La teoría de los valores, la axiología, a veces suele pasar muy inadvertida en los análisis que se hacen de la obra filosófica de Mario Bunge, o autores que siguen su línea de investigación como Gustavo Esteban Romero. En este artículo voy a repasar las principales concepciones básicas en teoría de valores de los dos filósofos citados (aunque se intentará no caer en un mero análisis escolástico), centrándome en las diferencias y coincidencias con tal de lograr luego una tentativa (...) síntesis. Se expone el proceder: primeramente se tratará de explicar cada sistema por separado, destacando todas sus similitudes e implicaciones, luego se contrastarán algunas diferencias, se discutirán estas y se tratará de conformar una teoría consistente que encare la axiología con todos los aportes hechos, como rama de la filosofía científica y general. (shrink)

El siguiente texto es una indagación sobre la poesía y los poetas colombianos bajo la llamada violencia partidista de mediados del siglo XX, especialmente la vivenciada por el grupo Mito, unido en torno a la revista del mismo nombre fundada por Jorge Gaitán Durán, y el Nadaísmo, movimiento fundado por Gonzalo Arango en 1958. Durante las décadas del cincuenta al setenta la escena política colombiana estuvo dominada por la dictadura de Gustavo Rojas Pinilla (1953-1957) y el Frente Nacional (1958-1974). (...) En ese ambiente, tanto el grupo Mito como los nadaístas propusieron –aunque de maneras diferentes– un cambio en la actitud del poeta y del intelectual y de su praxis contestataria, mediante la desacralización de normas y costumbres conservadoras. (shrink)

Drawing on recent advances in analytic epistemology, feminist scholarship, and philosophy of science, Jane Duran's Toward a Feminist Epistemology is the first book that spells out in the detail required by a supportable epistemology what a feminist theory of knowledge would entail.

In _Sociocybernetics and Political Theory in a Complex World_, Roberto Mancilla offers new takes on known ideas of political and constitutional theory; the advent of information technology and globalization puts them in crisis, as many stem from centuries past.

In the current secularization of religion nowadays, particularly of Christianity, we see that in the celebrations of the sacraments, specially Baptism and Eucharist, people are looking for something to give their lives sense, that they even don’t know for sure what is, but through the liturgical rites, expressed by the body language, try to make life in accordance with faith, even though still in a superficial way. Through the theology of the sacraments, theology of revelation and anthropology we realize that (...) the relationship between the human being and God is still very present and currently up-to-date, and not something "unknown" or even "lost". Thus, the human being is still seeking a close relationship with the Being who created him at His image and likeness that can be realized and manifested in liturgical celebrations, not forgetting the communal character of each liturgical act and its expressions. (shrink)

New work on women thinkers often makes the point that philosophical conceptual thought is where we find it, examples such as Simone de Beauvoir and the nineteenth century Black American writer Anna Julia Cooper assure us that there is ample room for the development of philosophy in literary works but as yet there has been no single unifying attempt to trace such projects among a variety of women novelists. This book articulates philosophical concerns in the work of five well known (...) twentieth century women writers, including writers of color. Duran traces the development of philosophical themes - ontological, ethical and feminist - in the writings of Margaret Drabble, Virginia Woolf, Simone de Beauvoir, Toni Cade Bambara and Elena Poniatowska presenting both a general overview of the author's work with an emphasis on traditional philosophical questions and a detailed feminist reading of the work. (shrink)

El presente artículo piensa el ensayo fílmico en el doble contexto de la generación de conocimientos en la academia y en la situación actual global, donde la correspondencia entre la representación de las cosas y la subjetividad moderna parece romperse para siempre. Por lo tanto, desplazar la representación y bosquejar posibilidades subjetivas son tareas que deben ser fortalecidas y pensadas. En tal contexto, se piensa aquí la condición de la escritura y la posibilidad de dar un paso más allá. Este (...) paso implica prescindir de toda representación de la materia para pensar en esta última el desarrollo de un saber para estos tiempos. De ahí que la materia audiovisual sea una posibilidad real de saber. Cine y escritura son singularidades en el trabajo con los materiales. (shrink)

