We propose a nonmonotonic Description Logic of typicality able to account for the phenomenon of the combination of prototypical concepts. The proposed logic relies on the logic of typicality ALC + TR, whose semantics is based on the notion of rational closure, as well as on the distributed semantics of probabilistic Description Logics, and is equipped with a cognitive heuristic used by humans for concept composition. We first extend the logic of typicality ALC + TR by typicality inclusions of the (...) form p :: T(C) v D, whose intuitive meaning is that “we believe with degree p about the fact that typical Cs are Ds”. As in the distributed semantics, we define different scenarios containing only some typicality inclusions, each one having a suitable probability. We then exploit such scenarios in order to ascribe typical properties to a concept C obtained as the combination of two prototypical concepts. We also show that reasoning in the proposed Description Logic is EXPTIME-complete as for the underlying standard Description Logic ALC. (shrink)

In this paper we propose a computational framework aimed at extending the problem solving capabilities of cognitive artificial agents through the introduction of a novel, goal-directed, dynamic knowledge generation mechanism obtained via a non monotonic reasoning procedure. In particular, the proposed framework relies on the assumption that certain classes of problems cannot be solved by simply learning or injecting new external knowledge in the declarative memory of a cognitive artificial agent but, on the other hand, require a mechanism for the (...) automatic and creative re-framing, or re-formulation, of the available knowledge. We show how such mechanism can be obtained trough a framework of dynamic knowledge generation that is able to tackle the problem of commonsense concept combination. In addition, we show how such a framework can be employed in the field of cognitive architectures in order to overcome situations like the impasse in SOAR by extending the possible options of its subgoaling procedures. (shrink)

A mística é um fenômeno presente em quase todas as grandes religiõesdo mundo. No cristianismo, esta manifestação pode ser notada já nos textosSagrados do Novo Testamento: desde os relatos que envolveram os eventos da vidade Jesus às visões escatológicas de João no livro do Apocalipse. Posteriormente,podemos en contrar registros de misticidade no grande movimento dos Pais da Igrejaconhecido como Patrística, se estendendo por toda Idade Média, até alcançar osdias de hoje. Todavia, alguns pesquisadores da antiguidade tardia, procuraramenquadrar o grande nome (...) da Patrística, Santo Agostinho, como o pai da místicacatólica. Outrossim, Agostinho é sumamente conhecido como um grande teólogo,filósofo ou mesmo como um gênio intelectual platônico cristão investigador daVerdade; sendo, porém, bastante diminuto, o número de pesquisadores que sepropõe a verificar se, de fato, há ou não razões, para que ele seja contado entre osgrandes místicos da Igreja. O presente ensaio traz à tona esta polêmica discussão,com o intuito de elucidar o problema que ora se levanta: podemo s considerar SantoAgostinho um místico ou apenas um grande nome da filosofia/teologia cristã? Istoposto, para responder a referida questão problema, nos propomos investigar osprincipais acontecimentos da vida de Agostinho, bem como, os principais textos desua obra, a fim de comprovar algum resquício de misticidade, seja em sua vida oumesmo em suas investigações acerca da Verdade. (shrink)

San Isidoro de Sevilla destaca por poseer un saber universal. Esta universalidad de su saber también es expresada en su reflexión sobre el ministerio sacerdotal. A través de una triple aproximación «teológica», «pastoral» y «espiritual», invita a los obispos y presbíteros a vivir su ministerio de una forma «eclesial», «virtuosa» y «santa».

El antipositivismo en Latinoamérica debe ser visto como una serie de tendencias que surgieron como reacción a la interpretación limitada que hacia el positivismo de la realidad continental. En el caso venezolano el antipositivismo esta muy vinculado a una serie de tendencias de pensamiento que surgi..

We propose the “microbiota‐inflammasome” hypothesis of major depressive disorder (MDD, a mental illness affecting the way a person feels and thinks, characterized by long‐lasting feelings of sadness). We hypothesize that pathological shifts in gut microbiota composition (dysbiosis) caused by stress and gut conditions result in the upregulation of pro‐inflammatory pathways mediated by the Nod‐like receptors family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome (an intracellular platform involved in the activation of inflammatory processes). This upregulation exacerbates depressive symptomatology and further compounds gut (...) dysbiosis. In this review we describe MDD/chronic stress‐induced changes in: 1) NLRP3 inflammasome; 2) gut microbiota; and 3) metabolic pathways; and how inflammasome signaling may affect depressive‐like behavior and gut microbiota composition. The implication is that novel therapeutic strategies could emerge for MDD and co‐morbid conditions. A number of testable predictions surface from this microbiota‐gut‐inflammasome‐brain hypothesis of MDD, using approaches that modulate gut microbiota composition via inflammasome modulation, fecal microbiota transplantation, psychobiotics supplementation, or dietary change. (shrink)

The study of Buddhist texts can inform us of the way scriptures were composed, as well as illuminate the reasons behind their production. This study examines the phenomenon of borrowing and reusing portions of texts without attributing them to their ‘legitimate authors’ within the Buddhist world of contemporary Tibet. It shows that not only is such a practice not at all infrequent and is often socially accepted, but that it is used in this case as a platform to advance specific (...) claims and promote an explicit agenda. Therefore, rather than considering these as instances of plagiarism, this essay looks at the practice of copying and borrowing as an exercise in intertextuality, intended as the faithful retransmission of ancient truths, and as an indication of the public domain of texts in Tibet. (shrink)

Heidegger has often been considered as the proponent of the end of metaphysics in the post-Hegelian philosophy, due to his persistent attempts to overcome the onto-theological framework of traditional metaphysics. Yet, this dismissal of metaphysical, theological, and religious motives is deeply ambiguous since new forms of metaphysical and religious experience re-emerge in his philosophical works. Heidegger shares this ambiguous relation to the notions of faith and religion with authors such as Nietzsche and Wittgenstein whose works are also marked by a (...) critique of metaphysics and by a characteristic rethinking of the role of faith and religion. In fact, all three still remain, among other things, reference points for contemporary philosophical debates relating to the phenomenon of religion and faith. Rethinking Faith explores how the phenomena of religion and faith are present in the works of Heidegger, Nietzsche, and Wittgenstein, and how these phenomena are brought into play in their discussion of the classical metaphysical motives they criticize. (shrink)

The article pretends to situate basic patterns in order to think the nature of “the epistemological revolution”, having in mind criteria that allow to distinguish and meaning fully take into consideration the place from where one stares and speaks. This supposes to think “the epistemological revolut..

El presente artículo plantea algunas consideraciones antropológicas sobre la biotecnología y su caracterización en esta era de incertidumbres. Se introduce el concepto de “ética de la emergencia” de Arturo Roig en un esfuerzo por avanzar en el análisis de la tecnobiología.

El presente artículo estudia la visión zubiriana de la voluntad en el pensamiento publicado póstumamente de Zubiri, donde aparece un concepto original de libertad como capacidad de autodeterminación de la voluntad.