Contrary to the common-sense view and positivist aspirations, scientific concepts are often imprecise. Many of these concepts are ambiguous, vague, or have an under-specified meaning. In this paper, I discuss how imprecise concepts promote integration in biology and thus benefit science. Previous discussions of this issue focus on the concepts of molecular gene and evolutionary novelty. The concept of molecular gene helps biologists integrate explanatory practices, while the notion of evolutionary novelty helps them integrate research questions into an interdisciplinary problem (...) New directions in the philosophy of science, Springer, Dordrecht, 2014). In what follows, I compare molecular gene and evolutionary novelty to another imprecise concept, namely biological lineage. This concept promotes two other types of scientific integration: it helps biologists integrate theoretical principles and methodologies into different areas of biology. The concept of biological lineage facilitates these types of integration because it is broad and under-specified in ways that the concepts of molecular gene and evolutionary novelty are not. Hence, I use the concept of biological lineage as a case study to reveal types of integration that have been overlooked by philosophers. This case study also shows that even very imprecise concepts can be beneficial to scientific practice. (shrink)

This article defends lineage pluralism; the view that biological lineages are not a single, unified type of entity. I analyze aspects of evolutionary theory, phylogenetics, and developmental biology to show that these areas appeal to distinct notions of lineage. I formulate three arguments for lineage pluralism. These arguments undercut the main motivations for lineage monism; the view that biological lineages are a single, unified type of entity. Although this view is rarely made explicit, it is often assumed in philosophy and (...) biology. Hence, this article sheds light on this monistic assumption and shows why lineage pluralism should be adopted instead. (shrink)

Biological race realism (hereafter BRR) is the view that humans form biologically distinct groups. Non-racist versions of BRR have emerged recently based on sophisticated work in science and philosophy (Hardimon 2003; 2017; Spencer 2012; 2014; 2019a). In this paper, I examine Quayshawn Spencer’s version of BRR and argue that it fails to fully consider how social, political, and moral values influence the metaphysics of race. To do so, I rely on the “science and values” literature and the notions of inductive, (...) epistemic, and ethical risk (Douglas 2000; Douglas 2009; Brown 2015; Biddle and Kukla 2017; Elliot and Richards 2017). Once one realizes the complex relationship between these types of risks and BRR, Spencer’s metaphysical arguments become less appealing than they might first seem. This analysis raises questions about what it means to do metaphysics of race in a socially responsible way. Hence, this paper aims at making these questions visible, inviting metaphysicians of race to directly engage with them. (shrink)

This article aims to throw light on a recurrent structural feature of Heraclitus' style that, it will be argued, serves as a tool to enrich interpretation of his fragments. Named after the bow image used by the philosopher in B51, the ‘bow composition’ will be presented as a narrative technique developed by Heraclitus to reveal his conception of the world. In B51 we read: οὐ ξυνιᾶσιν ὅκως διαϕερόμενον ἑωυτῶι ὁμολογέει· παλίντροπος ἁρμονίη ὅκωσπερ τόξου καὶ λύρης (‘They don't understand how what (...) is in variance agrees with itself, a reciprocal stretching harmony as in the bow and the lyre’). Following an assumption that will be defended later, I argue that Heraclitus attempts through his text to demonstrate how ‘what is in variance agrees with itself’. One of his strategies to this end would be the bow composition, a way to structure his statements in which its first and last terms share the same root but have subtle suffix or prefix differences in order to depict that while being related (ὁμολογέει) they still maintain some difference (διαϕερόμενον). By means of employing such structure to describe reality Heraclitus would imitate the world order in his word order by providing his audience with an analogy that once perceived in the text would teach them how to correctly interpret nature itself. (shrink)

What we envisaged as a dossier to explore the connection between style and philosophy in this unique transitional period of Presocratic philosophy has turned out to be a volume that breaks with several conventional views of the Presocratics and has the potential to take the interpretation of style and Presocratic philosophy in a whole new and more fruitful direction.

