The extent to which people anticipate and are influenced by the potential future consequences of their current behavior is called Consideration of Future Consequences. A well-established tool to measure this construct is the 14-item Consideration of Future Consequences Scale. The CFC-14 has shown appropriate psychometric properties in several languages. This scale comprises two factors: the CFC-Immediate and the CFC-Future. The main goal of this study was to assess the psychometric properties and internal consistency of the CFC-14 Scale in Spanish, using (...) an Argentine sample. A secondary goal was to determine its convergent validity with impulsivity, and determine differences across gender and age groups. Using a web-based survey, we collected data from 512 participants aged 13-74 years. Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a 2-factor model as the best solution for 13-items version. Standardized regression weights ranged from.50 to.66 for CFC-F and between.43 and.83 for CFC-I. Composite reliability was also adequate: CFC-F achieve? =.80 and CFC-I? =.82. There were no differences across gender and age. The CFC-F subscale and UPPS-P subscales correlations, were negative and significant, highlighting the negative and moderate correlation between CFC-F and the lack of premeditation, a dimension strictly related to intertemporal decisions making. Thus, CFC-14 has adequate psychometric properties in an Argentinian population, although more studies are necessary to determine the robustness of these findings. (shrink)

This book explores some of Kit Fine's outstanding contributions to logic, philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics, and metaphysics, among others. Contributing authors address in-depth issues about truthmaker semantics, counterfactual conditionals, grounding, vagueness, non-classical consequence relations, and arbitrary objects, offering critical reflections and novel research contributions. Each chapter is accompanied by an extensive commentary, in which Kit Fine offers detailed responses to the ideas and themes raised by the contributors. The book includes a brief autobiography and exhaustive list of his (...) publications to this date. This book is of interest to logicians of all stripes and to analytic philosophers more generally. (shrink)

Different notions of the consistency of obligations collapse in standard deontic logic. In justification logics, which feature explicit reasons for obligations, the situation is different. Their strength depends on a constant specification and on the available set of operations for combining different reasons. We present different consistency principles in justification logic and compare their logical strength. We propose a novel semantics for which justification logics with the explicit version of axiom D, jd⁠, are complete for arbitrary constant specifications. Consistency is (...) sometimes formulated in terms of permission. We therefore study permission in the context of justification logic, introducing a notion of free-choice permission for the first time. We then discuss the philosophical implications with regard to some deontic paradoxes. (shrink)

This article explores the issues of phenomenon and genesis in Early Buddhist thought through a comparative analysis with the Eleatic tradition, aiming to enrich the understanding and dialogue between these philosophical and religious traditions. By examining the comparability of Buddhist thought and Parmenidean philosophy, the study challenges the notion that these traditions are fundamentally alien to each other. The focus is on the concept of genesis, not as creation from nothingness—rejected by both the Buddha and Parmenides—but as the manifestation of (...) the world to the human observer. The article argues that the world reveals itself in particular forms and appearances, which are intimately linked to the phenomenon and its perception by humans. This process is not solely a domain of rigid logical propositions but can be expressed through mythological and religious narratives. The study posits that the poetic expressiveness found in archaic philosophies of both India and Greece provides a valid medium for engaging in philosophical discourse. By adopting this comparative and dialogical perspective, the article aims to generate new philosophical insights and inspire future philosophical inquiry. The reflection on phenomenon and genesis, framed through this comparative lens, highlights the nuanced ways in which different traditions address the nature of reality and human perception, ultimately advocating for a broader, more inclusive understanding of philosophy that transcends conventional boundaries. (shrink)

In this work we discuss issues of ontological commitment towards one of the most important examples of contemporary fundamental science: the standard model of particle physics. We present a new form of selective structural realism, which uses as its basis the distinction between what have been called framework and interaction theories. This allows us to advance the ongoing debate about the ontological status of (quasi-)particles and quantum fields, by emphasising the distinction between quantum field theory serving as a framework, and (...) the standard model itself, which we argue is an interaction theory embedded within this framework. Following a discussion of what ontological commitments corresponds to each of these two classes, we argue that some of the previous proposals in the literature might have been misguided by the blending of quantum field theory and the standard model into an undifferentiated unity, and defend a moderate form of object realism with respect to particle-like entities. (shrink)

