Un grupo de especialistas se reunieron durante tres días en el XXII Seminario Interdisciplinar de Bioética organizado por la Cátedra de Bioética de la Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid, no simplemente para abordar las cuestiones ...

Al hablar sobre la dignidad humana, había que recordar que este año se cumple el 40 aniversario de la Declaración Dignitatis Humanae, del Concilio Vaticano II, con la que se marcó un giro decisivo en el enfoque de la dignidad y derechos humanos por parte de la teología católica. Autores del libro: "Juan Masiá (editor), S. Madrigal, J.C. Ávarez, J.R. Lacadena, J.L. Trueba, F.J. Rivas, K. Martínez, M. Porras del Corral, F. Torralba, J. de la Torre, C. Alonso, T. (...) Domingo. (shrink)

This book represents the first systematic qualitative analysis of a new type of collective anti-corruption initiatives. The author describes how companies can take responsibility in the fight against corruption and which six success factors play an important role in this difficult endeavor. Despite great international efforts throughout the last two decades, corruption has not significantly decreased on a global level. In light of globalization, private actors increasingly cooperate in the fight against corruption in the context of sector-specific coordinated governance initiatives. (...) In this study, this new collective approach is examined in view of its potential to curb corruption. Contents - Introduction - Theoretical Background: Self-Interest as a Means of Preventing Corruption - Methodological Approach - Multiple-Case Study Analysis - Cross-Case Analysis and Discussion - Summary and Conclusions Target Groups - Researchers and students in the fields of politics, economics, and business ethics - Practitioners such as compliance managers and other anti-corruption specialists The Author Berta van Schoor works as a compliance manager at a major German company. She wrote her doctoral thesis at the Business Ethics Chair of the Technical University Munich. As a co-leader of the regional chapter of Baden-Wuerttemberg of Transparency International Germany, she regularly speaks on topics like corruption prevention and the role of business in combating corruption. While working on her thesis she also gave lectures in business ethics and sustainability management. (shrink)

In the literature on vagueness one finds two very different kinds of degree theory. The dominant kind of account of gradable adjectives in formal semantics and linguistics is built on an underlying framework involving bivalence and classical logic: its degrees are not degrees of truth. On the other hand, fuzzy logic based theories of vagueness—largely absent from the formal semantics literature but playing a significant role in both the philosophical literature on vagueness and in the contemporary logic literature—are logically nonclassical (...) and give a central role to the idea of degrees of truth. Each kind of degree theory has a strength: the classical kind allows for rich and subtle analyses of the comparative form of gradable adjectives and of various types of gradable precise adjectives, while the fuzzy kind yields a compelling solution to the sorites paradox. This paper argues that the fuzzy kind of theory can match the benefits of the classical kind and hence that the burden is on the latter to match the advantages of the former. In particular, we develop a new version of the fuzzy logic approach that—unlike existing fuzzy theories—yields a compelling analysis of the comparative as well as an adequate account of gradable precise predicates, while still retaining the advantage of genuinely solving the sorites paradox. (shrink)

El proyecto humanista de la modernidad requería que no hubiera un pecado original, tal como sostuvo el cristianismo, que impidiera alcanzar cada vez mayores cuotas de libertad y progreso. Así, los ilustrados hablaron de las condiciones sociales y políticas que podían obstaculizar el progreso humano, pero no de limitaciones inherentes a la naturaleza humana. Por pecado original entendemos, con la tradición teológica, aquel defecto de base que nos impide alcanzar ciertos bienes. Con el paso de los siglos, algunas consecuencias indeseadas (...) de la modernidad han llevado a ciertos humanistas a intentar una reforma de las ideas básicas de su propia filosofía. Sus reflexiones, centradas en la vulnerabilidad, secularizan —en un sentido funcional e indirecto— la vieja idea del pecado original para pensar los límites inherentes a nuestra condición. (shrink)

Lévinas believed that Blanchot identified artistic inspiration with his understanding of the il y a, that is, an inauthentic attitude toward life and the Other. Lévinas, who tried to overcome the neutrality of the il y a, criticised Blanchot’s desire to establish ethics as a prima philosophia. Lévinas asked himself in what way the artwork could give access to the ethical, which is why he explored the relationship between expression and responsibility. He concluded that poetic speaking was excluded from his (...) understanding of ethical language. Therefore, Lévinas was against poetic activity, in ethical terms, because poetic activity (dis)possessed the subject/artist in such a way that the creator was not able to control his writing, which converted art into the worst kind of irresponsibility. This paper will focus on Lévinas’ first aesthetic period, and on the ideas collected in the essay La Réalité et son ombre, published in 1948. (shrink)

