This two-volume book, published open access, brings together leading scholars of constitutional law from twenty-nine European countries to revisit the role of national constitutions at a time when decision-making has increasingly shifted to the European and transnational level. It offers important insights into three areas. First, it explores how constitutions reflect the transfer of powers from domestic to European and global institutions. Secondly, it revisits substantive constitutional values, such as the protection of constitutional rights, the rule of law, democratic participation (...) and constitutional review, along with constitutional court judgments that tackle the protection of these rights and values in the transnational context, e.g. with regard to the Data Retention Directive, the European Arrest Warrant, the ESM Treaty, and EU and IMF austerity measures. The responsiveness of the ECJ regarding the above rights and values, along with the standard of protection, is also assessed. Thirdly, challenges in the context of global governance in relation to judicial review, democratic control and accountability are examined. On a broader level, the contributors were also invited to reflect on what has increasingly been described as the erosion or 'twilight' of constitutionalism, or a shift to a thin version of the rule of law, democracy and judicial review in the context of Europeanisation and globalisation processes. The national reports are complemented by a separately published comparative study, which identifies a number of broader trends and challenges that are shared across several Member States and warrant wider discussion. The research for this publication and the comparative study were carried out within the framework of the ERC-funded project 'The Role and Future of National Constitutions in European and Global Governance'. The book is aimed at scholars, researchers, judges and legal advisors working on the interface between national constitutional law and EU and transnational law. The extradition cases are also of interest to scholars and practitioners in the field of criminal law. Anneli Albi is Professor of European Law at the University of Kent, United Kingdom. Samo Bardutzky is Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. (shrink)

The relationship between space (absolute space) and matters (relative space) is similar to that between a stage and performers, where they both exist independently and are interconnected. This work first explores the hypothesis that the Essential space of the Universe is absolute and is zero-dimensional. The second part of the hypothesis discusses that the three-dimensional Universe is a relative space occupied by matters and a representation of its relative positions. The hypothesis in this work will be explored and discussed using (...) reference from the correspondence between Clarke and Leibniz. This work tentatively concludes that the space is absolute and zero-dimensional. (shrink)

The writer is an engineering science technician. Based on the epistemology and methodology of materialist dialectics, understanding the thought of the universe origin of Taoist philosophy and Buddhist philosophy, and combining the modern scientific information of modern physics, system science and physical cosmology, the author has put forward a series of new ideas on the universe origin. The new scientific universe ontology calls on the scientific community to prove and explain the origin of the universe with science, solve the doubts (...) of the theoretical scientific community about quantum mechanics, realize the scientific understanding of the universe space and the existence in space, create new ideas and understanding of space and time, and create a new universe view. This is not only the inspiration and verification of modern science to the primitive thought of the universe of our ancestors, but also a new method to solve the contradiction of modern physics, which inspires human beings to think about survival and existence. (shrink)

The previous article “Scientific Cosmological Ontology” discussed that the “theoretical contradictions” between quantum mechanics and relativity may become a joke in the history of human existence. It is believed that human philosophical thinking, from Socrates, Plato, to Aristotle, was a turning point. For more than 2000 years, we have been developing in the direction of material philosophy and material science according to Aristotle, and we have reached the peak of human thinking. Modern physics is a great achievement at this peak. (...) According to the principles of dialectical materialism, this “theoretical contradiction” has opened the door to the original thinking of the universe. We have to go back 2500 years to pick up the great banner of cosmic origin that humanity has abandoned, and human thinking. This article continues to analyze the “theoretical contradictions” between quantum mechanics and relativity, and to design the philosophical framework of modern physics according to the thought of cosmic origin. (shrink)