The concept of scaffold is widespread in science and increasingly common in evolutionary biology. While this concept figures in causal explanations, it is not clear what scaffolds are and what role they play in those explanations. Here we present evolutionary scaffolding explanation as a distinct type of explanatory strategy, distinguishing it from other types of evolutionary explanation. By doing so, we clarify the meaning of “scaffold” as a causal concept and its potential contribution to accounts of evolutionary novelty and major (...) transitions. (shrink)

O presente trabalho visa analisar dois pensamentos distintos sobre a Ciência do Direito, principalmente a contar do século XIX com o positivismo jurídico, e, atualmente, trazer uma abordagem crítica sobre a Ciência jurídica.

A situação humana no mundo dos aparatos maquínicos e das formas tecnológicas de relação e subsistência exige uma revisão da autocompreensão humanista. A tecnologia moderna estabelece uma ruptura com os modos de vida milenares baseados em artefatos pré-científicos, mas isso não implica uma perda ou destruição da essência natural e menos ainda humana. Pois, a existência humana não é antes poética e depois por acidente técnica; e também não é antes carente e indeterminada e por isso técnica, e muito menos (...) prioritariamente desejo natural e então derrelição tecnológica. O humano instaurou-se poética e tecnologicamente ao conformar o mundo pelo uso de artefatos: o seu ter mundo é sempre um perfazer mundo por meio do artifício. (shrink)

Apresenta, interpreta e reflete sobre o jogo arendtiano entre a liberdade do pensar e a inserção do pensamento nos vínculos da filosofia ocidental. O livro espelha a trajetória do autor que recupera ensaios antigos, cujo vigor não esmoreceu com a passagem dos anos, com uma projeção de atualidade, cuja fecundidade está na sua própria experiência como professor e diplomata, pensador e político.

Temos como propósito, neste texto, contribuir com o debate acerca da razão de ser da escola, bem como do sentido e das finalidades da educação. A reflexão tem como fonte de inspiração a obra do pensador francês Edgar Morin com o objetivo de compreender quais deveriam ser as grandes finalidades do processo educacional. O estudo é de cunho bibliográfico tendo como horizonte os princípios da complexidade. A pesquisa permite concluir que, em seus primeiros escritos, Morin aponta para a necessidade de (...) instituir uma política de civilização que contemple o contexto planetário da humanidade. Com o decorrer do tempo e, sobretudo, nos escritos mais recentes, Morin ressignifica o pensamento de Montaigne e de Rousseau: com inspiração em Montaigne indica que cabe à escola formar o aluno com uma cabeça benfeita e com base em Rousseau retoma a ideia de que é função da escola ensinar a viver. Palavras-chave: Pensamento complexo. Reforma do pensamento. Sentido da educação. (shrink)

