According to one of the most influential definitions, formulated by Michel Foucault in his Les anormaux, the monster is, since the Middle Ages, a violation of a “bio-juridical” order. In critically discussing the historical plausibility of this claim this article explores medical and philosophical conceptions of monsters between medieval and early modern period, addressing in particular the matter of the relationships between first and second causes in nature's errors. The main authors dealt with are Thomas Aquinas, Ambroise Paré, Francisco (...) Toledo and Fortunio Liceti. What emerges is that up to the 17 th century monsters were always conceived as products – and not as real contradictions – of a nature ordered by God's will, goodness and perfection, without a real “bio-juridical” order (as Foucault thinks). (shrink)

This paper proposes a concept of creativity that stems from a semiotic and linguistic theoretical perspective, in which the formal frame of reference for variation and linguistic change considers and evaluates both the process of general interaction and the contact of languages as a global phenomenon. This method proposes an analysis of creativity that ranges from reflections of ancient philosophy to a contemporary linguistic perspective, incorporates international ideologies, and identifies, within the dimensions of use and social sharing, the principle capable (...) of guiding potentially unlimited forms of linguistic creativity that are self-expressive and communicative, far beyond the grammatical patterns of regularity and norm. Interpreting the paradigm of creativity according to this model means placing the semiotic property in a position of prima inter pares, entrusted not only with the “role” of forming signs (words, sentences, texts), but the function of arbitraire, as a phenomenon of language creation. The following reading references the semiotic contribution of Tullio De Mauro, an Italian linguist who has contributed to the systematization of creativity, overcoming and synthesizing both Saussurian structuralism and Chomskyan generativism. (shrink)

What does Descartes's embryology look, if related to the Scholastic theories of his time? In order to reply to this question, the present chapter aims at sketching a portrait of the embryological epigenetics Descartes could find in his recognized Scholastic sources (the Commentaries on Aristotle by Toledo, the Coimbra Jesuits, Suárez, and Rubio, as well as the Summae by Eustachius a Sancto Paulo and Abra de Raçonis), a tradition that received and incorporated in the Aristotelian-Galenic body many novelties from Renaissance (...) medicine, especially Fernel, Paré, and Vallès. It being impossible to deal extensively with the whole of the contents of these works, I picked up three issues in particular, corresponding to the first three paragraphs of this paper: 1) the nature of the semen, and the action of the vis formativa, as well as its relationship with vital heat and temperaments; 2) the problem of the real and/or rational distinction(s) between the generative, the nutritive, and the augmentative powers; 3) the epigenetic order of generation of vital organs, i.e. the right sequence over which the fundamental organs of a living body are generated and then ensouled. In the last paragraph I integrate these reconstructions with some conclusions about Descartes' own theory. (shrink)

A number of accounts of expert programming behavior have been advanced. These models of the programming activity have served to highlight the range of factors that are thought to underpin programming strategy. However, such accounts have tended to emphasize either the effects of the organization of the programmer's knowledge representation or the role played by features of the notation of the task language on the emergence, development, and support of particular forms of strategy. Such work has neglected to (a) provide (...) an account of the way in which these factors might interact to determine programming strategy, and (b) shed light upon the nature of the development of particular strategies as programming skill increases.This article presents the results of an empirical analysis of the strategies employed by programmers of varying skill levels using different programming languages. The development of particular forms of strategy is hypothesized to be related both to the development of systematic asymmetries in programmers' generic plan‐based representations of programming knowledge and to the way in which features of the notation of particular programming languages might differentially support particular strategies. However, the results of the study reported here suggest that these effects must be interpreted within a broad developmental context. Hence, as programming skill develops, it appears that the notation of the task language tends to take precedence as a determinant of strategy, but has less relevance at beginning stages of skill development and within the context of expert performance. This finding would not be predicted by current models of the programming activity because such models suggest that any notational effects will tend to be consistent regardless of the skill level attained by the programmer. This article endeavors to extend current models of programming by emphasizing the need to consider in detail not only the development of programming strategy, but also the way in which knowledge representation and features of the task langauge interact to give rise to particular forms of programming behavior. (shrink)

Solidarität ist kein genuiner Begriff der Moralphilosophie. Vielmehr findet sich der Verweis auf Solidarität meist in juristischen Normen, in soziologischen Theorien und in gemeinschaftlichen Appellen. Das Buch versucht, den systematischen Ort von Solidarität innerhalb der Moralphilosophie zu bestimmen. Diese Bestimmung zeigt auf, dass die Parteinahme, die in Gründen der Solidarität enthalten ist, nicht zwingend grundlegenden Anforderungen moralischer Allgemeinheit entgegensteht. Solidarität verbindet und verbündet Personen in Demonstrationen, Korporationen und Verbänden. Bestimmte Einstellungen und Beziehungen, die von den Angehörigen von Solidargemeinschaften als bindend (...) begriffen werden, lassen sich auch aus moralphilosophischer Perspektive als bedeutsam begründen. Den Begriff ›Solidarität‹ der beliebigen Verwendung zu überlassen, bedeutet daher, ein für moralisches Überlegen und Begründen bedeutsames Prinzip aus den Augen zu verlieren; es bedeutet, sich der Ressourcen zu berauben, die notwendig sind, um mit Argumenten für eine besondere Form gemeinschaftlicher Bindung eintreten zu können. (shrink)

