Anne Conway was an extraordinary figure in a remarkable age. Her mastery of the intricate doctrines of the Lurianic Kabbalah, her authorship of a treatise criticising the philosophy of Descartes, Hobbes, and Spinoza, and her scandalous conversion to the despised sect of Quakers indicate a strength of character and independence of mind wholly unexpected (and unwanted) in a woman at the time. Translated for the first time into modern English, her Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy is (...) the most interesting and original philosophical work written by a woman in the seventeenth century. Her radical and unorthodox ideas are important not only because they anticipated the more tolerant, ecumenical, and optimistic philosophy of the Enlightenment, but also because of their influence on Leibniz. This fully annotated edition includes an introduction which places Conway in her historical and philosophical contexts, together with a chronology of her life and a bibliography. (shrink)

A new emphasis on diversity and difference is displacing older myths of nation or community. A new attention to gender, race, language or religion is disrupting earlier preoccupations with class. But the welcome extended to heterogeneity can bring with it a disturbing fragmentation and closure. Can we develop a vision of democracy through difference: a politics that neither denies group identities nor capitulates to them? In this volume, Anne Phillips develops the feminist challenge to exclusionary versions of democracy, citizenship (...) and equality. Relating this to the crisis in socialist theory, the growing unease with the pretensions of Enlightenment rationality, and the recent recuperation of liberal democracy as the only viable politics, she builds on debates within feminism to address general questions of difference. When democracies try to wish away group difference and inequality, they fail to meet their egalitarian promise. When yearnings towards an undifferentiated unity become the basis for radical politics and change, too many groups drop out of the picture. Through her critical discussions of recent feminist and socialist theory Anne Phillips rejects this democracy of denial. She also warns, however, of the dangers on the other side. The simpler celebrations of diversity risk freezing group differences as they are, encouraging a patchwork of local identities from which people can speak only to themselves. Her arguments then combine in a powerful restatement of the case for a more active and participatory democracy. It is only through enhanced communication and discussion that people can respect and learn from their differences. (shrink)

Book review for 50 Concepts for a Critical Phenomenology, edited by Gail Weiss, Anne V. Murphy, and Gayle Salamon (2020).

This article draws on Bernard Stiegler’s insights and articulates them alongside other contemporary reflections in order to understand the psychic, social, and political issues raised by our contemporary digital hypomnesic milieu. I will explore the theoretical presuppositions underlying the functioning of digital devices to try to show that this computationalist technoscientific paradigm is based on problematic epistemological foundations, which an organological approach implicitly deconstructs. I will thereafter attempt to develop a pharmacological analysis of “generative artificial intelligence,” showing that its massive (...) proliferation risks a new kind of “symbolic misery,” a “proletarianization” of expression and a generalization of social “disbelief.” Finally, I will try to show that the project of a “hermeneutic web” suggested by Stiegler needs to be revived and transformed in this new organological context: I will suggest some proposals to fight against attention economy and expression economy and to put computational automata in the service of collective intelligence. (shrink)

Gramsci and Contemporary Politics is a collection of Anne Showstack Sassoon's writing which spans the major transitions from Thatcher and Reagan to Clinton and ...

Why do people read novels, go to the theater, or listen to beautiful music? Do we seek out aesthetic experiences simply because we enjoy them--or is there another, deeper, reason we spend our leisure time viewing or experiencing works of art? Aesthetics, the first short introduction to the contemporary philosophy of aesthetics, examines not just the nature of the aesthetic experience, but the definition of art, and its moral and intrinsic value in our lives. Anne Sheppard divides her work (...) into two parts: In the first, she summarizes the major theories defining art and beauty; in the second, she explores the nature of aesthetic evaluation and appreciation. As Sheppard explains, there are three main approaches to defining art, all focused on what art objects share. One proposes that all art imitates something in life, another that it expresses something (such as anger or ecstasy), still another suggests that all art has formal qualities. There is also a fourth which offers that all art shares the quality of beauty. In the second part, which concentrates on literary art, Sheppard explores such philosophic topics as critical judgment, meaning and truth in literature, and the relationship between art and morals. She raises such questions as whether there is one correct interpretation of a work of art and whether art has a moral effect on its audience and, citing specific examples, explores the views that have been put forth. A wide-ranging, intriguing book, which assumes no formal knowledge on the part of its readers, Aesthetics opens the door to a greater understanding and appreciation of art. (shrink)

