В монографии опубликованы статьи преподавателей, аспирантов кафедры философии ВГПУ и других вузов, посвященные актуальным проблемам философии науки, философским проблемам конкретно-научного знания.

Originally published in 1951, Homo Faberis an examination of the scientific outlook on human mental evolution through the lens of parapsychology. The book aims to undermine what its terms, the 'scientific outlook' examining the human interpretation of the world, and the preconceived scientific concepts that reality does not extend beyond the realm that our senses reveal. The book expands upon this and moves to examine the broader human understanding of the entire cosmos, challenging the scientific conception that this can be (...) grasped in principal by human intellect, arising from the chance combination of material particles. The book argues that the scientific outlook prevents humans from discovering in the Universe the meaning and purpose which are everywhere to be found if sought in the appropriate contemplative states of mind. This book provides a unique take on the examination of human psychology and the evolution of the brain from an alternative scientific stance. It will be of interest to anthropologists, historians and psychologists alike. will be of interest to anthropologists, historians and psychologists alike. (shrink)

In the late 1810s and 1820s the Edinburgh phrenologists were largely concerned with trying to establish phrenology as the true science of mind. They challenged the accepted theories about the nature of mind and the brain; in turn, phrenology was attacked by the proponents of Scottish common-sense philosophy and by some medical men. The ensuing debate, which is discussed as an example of conflict between incommensurable world-views, involved a wide range of contentious theological, philosophical, scientific and methodological issues.

There is a long history to the debate of nationalism. The Indian nationalism has emerged after a long people’s movement the truth to which is often denied by a range of forces who have ideological leanings towards the ideology of Hindutwa. This paper is an attempt to revisit the historical context in which Indian nationalism has emerged and evaluate it in reference to the contemporary time. It emphasizes on the relation between the nation and the state with special reference to (...) its impact on the universities. Further, the paper suggests that in order to uphold the idea of university and nation, an inclusive and secular idea of nation has to be espoused. Lastly, it suggests that a university needs to foster a non sectarian approach and broaden its vision for an internationalist outlook. (shrink)

G. N. A. Vesey; XI—Berkeley and the Man Born Blind, Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Volume 61, Issue 1, 1 June 1961, Pages 189–206, https://doi.org/10.

This book is an introductory logic text of moderate difficulty which contains added topics not usually found in an introductory book. The book has two parts--basic logic and advanced logic. The basic logic contains propositional logic through conditional proofs, syllogistic logic, the fundamentals of set theory and their application to both syllogistic and non-syllogistic inferences along with the use of Venn and Carroll diagrams, and concludes with predicate logic using the rules for Universal Instantiation, Existential Instantiation, Universal Generalization, and Existential (...) Generalization. The part on advanced logic begins by extending the predicate logic to identity, descriptions, and relations. A presentation of modal logic includes C. I. Lewis' modal systems S3, S4, and S5; modal logic with quantification; epistemic, doxastic, and deontic modalities; and mixed modalities. A chapter on the logic of ordinary language considers analytic statements, empty expressions, and equivalence and implication in ordinary language. The author also discusses "tools of analysis" such as definition, the theory of meaning, probability theory, and scientific inference. Each chapter concludes with a section entitled "Philosophical Applications" or "Philosophical Difficulties." One of these sections contains the author's version of Hartshorne's modal proof of Anselm's ontological argument. Answers are provided for the even-numbered exercises.--T. G. N. (shrink)

While many aspects of Shapin's historical thesis are accepted, this paper raises objections to specific parts of his historical account, and also to the historiographical assumptions underlying his sociological programme. In particular, Shapin's claim to have explained the Edinburgh phrenology debate in social terms is analysed and rejected.

‘Let us not forget this: when “I raise my arm”;, my arm goes up. And the problem arises: what is left over if I subtract the fact that my arm goes up from that fact that I raise my arm?’.

Topics include the interpretation of quantum mechanics, philosophical tangents of linguistics, and the legitimacy of modal logic. Several contributers use quite novel approaches. Among the authors are E. H. Lenneberg, A. R. Anderson and O. K. Moore, and A. Grünbaum.--N. A. G.