The molecular clock hypothesis remains controversial more than a quarter of a century after it was first proposed. A variety of approaches have been applied to testing the molecular clock in mammals. In many of these studies apparent refutation of the molecular clock has based on false assumptions about the pattern of mammalian evolution. With a few exceptions there now appears to be little evidence for variation in the rate of molecular evolution among mammalian lineages, although comparison of more genes (...) and proteins among a greater variety of mammalian orders is needed before a definitive conclusion can be reached on the issue. (shrink)

Les penseurs matérialistes, de John Locke à Adam Smith, ont inventé que la vie de l'homme, quoique propriétaire, est triste, que l'amour de soi compense ; l'économie politique fut donnée en surplus, magnifiée par Jean-Baptiste Say prince de la science. Kant en dépit de sa magistrale critique de la raison laissa passer la chose en soi - ce que lui reprocha Schopenhauer. La pensée moderne s'engouffra dans cette béance ; Hegel y plaça l'Esprit en marche, les économistes ordinaires affirmèrent la (...) marchandise substitut de toute autre valeur, Heidegger mit l'étouffoir sur l'humain dès 1929 avec Sein und zeit. La résistance pourtant fut assurée ; Johann Fichte, Karl Marx diffamé par les ignorants, plus près de nous Simone Weil, tentèrent de faire entendre la voix de la spiritualité. La vérité n'est pas un vain mot ; il est en l'homme un moi transcendantal qui appelle ; sans doute l'objet de ses vœux lui échappe, mais y renoncer ne peut conduire qu'au désastre de l'ego triomphant, chacun séparé et plein de sa suffisance marchande. Pour le collectivisme, nous avons déjà donné ; merci bien. L'auteur de cet essai a étudié en vrai ces auteurs, en langue originale. Les amateurs de sensations faciles ne trouveront pas leur compte ici."--Page 4 of cover. (shrink)

A major weakness in Erdelyi's account concerns the claim that repression can become conscious. A relational account of cognition demonstrates that if repression is successful, then the repressive act cannot become known. Additionally, “resistance” further distinguishes “repression” from “suppression.” Rather than blurring the distinction between these processes, it is possible to recognise a series of defences. Suggestions are provided for alternative research avenues.

I restate the view defended in my ‘Patriotism as Bad Faith’, offer a different argument for it, and respond to some objections from Steve Nathanson and Keith Horton.

This paper responds to an article by Kevin Thompson (in the same volume) which argued that a systematic reading of the _Philosophy of Right requires that it be ontologically grounded. In response I argue that such an approach to the _Philosophy of Right is essentially based on a precritical metaphysics which Hegel could not support and that his "Logic" excludes as a viable interpretation of his thought.

Ordnung wurde bis anhin nur in bestimmten Wissensgebieten definiert und angewendet. In Ergänzung dazu wird hier ein einfaches, allgemeines Modell der Ordnung beschrieben. Es ist nachvollziehbar und sorgfältig hergeleitet, Ursachen und Wirkungen eingeschlossen. Beispiele aus Natur, Technik und Gesellschaft machen die Zusammenhänge verständlich. Grundlage des Ganzen bildet ein allgemeines Konzept der Selektion. Weitere Informationen unter www.nanoedition.ch.

The indexing systems used to systematise our knowledge about a domain tend to have an evaluative character: they represent some things as more important, general, complex, or central than others. They are also imperfect and can misrepresent something as more or less important, etc., than it really is. Such distortions mostly result from mistakes made due to lack of time or resources. In some cases they follow systematic patterns which can reveal the implicit judgements and values shared within a community (...) who maintains and uses an index. I focus on the example of PhilPapers, the largest database of philosophy texts available, to show how the arrangement of categories and the way items are assigned to them, can effectively marginalise certain topics, authors, and entire traditions. I draw attention to such issues as: ordering, size and depth of categories, the use of miscellaneous categories, localising indexes in category names, and assigning items to some but not other categories. I suggest that such structuring of the index can have an impact on users, normalising marginalisation and contributing to the perpetuation of inequalities. I conclude by offering some suggestions for improvement which might help our databases flourish and become even more useful. (shrink)

