Cultural phenomena never exist except in connexion with the agents of human life that make them possible and endow them with their authentic value. Culture is not of itself a fertilising rain—nothing human can be ‘of itself, an island of abstraction. Literary themes, then, are things that happen in and to someone's historical life. Their value is manifested to its full extent when the theme that interests us is seen as the expression, through an individual, of a particular people, who, (...) in giving life to the literary theme, achieves its self-realisation in terms of a value structure. We have rather too frequently thought about comparative literature as if its motivating force were always some theme common to several literatures, and as if these literatures were limited to the historico-geographical space in which the migratory theme takes up residence and progressively ‘evolves’. This over-abstract and anti-vital idea leads to another, the notion of the theme in its pure state, the Urtema, in many comparative studies. (shrink)

Na produção filosófica de Michel Foucault é possível encontrar, no terceiro eixo de suas pesquisas, conceitos voltados para as práticas subjetivas segundo a relação que o sujeito pode manter consigo mesmo, a ponto de se constituir como obra de arte. Neste tipo de abordagem, a moral – este conjunto de regras coercitivas, que consistem em julgar ações e intenções referindo-se a valores transcendentes – sofre um “golpe” em favor da ética. Para o professor uma possibilidade se abre nesta distinção entre (...) moral e ética, permitindo um deslocamento dos valores constituídos para a invenção de novos valores, em que a potencialização política no seu campo de trabalho pode significar uma estilização ética da sua própria existência. Dans la production philosophique de Michel Foucault c'est possible retrouve, dans la troisième phase de ses recherches, concepts crées sur les pratiques subjectives, c'est-à-dire, sur la relation que le sujet instaure avec lui-même, de manière à se constituer comme oeuvre de l'art. Dans ce type d'abordage, la morale - d'ensemble de règles coercitif, que consistent en juger les actions et les intentions en référence aux valeurs transcendantes, souffre un "coup" en faveur de l'éthique. Pour le professeur, ouvre une possibilité cette distinction entre morale et éthique, qui le permettre un déplacement des valeurs fixées pour l'invention de nouvelles valeurs, dont la puissance politique dans son domaine de travail passe par une stylisation éthique de l'existence elle-même. (shrink)

The interaction between rhetoric and preaching is evident in St. Augustine in his sermons ad populum or sermons to his congregation. He expresses himself with care with the aim of achieving true spiritual progress in his hearers. Their reactions encourage him to make an attentive use of the rhetoric resources his authoritative experience has given him, and to exploit any possible means of raise his level of discourse. Signs of agreement from his congregation indicate an ongoing relationship with them. At (...) any rate Augustine, in his preaching, is happy to make the best possible use of his rhetorical powers and leave the rest to God. The formation of a long-standing congregation requires him to go beyond customary limits so as to become a notable model of a Christian orator. (shrink)

Ministers of the Church, whose characters were well defined in the second half of the fourth century, were more and more identified as the perfect believers. In the texts of John Chrysostom several models of “spiritual man” emerge on the basis of his personal experience and the evolution of his works: the monk, the presbyter, and the bishop. One notes that the relation of the Church to secular institutions is of greater importance in the works of Chrysostom, paying as he (...) does particular attention to the autonomy of the Church. In an original way he refrains from criticizing political institutions, preferring to express a balanced view. He holds that a coexistence with political authorities is possible, and he urges a moral conver-gence with them. Ecclesial ministries find a more solid basis in the Chrysostom’s complex and sometimes pained statements, both in their ideal expressions and in their concrete effects on the society of the fourth century. (shrink)

Antropologicamente, toda a experiência humana é apenas e só uma experiência de vida. Nesta nossa dimensão humana comum, nenhum ser humano pode saber o que a morte é, por experiência, que necessariamente tem de ser uma experiência própria. E não há outra experiência qualquer que possa ser considerada «nossa». Não há, pois, uma «experiência de morte». Há uma experiência do «morrer», que pode ser relatada. Relato de uma «experiência de morte», na nossa consciência.