The philosophical Framework of modern physics puts forward a philosophical solution to the contradiction between relativity theory and quantum mechanics theory, aiming to break through the restriction of material philosophy on human thought and solve the artificial contradiction generated by material philosophy. This scheme is the physical principle of natural philosophy. Newton discovered the mathematical principles of natural philosophy, he expressed the principles of the universe’s natural philosophy through mathematics, discovering universal gravitation, the mutual perception and motion of material mass. (...) This line of thought continued with the discovery of electromagnetism by Faraday and Maxwell, and quantum mechanics by Einstein, Planck, Born, Bohr, and Dirac many scientists. This represents the completion of the great natural theology of the universe, a credit to these great scientists. However, we have not recognized this as natural theology. Newton and Leibniz jointly discovered absolute space, but due to insufficient scientific information, we lost an opportunity. Today, modern physics has given us another chance; by combining scientific information with the Cosmic origin principles left by our ancestors, we can understand absolute space. Starting with an analysis of the “theoretical contradictions” in quantum mechanics and relativity, reflecting on the concept and essence of physics, and recognizing the Cosmic origin principle is the natural philosophy principle of physics. (shrink)

The previous three articles have discussed scientific ontology, resolving the contradictions between quantum mechanics and relativity using the cosmic origin philosophical framework, and interpreting the principles of natural philosophy through physics. Aristotle established material philosophy and material science, relegating the philosophical concepts of cosmic ontology and the cosmic origin to metaphysics and theology. As a result, philosophy was divided into first philosophy and second philosophy as scientific considerations. When material science developed into the ontology of the universe, able to explain (...) the cosmic origin principle, a major issue arose: after 2500 years of development, humanity has only grasped the meaning of “matter.” Yet, what are “energy” and “information”? We still haven’t figured that out. Modern physics has brought both benefits and contradictions to humanity. To resolve these contradictions, we need to redefine the scientific consideration of “philosophy” and its philosophical concepts. This article continues to explore the contradictions between quantum mechanics and relativity using the principles of cosmic origin, reflecting on the basic concepts of philosophy and human thought. (shrink)

Quantum mechanics and relativity spurred the Third Industrial Revolution, presenting no contradictions in applied engineering but significant theoretical discord. The electronic computer, another major achievement of this era, transformed humanity through the rise of information networks, marking information science as another critical outcome of the revolution. Matter transforms into energy, energy into matter, and mechanics serve as profound conduits for information, even enabling the creation of robots. Modern physics now faces interpretative divides, having seemingly overlooked philosophy and information science’s foundational (...) roles. Human intellect, while reaching new heights through material philosophy, finds itself tangled in confusion. Has science achieved the apex of thought, or does it face an intellectual dead end? This question hints at a revolutionary awakening in human thought. This paper delves deeply into these questions by analyzing and reflecting on the “Scientific Cosmological Ontology,” “Modern Physical Philosophy Framework,” “The Physical Principles of Natural Philosophy,” and “Reflections on the Philosophy of Science.”. (shrink)

The idea of this paper is to discuss the role of virtues in promoting general wellbeing for the common people. This is meant to contribute to the debate about possible linkages between overall wealth and individual character. My main source of inspiration is Michael Novak’s perspectives on the cultural basis for capitalism.

Abstract:In this essay I aim to understand how Adam Smith predicted the progress and prosperity of a commercial society and analyze the main attributes of his natural liberty system. I examine the meaning and implications of prosperity in Smith’s thought. Finally, I analyze the role of the division of labor and parsimony in the overall process of societal advancement.

The paper discusses the relation between psychoanalysis and science from the perspective of formalization and contingency. It departs from the role of biology in Freud, pointing out the insufficiency of his scientific preferences to account for the specific epistemological status of the unconscious and sexuality. Lacan’s notable reference to mathematical formalization then appears as a critical response to Freudian scientism. The paper in particular underlines the relation between formalization and contingency, which for Lacan was the central issue not only of (...) psychoanalysis but also of modern science. This problem is addressed in reference to the polemic between the philosopher Émile Boutroux, who advocated the idea of the contingency of natural laws, and the mathematician Henri Poincaré, who decisively rejected Boutroux’s “speculations”. The paper then concludes with a brief outline of the main features of Lacan’s use of formalization, focusing especially on the “mathematization of the non-all” in which Lacan saw the point of encounter between scientific thinking and the real. (shrink)

