learn more about limits and origin of the basic equations, and also about the nature of chance and the meaning of probability, which is nowadays not clear in spite of the fundamental role it plays in physics. Particularly that kind of probability which gives the connection between quantum–mechanical differential equations and observable events. (shrink)

Let R be an o-minimal expansion of an ordered group R has no poles, R cannot define a real closed field with domain R and order R is eventually linear and every R -definable set is a finite union of cones. As a corollary we get that Th has quantifier elimination and universal axiomatization in the language with symbols for the ordered group operations, bounded R -definable sets and a symbol for each definable endomorphism of the group.

This fascinating exploration of the great discoveries of history's most important mathematicians seeks an answer to the eternal question: Does mathematics hold the key to understanding the mysteries of the physical world?

O presente trabalho busca mostrar o processo de criação sob o ponto de vista da poesia mística de Rumi. Portanto, procura demonstrar como Rumi dá vida, em seus escritos, ao máximo ato vivificador, à beleza com a qual ele entende e transporta, pelas palavras, o conhecimento do ato criador divino. Trata-se, portanto, de mostrar o processo de criação pelo qual as criaturas recebem a filiação do Criador, e como esse elo primordial com a transcendência é então capaz de inspirar todo (...) movimento observado pelo místico em direção ao processo de união, que no caso de Rumi, remete ao movimento de influxo do amor. É pelo amor que as criaturas são chamadas a reconhecer, no mundo e no cosmos os atributos de Deus, dos quais elas participam por filiação. (shrink)

Criticisms à la Laudan can block the “no miracles” argument for the (approximate) truth of whole theories. Realists have thus retrenched, arguing that at least the individual claims deployed in the derivation of novel predictions should be considered (approximately) true. But for Lyons (2002) there are historical counterexamples even to this weaker “deployment” realism: he lists a number of novel predictions supposedly derived from (radically) false claims. But if so, those successes would seem unexplainable, even by Lyons’ “modest surrealism” or (...) other surrogates to realism. In fact, I argue, some of those predictions were an easy guess, or independently probable in the light of available evidence; hence, they are no counterexamples to deployment realism, for the no miracles argument wouldn’t apply to them. In other instances, pace Lyon, the prediction was actually false, and could be reinterpreted as true only by interpreting as true also the claim from which it was derived; or again, a false claim was employed in the derivation of a true prediction, but inessentially, the essential role being played by a weaker true claim. But as soon as the paradoxical air of such historical cases is explained away in any of these manners, they cease to represent counterexamples to deployment realism. If, as I suggest, all of them can be dealt with by these strategies, a theoretical claim can still be assumed to be true if it is crucial in deriving an improbable novel prediction. (shrink)

L'autore parte dall'analisi dei problemi etici espressi nei linguaggi della poesia, della tragedia e della storiografia, per passare poi alla lettura delle maggiori opere del pensiero antico, fornendo di ognuna puntuali introduzioni. Un'attenzione particolare, alla fine di ogni capitolo, è dedicata all'eredità moderna e al significato attuale dei problemi dell'etica antica, proponendo in modo esplicito un collegamento fra ricostruzione storica e discussione teorica contemporanea.

We show that if G is a definably compact, definably connected definable group defined in an arbitrary o-minimal structure, then G is divisible. Furthermore, if G is defined in an o-minimal expansion of a field, k ∈ ℕ and pk : G → G is the definable map given by pk = xk for all x ∈ G , then we have |–1| ≥ kr for all x ∈ G , where r > 0 is the maximal dimension of abelian (...) definable subgroups of G. (shrink)

ABSTRACTAlthough the importance of contextual factors is often recognised, research on emotion regulation strategies has mainly focused so far on the effectiveness of ERS across situations. I...

In present times, social changes affect our ethos; it is a time plenty of issues and disputes on traditional ethical conceptions as well as on present ones which try to give ethical responses to new situations. With the aim of exploring a possibility of thinking our present, I will here try to explore the interpretation matrix with which modern ethos has been articulated, and which -with some modifications- still finds its way into present times. Starting from this precision, I will (...) move forward along a route of inquiry which opens up to us when we do not place ourselves from the point of view of "God's eye", i.e., when we cease to focus our reflections on what I have called the theological problem of modernity, and instead deal with the problem of the social construction of moral norms. The attempt to give reason of a secular moral position -freed from the presuppositionsof the beginnings of modern times- will lead to the distinction between moral, understood as a human group's customs and habits and ethics as the critique of established moral. I will hold that the construction of moral norms comes into play in the tension between moral and ethics.En nuestro presente, los cambios sociales afectan a nuestro ethos, así como abundan los cuestionamientos y disputas sobre las concepciones éticas tradicionales y también sobre las actuales propuestas que intentan dar respuestas éticas a las nuevas situaciones. Con el objeto de explorar una posibilidad de pensar nuestra actualidad, trataré aquí de precisar la matriz de interpretación con la que se ha articulado el ethos moderno y que perdura con modificaciones hasta nuestros días. A partir de tal precisión, avanzaré por un camino de indagación que se abre cuando no nos ubicamos en la perspectiva del "ojo de Dios", esto es, cuando dejamos de centrar la reflexión en el que he llamado problema teológico de la modernidad, para ocuparnos del problema de la construcción social de las normas morales. El intento por dar cuenta de una moral secular que no quede lastrada con presupuestos de los inicios de la modernidad, llevará a diferenciar entre la moral, entendida como los usos y costumbres de un grupo humano, y la ética como crítica de la moral establecida. En la tensión entre moral y ética sostendré que se juega la construcción de las normas morales. (shrink)

