On Sikh ethics; includes brief biographies of Sikh religious leaders.

Study of rationalism in Urdu literature.

This book uses the writings of Syed Alam Khundmiri to look at issues such as: Islamic traditionalism in the context of meodernization; Islamic theology and politics; and Western and Indian notions of secularism.

Study of the religious and philosophical views of Sir Muḥammad Iqbal, 1877-1938.

Successful applications of a conceptually novel setup of Quantum Field Theory, that accounts for all subtheories of the Standard Model (QED, Electroweak Interaction and Higgs, Yang–Mills and QCD) and beyond (Helicity 2), call for a perspective view in a broader conceptual context. The setting is “autonomous” in the sense of being intrinsically quantum. Its principles are: Hilbert space, Poincaré symmetry and causality. Its free quantum fields are obtained from Wigner’s unitary representations of the Poincaré group, with only physical and observable (...) degrees of freedom. A “quantization” of an “underlying” classical theory is not needed. It allows renormalizable perturbation theory with interactions whose detailed structure, and in some cases even the particle content, is predicted by internal consistency. The results confirm and extend observable predictions for the interactions of the Standard Model without assuming a “principle” of gauge invariance. (shrink)

Context: The journal Constructivist Foundations celebrates ten years of publishing articles on constructivist approaches, in particular radical constructivism. Problem: In order to preserve the sustainability of radical constructivism and regain its appeal to new generations of researchers, we set up a new course of action for and with the radical constructivist community to study its innovative potential. This new avenue is “second-order science.” Method: We specify two motivations of second-order science, i.e., the inclusion of the observer, and self-reflexivity that allows (...) second-order science to operate on the products of normal or first-order science. Also, we present a short overview of the contributions that we have collected for this inaugural issue on second-order science. Results: These six initial contributions demonstrate the potential of the new set of approaches to second-order science across several disciplines. Implications: Second-order science is believed to be a cogent concept in the evolution of science, leading to a new wave of innovations, novel experiments and a much closer relationship with current research in the cognitive neurosciences in particular, and with evolutionary and complexity theories in general. (shrink)

Study on logic from an Islamic perspective; includes study on presentation of teachings of Islam according to science and nature.

DaB fUr die Entwicklung der Phanomenologie Husserls nicht zuletzt auch,wissenschaftstheoretische' Motive ausschlaggebend waren, ist hinreichend bekannt. Umso mehr verwundert es, daB die Husserl-Rezeption sich diese Motive nur selten zueigen gemacht hat. Zwar sind in einer Reihe von Einzel­ wissenschaften, wie in der Literaturwissenschaft, der Sozialwissenschaft und besonders auch der Psychologie, phanomenologische Motive wirksam gewor­ den. Versuche einer ausdriicklichen wissenschaftskritischen Anwendung der Husserlschen Philosophie auf einzelwissenschaftliehe Theorien jedoch, wie sie z.B. Alfred Schiitz in seinem friihen Werk zur phanomenologischen Grundlegung der "verstehenden (...) Soziologie"l ansatzweise unternommen hat, sind rar. Freilich ging auch Husserl hier nieht eben mit gutem Beispiel voran. Auch er selbst hat seine wissenschaftstheoretische Programmatik nirgends einer ernsthaften Bewahrungsprobe unterzogen. Die vorliegende Untersuchung will diese Frage einer wissenschaftstheore­ tischen Anwendbarkeit der transzendentalen Phiinomenologie paradigmatisch im Hinblick auf die Problemstellungen der Geschiehtswissenschaft iiberprii­ fen. Was also kann die Phanomenologie fUr die Historik leisten? DaB sieh fiir eine solche Absieht gerade die geschichtstheoretischen Perspektiven in Hus­ serls Werk anbieten, hat vor allem zwei Griinde. (shrink)