A growing number of studies in both the scientific and the philosophical literature have drawn on a Bayesian predictive processing framework to account for the formation of delusions. The key here is that delusions form because of disrupted prediction error signalling. Parrott’s recent critique argues that the framework is incomplete in two respects: it leaves unclear why delusional hypotheses are selected over none at all or over more plausible alternatives; it leaves unclear how exactly it is that delusional hypotheses are (...) generated in the first place. In this paper, we defend the framework’s explanatory power by way of showing how it can go a long way in helping disentangle these concerns. We take up each of them in turn. As for the first, our argument turns on two claims: a) believing nothing, although possible in principle, may not be a viable procedure in the circumstances; b) alternative hypotheses may be rendered unavailable for selection, due to aberrant prediction errors. As for the second concern, we distinguish three ways in which delusional hypotheses may be initially acquired, all of which are based on experience broadly construed. (shrink)

This paper reviews the different meanings of vulnerability in the AI Act (AIA). We show that the AIA follows a rather established tradition of looking at vulnerability as a trait or a state of certain individuals and groups. It also includes a promising account of vulnerability as a relation but does not clarify if and how AI changes this relation. We spot the missing piece of the AIA: the lack of recognition that vulnerability is an inherent feature of all human-AI (...) interactions, varying in degree based on design choices and modes of interaction. Finally, we show how such a meaning of vulnerability may be incorporated into the AIA by interpreting the concept of “specific social situation” in Article 5 (b). (shrink)

The present Special Issue is the result of a collective effort to try to re-engage with the idea and concept of pedagogical tact. During two days in 2023, 17 people gathered in Malmö, Sweden for pr...

In their theoretical and experimental reflections on the capacities and behaviours of living systems, neuroscientists often formulate generalizations about the behaviour of neural circuits. These generalizations are highly idealized, as they omit reference to the myriads of conditions that could perturb the behaviour of the modelled system in real-world settings. This article analyses an experimental investigation of the behaviour of place cells in the rat hippocampus, in which highly idealized generalizations were tested by comparing predictions flowing from them with real-world (...) experimental results. The aim of the article is to identify under what conditions even single prediction failures regarding the behaviour of single cells sufficed to reject highly idealized generalizations, and under what conditions prima facie counter-examples were deemed to be irrelevant to the testing of highly idealized generalizations. The results of this analysis may contribute to understanding how idealized models are tested experimentally in neuroscience and used to make reliable predictions concerning living systems in real-world settings. (shrink)

As a result of advances in healthcare, the worldwide average life expectancy is steadily increasing. However, this positive trend has societal and individual costs, not least because greater life expectancy is linked to higher incidence of age-related diseases, such as dementia. Over the past few decades, research has isolated various protective “healthy lifestyle” factors argued to contribute positively to cognitive aging, e.g., healthy diet, physical exercise and occupational attainment. The present article critically reviews neuroscientific evidence for another such factor, i.e., (...) speaking multiple languages. Moreover, with multiple societal stakeholders in mind, we contextualize and stress the importance of the research program that seeks to uncover and understand potential connections between bilingual language experience and cognitive aging trajectories, inclusive of the socio-economic impact it can have. If on the right track, this is an important line of research because bilingualism has the potential to cross-over socio-economic divides to a degree other healthy lifestyle factors currently do not and likely cannot. (shrink)

