Classical, selectionist (adaptationist) evolutionary epistemology of science draws an analogy between development of science and natural selection. But natural selection immediately increases only the relative fitness of organisms with regard to specific and changing environment. Therefore evolutionary epistemology of science is exploited (by van Fraassen in particular) against scientific realism which presumes existence of absolute scientific progress as an approach to truth. In modern biology in order to explain absolute evolutionary progress nonadaptationist, nonselectionist models based on a passive trend mechanism (...) (a random walk limited by walls) were worked out, the ratchet model in particular. This paper suggests nonadaptationist extension of evolutionary epistemology of science, namely the ratchet model of scientific progress and illustrates it by history of thermodynamics. This model enables to combine realistic concept of scientific progress as an approach to truth with antirealistic concept of scientific development as an improvement of problem-solving ability: the former is ascribed to scientific dynamics on a global scale and the latter on a local. (shrink)

VVe argue in this essay that the real violence in schools is a result of the structural violence of oppresive social conditions that force students, especially low-income African American and Latino males, tofeel vulnerable, angry, and resistant to the normative expectations of “police-like” school environments. Instead of making attempts to transform these oppressive conditions and explore alternatives outsideof these frameworks, schools utilize the ideological state apparatuses (ISA’s) to justify the construction of certain students (e.g., African American and Latino males) as (...) “violent/deviant/disabled” therebymaking it an individual rather than a social problem. On the other hand, we contend, a political economic analysis of educational contexts makes critical linkages between race, class, and disabilityand in doing so offers an alternative way of re-theorizing identity. Additionally this argument will aIso demonstrate how a political economic analysis exposes and re-orients one towards a collective (global) struggle for social transfornlation in critical multicultural contexts. (shrink)

Frege's account of indirect proof has been thought to be problematic. This thought seems to rest on the supposition that some notion of logical consequence ? which Frege did not have ? is indispensable for a satisfactory account of indirect proof. It is not so. Frege's account is no less workable than the account predominant today. Indeed, Frege's account may be best understood as a restatement of the latter, although from a higher order point of view. I argue that this (...) ascent is motivated by Frege's conception of logic. (shrink)

With its emphasis on analytical dualism and its detailed account of the concepts and methods necessary for its application, Margaret Archer's morphogenetic approach seems to provide significant potential for empirical research. Over a decade after its publication, however, the potential of the approach remains largely unrealised. This paper seeks to begin to address this situation by reporting on and assessing the application of the morphogenetic approach to a longitudinal case study of information systems development and organisational change in British local (...) government. This assessment confirms Archer's claims for the approach's value as an instrument for the production of non-conflationary practical social theory. In addition, certain features of the methodology moved the analysis of IS and organisational change beyond that of more mainstream approaches used for this type of research. However, a range of issues are identified which demonstrate that the complexity and resulting resource intensity of the approach may well work against its more widespread adoption for empirical research. (shrink)

Statements of degree appear to falsify basic doctrines in Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. I offer a fresh formulation of the challenge and assess a solution proposed on Wittgenstein’s behalf by Sarah Moss. I find that Moss’s proposal fails. The proposal rides in part on novel interpretations of pronouncements by Wittgenstein on the nature of the elementary proposition. I find that the interpretations cannot be sustained but that Moss’s textual case hints at important and overlooked features of the Tractarian program. I develop Wittgenstein’s (...) comparison of propositions to measuring instruments and apply it throughout, showing that it captures philosophical commitments in Tractatus that otherwise tend to slip from view. (shrink)

If we are to believe the proponents of the Theory of Practice and of Rational Choice, the gap between these two paradigmatic approaches cannot be bridged. They rely on ontological premises, theories of motivations and causal models that stand too far apart. In this article, I argue that this theoretical antinomy loses much of its edge when we take as objects of sociological investigation processes of historical change, that is, when we try to specify in theoretical terms how and in (...) which conditions historical actors enact and endorse shifts in patterns of relations as well as shifts in the symbolic and cognitive categories that make these relations significant. I substantiate this argument in light of the distinction between two temporalities of historical change: first, the long waves of gradual change and, second, the short waves of moments of breaks and ruptures. Along the way, I develop an argument about the conditions of emergence of self-limiting norms and the centrality of epistemic beliefs in situations of high disruption. (shrink)

The main result proved in the paper is that on every recursive structure the intrinsically hyperarithmetical sets coincide with the relatively intrinsically hyperarithmetical sets. As a side effect of the proof an effective version of the Kueker's theorem on definability by means of infinitary formulas is obtained.