In the fluid cultural context of today, where the significance of sexual difference is continually diminished, if not completely denied , the encounter with the phenomenology of E. Stein and E. Levinas can be both stimulating and fruitful. Even though they have speculative perspectives that are very different and do not always reach the same conclusions, both authors agree that sexual difference and paternity and maternity connected with it, is not exclusively biological but also anthropological and philosophical. This significant convergence (...) certainly has its origin in a common phenomenological inspiration, which continues to bear fruit, as witnessed by the recent work of J.-L. Marion and of a writer of a clearly feminist inspiration, such as F. Giardini. (shrink)

ABSTRACT In Einstein’s physical geometry, the geometry of space and the uniformity of time are taken to be non-conventional. However, due to the stipulation of the isotropy of the one-way speed of light in the synchronization of clocks, as it stands, Einstein’s views do not seem to apply to the whole of the Minkowski space-time. In this work we will see how Einstein’s views can be applied to the Minkowski space-time. In this way, when adopting Einstein’s views, chronogeometry is a (...) physical chronogeometry. (shrink)

In the De mineralibus, Albert the Great clearly states that minerals do not possess life, since – following the Aristotelian path – life is always connected with the operations of the soul. Nevertheless, dealing with the virtues of stones, Albert speaks about a curious difference between “living” and “dead” stones: living stones are substances that possess virtues caused by their forms, while non-living stones are called stones only equivocally because their virtues have expired. Moreover, throughout his work, Albert often seeks (...) help from the biological world to explain the nature and the processes of mineral substances: the coming-into-being of stones and metals is often compared to the generation of plants and animals; places where minerals are formed act as the mother’s womb for the embryo; sulphur and quicksilver are said to be the father and the mother of all metals; etc. The tendency to biologise inorganic nature is a key strategy that Albert uses to explain the processes and functions of the mineral world. (shrink)

The paper explains the application of a Social Innovation Based Transformative Learning (SIBTL) pedagogical approach in an undergraduate, final year business ethics course taught at an Australian university. Using social innovation as an enabling process to extend students’ cognitive, behavioural and managerial competencies in an integrated manner, the paper describes how the SIBTL approach helps ethics teachers to promote students’ ethical action.

Hegel’s conception of a universal history of reason is usually interpreted as a Eurocentric project that is dismissive of the genuine contributions by other cultures. In contrast to this assumption, his views concerning Chinese philosophical traditions evolved significantly in his late Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion. Hegel increasingly acknowledges a unique contribution of Confucianism and especially Daoism. While Confucianism is depicted as a natural religion of magic in which the emperor governs as the supreme magician, Daoism revolts against the (...) emperor’s nepotism and turns to the Dao to elaborate a speculative philosophy of reason. The paper argues that the search for a rational form of mysticism is the basis for increasingly valuing the Chinese contributions to a conception of reason that incorporates mystical elements. (shrink)

RESUMO: O presente artigo tem por objetivo investigar a recepção do Tratado Teológico-Político de Espinosa, bem como sua crítica da religião pelo Marquês de Sade, numa obra bastante peculiar e que desafia todas as tentativas de classificação: La Philosophie dans le Boudoir. Em seu "Quinto Diálogo", Sade insere um texto intitulado "Franceses, mais um esforço se quereis ser Republicanos". Através do emprego desse artifício metalinguístico - um livro dentro de um livro - a política é agora introduzida na alcova e (...) o leitor se dá conta de que a instrução de Eugénie não é meramente sexual, mas também uma educação filosófica e política. Por meio de sua crítica ao Cristianismo, na primeira seção do texto, Sade argumenta que a tirania e a superstição religiosa são âmbitos intimamente relacionados, e a teologia é um dos principais alicerces do poder político. ABSTRACT: This article aims to investigate the interpretation by the Marquis de Sade of Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise. Sade's interpretation appears in a very peculiar work which defies all rigid attempts of classification: La Philosophie dans le Boudoir. In the "Fifth Dialogue", Sade inserts a pamphlet entitled "Yet another effort, Frenchmen, if you would become Republicans". Through the employment of a metalinguistic device - a book inside a book - politics is now introduced into the boudoir, and the reader becomes aware that Eugénie's education is not merely sexual, but also philosophical and political. Through his critique of Christianity in the first section of the pamphlet, Sade argues that tyranny and religious superstition are closely related and that theology is one of the main foundations of political power. (shrink)

In the mid-14th century, Henry of Herford wrote the Catena aurea entium, a work of remarkable length and composed of ten books – in turn divided into ansae extending over some 5000 questions. The present study aims to analyse some aspects that the recent critical edition of Book VI of the Catena has brought to light: firstly, the dependence on Albert the Great’s De mineralibus and the compilative method used by Henry in the reworking of his sources; secondly, the main (...) philosophical, medical and encyclopedic sources that structure the treatise on minerals (in which metals are also included); and lastly, the author’s personal contribution, especially highlighting the use of vernacular terms and the recounting of personal experiences, which became useful means in explaining certain natural phenomena such as the formation of fossils or the production of images and seals. (shrink)