Em República 377a Sócrates diz que as fábulas (mythos) são, no todo, falsas, mas possuem, alguma verdade. Diante dessa falsidade geral, a tentativa será de entender melhor onde estaria, de que modo se apresentaria e de que tipo seria essa verdade. Para tanto, será necessário tentar responder se falsidade e verdade podem ocorrer num mesmo lugar e, se a resposta for afirmativa, de que tipo é a sua relação. No âmbito dos conceitos de pano de fundo será preciso verificar se (...) há uma teoria da correspondência da verdade ou não e uma teoria do conhecimento por contato ou proposicional. Essas respostas permitirão identificar se verdade e falsidade possuem o mesmo objeto e qual é o objeto de uma fábula. Todo esse percurso deve gerar uma concepção de fábula condizente para ser o primeiro instrumento educacional na formação das crianças. Os resultados apontam para um tipo de híbrido verdade e falsidade que não se encaixa nas categorias dos diálogos platônicos. Palavras-chave: Verdade; Mentira; República; Fábulas; Platão. How can fables be generally false and yet contain some truth? A reflection on the Republic 377a Abstract: In Republic 377a Socrates says that fables (mythos) are, on the whole, false, but they possess some truth. In the face of this general falsity, the attempt will be to understand better where this truth would be, how it would be presented and what kind of truth it would be. To do so, it will be necessary to try to answer if falsehood and truth can occur in the same place and, if the answer is affirmative, of which type is their relationship. In the context of background concepts, it will be necessary to verify whether there is a correspondence theory of truth and if there is a theory of propositional knowledge or knowledge by acquaintance. These answers will allow to explore whether truth and falsehood have the same object and what is the object of a fable. This conclusion should generate a conception of a fable that is suitable to be the first educational tool in forming children. The results point to a type of hybrid truth and falsehood that does not fit into the categories of Platonic dialogues. Key-words: Truth; Lie; Republic; Fables; Plato. Comment les fables peuvent-elles être généralement fausses et contenir une part de vérité? Une réflexion sur la République 377a Résumé : Dans la République 377a, Socrate affirme que les fables (mythos) sont, dans l'ensemble, fausses, mais qu'elles possèdent une part de vérité. Face à cette fausseté générale, on cherchera à mieux comprendre où se trouverait cette vérité, comment elle se présenterait et de quel type de vérité il s'agirait. Pour ce faire, il faudra essayer de répondre à la question de savoir si la fausseté et la vérité peuvent se trouver au même endroit et, si la réponse est affirmative, de quel type est leur relation. Dans le contexte des concepts de base, il sera nécessaire de vérifier s'il existe une théorie de la correspondance de la vérité et s'il existe une théorie de la connaissance propositionnelle ou de la connaissance par accointance. Ces réponses permettront d'explorer si la vérité et la fausseté ont le même objet et quel est l'objet d'une fable. L'ensemble de ce parcours devrait générer une conception de la fable qui soit apte à être le premier outil éducatif dans la formation des enfants. Les résultats indiquent un type de vérité et de fausseté hybride qui n'entre pas dans les catégories des dialogues platoniciens. Mots clés: Vérité; Mensonge; République; Fables; Platon. Data de registro: 01/08/2023 Data de aceite: 12/06/2024. (shrink)

In this paper, I show how idealizations contribute to social activities in science, such as the recruitment of experts to a research project. These contributions have not been explicitly discussed by recent philosophical accounts of scientific idealization. These accounts have focused on how idealizations influence activities like scientific theorization, explanation, and modeling. Other accounts focus on how idealizations influence policy-making and science communication. I expand these accounts by exploring the uses of idealized phylogenetic trees in science. Trees are not only (...) useful for improving our understanding and public communication of evolutionary history, but they also help with the organization of laboratories and collaboration among scientists. Attending to the relation between idealizations and these social practices in science matters. It can help us understand why idealized models become entrenched and why certain social practices change over time. (shrink)

In the Cratylus, Plato criticizes the traditional rendering of Hades’ name as the ‘in-visible’ while in the Phaedo he endorses it. Despite this conflict, in both cases, the etymologies are used to oppose the negative characterization of this god by the tradition, just as prescribed in the Republic. Furthermore, both dialogues convey a similar description of Hades as an intellectual realm. Thus, there is an underlying conceptual coherence and a use of conflicting etymologies serving the same practical prescription. This article (...) will verify if this scenario constitutes an instance of the serviceable lies presented in the Republic. Taking Hades’ different etymologizations as a case study, we will be able to better understand the justification for the pedagogical use of lies based on the complex interaction between souls with true and false beliefs. Two types of pedagogical lies emerge. Syrup lies characterize situations in which some true information is conveyed through an illegitimate but attractive cover such as etymologization or tales. In this way, they can capture the attention of souls who are hostage to false beliefs. Moreover, there is also the case for vaccine lies in which the illegitimate method used to convey some information has in itself a self-eroding element. Thus, those who receive the information are also encouraged to question the method in due course. After these determinations, it will be possible to evaluate how such a conception of lying scores morally. (shrink)