We reconstruct the group action in the group configuration theorem. We apply it to show that in an ω-categorical theory a finitely based pseudolinear regular type is locally modular, and the geometry associated to a finitely based locally modular regular type is projective geometry over a finite field.

In this work, we propose a meaningful extension of description logics for non-monotonic reasoning. We introduce \, a logic allowing for the representation of and reasoning about both typical class-membership and typical instances of a relation. We propose a preferential semantics for \ in terms of partially-ordered DL interpretations which intuitively captures the notions of typicality we are interested in. We define a tableau-based algorithm for checking \ knowledge-base consistency that always terminates and we show that it is sound and (...) complete w.r.t. our preferential semantics. The general framework we here propose can serve as the foundation for further exploration of non-monotonic reasoning in description logics and similarly structured logics. (shrink)

¿Estuvo la cultura de autoría impresa fuera del alcance de las mujeres antes de 1887 en Costa Rica? El propósito principal de este artículo es ofrecer una primera respuesta a dicha pregunta con base en una revisión preliminar de periódicos y revistas quepermiten considerar el problema planteado desde una perspectiva más amplia. En breve, el argumento central que se va a desarrollar es que la construcción de esa autoría pasó por tres etapas: en la primera, durante las décadas de 1840 (...) y 1850, tal proceso se basó en la redacción de anuncios comerciales; en la segunda, centradaen los decenios de 1860 y 1870, predominaron los discursos de alumnas y maestras relacionados con actividades de enseñanza; y en la tercera, ubicada a partir de 1885, se dieron dos tendencias paralelas. Por un lado, algunas docentes comenzaron a dar a conocer sus producciones literarias; y por el otro, el Estado, en vísperas de la reforma educativa de 1886, implementó una política para que las educadoras elaboraran informes de sus actividades escolares y los enviaran a una revista especializada para ser publicados. (shrink)

Hartry Field's formulation of an epistemological argument against platonism is only valid if knowledge is constrained by a causal clause. Contrary to recent claims (e.g. in Liggins (2006), Liggins (2010)), Field's argument therefore fails the very same criterion usually taken to discredit Benacerraf's earlier version.

While agreeing with Bernard Reginster that Nietzsche's advocacy of the will to power as a psychological thesis is much more fundamental than his extension of it as a cosmological or metaphysical thesis, I criticize him for failing to support this interpretation, and I attempt to supply an analysis that does support it. Then, I take issue with the common tendency to sanitize Nietzsche's theory of the will to power, to make it more palatable—and with Reginster's treatment of this issue. This (...) leads me to an examination of Nietzsche's conception of power—and a critique of Reginster's account of it. (shrink)

Philosophers often focus on topics such as death and old age, and much less on other stages of life. The British-American philosopher Kienan Setiya (2017) has recently taken on the topic of middle age from a philosophical perspective and offered suggestions for dealing with the angst often associated with mid-age. His suggestions are based on both his own experiences and practical thoughts based on his readings of other philosophers during their mid-life periods. My own contribution is to describe his thoughts (...) and add a few observations of my own. (shrink)

The paper is devoted to the problem of describing reality in the language of mathematics and logic in connection with intellectual intuition. The question raised is how the basic requirements of mathematical theory and logic will change if some of the multiverse models of modern physics are taken as the basis. Mathematics is considered in the context of various historical approaches. It is shown that some of the well-known requirements of a formal theory (such as consistency) may begin to play (...) a different role if the multiverse hypothesis is accepted. In the framework of theories based on the idea of multiple worlds, the logical consequence, the natural law of Duns Scotus, the law of excluded middle, and other well-known facts of classical logic which in some cases cause controversy due to their intuitive unacceptability are resolved. The paper discusses an approach based on paraconsistent logics: such logics can be considered the first to correspond to multiverse theories. (shrink)