Este artigo propõe um levantamento do contato entre o pensamento europeu e os povos ameríndios, com ênfase na genealogia dos conceitos filosóficos que vieram a embasar as posições teológicas e as normas jurídicas responsáveis por regular, ao menos em teoria, as práticas históricas para a dinâmica de invasão e conquista dessas terras baixas da América do Sul. Pois, entendemos que nesta trilha encontraremos os fundamentos da dialética entre os direitos indígenas e as regulamentações do Estado nacional, de onde surgem as (...) tensões relativas às reivindicações dos povos ameríndios pelo direito à proteção e uso exclusivo de seus territórios originários. Iniciamos, então, esse percurso, com o momento inaugural da discussão moderna sobre a pauta dos direitos humanos, a partir do debate relativo ao reconhecimento ou não da humanidade dos povos indígenas no século XVI – presente nas formulações do direito dos povos por Frei Francisco de Vitória; passando pelo importante episódio conhecido como C_ontrovérsia de Valladolid_, entre Sepúlveda e Las Casas; percorrendo posteriormente o período colonial, império, primeira e segunda repúblicas, sempre com especial atenção para os conceitos filosóficos que sustentaram as práticas de exploração, usurpação, proteção e controle ao longo deste percurso; até chegar nos ideais de autonomia e autodeterminação presentes na Constituição de 1988. Finalizando esta exposição com a discussão sobre os desafios atuais para sua manutenção e aperfeiçoamento. (shrink)

The argument that a holistic analysis of Dewey's work, drawing not only on the major portions subject to extensive commentary (such as Experience and Nature) but also on his aesthetics, provides fuel for feminist theorizing is sustained by advertence to the standard commentary and also to new work in aesthetic feminism itself. Sleeper, Rorty, Hickman and Russell are cited, and the recent resurgence of interest in developing the intersection between analytic aesthetics and feminist aesthetics is alluded to. It is concluded (...) that the enterprising feminist theorist may suffer from an embarrassment of riches in attempting to approach Dewey but that such an approach is well worth the effort. (shrink)

The current project of "naturalizing" epistemology has left epistemologists with a plethora of theories alleged to fall under that rubric. Recent epistemic justification theorists have seemed to want to focus on theories of epistemic justification that are more contextualized (naturalized) and less normatively global than those of the past. This paper has two central arguments: (i) that if justification is seen from a naturalized standpoint, more attention to the actual process of epistemic justification might be in order (and, hence, that (...) the justificatory set might come to be seen more descriptively and less normatively), and (ii) that if any theory of epistemic justification were to be normatively accurate, regardless of the size of its justificatory set, then one of the requirements upon it might well be that key terms in the set would refer, in the spirit of the new scientific realism. The central thesis of the paper relies on the normative/descriptive distinction as applicable to epistemic justification theory and also relies on an intuitively plausible account of the process of epistemic justification as engaged in by an epistemic agent and skeptical challenger. (shrink)

Throughout history, schools of economic thought have defined political economy—or economics—and its object of study in multiple ways. This paper reflects on the definitions of economics by schools of economic thought and also proposes the concepts of value and scarcity as key concepts to explain the differences between them. The most important findings of the paper are: (a) the ontological and epistemological characteristics of the concept of value and scarcity have shaped the definitions of economics; (b) the boundaries of the (...) study object of economics have been expanded since today’s mainstream economics deals with multiple topics as diverse as crime, education, development, health, etc. However, the methodological tools used in mainstream economics have been narrowed since approaches such as the philosophical, ethical, historical, and institutional approaches have been left behind; (c) the part of reality that mainstream economics can grasp have left behind important issues of the contemporary world, such as gender, social, and environmental issues. A clear understanding of the scope and boundaries of economics could help to define more realistic research questions for economic science, and it would help to define new economic paradigms that address the contemporary issues. (shrink)

El objetivo general de esta investigación fue analizar los desafíos que generan las formas de ataque de la guerra no convencional a la ética militar frente a la defensa integral y la seguridad de la nación. Se apoyó en el enfoque cuantitativo de tipo documental. Las operaciones militares contemporáneas exigen altos estándares al liderazgo de los oficiales; en consecuencia, deben ser conscientes de impacto que frente a situaciones difíciles tienen en otras personas; por lo que su conducta debe estar en (...) línea con sus roles, normas y valores éticos, el comportamiento ético frente la guerra difusa y el dominio cibernético han ganado importancia en las discusiones teóricas y doctrinarias en el ámbito militar. La utilización de la fuerza militar debe estar dentro de los límites de la norma, pero sobre todo debe ser ética, lo cual es una de las razones principales por las que existe la ética militar. Sin embargo, no hay leyes que regulen los conflictos cibernéticos ni se enmarca en los conceptos de la teoría de guerra tradicional. Entre las conclusiones resaltan que los ataques cibernéticos dirigidos a la FANB podrían ser considerados delitos de guerra. Las armas de guerra cibernéticas son costosas y su efectividad disminuye rápidamente después de su uso debido a la pérdida de su elemento sorpresa, lo que las hace poco rentables. (shrink)