A charismatic and controversial figure, Lacan is one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century and his work has revolutionized a range of fields. The volume aims to introduce Lacan's vast opus to the field of international politics in a coherent and approachable manner. The volume is split into three distinct sections: Psychoanalysis and Politics: this section will frame the discussion by providing general background of Lacan's engagement with politics and the political Lacan and the Political: each chapter (...) will focus on different key ideas and concepts in Lacan's thought including ethics, justice, discourse, object a, symptom, jouissance Political Encounters: seeks to represent different ways of engaging with Lacanian thought and ways of adopting it to explain and comment on global political phenomena Bringing together internationally recognised scholars in the field, this volume will be an invaluable resource to students and scholars in areas including critical theory, international relations, political theory and political philosophy. (shrink)

The article discusses the relation between psychoanalysis and philosophy from the perspective of love. But psychoanalysis demonstrates that this love is possible only based on a return to the origins of psychoanalysis where a new modality, or a new image of love is invented in connection with transference. As in philosophical love for knowledge, transference love presupposes a “ready made” operative knowledge which serves the analyst in the interpretation of a double supposition: besides knowledge, it also presupposes its subject: the (...) subject supposed to know. The problematic of transference love is then linked to Lacan's final elaborations of the unconscious in relation to the real. The passage from transference unconscious to the real unconscious abolishes the love for knowledge, but the inverse movement provides ground for a “new love” to emerge, love as invention. The two modalities of love are discussed in connection with Lacan's formulas of sexuation and with the question of the inexistence of the sexual relation. (shrink)

The significance of green entrepreneurship in achieving socioeconomic and environmental goals has received widespread recognition in academic literature. However, despite this acknowledgment, the internal and external variables influencing the expansion and sustainability of green agricultural enterprises have not been thoroughly studied and explored in the literature. This research aims to test the theoretical Green Agriculture Support Framework (GASF), suggesting internal and external support elements that, when strategically aligned, foster the growth of green agriculture enterprises, particularly those leveraging technologies and tools (...) associated with Agriculture 4.0. To this end, we utilized survey data collected from managers and employees of green enterprises located in Pakistan. The collected data was analyzed using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method, incorporating the partial least squares (PLS) approach through SmartPLS software. The findings imply that external variables (formal Institutions, Government Support, Culture) have significant impacts on the development of green enterprises and that internal factors (Technology, Talent Management) have somewhat limited impacts. Consequently, policymakers must concentrate on creating strategies and measures to enhance the external environment of an organization, that is, intensive government support, less rigid formal institutions and their policies, entrepreneurial culture, and overall improved economic condition of the country, and be cautious about the internal factors like rigid and outdated technology and talent management policies, that may hinder the development of such enterprises. As a result, using the organismic integration theory (OIT) theoretical lens, this research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the various internal and external factors that significantly affect the growth of innovative green agriculture enterprises. A thorough understanding of green determinants assists in identifying the areas that require attention of policymakers for the effective growth of the green agricultural sector in an economy, leading to valuable implications for green policies. (shrink)

We explore ChatGPT’s handling of left-peripheral phenomena in Italian and Italian varieties through prompt engineering to investigate 1) forms of syntactic bias in the model, 2) the model’s metalinguistic awareness in relation to reorderings of canonical clauses (e.g., Topics) and certain grammatical categories (object clitics). A further question concerns the content of the model’s sources of training data: how are minor languages included in the model’s training? The results of our investigation show that 1) the model seems to be biased (...) against reorderings, labelling them as archaic even though it is not the case; 2) the model seems to have difficulties with coindexed elements such as clitics and their anaphoric status, labeling them as ‘not referring to any element in the phrase’, and 3) major languages still seem to be dominant, overshadowing the positive effects of including minor languages in the model’s training. (shrink)