Este artigo tem a intenção indicar um uso propositivo da noção de imagem de pensamento presente na obra Diferença e repetição de Gilles Deleuze, pois de acordo com esta referência, é típico da repetição afirmar-se, permitindo a emergência do que difere. De outro modo, a noção de imagem do pensamento ocorre na filosofia de Deleuze em três ocasiões, nas obras Nietzsche e a filosofia, Proust e os signos e em Diferença e repetição e nestas obras, nem sempre esta perspectiva coincide, (...) deslocando-se de um uso mais crítico para um uso mais positivo. Em termos estratégicos e metodológicos, é justamente sobre este último enfoque, de caráter construtivo, em que nos apoiaremos. A discussão gira em torno de uma imagem afirmativa do pensamento em filosofia face à diferença no ato da repetição, o que significa que a diferença em filosofia traria consigo, em seu movimento, um processo interno de diferenciação, cuja potência a repete, mas não da mesma forma, senão transmutando-a em outra possibilidade do que significa pensar. (shrink)

RESUMO O uso de linguagem codificada e esópica nos trabalhos dos semioticistas que integraram a Escola Semiótica de Tártu-Mosou foi motivado pelo desejo de serem compreendidos pelo círculo e não compreendidos por possíveis intrusos indesejáveis dos órgãos de controle soviéticos. Um dos termos centrais utilizados pela Escola - os “sistemas modelizantes secundários” - foi sugerido por Vladímir Uspiénski com o objetivo de substituir a palavra "semiótica", associada à semiótica ocidental. Ao cotejar o artigo de Iúri Lotman Sobre o problema da (...) tipologia da cultura, de 1967, com a tradução para o português do Brasil de Lucy Seki, que integrou a coletânea Semiótica Russa, organizada por Boris Schnaiderman, objetivo verificar se as peculiaridades do texto original, que surgiram devido às condições histórico-políticos da sua criação, foram preservadas na tradução. ABSTRACT The use of codified and Aesopian language in the works of the semioticians who were members of the Tartu-Moscow Semiotic School was motivated by the desire to be understood by the School members and notunderstood by possible unwanted intruders from Soviet control organizations. One of the key terms they used was secondary modeling systems, which Vladimir Uspensky suggested to replace the word semiotics, associated with Western semiotics. By comparing Yuri Lotman’s essay Problems in the Typology of Culture to Lucy Seki’s translation of the essay into Brazilian Portuguese, which is part of the book Semiótica Russa [Russian Semiotics], edited by Boris Schnaiderman, I intend to verify if particularities of the original text, which resulted from the historical and political context in which the essay was produced, were maintained in the translation. (shrink)

Solving poverty is a laudable public policy goal. While there are many approaches, one that has gained popularity is the conditional cash transfer that requires recipients to satisfy conditions imposed on them such as requiring regular medical checkups. Another approach, which is gaining interest is unconditional cash transfers that do not impose conditions. The question we ask in this paper is: what do these past and current attempts tell us about the implications for gender? To answer this question, we explore (...) two programs using a gendered framework: Brazil's Bolsa Familia,which is a conditional cash transfer, and Manitoba's Mincome experiment, which was an unconditional cash transfer in Canada. We then consider how this information might be used by states, particularly as it relates to ending social marginalization. Broadly, this research contributes to academic discussions of public policy, income, gender and social vulnerability. (shrink)

In the mystagogical catecheses of the fourth century, the term “faith” defines significantly the condition both of the catechumens and of the initiates at the end of their itinerary. The believer reaches the condition of “faithful” thanks to the support of the community, through an experience involving several ascetical aspects. For both eastern and western preachers, contact with the mystery during the liturgy leads to a particular expression of faith: through an existential break in the catechumen’s experience, baptism determines the (...) full adhesion of every believer to the profession of the faith of the community. (shrink)