John S. Bell introduced the notion of beable, as opposed to the standard notion of observable, in order to emphasize the need for an unambiguous formulation of quantum mechanics. In the paper I show that Bell formulated in fact two different theories of beables. The first is somehow reminiscent of the Bohr views on quantum mechanics but, at the same time, is curiously adopted by Bell as a critical tool against the Copenhagen interpretation, whereas the second, more mature formulation was (...) among the sources of inspiration of the so-called Primitive Ontology (PO) approach to quantum mechanics, an approach inspired to scientific realism. In the first part of the paper it is argued that, contrary to the Bell wishes, the first formulation of the theory fails to be an effective recipe for addressing the ambiguity underlying the standard formulation of quantum mechanics, whereas it is only the second formulation that successfully paves the way to the PO approach. In the second part, I consider how the distinction between the two formulations of the Bell theory of beables fares vis-a-vis the complex relationship between the theory of beables and the details of the PO approach. (shrink)

Zusammenfassung Dieser Aufsatz untersucht Emil Lasks kritische Auseinandersetzung mit der Philosophie Johann Gottlieb Fichtes, insbesondere bezüglich der Konzeptualisierung von Irrationalität und Realität im Rahmen der transzendentalen Philosophie. Lask interpretiert Fichtes Ansatz zu Wissen und Realität durch eine einzigartige Perspektive und vertritt die Ansicht, dass die Realität, obwohl sie jenseits des Wissens existiert, dieses von einer externen, doch integralen Perspektive aus formt. Diese Interaktion spiegelt eine fundamentale Irrationalität wider, die dem Ursprung des Wissens innewohnt und empirische Grenzen übersteigt. Der Aufsatz hebt (...) hervor, wie Fichte und Lask die traditionellen Grenzen des Rationalismus und Realismus herausfordern, indem sie ein dynamisches Zusammenspiel zwischen dem Rationalen und dem Irrationalen vorschlagen. Lasks Analyse belebt nicht nur Fichtes Ideen neu, sondern leistet auch einen bedeutenden Beitrag zur aktuellen Debatte über Realismus, indem sie für ein philosophisches Verständnis wirbt, das die nicht-empirischen Dimensionen der Realität und ihre wertgetriebenen Implikationen berücksichtigt. (shrink)

The first National Health Service (NHS) was introduced in the United Kingdom providing free universal health care (UHC) at the point of use. Within decades, increasing European countries adopted the same intervention to improve the health of citizens on the entire life span. Today, several reasons put at risk (1) empirically, the sustainability and fairness of these systems, (2) theoretically, the same consistency of solidarity, as vulnerable patients struggle most to receive essential care. Preserving solidarity from the pressure of modern (...) medicine and society needs to identify a fair and sustainable type of coverage at the same time. This paper aims (1) to describe the short circuit of solidarity in European NHSs; (2) to discuss alternative versions of UHC and support redistributive neo-universalism; (3) to promote the role of medical humanities in implementing this solution. (shrink)

It is widely accepted that the criminal process aims at the truth. It is also widely accepted that convicting the innocent is worse than acquitting the guilty. While apparently unrelated, these two claims are in tension with one another. The latter claim is traditionally used to justify a standard of proof that is skewed in favour of the defendant, aimed at protecting the innocent from conviction. A skewed standard, however, is not the standard of proof that minimises expected errors; that (...) is, it is not the standard to choose if truth-finding is indeed the aim of the criminal process. The article attempts to overcome this tension. It argues that, if someone seeks consistency between the commitment to the truth and the commitment to protecting the innocent from conviction, they should treat true outcomes as a preference on which the process is based, not as a/the aim of the process. Notably, a preference entails a more modest practical commitment than that entailed by an aim. Taking this more modest commitment to the truth has implications for the regulation of any phase of the criminal process in which the value of truth appears to be in tension with non-epistemic values. (shrink)