El liberalismo de Carlos S. Nino evolucionó desde sus primeros trabajos vinculados al derecho penal, hacia la construcción de una teoría de la democracia deliberativa. Desde sus comienzos, siguiendo a los autores liberales clásicos como John Stuart Mill, hasta el final en donde adhirió a un liberalismo igualitario, hubo construcciones que acompañaron este proceso, como el concepto de autonomía personal, y también ciertos ideales morales, como un oposición concreta al perfeccionismo. El texto presenta al liberalismo de Nino al comienzo y (...) al final de su obra para mostrar que el antiperfeccionismo originado en el liberalismo clásico que servía de base para construir su concepción de la autonomía, se mantuvo inalterado durante todo este proceso de evolución dificultando la compatibilización de su teoría de la responsabilidad penal con su teoría de la democracia deliberativa, orientada hacia el liberalismo igualitario. (shrink)

Three of Patricia Williams’s essays in The Rooster’s Egg are examined for their relevance to contemporary issues, and for the style in which they are written. It is concluded that Williams does an admirable job, despite writing in a vein that might be thought to be somewhat less than jurisprudential.

The case of the reintroduction efforts made on behalf of the California condor is examined, with a view toward discussing both the environmental difficulties and the overall cost. The work of Singer, Snyder, and others is cited, and it is concluded that the work was worthy, but that a full articulation of the problems has seldom been made.

SummaryIn the debate between the realists and the instrumentalists, the importance of theory of reference in the realist account has frequently been overlooked. Taking Boyd's account as paradigmatic, I argue that the peculiarly stringent referential view which is invoked by his rigorous realism is not consonant with the history of science and actually does damage to a realist view. Ellis', Glymour's and Van Fraassen's work is also cited, and some interesting material by Wolff on the actual form of Copernican arguments (...) alluded to. It is concluded that the hypernormative view, of which Boyd's work seems to be exemplary, is less than helpful in elucidating an account of science. (shrink)

There are two major reasons for holding that coastal conservation is of paramount impor­tance. The first is that our intuitive emotional response to coastal views harkens back to our sense of ancient times. It is a line of analysis that has been expanded upon by Henry David Thoreau and others. In addition to our emotional pull toward the coastlines, we are also faced with the facts that wetlands and their flora and fauna—particularly bird nests and similar constructions—are crucial to containing (...) the now ubiquitous damage caused by climate change. Keryn B. Gedan and various associates, along with Peter Hay, provide useful tools to analyze the importance of coastal wetlands and the rapidity with which they may be damaged. The factors that make coastal conservation important to us work on more than one level. (shrink)

An argument is made for the special preservationist value of rock formations and other geological features, independent of their biotic status or aesthetic appeal. The work of Passmore, Hay and other contemporary ecological thinkers is cited.

This article uses a core group of three arguments to support the contention that Yellowstone National Park's thermal sites deserve special efforts to preserve them, and that this goes above and beyond the general spirit motivating the national parks. It considers arguments having to do with educational value and rarity, and an argument that relies on aesthetic constructs. For purposes of evaluating the notion of rarity, comparison is made to work on the rare saline water preserve of Mono Lake. Part (...) and parcel of this line of debate has to do with the notion that there has been a general lack of commentary on the value of geothermal areas. The work of William J. Fritz and Robert C. Thomas, Marc Hendrix, and others is cited. (shrink)