The aim of this dissertation is to present a systematic account of F. H. Bradley's philosophy in so far as it is relevant to an understanding of his conception of the nature and criterion of truth. I argue that, for Bradley, the nature of truth is the identity of thought with reality given in immediate experience. There is no absolute separation between thought and its object. Bradley therefore rejects both the correspondence theory and epistemological realism. Thought is not just a (...) mirror which reflects an independently existing reality. ;Concerning the criterion of truth, I argue that his criterion for our ordinary and scientific beliefs is practice, and the criterion for philosophical positions is a kind of coherence based on the doctrine of relative truth. For Bradley, some positions are truer than others, and the best philosophy is a comprehensive system which contains the truth of all different positions. ;Bradley does not accept the coherence theory of justification as it is understood today, since it is based on the standard account of negation and the doctrine of absolute truth. Bradley has a different approach to negation and inconsistency, according to which there are no absolutely inconsistent beliefs. Further, he insists that truth is not absolute but "relative," a matter of degree. All philosophical positions contain some truth, and none is completely false. The truth in philosophy is a position which accounts for the whole of reality and includes all apparently inconsistent positions within it. ;I explain Bradley's place in the history of philosophy and show his connections with the British empiricist tradition. I believe one of Bradley's central concerns is to explain the nature and criterion of truth in philosophy within the constraints of empiricism. I also contrast Bradley's positions on important issues with those of philosophers in the Anglo-American analytic tradition, such as Russell, Moore, Ayer, Tarski, Quine, Churchland, Lehrer and Campbell. I argue that most recent commentators on Bradley overlook the importance of understanding his philosophy as a system constructed according to the doctrine of relative truth. (shrink)

Context: Although second-order cybernetics was proposed as a new way of cybernetic investigations around 1970, its general status and its modus operandi are still far from obvious. Problem: We want to provide a new perspective on the scope and the currently available potential of second-order cybernetics within today’s science landscapes. Method: We invited a group of scholars who have produced foundational work on second-order cybernetics in recent years, and organized an open call for new approaches to second-order cybernetics. The accepted (...) contributions are discussed and mapped. We also investigate the relations between second-order cybernetics and second-order science. Results: We present a coherent outlook on the scope of second-order cybernetics today, identify a general methodology of science and show that second-order cybernetics can be used in a large number of disciplines that go well beyond purely scientific domains. These results are based on a new epistemic mode “from within,” which can be traced back directly to von Foerster. We also arrived at the conclusion that from its early years onwards second-order cybernetics was developed in two different ways, so that second-order cybernetics and second-order science operate in different domains. Implications: Both the coherent perspective of the scope of second-order cybernetics with a new five-part agenda and the outline for a general methodology of science based on a new epistemic mode that was created within and for second-order cybernetics demonstrate the growing importance of reflexivity in science, which, so far, has not been widely recognized. (shrink)

Open peer commentary on the target article “Who Conceives of Society?” by Ernst von Glasersfeld. Excerpt: I will make the point that radical constructivism von Glasersfeld style unnecessarily plays only a passive or an inactive role. Quite obviously, I want to demonstrate that there is life for radical constructivism outside its seemingly irrelevant function in empirical social research and that it is possible to develop radical constructivism in designs with tangible consequences and effects for the cognitive routines in the social (...) sciences. In short, it is conceivable, despite “Who Conceives of Society?”, that radical constructivism matters. (shrink)

Context: The main problem is the rather marginal status of radical constructivism within its core domains of brain research, cognition and learning. Problem: The basic goal is to provide a short history of radical constructivism and its institutionalization processes. Additionally, the article specifies critical conditions that should be met in order for radical constructivism to become a mainstream endeavor. Method: The main methods used are those of comparative historical research. Results: The main results lie in the specification of missing elements (...) that have blocked radical constructivism becoming a mainstream endeavor. Implications: The paper might serve as a common reference for necessary steps to be taken over the following years in order to move radical constructivism out of its current weak position. (shrink)

Purpose: The article pursues three aims. First, it intends to differentiate between two different approaches for knowledge studies, namely an empirical and a normative mode. In a second move, two different epistemologies in the work of Ernst von Glasersfeld will be introduced under the labels of “Epistemology I” and “Epistemology II.” Epistemology I relates to empirical research, Epistemology II is normative in nature. Third, the article makes the point that while Ernst von Glasersfeld’s Epistemology II has already been presented in (...) a finite and mature form, his empirical analysis of cognitive processes still provides a rich pool of tools and designs that should be further developed and advanced in the years and decades ahead. Method: The article is analytical in nature, identifying the different building blocks and relational networks of von Glasersfeld’s two epistemologies. By this, the article intends to contribute to a further advancement of von Glasersfeld’s Epistemology I. Results: The main finding lies in recognizing the radical and innovative elements of von Glasersfeld’s Epistemology I and on the still-challenging research designs of Epistemology I. (shrink)

The author argues for a non-sensual reality, basing his arguments on parapsychology, a consideration of prophecies, and not quite digested aspects of modern scientific developments. As Hawley points out, his views may be those of the future; unfortunately his arguments will not make them so.--K. H.