In Metaphysics Γ, Aristotle argues against those who seem to accept contradictions. He distinguishes between the Sophists, who deny the principle of non-contradiction through arguments, and the Natural Philosophers, whose physical investigations lead to the acceptance of objective contradictions. Heraclitus’ name appears throughout the discussion. Usually, he is associated with the discussion against the Sophists. In this paper, I explore how the discussion with the Natural Philosophers may illuminate both the interpretation of Heraclitus by Aristotle and Heraclitus’ own worldview. To (...) refute the Natural Philosophers, Aristotle proposes a general reconstruction of their reasoning. Roughly, relying on sensory evidence (A1), they see that the same thing changes from one opposite to another (A2). Such a change appears to characterize a generation out of non-being, which a Natural Philosopher does not accept (A3). To solve the problem, despite their different worldviews, Natural Philosophers hint at a state in which opposites co-occur, characterizing an objective contradiction (C). Looking at the discussion in Metaphysics Γ and Heraclitus fragments, sections 1–3 show how assumptions A1, A2, and A3 easily apply to Heraclitus. The case of the conclusion is more challenging. In the case of the Pluralists, the co-existence of opposites characterizes a state in which there is no generation. Such a view does not fit Heraclitus’ mobilism. To argue that Aristotle’s argument is general enough to encompass dynamic views, I examine his problematization of accepting the change of change in Metaphysics K and Physics V. There, after re-stating several points that appear in Metaphysics Γ, Aristotle argues that accepting the becoming of another becoming leads to a state of contradiction in which the becoming is perishing. Heraclitus’ B8, cited in Nicomachean Ethics, gives evidence that, for Aristotle, Heraclitus puts a process at the origin of an opposite process. Moreover, after examining the expression ‘living the death/dying the life’ in B62, I argue that Heraclitus was aware that his worldview implied a dynamic objective contradiction. Finally, an analysis of elemental changes in B36 proves that accepting objective contradictions does not make Heraclitus’ worldview less attractive. (shrink)

According to the species-as-individuals thesis(hereafter S-A-I), species are cohesive entities. Barker and Wilson recently pointed out that the type of cohesion exhibited by species is fundamentally different from that of organisms (paradigmatic individuals), suggesting that species are homeostatic property cluster kinds. In this article, I propose a shift in how to approach cohesion in the context of S-A-I: instead of analyzing the different types of cohesion and questioning whether species have them, I focus on the role played by cohesion in (...) the identity of individuals. This shift allows us to recognize why cohesion matters to S-A-I, as well as to reconceive the analogy between species and organisms (paradigmatic individuals), and also allows us to highlight the context sensitivity of both ‘‘cohesion’’ and ‘‘individuals.’’ From this perspective, I identify two problems in Barker and Wilson’s argumentation. Firstly, the authors fail to recognize that species are individuals even if they do not have the same type of cohesion that organisms have. Secondly, their argument relies on a misinterpretation of S-A-I. I conclude that species cohesion is still best framed as a feature of species individuality rather than a feature of species as homeostatic property cluster kinds. The arguments presented here contribute to the re-articulation and reevaluation of S-A-I in the face of contemporary discussions. (shrink)

A proposta do texto é delinear como Heráclito e Platão lidaram com o problema de usar a linguagem para falar do movimento. A perspectiva ontológica de que eles partem é quase oposta. Heráclito vê o mundo como movimento contínuo enquanto, para Platão, o que está em movimento participa, em alguma medida, das Ideias estáticas. É deste ponto de vista que no Teeteto Sócrates encarrega os Heraclitianos de criarem um novo discurso caso queiram falar da sua concepção de mundo. A observação (...) tem um tom crítico, mas não parece estar muito errada se consultarmos os fragmentos do pré-socrático. Em B1 Heráclito declara discorrer segundo a natureza. Utilizando isso como justificativa tomo B67 como um paradigma de como o Efésio repete a ordem do mundo na ordenação dos seus discursos. A primeira palavra, deus, seria o unificador, enquanto os pares de opostos subsequentes citados sem uso de conectivos demonstrariam esta união. Uma vez construída esta concepção retorno ao Teeteto onde Platão oferece outra estratégia de uso da língua para falar do movimento. Ao contrário de Heráclito, ele recorre aos sincategoremas para unir os opostos. Um mobilista deveria falar que algo é 'assim' e 'não assim' mostrando, desta maneira, o estatuto ambíguo das coisas. Como este estatuto não é reconhecido por Platão trata-se de uma crítica à ontologia mobilista. O passo final é ver como Platão usa a linguagem para falar da sua ontologia particular. O discurso usado para se referir às Ideias repete a estratégia de recorrer aos sincategoremas uma vez que a Ideia de algo é dita ser algo 'em si'. A conclusão é que enquanto Heráclito tenta suprimir sua linguagem das palavras que não têm referente além do discurso Platão recorre exatamente a elas para precisar sua referência. (shrink)