En este artículo, se analiza la expansión en el número de novelas publicadas en Costa Rica entre 1990 y 2024. Tal proceso, favorecido por el crecimiento de la actividad editorial privada, dependió de la capacidad económica de los autores (hombres más que mujeres) para financiar sus obras. A partir del siglo XXI, la autopublicación fue reforzada por el surgimiento de plataformas donde es posible publicar de manera gratuita, como la de Amazon. Dado que esta novelística no respondió a una demanda (...) efectiva de diversas audiencias de lectores, tuvo un alcance limitado: por lo general, las personas solo publicaron una novela, y de la mayoría de los textos, se publicó solo una edición. (shrink)

In this paper, we will attempt to describe an integrative model that links stress, trauma, and post-traumatic health disorders through biological, psychological, and behavioral mechanisms of influence. Each of these phenomena has its specificities but also shares common characteristics (sources, symptoms, and consequences) related to health and an individual’s functioning. Prolonged stress and sudden experiences can lead to trauma, and repeated experiences of trauma over time can result in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This key mechanism illustrates how (...) long-term stress and trauma can lead to severe health impairment. A review of the literature on this topic, along with our many years of experience and research in these areas, reveals that the majority of authors in their research primarily focus on one of these topics, usually stress. There are fewer studies that provide a comprehensive representation of both stress and trauma. We have not come across any research that unifies all three topics in their presentation, highlighting the common elements as well as the specificities and differences. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate, through an integrative approach, the combined impact of these three phenomena on health and an individual’s functioning. First, we will describe each of these phenomena along with their respective specifications. Finally, we will attempt to integrate the knowledge of physiological and psychological mechanisms for dealing with stress, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Although challenging, we will also touch upon prevention strategies towards the end. (shrink)

El artículo propone un esbozo del programa teórico de la izquierda progresista del siglo XXI a partir de la lectura de los autores contemporáneos que tendrían mayor influencia en los líderes políticos iberoamericanos de esta corriente. Para ello, examina el escenario histórico político tras el fin de las utopías y del mito revolucionario, y luego describe los problemas teóricos que dotarían de contenido lo que el autor denomina una «revuelta posneoliberal».

The article analyzes a number of modern physics approaches in different aspects, which are directly or indirectly affected by the problem of space. The variations of cosmologies based on the theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, the theory of inflation, the holographic universe model, the model of the virtual universe, etc. and their scientifically validated combinations are examined for specifics of category of space interpretation in each case. In reliance to the historical and philosophical analys is the connection between the traditional (...) interpretations of the concept of space in philosophy and the modern ones in physics is established. The context of some modern physical theories is concluded to bring new dimensions to the understanding of space (while retaining certain classical concepts). (shrink)

The paper analyzes the personalist view of Kant’s thought in general and the personalist criticism of Kant’s understanding of human dignity and natural law. It is pointed out the way in which the results of that criticism were realized as a personalist concept of human dignity, which was also reflected in the fundamental legal acts on human rights. Concluding considerations are presented in the light of contemporary discussions of the reception of the origin of the legal foundation of human dignity.

Desde la constitución de un Estado social de derechos y justicia, toda autoridad está en la obligación de brindar seguridad y protección, a nivel social y jurídico para cada miembro del Estado; parte de esta protección es la representación del máximo amparo hacia aquellas personas consideradas grupos de atención prioritaria, como lo son las personas con enfermedades terminales, degenerativas o catastróficas, enfermedades que transgreden la dignidad de las personas. En estos casos, el Estado debe trabajar con mayor solvencia para asegurar (...) los derechos fundamentales que precautelan una calidad de vida adecuada para desarrollarse en la sociedad–. A partir de lo dicho, el trabajo subraya la importancia de brindar atención prioritaria a personas inmersas en esta situación, permitiéndoles ejercer una figura jurídica trascendental, la voluntad anticipada, misma que, aunque no es reconocida jurídicamente, tiene una representación interna que permite establecer un testamento vital; esta voluntad anticipada puede confluir con el derecho a una muerte con dignidad, como consecuencia de una vida digna como derecho constitucional otorgado por el Estado ecuatoriano. (shrink)