An attempt to justify the historical references to Darius the Mede in the Book of Daniel.--K. H.

This volume contains eight essays from the years 1933-1949. The first essays deal with ontology and categorial analysis. In the fifth essay Hartmann discussed temporality and substantiality. In the last essays he turns to man, meaning, and the worth of the individual.--K. H.

This expensively produced and well-illustrated little volume contains the unpublished writings in English of the father of Merz. Besides the expected whimsical poems, among them the English version of the famous Ur-Sonata the reader will find some touching prose sketches in which the poet describes his despair during the war years.--K. H.

The author seeks to shed light on the changes in man from infant to adult. He rejects Freud's notion of the pleasure principle, arguing that the infant also turns to and enjoys the excitations of the world; on the other hand "ego psychology" is charged with neglecting the developmental factor. In going beyond these views Schachtel makes his contribution to a fuller understanding of the human situation. A clear and well-written book.--K. H.

Beginning with a discussion of the necessity of faith in reason, these Carus Lectures call attention to the fact that philosophy possesses a "reflexive" and a "non-reflexive subject-matter." In this latter respect it is like science, differing from it, however, in that it possesses a generic import." The author then goes on the develop his theory of "Dialectical Pluralism," grounding his argument mainly on a critical examination of Descartes, Berkeley, Kant, Leibniz, and Hegel.--K. H.

Equidistant from the analysts and the existentialists, the author attempts to analyze the nature of knowledge in the light of science, art, and morality. Mercier differentiates between "judicial" and "essential" or "mystical" knowledge, both being genuine apprehensions of truth. The greater part of the study is concerned with the former which is discussed in its "discursive," "idealistic," "pragmatic," and "formal" aspects.--K. H.

Strauss strives to restore to Machiavelli his evil reputation, pointing out that the originality of his work has to be sought not in the novelty of his understanding of political phenomena, but rather in his acceptance of an image of man which stresses not the ideal in him but the base. Particularly interesting in this thorough study are the discussion of Machiavelli's attitude toward religion and the emphasis Strauss puts on Machiavelli's use of numbers as a key to his work.--K. (...) H. (shrink)

The central theme of this volume is love, which conquers the rift between man and that which surrounds him. The meaning of human existence is sought in the awareness of the same, incomprehensible divine presence in man and in the other. Although this work owes too much to Heidegger to stand as an original contribution, it is nevertheless well written and sincere.--K. H.

A lucid account of Yoga. The interest of the author is descriptive; little attempt is made to present the reader with a ready evaluation. Yet Eliade has succeeded in conveying a feeling for the many dimensions of the phenomenon and for its significance. Perhaps, after having finished the book, the reader may still not know how to assess Yoga, but the foundations have been laid from which one may fruitfully go on to further investigations. The appended bibliography is helpful.--K. H.

Fujisawa in his plea for Shinto cosmic vitalism may indeed be right in thinking that Japanese thought has much to contribute to Western philosophy. But this has to be supported by a far more searching and self-critical study than the author has provided.--K. H.

In spite of, or perhaps because of the wealth of material found in this book, it makes a rather arid impression. One wishes for more structure and a clearer statement of the author's own position. Kainz professes to "have patterned his aesthetics on the philosophical personalism of William Stern"; but other influences, such as that of phenomenology and Gestalt psychology, are also prominent. The great variety of views mentioned and discussed gives this book considerable value as a bibliographical guide to (...) recent literature on aesthetics in German. Schueller's introduction is helpful in placing Kainz's position in a larger context.--K. H. (shrink)

This brief study of the temptations of Jesus shows the author to be a powerful preacher. An extended sermon on man, as standing between the temptation of the devil and an obedience to God.--K. H.

Himmerich gives a thorough statement of Plotinus' anthropology, placed in the wider context of his philosophy interpreted theistically. The work is concerned to show that the Plotinian image of man, passing from the active life of youth to the wisdom of old age, is still viable today. Clear and intelligent.--K. H.

Stressing the importance of Kant's revisions in the second edition of the Critique, the author advances the thesis that being-in-itself is determinable as a spontaneity which determines the manifold in time. A well-written, stimulating, and highly speculative study of time and spontaneity in Kant's thought.--K. H.