The interpretations of the Pauline expression spiritual body can be indicative to verify the relations between Origen and the Antiochene tradition. After shortly examining such a definition in works of both the contexts, this article summarizes the exterior characteristics of the spiritual body. Are respectively dealt with: its link to the earthly body, the transformation process that led to it. Noticeable analogies have emerged in the importance given to the physical sphere; Antiochene writers, particularly John Chrysostom, gibe however more importance (...) to moral differences between individual bodies, partly negating theories about a material replacement of particles and collocating the spiritual body in a more detached view, that the seed metaphor doesn't express yet completely. The culture after Origen is oriented to a generalized condemnation of chair, in a more static and not gradual view of the body conditions; but the basic role of Origenian thought about body consistence and transformations is evident. (shrink)

Para Aristóteles, a amizade é o acto de necessário mútuo amor que constitui, com seus três níveis, o cimento da «polis», a comunidade política, a «cidade». Pode ser estudada de acordo com as próprias categorias aristotélicas e a teoria da matéria e forma, potência e acto. Este trabalho, depois de analisar o que a amizade é como acto de amor, aplica tais teorias aristotélicas à compreensão da amizade.

Neste ensaio, reflecte-se sobre o significado de «eutanásia» como conceito e como acto. Da etimologia, à exploração do sentido paradigmático de actos presentes na história do pensamento que ajudam a enquadrar o que está em causa quando a questão da eutanásia surge. A morte. Que se entende por «boa morte»? O sofrimento. O suicídio. Matar um ser humano: de que falamos? As origens contemporâneas da eutanásia. Que alternativa?

Faith-based organizations are a key player in major sectors of activity for maintaining the welfare state, including health, education, and social services. This paper uses a multivariate regression model in an attempt to identify the factors that affect the relationship between work engagement and flourishing. The paper also discusses the empirical research gap that has been identified in the literature about the moderated effect of human values on this relationship. This study is based on a sample of 142 nuns of (...) a congregation belonging to a religious organization with an international scope and a Catholic inspiration. The case of religious women who have chosen to live a life consistent with the charism of the congregation constitutes a paradigmatic and unique environment to investigate the potential alignment of personal values with professional activity. Two important conclusions are derived from this work. First, the more engaged nuns are in their work (social action to serve the poorest and most disadvantaged people), the more they flourish in their working environment and in their personal lives. Second, certain personal values reinforce the relationship between the professional role (work engagement) and the personal role (flourishing). (shrink)

This is the latest draft of our translation of our reconstruction of Aristotle's lost work, the Protrepticus (Exhortation to Philosophy). The front matter indicates how to cite the work and the translation. We are currently in the process of preparing a critical Greek edition and commentary.

Monte Johnson examines one of the most controversial aspects of Aristiotle's natural philosophy: his teleology. Is teleology about causation or explanation? Does it exclude or obviate mechanism, determinism, or materialism? Is it focused on the good of individual organisms, or is god or man the ultimate end of all processes and entities? Is teleology restricted to living things, or does it apply to the cosmos as a whole? Does it identify objectively existent causes in the world, or is it merely (...) a heuristic for our understanding of other causal processes? Johnson argues that Aristotle's aporetic approach drives a middle course between these traditional oppositions, and avoids the dilemma, frequently urged against teleology, between backwards causation and anthropomorphism. Although these issues have been debated with extraordinary depth by Aristotle scholars, and touched upon by many in the wider philosophical and scientific community as well, there has been no comprehensive historical treatment of the issue. Aristotle is commonly considered the inventor of teleology, although the precise term originated in the eighteenth century. But if teleology means the use of ends and goals in natural science, then Aristotle was rather a critical innovator of teleological explanation. Teleological notions were widespread among his predecessors, but Aristotle rejected their conception of extrinsic causes such as mind or god as the primary causes for natural things. Aristotle's radical alternative was to assert nature itself as an internal principle of change and an end, and his teleological explanations focus on the intrinsic ends of natural substances - those ends that benefit the natural thing itself. Aristotle's use of ends was subsequently conflated with incompatible 'teleological' notions, including proofs for the existence of a providential or designer god, vitalism and animism, opposition to mechanism and non-teleological causation, and anthropocentrism. Johnson addresses these misconceptions through an elaboration of Aristotle's methodological statements, as well as an examination of the explanations actually offered in the scientific works. Reviewed in: Notre Dame Philosophical Review 2006.06.15; Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2006.08.37; Il-Sole – 24 Ore 6 Aug. 2006; Philosophy in Review 26 (2006): 360-2; Rhizai 3 (2006): 171-8; Journal of the History of Philosophy 45 (2007): 323-4; Ancient Philosophy 27 (2007): 191-200; Phronesis 52 (2007): 248-9; Isis 98 (2007): 375; Aestimatio 4 (2007) 146-152; The British Journal for the History of Science 41 (2008): 129-130. The European Legacy 14 (2009); La Cultura 47 (2009): 174-175; Sean M. Row, Teleology in Political Contexts: an assessment of Monte Ransome Johnson’s “Aristotle on Teleology”. (A thesis presented to the faculty of the college of arts and sciences of Ohio University, 2009.). (shrink)