Heraclitus uses paradoxical language to present the relationship between opposites in his worldview. This mode of expression has generated much controversy. Some take the paradoxes as evidence of a contradictory identity of opposites (Barnes), while others propose a dynamic union through transformation without identity that avoids the contradiction (Graham). By examining B88 and B62, I seek to identify the stronger and weaker points of such readings. The contradictory identity reading thwarts the transformation between opposites. The dynamic reading offers a plausible (...) alternative. However, it skips a characterization of how Heraclitus conceives of the transformation between opposites in physical terms. To fill this gap, I consider Heraclitus’ use of what I call the anti-cognate internal object in B62. I argue that ‘living the death and dying the life’ is a case of change as mixture, a popular conception among the early Presocratics. Upon closer examination, the anti-cognate internal object suggests that real contradictions belong to Heraclitus conception of change. The details reveal a philosophically compelling view. (shrink)

Dividido em duas partes o artigo tem o objetivo de determinar qual a função das sensações no processo de conhecimento prescrito por Heráclito. Essa primeira parte é dedicada ao uso direto dos sentidos, aquele sem nenhum tipo de mediação entre a coisa percebida e quem a percebe. Após o exame de fragmentos abordando principalmente os sentidos do olfato, paladar e tato são encontrados os requisitos para obtenção de uma sensação direta apropriada. Tudo começa na coisa percebida que para ser reconhecida (...) propriamente dever ser percebida por um órgão apropriado. Esta apropriação é medida pela capacidade do órgão de distinguir a coisa segundo sua própria natureza. A sensação direta seria responsável pela etapa distintiva no processo de conhecimento que permitiria a identificação de opostos necessária à sua posterior união. O animal em que o órgão se encontra também é relevante no processo pois há indicações de que as sensações são geradas de acordo com a necessidade de cada espécie, um certo tipo de teleologia. Neste ponto o caso dos humanos torna-se particular pois a capacidade de alguma teoria da mente lhes permite identificar as diferenças percebidas em diferentes animais. Assim é introduzido um modo de indiretividade na sensação, ver o que os outros estão sentindo. Isto leva à segunda parte do artigo onde as sensações indiretas são examinadas. (shrink)

This text analyzes the structure, source and content of analytical truths in order to show the legitimacy of this concept. Traditionally the concept of analytical truth is associated with the notions of a priori knowledge, a necessary proposition, and unrestricted validity. However, such truths can be conceived without this correlation. This way of conceiving the sentences whose truth is attainable by analysis will be defended and explored here. The aim is to show that this notion is legitimate and operational, although (...) not for the purposes that gave rise to it, because its content is the very structure of linguistic significance. (shrink)

Resenha do livro "Nomes próprios: semântica e ontologia" do prof. Adriano Naves Brito publicado em 2003 pela Editora da Universidade de Brasília, 208p.

O presente artigo discute a crítica de Friedrich Nietzsche ao modo como a noção de história foi utilizada, enquanto um saber objetivo, no âmbito da cultura e da educação na modernidade. O filósofo sustenta que na cultura moderna há um uso desmedido da história, o que constitui um vício que legitima as pseudo-culturas. A educação é, por excelência, o meio propagador da cultura e, segundo Nietzsche, a educação moderna reproduz e legitima um tipo de saber superficial e especializado, que é (...) contrário à vida. No presente artigo elucida-se o conceito de cultura nietzschiano, a fim de compreender as linhas gerais dos apontamentos do filósofo acerca da relação entre história, cultura e educação na modernidade. (shrink)