Parmi les découvertes notables du site d’Hagios Vassileios, à l’Ouest de la cité antique de Thasos, figure la base d’un ambon appartenant à la plus septentrionale des deux basiliques protobyzantines mises au jour. Dans un état précédent, le bloc était mis en oeuvre dans un monument funéraire inscrit : cinq noms, trois d’hommes et deux de femmes, étaient gravés sur sa face antérieure. Ces noms apparaissent dans d’autres inscriptions thasiennes d’époque impériale : tous appartiennent à une famille importante, où les (...) noms d’Hérodès fils de Samos et de Samos fils d’Hérodès paraissent avoir alterné d’une génération à l’autre. La confrontation de ces textes permet une reconstitution du stemma de la famille, ainsi que l’étude de son insertion dans les sphères supérieures de la société thasienne. (shrink)

There are several recent and noteworthy studies on the testimonies and fragments of Melissos of Samos: Laks-Most, Brémond. Furthermore, one can learn a great deal about Melissos from the lectures and discussions undertaken in the framework of “Eleatica 2012”. When taken together, these studies enable us to fully appreciate Melissos’ original work in terms of its sources, its audacious arguments and its later criticisms. Melissos is here presented as a spokesman of the Eleatic school in an order that aims to (...) do justice to the ancient testimonies that relate and refute his arguments as well as to the verbatim fragments. For the sake of clarity, however, various secondary testimonies have been omitted. (shrink)

Herodotus gives a lengthy description of the important council of the Greek allies which took place at Samos after Mycale in 479, but Thucydides fails to mention it. This is likely not because of succinctness in his treatment of the period. Throughout the Pentecontaetia, Thucydides presents the events which led to the Peloponnesian War in a somewhat indirect and passive way in order to attribute its causality to historical forces of deeper import. His desire to accentuate the role of Athenian (...) growth and Spartan fear of that growth in making the war inevitable commended the omission of events which by their nature might focus attention instead on the deliberate policy choices of the protagonists. Thucydides’ decision to omit other key events during the Pentecontaetia may stem from the same motivation. (shrink)

The relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States seems to embody most fully the type of the ‘special relationship’ today. It is a relationship founded ultimately on biological kinship, structured by mutual economic and strategic interests and cemented by a sense of political and ‘spiritual’ affinity. At least the broad contours of such contemporary ‘special relationships’ are sufficiently clear. This is far from being the case with those of the Archaic and Classical Greek world, for two main reasons. (...) First, and more decisively, our sources for the history of that world – literary, epigraphical, archaeological – are normally scrappy, discontinuous and variously slanted. Second, and only in part because of the nature of the evidence, the workings of all ancient Greek interstate relationships, whether ‘special’ or not, are in principle controversial. For in the absence of governments and parties in the modern sense it is frequently impossible to explain confidently a particular foreign policy decision taken by a Greek state. A fortiori it is in principle even more difficult to describe and account for ‘special’ relationships between states that apparently transcended purely immediate, local and narrowly self-interested considerations. (shrink)

Alexis de Samos impute à des prostituées athéniennes accompagnatrices de Périclès l’installation d’un culte d’Aphrodite à Samos en 439 av. J.-C. Après analyse du passage et de son contexte, il est proposé qu’Alexis a écrit une œuvre nationaliste, partisane et critique de Périclès et d’Aspasie, et que le sanctuaire a été fondé, sans l’intervention de prostituées, après une victoire navale, en remerciement à Aphrodite, déesse de la navigation en mer.Alexis, the Prostitutes and Aphrodite in Samos. According to Alexis of Samos, (...) Athenian prostitutes founded a cult of Aphrodite in Samos in 439 BC. A reappraisal of the information and its context leads to the hypothesis that Alexis wrote his Samian Chronicles criticising Perikles and Aspasia, and, therefore, that prostitutes were not involved in founding the cult, which was established after a naval victory and in honor of Aphrodite, goddess of seafaring. (shrink)