Described by one contemporary as the 'sweet singer of The Temple', George Herbert has long been recognised as a lover of music. Nevertheless, Herbert's own participation in seventeenth-century musical culture has yet to be examined in detail. This is the first extended critical study to situate Herbert's roles as priest, poet and musician in the context of the musico-poetic activities of members of his extended family, from the song culture surrounding William Herbert and Mary Sidney to the philosophy of his (...) eldest brother Edward Herbert of Cherbury. It examines the secular visual music of the Stuart court masque as well as the sacred songs of the church. Arguing that Herbert's reading of Augustine helped to shape his musical thought, it explores the tension between the abstract ideal of music and its practical performance to articulate the distinctive theological insights Herbert derived from the musical culture of his time. (shrink)

Erasmus of Rotterdam was the greatest Christian humanist scholar of the Northern European Renaissance, a correspondent of Sir Thomas More and many other learned men of his time, known to his contemporaries and to posterity for subtlety of his thought and the depth of his learning. He was also, according to some modern writers, an anti-Semite. In this complete analysis of all of Erasmus' writings on Jews and Judaism, Shimon Markish asserts that the accusation cannot be sustained. For Markish, to (...) ask whether Erasmus was a friend or enemy of the Jews is to ask a modern question of a sixteenth-century man, whose attitude can best be called "asemitism." Erasmus' chief preoccupation was with the future of "the true philosophy of Christ"; he had little interest in the Jewish community of his own time. Erasmus and the Jews discusses Erasmus' critique of Mosaic law and his view of the conflict between "Judaism" as legalistic morality and Jesus' teaching; his judgment on the Pharisees of Jesus' time; his emphasis on the importance of the study of Hebrew; and his opinions of sixteenth-century Jews. This meticulous analysis reveals an Erasmus who defended his vision of true piety by rejecting "Judaizing" Christians more than Jews and who saw the Old Testament as integral to the Christian worldview. As a Christian, he regretted nonbelief and pitied unbelievers, without vicious hostility toward any single people. His theological opposition to a form of religious thought which he identified with Judaism was not translated into crude prejudice against actual Jews. In general, his calm consideration of the strange and the foreign and his willingness to restrict his judgments to the philosophical realm were, Markish argues, early and significant steps toward enlightened toleration. Markish's discussion of Erasmus is supplemented with an Afterword by theologian and philosopher Arthur A. Cohen, who offers a variant interpretation of Erasmus' writings and attitudes. The juxtaposed arguments of the two scholars make this an especially illuminating work for any student of Erasmus and his influence. Erasmus and the Jews also gives a necessary clarity to our understanding of the meaning of anti-Semitism and the history of religious toleration. Markish's profound knowledge of Erasmus allows him to demonstrate the fundamental importance of putting arguments and terminology in the context of a thinker's work and his own time. (shrink)

Der Band sammelt unveröffentlichte Vorträge und an entlegener Stelle, z.T. in ausländischen Zeitschriften, veröffentlichte Aufsätze zu allgemein interessierenden Brennpunktproblemen interdisziplinärer Analyse der Wissenschaften und Technik sowie zur antiken Philosophie, wobei Verbindungen zwischen den antiken Ansätzen und gegenwärtigen Problemen der wissenschaftlich-technischen Zivilisation aufgezeigt werden.

In this paper, I offer a reconsideration of the complex concept of mimesis, as it is deployed in the critical theory of Theodor W. Adorno, which, I argue, provides some interesting and original avenues through which we may interpret some of the infinitely engaging if enigmatic films of Andrei Tarkovsky. The paper is divided into two parts. In the first, I explore Adorno's development and usage of the concept of mimesis, as well as the latter's fall into disfavour since Habermas's (...) influential 'communicative turn'. In the second part, I undertake to read some of Tarkovsky's work in an Adornian vein, with the hope of reconfiguring mimesis as a valuable and fruitful concept in understanding the somatic and extra-discursive elements within communication. What I call Tarkovsky's 'mimetic method' can be seen to follow Adorno's epistemological principle of the 'preponderance of the object', while testifying to the mimetic potential of non-discursive communication. In so doing, Tarkovsky's filmic work - with Adorno's critical theory - refutes the purely linguistic/discursive grounds of Habermasian communication. This implicit refutation works on two levels. It enacts forms of mimetic construction, at the first level, and calls forth acts of interpretation and mimetic reception, at the second. I argue that these features are in need of greater attention and elaboration. The works of Adorno and Tarkovsky, in my view, provide useful grounds for challenging and enhancing existing understandings of aesthetic and philosophic communication, by more fully appreciating their interconnectedness and complementarity. (shrink)

We introduce CE- cell decomposition , a modified version of the usual o-minimal cell decomposition. We show that if an o-minimal structure $\mathcal{R}$ admits CE-cell decomposition then any definable open set in $\mathcal{R}$ may be expressed as a finite union of definable open cells. The dense linear ordering and linear o-minimal expansions of ordered abelian groups are examples of such structures.

Vorwort.--Die grundlagen der jüdischen ethik.--Grundlegende sittlichkeitsanschauungen.--Die sittlichen pflichten des einzelnen.--Die sittlichen pflichten der gemeinschaft.--Die lehre von Gott.--Sachregister.