RESUMO Trabalhar o tema da amizade a partir de textos de Hume e Kant, no âmbito do debate do Iluminismo constitui o objeto deste trabalho. O Iluminismoé o período em que o desejo de esclarecimento e a atitude crítica têm seu ápice, na racionalidade moderna. A partir do espaço constituído pela amizade, da imbricação do Iluminismo como lugar de produção e profissão da verdade e da moral, esse trabalho questiona: Quais eram as relações entre a amizade e esclarecimento nesses textos (...) do Iluminismo? De que forma essa amizade atravessava a governamentalidade do século XVIII e imbricava no governo dos indivíduos? A análise dos textos indica a constituição de uma forma peculiar de amizade que funcionava como tecnologia e estratégia de esclarecimento dos indivíduos, e consequentemente na gestão de outros aspectos, em favor de uma "governamentalidade moderna" que buscava agir tanto no nível individual, do corpo, quanto no nível populacional, da vida. Mais que retrato fiel do século XVIII, do Iluminismo ou da Amizade, esse trabalho experimenta traçar mapas de intensidade para que se possa utilizar desse escrito como aparato de ação e pensamento, ativo e criativo. (shrink)

Kant divide a filosofia moral em duas partes: Ética e Teoria da Justiça. Cada uma é composta de diferentes descrições de deveres e direitos. A Ética contém deveres e direitos internos, voluntários e não-coercitivos. A Teoria da Justiça contém deveres e direitos externos e coercitivos. Os dois tipos de deveres e direitos são definidos em sua relação um com o outro. O que distingue os deveres éticos, ou deveres de virtude, dos deveres jurídicos, é que a compulsão externa para o (...) dever jurídico é moralmente possível, enquanto o dever de virtude é baseado na livre coerção própria. Assim, a finalidade deste artigo é pesquisar a noção de dever, e a relação entre dever, liberdade e coação. PALAVRAS-CHAVE – Dever. Liberdade e coação. ABSTRACT Kant divides moral philosophy into two parts: Ethics and the theory of justice. Each is composed of different sets of duties and rights. Ethics contains internal, voluntary, and unenforceable duties and rights. The theory of justice contains external, enforceable, and coercive duties and rights. Both types of duties and rights are defined in relation to each other, and therefore can be understood only in relation to each other. What distinguishes ethical duties or duties of virtue from juridical ones is that external compulsion to a juridical duty is morally possible, whereas a duty of virtue is based on free selfconstraint. So, the main purpose of this article is to research the notion of duty, and the relationship between duty, freedom and coercion. KEY WORDS – Duty. freedom and coercion. (shrink)

Many contemporary biologists and philosophers of biology admit that selection occurs at any level of the biological hierarchy at which entities showing heritable variation in fitness are found, while insisting that fitness at any level entails differential reproduction, not differential persistence. Those who allow that persistence can be selected doubt that selection on nonreproducing entities can be reiterated, to produce “complex adaptations.” We present here a verbal model of subclones evolving in a simple idealized chemostat that calls into question these (...) suppositions and is usefully explanatory when taken as an analogy to selection for persistence of clades. (shrink)

Review on Realist conception of Truth, of the W. P. Alston.

Este artigo trata da definição das noções semânticas. A partir de uma reconsideração das propostas de A. Tarski e E. Tugendhat, defende-se que as noções semânticas são complementares às noções ontológicas, no sentido de que a definição destas pressupõe e completa a definição daquelas.

Neste livro, o autor estabelece a comparação básica entre as antropologias de Lévi-Strauss e Geertz, consideradas muitas vezes como antagônicas. Indispensável para estudiosos do tema.

The chapter presents the prototyping of a thinking routine designed to foster good inference habits in children ages 6 to 11. The prototyping was developed at Ninho, an educational project for children from underprivileged households in Brazil. The thinking routines by Ritchhart and colleagues (2006) served as our starting point. Following a Virtue Education (VE) approach, we supposed that the repeated application would conduce to habituation. In addition, to increase peer-to-peer interactions, the teacher applying the routines worked as a facilitator (...) in a Community of Inquiry (CI). After six months of application, the results were partially successful. We identified that the repeated exposition to the magic question “What makes you say that?” made children more aware of the evidence supporting their assumptions. Furthermore, the interactions between peers made them recognize different perspectives. However, we also identified some shortcomings. Most of them seemed to arise from cognitive biases. At the individual level, belief perseverance kept children too attached to their first assumptions. They preferred self-serving rationalizations instead of accepting a counter-argument. At the group level, we identified problems of social contagion such as information cascades. The effects of a first opinion rhetorically voiced were hard to efface. Since none of the steps on the previous routines addressed these biases, we prototyped a routine to start filling this gap. Following Critical Thinking (CT) theorists, we added a step of structured instruction concerning one specific reasoning technique - the inference to the best explanation. Moreover, the recommendation of cognitive psychologists motivated the inclusion of some extra features to avoid groupthink biases. For instance, a visual table that juxtaposes contrasting arguments should facilitate comparative evaluations. Also, a star-based evaluation scale should help different individuals to discuss their assessments based on a common ground. As described in the end, the prototype with elements from VE, CI and CT presented promising results. (shrink)