John S. Bell is known, among other things, for the introduction of the notion of beable. The development of this notion inspired the so-called primitive ontology (PO) approach to the foundations of quantum mechanics, proposed for the first time by Detlef Dürr, Sheldon Goldstein and Nino Zanghì in 1992. It is not very well known, however, that the Bell theory of beables had an early formulation, in which Bell curiously adopts some Bohr-reminiscent insights to attack exactly the standard Copenhagen version (...) of quantum mechanics. Here I reconstruct the two stages of the Bell theory of beables, showing that the first stage is in fact unable to adequately confront the foundational problem it was designed to address. Only the second stage of the Bell theory could represent a motivation for the PO approach: in this respect, it may be of some interest to compare the two-stage reconstruction of the Bell theory with recent analyses of the PO approach in terms of beables. I dedicate this paper to the dear memory of Detlef Dürr, a leading figure of the international community of the foundations of physics and a lovely man. He will be long remembered for his inspiring contributions: it was a privilege to enjoy his company and his doctrine. (shrink)

The aim of this study was to implement the teaching personal and social responsibility model in a competitive context analyzing the differences between the intervention and the control group on personal and social responsibility, prosocial behaviors, and self-efficacy in youth soccer players. Participants were 34 youth soccer players between the ages of 14 and 16 years old divided into two different soccer teams of 17 members, corresponding to the control and intervention groups. The implementation of the TPSR model took place (...) during 9 months, including initial and ongoing coach training, program implementation, and a series of expert-led seminars for athletes. The questionnaires used to collect data were the Personal and Social Responsibility Questionnaire, Prosocial Behavior Scale, and two Children’s Self-efficacy Scales. Results indicated that the TPSR intervention group obtained an increase in post-test levels of personal and social responsibility, prosocial behavior, and self-efficacy due to the application of the TPSR model compared with control group that used a conventional sport teaching methodology. The conclusion is that the TPSR model has the potential to be adapted and implemented with flexibility in youth sport competition contexts in order to improve personal and social responsibility, prosocial behavior, and self-efficacy. (shrink)

Kit Fine’s contribution to logic is vast and diverse; the chapters in this book deal with a significant part of it. In this introductory chapter, we clarify and contextualize the main themes of Fine’s work that are centre stage in this book, after which we give a summary of each chapter.

Neste texto, proponho-me a acompanhar as linhas fundamentais da interpretação de Hegel no livro Homo modernus, de Denise Ferreira da Silva. A interpretação de Hegel oferecida pela autora é profunda e original, mas é completamente ignorada na literatura sobre Hegel a nível nacional e internacional. Tentarei mostrar o papel central que o pensamento de Hegel desempenha no contexto do projeto de Ferreira da Silva em Homo modernus e destacarei dois temas de refl exão que me parecem relevantes dentro do âmbito (...) dos estudos hegelianos. (shrink)

La morbidez es el rasgo propio de la postmodernidad. La liberal y vanguardista sociedad postmoderna es una entidad enferma; mental, emocional, física y ambientalmente patológica. Paradójicamente, en la época que más se pondera, reclama, promueve y comercializa la felicidad en cuanto destino humano, los trastornos emocionales del padecer y el sufrimiento se han convertido en el habitus propio de la vida contemporánea; donde el acontecer social se resuelve en la patológica dialéctica de monstruos victimarios y víctimas ofendidas. Parafraseando a Galeano (...) (De la Cruz, 2012), bien es posible sentenciar: »La neutralidad es imposible, somos monstruos o víctimas«. (shrink)

Intuitively, we can conceive of the existence of a conscious state as a pure activity that does not necessarily require a body (or even a brain). This idea has found new support in certain recent theories that present the possibility of a totally disconnected and disembodied consciousness. Against this hypothesis, I argue that human experience is intrinsically embodied and embedded, though in a specific way. Using Sartre’s phenomenology of the body, I first analyze the concept of consciousness as intentionality and (...) a world-disclosing activity, thus explaining how conscious activity can only be expressed through a body that is spatiotemporally related to the world. Then, I argue that bodily consciousness does not necessarily imply the actual presence of an anatomical body but, rather, a process of spatialization and temporalization (hodological space and temporal synthesis) through the “spatiotemporal body”. Finally, I test my thesis by critiquing some cases of apparent disembodied/disconnected consciousness, i.e., dreams, out-of-body experiences, and the brain-in-a-vat scenario. (shrink)

