In The Community of Advantage, Robert Sugden advocates an opportunity-oriented framework for normative analysis, positions it a substitute for behavioral welfare economics, and criticizes the latte...

In this work I seek to explain the relationship between the substantially different characterizations of the public sphere made by Kant. In his writings on the Enlightenment, the productive component of this space is emphasized and the conditions that allow social and political progress to be fostered are identified. On the other hand, in the texts on the idea of a universal history, its antagonistic dynamics are rather emphasized. At first glance, the teleological history according to a plan of nature (...) seems to relegate the public sphere and the public use of reason to a secondary role. However, given the epistemic status of the philosophy of history, I will seek to highlight that, on the contrary, this regulative idea only has philosophical significance due to the effects of its public dissemination. Thus, what motivated the elaboration of a philosophy of history was rather the political potential of public thought, and, thus, the teleology of history is secondary to the conception of the public sphere. (shrink)

This essay reflects on 25 years since Christian Bioethics began publication and, in somewhat autobiographical fashion, engages two core concerns. First, although “non-ecumenism” may often appear a pretext for contention and division, I suggest that a respectful non-ecumenism may provide the opportunity for dialogue and the occasion for employing certain tools from religious studies. Second, although many are skeptical about the possibilities of identifying a “common morality,” a defense of that notion provides a plausible explanation for the development of limited (...) consensus on some issues in bioethics. (shrink)

It has been argued that neural networks and other forms of analog computation may transcend the limits of Turing-machine computation; proofs have been offered on both sides, subject to differing assumptions. In this article I argue that the important comparisons between the two models of computation are not so much mathematical as epistemological. The Turing-machine model makes assumptions about information representation and processing that are badly matched to the realities of natural computation (information representation and processing in or inspired by (...) natural systems). This points to the need for new models of computation addressing issues orthogonal to those that have occupied the traditional theory of computation. (shrink)

This article examines the Kantian thesis of the a priori nature of our knowledge of space. Because it makes the representation of objects possible as external to us and all others, and consequently, as distinct and individualized, space (whatever its structure may be) claims the status as necessary condition and as apriori possibility of all knowledge. However, in the light of various physical, psychological and philosophical considerations, it seems that the particular structure allocated by Kant to space (i.e. uniqueness, infinity, (...) continuity, homogeneity, isotropy, Euclidean character and three-dimensional character) is neither necessary nor a priori but is rather contingent and dependent on experience. For this reason a pragmatist relativization of the transcendental approach appears to be necessary: the structure of space which makes knowledge possible is not apriori in an absolute sense, but rather, it is determined within the context of a certain practice, which is characterized by a certain mode of interaction with the environment and reveals particular empirical constraints to which this spatial structure must fit. (shrink)

Nul ne peut nier les aspects positifs fournis par la médecine pour réparer les corps meurtris ou pour pallier des handicaps liés aux accidents de la vie ou au vieillissement. Mais nul ne peut non plus passer sous silence les idéologies ou les intentions parfois problématiques de ceux qui promeuvent ces transformations offertes par la médecine de pointe. Un discernement philosophique et théologique s'impose donc, auquel le présent ouvrage voudrait contribuer. Jusqu'où aller dans ces pratiques? Quelle conception de la personne (...) humaine peut les guider et les réguler? Comment décrypter les idéologies qui y sont à l'œuvre? Ce livre vise à déterminer les contours d’une conception humaine et chrétienne de la réparation ou de la transformation de l’humain, profondément ancrée dans le respect de la dignité de la personne. Un ouvrage qui rassemble en une réflexion cohérente des contributions de médecins, de philosophes et de théologiens. La préface du Chancelier de l'Académie pontificale des Sciences et des Sciences Sociales montre l'intérêt que marque l'Eglise pour cette problématique et pour les réflexions des contributeurs. Il s’adresse à toute personne engagée dans les pratiques de soins ou d’accompagnement des patients, mais aussi aux philosophes et théologiens s’intéressant aux questions que posent la médecine de pointe. Il pourra alimenter les travaux de comités d’éthique ou inspirer les travaux des étudiants et chercheurs en médecine, en soins infirmiers ou en anthropologie médicale et en bioéthique. Les textes rassemblés dans ce volume correspondent aux contributions philosophiques et théologiques du XXVIème Congrès de la Fédération internationale des Associations des médecins catholiques (FIAMC) tenu à Rome du 16 au 18 septembre 2022, dont le thème était : « Médecine : réparatrice ou transformatrice? La mission du médecin chrétien ». (shrink)

Mill contends that the fullest publicity and freedom of discussion is essential for all citizens to share in political freedom. Previous commentators have focused on Mill's strictures against censorship; they have paid little attention to his understanding of how freedom of discussion and political will formation are mediated in the public sphere by the distribution of social power in civil society, particularly control of the means of communication. This article shows that Mill's account of the sociology and political economy of (...) how public opinion forms is central to his understanding of freedom of discussion and democratic political freedom. (shrink)