In 2002, at the Shanghai Biennale, which she attended to publicize French artists’ work, the gallery-owner Anne Lettrée was fascinated to discover the vitality of young Chinese artists. Since that date she has made around ten trips to the People's Republic and set up contacts with more than 150 artists from all disciplines (painters, sculptors, photographers, etc.)Her meeting with Ma Liuming, who lives in Beijing and whose early work dates back 15 years or so, resulted in a show in (...) Paris, in the Anne Lettrée gallery, in 2003. With the title ‘Corps de Chine - Acte I’ it was the start of a series of events around gender and sexuality - or sexing - themes that are at the same time central and concealed in Chinese civilization. (shrink)

"Le Théétète pose la question de la connaissance, propose trois définitions, les réfute toutes trois. Devant cette apparente aporie, les commentateurs s'interrogent sur l'intention de Platon : abandonne-t-il la théorie des Formes ou décide-t-il de la refonder? Cette alternative, en partie induite par une lecture évolutionniste des dialogues, domine l'exégèse de ce dialogue. L'auteur en propose une approche radicalement différente : le Théétète n'est pas un dialogue aporétique, mais un dialogue doxographique. Platon y expose les thèses de ses prédécesseurs pour (...) mieux les réfuter. Anne Balansard consacre son analyse à la première partie du Théétète. Elle montre comment la greffe d'une physique mobiliste sur l'épistémologie protagoréenne de l'homme mesure est partie intégrante d'une stratégie réfutative. Ce faisant, elle récuse toutes les lectures qui font du mobilisme du Théétète une version radicalisée du devenir platonicien. En travaillant sur la doxographie platonicienne dans la première partie du Théétète, l'auteur prolonge la réflexion qu'elle avait initiée, dans son précédent livre, sur les rapports de Platon à ses prédécesseurs."--P. [4] of cover. (shrink)

The standard process for starting anamnesis in the follow-up cancer consultation is for the doctor to ask a ‘How are you?’ question. This question gives the patient the opportunity to give a gloss of their general condition and offer the first topic of discussion. Findings in earlier analyses of US and UK data in a broad array of medical contexts show that the question is ambiguous and hence patients may interpret it as social rather than medical. A discourse analysis of (...) a corpus of 28 video-taped consultations shows that the ‘How are you?’ question in the context of Dutch follow-up cancer consultations is consistently interpreted by both doctor and patients as a holistic medical question, making relevant a – frequently complex and nuanced – medically oriented response. We suggest that this difference may have to do with the interactional norms of hospital visits in the Netherlands, and with the specific contextual parameters of return visits, more specifically with follow-up cancer consultations, which affect the way the HAY question is placed, intended and understood. (shrink)

This book provides an accessible introduction to jurisprudence and legal theory. It sets out a course of study that offers a highly effective series of introductions into a wide variety of theories and theoretical perspectives, from traditional approaches such as Natural Law to modern ones such as Feminist Theory, Economic Analysis of Law and Foucault and Law, The book is designed for students of jurisprudence and legal theory, but it will also assist those studying law and legal systems within courses (...) on Political Science, Philosophy and Sociology. (shrink)