En este trabajo me propongo explorar algunas consecuencias que implica adoptar una lectura disolutoria fuerte de las Investigaciones Filosóficas de Wittgenstein. A tal fin, recorreré los textos clave para la lectura disolutoria y exploraré la relación que tal concepción guarda con el estilo de composición de la obra, a partir de la clarificación del tipo de objetivo que Wittgenstein se propone. A partir de allí, desarrollaré las consecuencias que supone el modo wittgensteiniano de entender la terapia filosófica sobre los recursos (...) argumentativos con que puede desarrollarse dicha empresa, en términos del contraste entre argumentación y persuasión. Finalmente, propondré que el trabajo del terapeuta filosófico que pretende llevarnos a ver el lenguaje de otra manera puede iluminarse a partir de un paralelismo con el tratamiento wittgensteiniano de la visión de aspectos. (shrink)

Ontic structural realism constitutes a promising take on scientific realism, one that avoids the well‐known issues that realist stances have with underdetermination and theory change. In its most radical versions, ontic structural realism proposes a type of eliminativism about theoretical entities, ascribing ontological commitment only to the structures, and not to the objects appearing in our theories. More moderate versions of ontic structural realism have also been proposed, allowing for ‘thin’ objects in the ontology. This work connects these takes on (...) structural realism with the independent notion that there are two categorically different kinds of scientific theories, namely those that deal with interactions and those that deal with structural constraints – what are known as interaction and framework theories, respectively. By taking this classification seriously, one can arrive at a selective version of ontic structural realism which is better adapted to our scientific knowledge, in which eliminativist ontic structural realism constitutes a natural fit to framework theories, whereas the moderate version is connected to interaction theories. (shrink)

Il principio di ripetizione ricopre un ruolo fondamentale in ogni forma d’espressione musicale e rappresenta uno dei più comuni ed efficaci espedienti compositivi. Oscillando fra stasi e movimento, i processi iterativi e le sequenze modulari influenzano in modo determinante la percezione dello spazio e del tempo e sfidano l’aspettativa dell’ascoltatore, originando architetture labirintiche e ossessive, e moduli ipnotici, che generano un impatto sulla sfera emotiva del fruitore. Il contributo esamina in chiave interdisciplinare l’impiego sistematico della ripetizione nella musica per violino (...) di due dei massimi violinisti compositori attivi nel tardo Seicento nell’area a cavallo delle Alpi: Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704) e Carlo Ambrogio Lonati (c. 1645-post1701). Entrambi, secondo modalità analoghe o difformi, sfruttarono la ripetizione tanto per sfidare la perizia esecutiva dell’interprete, quanto per consolidare, disgregare o rimodulare l’architettura formale e temporale delle composizioni, proponendo una bizzarra e ingegnosa disposizione degli episodi musicali. L’analisi di alcuni esempi di particolar rilievo e il confronto fra i due compositori permetterà di evidenziare un ventaglio di atteggiamenti ed espedienti compositivi, fornendo chiavi di lettura applicabili ad altri repertorî musicali e ambiti della conoscenza. (shrink)

Algunos autores han sostenido que es posible que en el pasaje de la mano invisible, en La teoría de los sentimientos morales, Smith esté contestando a Rousseau. Esta hipótesis se basa en una fraseología similar que usan tanto Smith como Rousseau en el Discurso sobre el origen de la desigualdad. En esta nota se mostrará que es posible realizar una distinción importante con relación al período histórico que Smith está analizando en el pasaje de la mano invisible de TSM IV: (...) 10 y el que Rousseau está analizando en el Discurso sobre el origen de la desigualdad, a pesar de la fraseología similar con relación a las rudas selvas de la naturaleza. Some authors have contended that it is possible that Smith is answering Rousseau in The Theory of Moral Sentiments. This hypothesis is based on a similar phraseology used both by Smith and by Rousseau in the Discourse on the Origin of Inequality. In this note, a clear distinction will be made. In the aforementioned works, Rousseau and Smith refer to different periods of time, in spite of the similar phraseology used in relation to "the rude forests of nature". (shrink)