After outlining some of the reasons for the delayed and uninspiring Hispanophone translations of Milton's works, this essay examines the ways in which El Paraíso Perdido, Juan de Escoiquiz's translation of 1812?the first and still most readily-available Spanish verse translation of Paradise Lost (1667)?Catholicizes Milton's Protestant epic. A comparative close reading of key anti-Catholic passages in Milton's original and Escoiquiz's translation demonstrates the translator's avowed practice of excising anything ?ridiculous or indecent to the rites and practices of the Catholic Church.? (...) Silent additions, though, are the primary means by which Milton's Anglo-Protestant epic is converted into a Hispano-Catholic translation. A brief discussion of Areopagitica, in terms of its content and its popularity in Spanish translation, ties together the issues of translation, censorship, and reading reception circulating with El Paraíso Perdido. (shrink)

El presente trabajo pretende concentrarse en el concepto escuela como integrante de esta suerte de red conceptual vinculada al cogito cartesiano, con el objeto de mostrar la total falta de relación de este concepto con los problemas actuales. Es decir, partiendo de la idea expresada por Deleuze y Guattari, de que los conceptos solo pueden ser valorados en función de los problemas a que dan respuesta y del plano por el que pasan, intentaremos demostrar: a) que el concepto escuela sólo (...) funciona para problemas que ya no son los nuestros y b) la imperiosa necesidad de crear un concepto vinculado a problemas actuales. Para. (shrink)

Recent work in naturalised epistemology has focused almost exclusively on the intersection of cognitive psychology and theory of knowledge; work from sociolinguistics is just now beginning to gain ground. At the same time, feminist epistemologies have striven to articulate the precise paths of connectedness and relatedness that gynocentric theory standardly postulates as being characteristic of female ways of knowing. This paper attempts to articulate the intersection of sociolinguistically naturalised epistemology and feminist theory of knowledge. A model of gynocentrically centred justification (...) is presented, and it is concluded that the intersection of these areas is a rich and rewarding one. (shrink)

The work of Frances E. W. Harper is examined with an eye toward its place in the Black canon. It is argued that Harper was a major thinker of her time, along the lines of Ida B. Wells, and that further reading of her work is required, with an emphasis on the force of her religious views. She is also contrasted with other nineteenth century thinkers.

Although NGOs around the globe are hard at work on a number of issues, not much has been written about hierodulic slavery. Recent evidence on slavery, in general, indicates that Mauritania, for example, still has a number of individuals serving as slaves in situations where, according to local custom, a hereditary basis for the practice is instantiated. But hierodulic slavery—or slavery based on religious tradition and frequently tied to temple worship—is comparatively uncommon, and probably most prevalent in certain South Asian (...) societies. Although this type of servitude can have an enormously detrimental effect on young individuals, serious work on this issue is only now beginning. Some... (shrink)

La termodinámica clásica establece una oposición irreducible entre vida y materia. El universo dibujado por ella tiende de manera irreversible, debido a una continua disipación de energía, a un estado de equilibrio o reposo, la llamada «muerte térmica». En este universo, la vida, su actividad y su evolución aparecen como externas y fortuitas, permitidas, pero no explicadas por las leyes de la termodinámica. La vida aparece casi anti-natural o milagrosa en un universo muerto o en vías de morir. El filósofo (...) francés Henri Bergson intenta superar esta contraposición de vida y materia con su concepción de un universo en continua creación conducido por un élan vital. Este impulso vital es fundamento tanto de la vida como de la materia, y la organización de los seres vivos y su evolución, la evolución creadora, necesitan de ambos principios para su concreción. Sin embargo, la propuesta de Bergson no logra establecer una verdadera unidad de vida y materia. Mantiene la dualidad de estos principios, a pesar de su complemento, y deja sin responder por ejemplo cómo es posible el surgimiento de la vida a partir de la propia materia. Classical thermodynamics establishes an irreducible opposition between life and matter. The universe draws by classical thermodynamics tends to, due to a continuous dissipation of energy, an equilibrium or state of rest, the so-called «heat death». In this universe, life, her activity and her evolution, appear as external and fortuitous, permitted but not explicated by laws of thermodynamics. Life seems unnatural or miraculous in a dead or almost dead universe. The French philosopher Henri Bergson tries to overcome this opposition between life and matter with his conception of a universe in an unending creation, driven by an élan vital, which is the foundation of both life and matter. Organization of living beings and their evolution, the creative evolution, need both principles for its concretion. However, the Bergson’s proposal fails to make a real unity of life and matter, keeping the duality of these principles, even when he conceives them as a complementary pair, leaving unanswered for example how it is possible the emergence of life from matter itself. (shrink)