Leonidas Montes presents a new reading of Adam Smith's legacy. The classical influences, the meaning of some key concepts, and what other authors were saying at the time, are fundamental to understand what Smith really said. Starting with the famous Das Adam Smith Problem, Montes investigates the causes and the context of the Problem, and proposes the importance of the moral triad of the supposed impartial spectator, propriety and self-command for understanding Smith's broad concept of sympathy. Smith's virtues (...) are fundamental to his moral thought, and the nature of the meaning of self-command and propriety have important philosophical implications, reflecting the relevance of moral autonomy in Smith's thought. The concluding chapter gives an example of the mistake of simply looking at a problem through the eyes of today. It questions the popular version of Smith as a forerunner or founder of general economic equilibrium theory by investigating the real nature of Smith's Newtonianism. (shrink)

Este artículo aborda un aspecto de la vida intelectual de Alejo Peyret especialmente relevante para apreciar su originalidad: el lugar que ocupa la obra de Pierre-Joseph Proudhon en su pensamiento. Se detallan las traducciones de Proudhon que Peyret realizó y publicó, introduciendo así su pensamiento en la región, en diálogo con la problemática central que visualizaba: la disputa federales-unitarios, pero no limitándose a ella. Se muestran sus coincidencias con Juan Bautista Alberdi, y las divergencias en sus respectivas concepciones de federalismo. (...) Se revisan intervenciones públicas de Peyret basadas en el trabajo de Proudhon para proponer vías alternativas de organización social y económica, impositiva y financiera, opuestas al programa del liberalismo en la Argentina del siglo XIX. Finalmente, se evidencia el lugar singular que ocupa Peyret en el concierto de las ideas en su época y en la región. (shrink)

A experiência é apenas um estado instantâneo de impressão sensível nisso que tem a experiência. Esta expressão resume a substância epistemológica do que constitui a posição empiricista polarizada na forma de pensamento paradigmatizada por David Hume e acriticamente aceite por Immanuel Kant. Tal posição, ao invés da tese aristotélica, impede qualquer modo trans-sensível, logo, trans-material de pensamento. A metafísica torna-se impossível. Kant procura ultrapassar esta impossibilidade através da criação de uma construção lógico-epistemológica que designa como arquitectónica transcendental. O mundo em (...) que o transcendentalismo kantiano pôs a intelectualidade a viver é um mundo reduzido a um jogo lógico, insubstante para além de si próprio, num solipsismo que condena o ser humano a viver definitivamente alienado de uma realidade que não seja a de seu próprio pensamento. A sua proposta de superação deste novo impasse através de uma teoria da acção cai na contradição de postular teoricamente algo que a razão nunca pode postular, pois não há ou pode haver qualquer referência empírica. A verdade da razão teórica impede a verdade quer da razão prática quer da razão estética. (shrink)