A fines de la Segunda Guerra Mundial sedebilita el espíritu vanguardista que caracterizó la modernidad. En esta coyuntura nace la posmodernidad como una respuesta a la canonización del movimiento moderno, como una nueva sensibilidad y una reacción que transformó los modelos estéticos y los esquemas vitales. Su influencia fue muy amplia, afectó diversos aspectos de la vida social y modificó la percepción que se tenía de la historia y del tiempo, como el valor que tenía la noción de progreso y (...) la idea de perfectibilidad como un dinamizador de la actividad del hombre hacia el futuro. Fue un movimiento que cuestionó los ideales de la modernidad, la universalización de los gustos, el racionalismo y el pragmatismo que inspiraba la función social del arte, como la funcionalidad que imponía en algunas de las artes un estilo no ornamental. Además, fue un movimiento que desde el eclecticismo borró las diferencias entre las artes, y el abismo que separaba el arte culto y el arte popular. El artículo tiene tres partes: en la primera parte se ocupa de manera general del tema de la posmodernidad, de la ruptura que esta nueva “episteme” generó y de los cambios que se dieron tanto en el pensamiento filosófico como en la forma de entender y asumir la existencia cotidiana, en la experiencia estética como en otros ámbitos de la sociedad. En la segunda parte, de algunas características de la literatura posmoderna. Y, en la tercera, del análisis de dos obras de Elena Poniatowska, “Hasta no verte Jesús mío” y “La noche de Tlatelolco”,que pueden servir de ejemplos o de ilustraciónde algunas de las características ya enunciadas. (shrink)

This contribution aims to be a concrete proof of how fertile, rich and innovative dialogue and confrontation between transcendental phenomenology and naturalising sciences can be. Through the phenomenological-transcendental analysis of the neurodegenerative pathology of dementia, an attempt will be made to propose, within the debate on the possible naturalisation of phenomenology, the perspective of an actual mutual enlightenment, as proposed by Gallagher. Not a naturalisation of consciousness in the sense of a reduction to neural process, but a pluralisation of the (...) valid and rigorous perspectives through which it can be investigated. The phenomenological-transcendental eidetic study of dementia thus becomes complementary to the neurobiological one, revealing what the subject feels ‘from within’, his losses, but also what persists in the patient until the most advanced stages. Such a study, in synergy with the biological one, would greatly help in the holistic understanding of dementia in this particular case and, in general, of consciousness phenomena. (shrink)

El presente estudio propone un enfoque crítico de la cuestión del mal y del sufrimiento humano. En el marco del pensamiento ético de Levinas y desde una nueva perspectiva respecto de la concepción actual del lenguaje y del cuerpo, pretendemos cuestionar todas las formas de racionalismo y comprensión metafísica acerca del dolor y del sufrimiento humano. El propósito del presente estudio consiste en delinear una nueva forma de comportamiento en torno a la cuestión del mal y la debilidad humana, buscando (...) alternativas conceptuales para esclarecer este complejo problema ético. (shrink)

Graciela Vidiella ha dedicado parte de su producción académica a indagar sobre la idea de una democracia deliberativa. En el marco de dicha indagación, Vidiella sostuvo que existe una incompatibilidad entre la idea de razón publica defendida por John Rawls y la concepción deliberativa de la democracia. Dicha critica deliberacionista contra la propuesta rawlsiana puede desagregarse en tres tesis: tesis del autogobierno procedimental, tesis sobre el uso crítico de la razón y tesis sobre el trato desigualitario. El presente artículo argumenta (...) en contra de dichas tesis y en defensa de la compatibilidad de la idea de razón publica rawlsiana y la democracia deliberativa. (shrink)