Résumé. : L’article s’interroge sur la manière dont l’institution scolaire est aujourd’hui mise en question dans son projet de formation par les activités juvéniles, dans une sphère extrascolaire où ils jouissent d’une grande autonomie. Ces activités électives (numériques, musicales, sportives…) réalisent une éducation informelle où les adolescents forgent leur caractère, alors même que l’école n’a plus de modèle lisible de projet éducatif. À partir d’une enquête qualitative réalisée auprès d’une centaine d’adolescents français, on dégagera différentes épreuves qui forment les adolescents (...) dans cette sphère, avant de montrer comment elles mettent en question les finalités, mais aussi les modalités de fonctionnement de l’école. Abstract: This article examines how school is questioned today by youth culture and its activities, especially outside school where teenagers are notably autonomous. These chosen activities (digital music, sports, dance, musical activities ...) could be described as an informal education which tends to build the identity and the self of the youth. From a qualitative survey conducted among a hundred French teenagers, we will first identify different trials teenagers face in this specific sphere, before showing how they are questioning the goals, but also the operating procedures of school. (shrink)

Certains écrivains contemporains choisissent de raconter leur vie ou un épisode de leur vie de manière originale, délaissant ainsi l’autobiographie traditionnelle ainsi que la plus récente autofiction. Cette originalité peut résider dans des choix énonciatifs déconcertants (Annie Ernaux, Les Années, Michel Rostain, Le Fils, Régis Jauffret, Lacrimosa, Daniel Pennac, Le Journal d’un corps) et/ou dans l’inscription même de la démarche d’écriture dans le texte : l’auteur raconte sa vie passée et l’écriture du récit que nous lisons (Les Années, Delphine de (...) Vigan, Rien ne s’oppose à la nuit). Cette narration inattendue a pour conséquence de refléter un lien particulier entre le passé raconté et le présent de l’écriture, car là où l’autobiographie traditionnelle permettait un clair départ entre le temps raconté et le temps de la narration, on mesure ici combien le passé s’écrit à l’aune du présent de l’écriture. Cette mise en abîme de l’écriture montre comment elle participe de la quête identitaire qui est au cœur de tout récit autobiographique. Les écrivains sont à la recherche d’une forme qui leur permettra d’approcher au plus près leur vérité ou au moins de tenter de l’approcher, et ils rendent compte de cette recherche. (shrink)

Résumé C’ est pour « parler au lecteur de personne à personne » que Beauvoir se lance dans l’ écriture autobiographique en 1958. Elle semble y être parvenue, si on en juge par les nombreux lecteurs qui lui ont écrit pour lui parler à leur tour de personne à personne. Nous voudrions ici étudier la présence des lecteurs dans l’ autobiographie beauvoirienne : on y découvre le souci principal de l’ auteur, soit « dissiper les malentendus » tant à propos (...) d’ elle-même que de ses œuvres. On y lit aussi sa conception d’ une littérature engagée, étroitement liée à celle de son rapport à autrui, idéalement fait de réciprocité. (shrink)

La 4ème de couverture indique : "Cet ouvrage, qui réunit juristes, sociologues, anthropologue et psychanalyste, se propose de saisir la place du genre en bioéthique à l'heure de questions sociétales liées tant aux progrès de la médecine reproductive qu'aux rôles assignés aux femmes et aux hommes à l'intérieur de la famille ou en dehors de celle-ci. Il s'agit, au travers de regards croisés, d'éclairer le débat du genre au sein de la sphère bioéthique en identifiant, au sein et au-delà des (...) thèmes de la procréation, de la parentalité et du patrimoine, les questions juridiques qui peuvent naître de la rencontre de la bioéthique et du genre. Les sujets sont nombreux, regroupés autour d'interrogations telles que : le genre est-il reçu dans le droit du vivant? Que font les lois bioéthique au genre? Y a-t-il un âge pour procréer? Existe-t-il une égalité entre les femmes et les hommes en termes d'accès aux soins? Assiste-t-on à une désexualisation du couple? Peut-on parler de patrimoine sexuel?... Éventail d'interrogations, diversité des opinions : les meilleurs spécialistes de chaque question abordée y analysent les réponses fournies par le droit en livrant des pistes de réflexion sur le traitement des inégalités ou des différences existant entre hommes et femmes dans l'exercice, parfois l'existence, des droits et libertés qui sont les leurs en ce domaine.". (shrink)