La Teoria dello Scrigno offre una visione d'insieme dei meccanismi che sono alla base della comunicazione musicale e delle espressioni della cultura, attraverso uno studio sociologico, musicologico e psicologico della nostra comprensione della Musica. Conseguenze della Teoria, discussa ampiamente sotto forma di un modello organizzato, sono, da un lato, lo stimolo rivolto al Musicista verso la creazione di una musica che non si limiti a essere formalmente corretta ma che cerchi, innanzitutto, di comunicare attraverso la ricerca della genuinità; dall'altro, il (...) riposizionamento del ruolo dell'Ascoltatore come soggetto attivo nella comunicazione musicale, mediante la creazione di un giudizio critico consapevole in grado di guidarlo con lucidità nel processo di fruizione. Mediante collegamenti con l'opera di Hofstadter sulla semiotica dei messaggi, quella di Heisenberg ed Einstein nella Meccanica quantistica e classica, le riflessioni sul gioco suggerite da Huizinga, così come le ricerche sugli stadi cognitivi del bambino svolte da Vygotskij e attraverso sigolari case offerti dalla linguistica, l'autore ci accompagna con esempi concreti alla ricerca di uno stringente filo conduttore che consenta al lettore di sviluppare una rinnovata sensibilità verso le forme poliedriche che le culture possono esprimere, analizzando infine anche l'evoluzione della comunicazione musicale mediata dai social e, più in generale, imposta dai paradigmi della società dei consumi"--Back cover. (shrink)

Monografija obrađuje probleme matematičke logike i kombinatorike. Tematika se odnosi na oblast između kombinatorike, logike i teorije komutacija. Dalje se razrađuju simetrične funkcije, algoritmi i klasifikacija. Rad je baziran na iskustvima Laboratorije za elektrotehniku u Ibaraki (Japan) i sradnji sa kolegama iz Kanade, DDR, USSR-a, Mađarske.

The essays in this volume form part of the revival of interest in Durkheim and bring to light his intellectual inquiry into political theory, comparative ethnology, social reconstruction and questions of civil society, as well as his articulation of an updated individualism in conversation with Marx, Hegel, Spencer and others. The anthology includes work by authors such as Robert N. Bellah, Edward Tiryakian, Henri Berr and Alfred Loisy.

How to Do Things with Myths: A Performative Theory of Myths and How We Got There assembles a radically updated collection of the author's oft-cited publications on myth. Together, they tell how theories of myth have changed and led to a novel "performative" theory of myth.

Why the social ontology uses the game as paradigmatic example of social object? Is social reality a game? In this short essay, shared characteristics and differences of ludic and social acts are explored to explode the myth of the normative structure of social reality. In order to explain and demonstrate their theories, major authors of our research sector as Searle and Smith appeal to ludic phenomenons as unmistakable evidences of regulated social activities. Nevertheless well valued theorists don’t recognize that there (...) are tens of different typologies of games, about which it should be appropriate to draw up a regional ontology, as much there are tons of rule types, not always prescriptive and not always descriptive. The instant article demonstrates that social reality is not explainable by appealing to regulated behaviors, opening in this way a research context that involves the Interactive Fiction of play. Therefore the ludic phenomenon rests the base of social reality, however disconnecting it from the concept of rule, which too much influenced the research on mind, language and culture. (shrink)

El artículo presenta las críticas más importantes a la forma como la filosofía política liberal de John Rawls aborda el problema del carácter público de los argumentos filosóficos y religiosos en la sociedad pluralista contemporánea, en el entendido que tales críticas manifiestan los dilemas que tiene el planteamiento rawlsiano para ser implementado prácticamente. Se sugiere también que el autor le otorga a dichos argumentos un carácter semipúblico en el debate político, toda vez que mantiene cierta sospecha sobre su potencial para (...) desestabilizar una sociedad democrática. De este modo se pone en evidencia la seria dificultad de establecer una propuesta liberal de la justicia que eluda totalmente la cuestión del bien. (shrink)