O artigo problematiza o transumanismo no debate contemporâneo, abrindo caminhos deinvestigação para compreender as complexas linhas da sabedoria transumanista. Busca umacompreensão da condição transumana e dos novos desafios éticos e políticos na era da evolução pordesign intencional. Debate as contradições e possibilidades admiráveis do aperfeiçoamento humano pormeio das sofisticadas técnicas contemporâneas de manipulação e criação de novas formas de vida,inclusive fisiológicas. Assim, pergunta: qual a relação da phronesis transumanista diante da phronesishumanista iluminista? Seria uma superação completa dos ideais humanistas tradicionais? (...) Ou seria umanegação total desses ideais? A tese central é a de que a phronesis transumanista é uma evoluçãocrítica, não sem contradições, dos ideais propostos pelo humanismo renascentista e iluminista, não seconstituindo, portanto, nem como superação nem como oposição a estes ideais. (shrink)

Este trabalho procura explorar as conexões conceituais entre phronesis, techne e episteme. Busca oferecer elementos teóricos para a compreensão da evolução e das transformações conceituais nos domínios da ética e da técnica. Especula sobre o conceito de tecnociência, considerando-a altamente revolucionária diante das técnicas antiga e moderna. Visa fornecer elementos conceituais para favorecer uma interpretação crítica dos principais problemas e desafios de ordem ética, colocados pela emergência da sociedade tecnocientífica a partir da elaboração de uma filosofia da tecnociência. Discutem-se as (...) posições de Jonas, Simondon e Engelhardt a partir da perspectiva de Hottois. Reconhece-se o horizonte conceitual proposto pela tecnofilia evolucionista, aquele que oferece as condições teóricas mais adequadas para a elaboração de uma ética tecnocientífica. (shrink)

Caminhamos para o fim de um ciclo no decurso do qual, a nâos juristas, nos apontaram sempre a natureza tâecnica da nossa identidade matricial. Tentando libertar-se dos parãametros do positivismo jurâidico, a crescente marâe pâos-positivista vem dando áa luz diferentes formas de interpretar as funðcäoes de um novo direito. Aqui, entre nâos e os espaðcos mundiais onde os direitos se confrontam, que instrumento âe esse que, como conjunto de normas, se pretende reinventar como prâatica social? Quais as caracterâisticas do almejado (...) sistema jurâidico e dos seus novos operadores? Em Portugal, por onde temos que comeðcar?"--back cover. (shrink)

This article studies the traditional economic, political and religious alienation in Brazilian society. This retrospective study will analyze the causes and consequences of this alienation, from colonial times until the mid-twentieth century. It was only in the 1940's that Brazilian people began, slowly, to have a voice in the decision taking processes that affected their fate. Brazilian society was established under the aegis of Catholicism, the official religion of the State until 1891, and was ruled by an elite that dominated (...) the economic, political and religious spheres, controlling all the means that were necessary to keep them in power. The underprivileged majority, without any political participation, lived on the crumbs within the acceptable limits for the elite. This process was methodical and systematic. In the mid-twentieth century, for reasons that will be discussed in this article, there was a brief but intense popular interest in taking control of their own fate. This phenomenon was soon aborted by the historical happenings that marked the 1960’s. This study will focus in pondering: is there really a possibility of change in the Brazilian society or is it an unachievable utopia? (shrink)