This article argues that the causal loops that occur in some time-travel scenarios and in certain solutions of the theory of relativity are no more mysterious than the infinitely descending causal chains familiar from Newtonian mechanics.

Avery’s et al. ’s 1944 paper provides the first direct evidence of DNA having gene-like properties and marks the beginning of a new phase in early molecular genetics (with a strong focus on chemistry and DNA). The study of its reception shows that on the whole, Avery’s results were immediately appreciated and motivated new research on transformation, the chemical nature of DNA’s biological specificity and bacteria genetics. It shows, too, that initial problems of transferring transformation to other systems and prominent (...) criticism of its results nurtured skepticism. Avery’s experiment was downplayed and neglected particularly by many of those scientists who worked in the new fields of biochemical and biophysical genetics, genetic phage, and TMV research. This was not due to the fact that the implications of the paper could not be connected to generally accepted knowledge. Contrary to a widespread belief, the assumed uniformity of DNA as opposed to proteins was not used as an argument against the validity of Avery’s et al.’s finding. The indifference rather reflected, among other things, the disciplinary gap between the chemically oriented microbiologists and the old and new geneticists who remained committed to genetic and physical methods (in particular x-ray studies) and clung to the assumption that proteins were the sole carriers of biological specificity. The responses to Avery’s et al.’s paper show how different research interests in the areas between microbiology, genetics, and biochemistry interacted with the prejudices, dogmas, individual farsightedness or short-sightedness, and scientific authority during a pivotal period of early molecular biology. (shrink)

Three indexes have been compiled: authors of main articles (including our special departments such as ‘Projects in progress’ and ‘Notes and discussions’); essay reviews; and book reviews. Co-author...

Esthetics in Malay tradition and culture in relation to the influence of Islam in Riau Province.

Following an overview of Mark Textor's wide-ranging narrative in The Disappearance of the Soul and the Turn Against Metaphysics, I note his treatment of the discussion of Brentano's thesis and discuss that of the naturalistic opposition to Brentano, Textor's understanding of the concept of Austrian Philosophy and raise a question about the survival of metaphysics he advocates.

Chemistry and biochemistry in Germany was notably affected by the dismissal and emigration of Jewish scientists. The expulsion of Jewish scientists aided to significantly reduce the international regard for German science, particularly in biochemistry, physical chemistry, and quantum chemistry, after 1945. In most cases remaining scientists adjusted quickly after 1933 to the new political circumstances, with a few exceptions. A number of them even actively supported the politics of National Socialism. This fact as well as the common stance to forget (...) the 12 years of National Socialist rule complicated the exchange of international scientific knowledge after 1945 and delayed affiliation of the weakened fields of research to the level of international research. (shrink)

The encounter between two fundamentally different approaches in seminal research in molecular biology-the problems, aims, methods and metaphysics - is delineated and analyzed. They are exemplified by the microbiologist Oswald T. Avery who, in line with the reductionist mechanistic metaphysics of Jacques Loeb, attempted to explain basic life phenomena through chemistry; and the theoretical physicist Max Delbrück who, influenced by Bohr’s antimechanistic views, preferred to explain these phenomena without chemistry. Avery’s and Delbrück’s most important studies took place concurrently. Thus analysis (...) of their contrasting approaches lends itself to examination of the Weltanschauungen view concerning the role of fundamental (metaphysical) assumptions in scientific change, that is, the view that empirical research cannot be neutral in regard to the worldviews of the researchers. This study shows that the initial ostensible disparity (non-integratibility) of the two approaches lasted for just a short time. Ironically it was a student of Delbrück’s school, James Watson, who (with Crick) proposed a chemical model, the DNA double helix, as a solution to Delbrück’s problem. The structure of DNA has not been seriously challenged over the past half century. Moreover, Watson’s and Crick’s work did not call into question the validity of Delbrück’s research, but opened it up to entirely new approaches. The case of Avery and Delbrück demonstrates that after initial obstacles were overcome the different fundamental attitudes and the resulting research practices were capable of integration. © 2008 Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. (shrink)

Collection of works on literature theory, translated into Mongolian language.

Nicolas Malebranche (1638–1715) holds that the senses, imagination, and passions aim at survival and the satisfaction of the body’s needs, rather than truth or the good of the mind. Each of these faculties makes a distinctive and, indeed, an indispensable contribution to the preservation of life. Commentators have largely focused on how the senses keep us alive. By comparison, the imagination and passions have been neglected. In this paper, I reconstruct Malebranche’s account of how the imagination contributes to the preservation (...) of the body by compensating for the limitations of the senses. First, the imagination represents non-actual states of affairs, such as probable or possible future states. Second, the imagination forges new and often helpful associations based on past experiences. Third, the imagination (mis)represents that objects will cause pleasure and pain, thereby imbuing them with emotional significance they would otherwise lack. Together, these features flesh out Malebranche’s view that the imagination is necessary for the preservation of life. (shrink)

The paper examines the body as a stake in space exploration at the intersection of technology, material practices and utopian imaginaries. Based on an interpretation of the film “Gattaca” in the light of the problem of access to space, the paper opposes two techno-utopian regimes — cosmopolitics and biopolitics. Cosmopolitics assumes an equality of access to space for all beings, while biopolitics links bodily restrictions to the problem of regravitation. Regravitation is the biopolitical practice aimed at preserving the “terrestrial” conditions (...) of the body’s existence. The problem of access to space is exemplified by the debate over the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space in the NewSpace movement. A radical step here is taken by space amateurs, defining the stratosphere as “almost space”. In this sense, the amateurs' space techno-utopia turns out to be cosmopolitan — not so much in the sense of space as a political order equal to all beings and entities, but in the sense of a politics of equal access to space beyond Earth. K. E. Tsiolkovsky’s amateur techno-utopia proposes a radical transformation of the body and its liberation from terrestrial gravity. People will become “citizens of the ether” with the help of an extreme environment and gain additional opportunities. (shrink)

Samtʻan Sŏnsaeng chip -- Tongguk changwŏnjip -- Sihak kyegyŏng.

1. Haeje, Ch'ongmok, T'ongnye 1, Ch'ongsaegin -- 2. T'ongnye 2, Kwallye, Hollye -- 3. Sangnye 1-3 -- 4. Sangnye 4-6 -- 5. Sangnye 7-8 -- 6. Cherye 1-2, Pyŏllye mongnok.