This paper aims to collect and discuss the evidence for muta cum liquida in the fragments of Epicharmus. Such an analysis is important on multiple levels. For a start, it shows that in Epicharmean comedy, unlike in Attic comedy, the heterosyllabic and the tautosyllabic treatments alternate on the basis of metrical convenience. Further, by comparing the treatment of muta cum liquida with a number of other linguistic features of Epicharmus’ fragments, it can be demonstrated that Epicharmus’ language is indeed a (...) Kunstsprache, despite recent attempts at arguing the opposite. (shrink)

Les désirs sont fondamentaux. Sans eux, notre vie perdrait beaucoup de son charme et serait peut-être même dénuée de sens. Qu’est-ce qu’un désir ? À l’image des anatomistes étudiant en détail la structure des organismes, cet essai invite à disséquer minutieusement le désir. Le désir est-il le moteur de l’action ? Est-il l’expérience vécue du bien ? Les désirs font-ils le bonheur ? Que sont l’espoir et le désir sexuel ? Le désir est-il le nerf de la science ? Analysons (...) l’une des expériences les plus vertigineuses et centrales de nos vies à l’aide du scalpel conceptuel. (shrink)

That Jehovah’s Witnesses may refuse lifesaving blood transfusions is a morally accepted feature of contemporary medical practice. The principle of respect for autonomy supports this, and there is seldom reason to interfere with this choice because it rarely harms another individual. Advances in surgical technique have made it possible for transplant surgeons to perform bloodless organ transplant, enabling Jehovah’s Witnesses to benefit from this treatment. When the transplant organ is a directed donation from a family member or friend, no ethical (...) dilemma arises. However, when a Jehovah’s Witness cannot identify a living donor and wishes to be listed for organ transplant, the transplant team may face an ethical dilemma. On the one hand, it wishes to provide care to the patient that is compatible with her or his preferences. On the other hand, the team may wonder if it is fair to other patients who need an organ and will accept blood transfusion to include the Jehovah’s Witness patient on a waiting list for a donated organ. If the Jehovah’s Witness patient is listed and receives an organ, then a patient who also needs an organ, and who is willing to accept all care to optimize the success of the transplant, may be denied an organ.To frame the ethical dilemma outlined above we present an anonymized case of a Jehovah’s Witness woman in urgent need of a kidney, who was referred to one of the authors’ institution’s transplant center. We review the evolution of the Jehovah’s Witness position on blood transfusion and the medical community’s efforts to provide care that accommodates this religious commitment. If Witnesses are to be denied transplant in the name of justice, there must be an ethically sound reason. We identify two rationales in the literature: (1) this allocation is unacceptable because it will cost lives; (2) resources should be allocated to patients who comply with the standard of care. We argue that neither apply to this dilemma. We also emphasize the importance of examining the data on outcomes of transplant with and without transfusion. Our interpretation of the published data on transplant without transfusion is that the outcomes are similar. We conclude that, in the absence of data that resources are risked, it is not ethical to refuse to include a Jehovah’s Witness patient on a waiting list for an organ. Finally, we reflect on the heterogeneity in transplant institutes’ polices for accepting Jehovah’s Witness patients. (shrink)

This paper is aimed to understand the state of the art and the resulting consequences of the legal framework in Europe, with regard to the protection of children's data. Especially when they interact with networked and robotic toys, like in 'My friend Cayla' case. In order to evaluate the practical implications of the use of IoT devices by children or teenager users, the first part of the paper presents an analysis of the international guiding principles of the protection of minors, (...) a category which enjoys a higher level of protection of their fundamental rights, due to their condition of lack of physical and psychological maturity. Secondly, the focus is moved upon the protection of personal data of children. Only after confronting previous data protection legal instruments and having compared them with the novelties set forth in General Data Protection Regulation, it is reasonable to assume that new provisions such as "privacy by design" principle, adequacy of security measures and codes of conduct, can support data controllers in ensuring compliance in the field of IoT toys. In conclusion, the paper supports a view of Data Protection Authorities as a relevant player in enhancing these renovated tools in order to achieve the protection of children's rights, as to ensure their substantial protection against the threats of the interconnected world. (shrink)