This study applied cognitive diagnostic models to assess students’ learning progressions in energy. A Q-matrix was proposed based on existing literature about learning progressions of energy in the physical science domain and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study assessment framework. The Q-matrix was validated by expert review and real data analysis. Then, the deterministic inputs, noisy ‘and’ gate model with hierarchical relations was applied to data from three jurisdictions that had stable, defined science curricula. The results suggested that (...) the hypothesized learning progression was consistent with the observed progression in understanding the energy concept. We also found similarities in students’ attribute mastery across the three jurisdictions. In addition, we examined the instructional sensitivity of the selected item. We discuss several curriculum-related issues and student misconceptions that may affect students’ learning progressions and mastery patterns in different regions of the world. (shrink)

In our multicultural, globalised and increasingly postmodern world, people live within competing and contradicting philosophies, and the question of ethics becomes extremely pertinent. It is within this context that this article sheds light on ethics by comparing ubuntu, as part of the African philosophical tradition, and transimmanence, as part of the Western deconstructionist philosophical tradition. As divergent as these traditions may be, ethics are a key feature in both and a crucial point of overlap. Notions of identity, personhood, the community (...) and sense (meaning), for example, play a pivotal role in ubuntu and transimmanence. A reading of these two contrasting philosophical traditions (ubuntu and transimmanence), each through the lens of the other, helps one to develop a better understanding of each of these traditions with regard to their respective ethics and eventually to develop a better understanding of ethics per se. (shrink)

Dans un article consacré au nom de famille, une juriste pose une question récurrente : « Le système onomastique a-t-il un genre? » La réponse affirmative donnée ne surprendra pas. S’il est certain que l’évolution du droit et des mœurs conduit à plus d’égalité, le nom reste, en droit civil, une des dernières règles reflétant les rapports hiérarchiques de pouvoir entre les hommes et les femmes dans la famille. Le nom des femmes, comme mères ou épouses, semblent encore aujourd’hui être (...) le refle... (shrink)

This paper incorporates the work that Jeffrey Gold, Jim Robinson, and Jonathan Schonsheck have done into an innovative method for teaching Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. The method involves breaking students into small groups and asking them to draw three images that depict the plot of the Allegory of the Cave. In addition to giving a description of this activity and detailing the pedagogical benefits, the paper considers possible objections to this exercise and suggests that this method provides a model (...) that can be used to teach other highly descriptive images that are found in philosophical texts. (shrink)

Often described by byzantinists as primarily Aristotelian, the cosmological worldview of the Byzantines was in fact more varied. This is attested, in the 11th and 12th centuries, by the survival of the box-like universe, suggested by Antiochene Fathers in the 5th and 6th centuries. This system survived in the catenae to Genesis, particularly in passages related to the creation of the firmament and the stars. An echo of the use of these specific Antiochene passages in Byzantine monasteries also appears in (...) a letter of Michael Glykas. (shrink)

Les principales altérations rencontrées sur les vestiges en marbre et en granite de Délos sont décrites et les mécanismes physico-chimiques de leur développement sont expliqués en tenant compte des processus environnementaux qui conditionnent leur formation. Deux facteurs principaux d'altération ont ainsi été mis en évidence : les sels marins et la pollution atmosphérique. Impliqués dans les cycles de dissolution-cristallisation, ces sels forment des desquamations, des désagrégations et des cratères. Ces cycles résultent de l'évaporation des solutions migrant depuis le sol par (...) capillarité et de la solvatation des sels déposés sur les pierres par les embruns. La pollution atmosphérique accentue les processus de dissolution et la formation d'encroûtements bruns. (shrink)

Written by leading social scientists, this ambitious volume asks what individuals’ “handling” of bodies reveal about inequality, social order and cultural change in societies.