El escrito tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre la entrevista narrativa como una posibilidad teórica de comprender el procedimiento adecuado para desarrollar una investigación biográfico narrativa en torno a las trayectorias académicas de unos profesores de tiempo completo que laboran en un programa doctoral a los que denomino académicos porque hacen las funciones sustantivas de investigación, docencia y difusión de sus investigaciones, además de gestión y vinculación como funciones adjetivas. La reflexión se tematiza a partir de participar en un seminario permanente (...) sobre la Narrativa y subjetividad en investigación en educación. También se vincula con mi investigación en proceso denominada egresados del doctorado del ISCEEM. Relatos de trayectorias académicas, identidad y subjetividades. La reflexión se enmarca tratando de pensar con dos autores centrales Antonio Bolivar sobre la investigación biográfico narrativa y Hugo Zemelman sobre el sujeto social que deviene en sujeto académico. (shrink)

A los pocos años de la creación del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, en 1942, una escasa estancia de la primera planta del Edificio Rockefeller, hoy Rocasolano, dio base estructural a una Sección del Instituto Alonso Barba que iba a aglutinar desde entonces, con proyección de índole nacional, las mejores aportaciones a la Química Orgánica del momento. La historia del Instituto demuestra el desarrollo que tuvo en estos años en España la química orgánica en particular y cómo se fueron formando (...) y constituyendo los nuevos equipos de investigadores. Al hilo de los grandes avances en esta rama y de la continua interacción con figuras representativas de la química orgánica europea, se establece una línea de avance y crecimiento que logra ensamblar las aportaciones teóricas con las más audaces líneas de investigación en la España de la postguerra. En ello tienen mucho que ver las figuras de sus líderes y el clima en que se iba gestando la formación de los investigadores. (shrink)

A busca pela felicidade está naturalmente presente como um ideal a ser alcançado por cada indivíduo da espécie humana. Kant, em sua obra Fundamentação da Metafísica dos Costumes, pretende buscar e estabelecer o princípio supremo da moralidade e esclarece que para esse fim o ideal da felicidade não apresenta condições de fundamentar as leis da moralidade. Na obra Crítica da Razão Prática, Kant sustenta essa mesma posição, mas introduz o objeto do soberano bem, referente ao qual, a felicidade é o (...) seu segundo elemento, mas condicionada às leis da moralidade e entendida como elemento necessário do soberano bem. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar uma breve reflexão sobre a importância da felicidade na teoria moral kantiana, enfatizando a relação estabelecida entre a moralidade e a felicidade no conceito do soberano bem. Pretendemos defender que embora o princípio da moralidade e o princípio da felicidade própria fundamentam-se em princípios diferentes, há possibilidades de conciliar a busca da felicidade própria com a realização das ações morais. Palavras-chave: Felicidade. Moralidade. Soberano bem. Imperativo categórico. Imperativo hipotético. (shrink)

Uno de los conceptos básicos de la filosofía práctica es el de persona. Sin este concepto no se dejan pensar coherentemente cuestiones esenciales de la política, la ética, el derecho y la moral. La complejidad de la existencia humana –la cual se “resume” en que nunca se es solamente sujeto de derecho, ciudadano o heredero de una determinada tradición cultural– implica el riesgo del reduccionismo, es decir, de la explicación de lo que significa llevar la vida de una persona desde (...) sólo una perspectiva de la existencia humana. Luego de presentar algunas de las estaciones centrales de la prehistoria y la historia del concepto de persona, el artículo ofrece algunos elementos que podrían servir para formular un concepto no reduccionista de la persona en el ámbito específico de la filosofía de la justicia social. (shrink)

Lopera, Maria Teresa: Justicia distribuiva ¿Legitimidad o consenso?Medellín: Universidad de Antioquia, colección Otraparte, 1999, pp. 128.

The paper presents Amartya Sen’s critique of the anthropological model that underlies the conception of neoclassical economics, in order to present the conception of subject offered by the abilities approach and then the notion of development as freedom.

This paper takes the dichotomy between “exclusive” and “inclusive” positivism and applies it by analogy to natural-law theories. With John Finnis, and with Beyleved and Brownsword, we have examples of “exclusive natural-law theory,” on which approach the law is valid only if its content satisfies a normative monological moral theory. The discourse theories of Alexy and Habermas are seen instead as “inclusive natural-law theories,” in which the positive law is a constitutive moment in that it identifies moral rules and specifies (...) their meaning. The article argues that inclusive theories of natural law are better suited to expressing an authentic “republican” attitude.*In the seed of the city of the just, a malignant seed is hidden, in its turn: the certainty and pride of being in the right. (Calvino 1997, 162). (shrink)

From the thought of mid-twentieth century Mexican philosopher Jorge Portilla (1919-1964), I develop a three-prong existentialist response to the problem of evil. One prong is granting that a version of the problem of evil is successful: no theodicy is credible while beholding innocent suffering. A second prong involves an affective engagement with evil that facilitates a loving human flourishing grounded in solidarity with sufferers, compassion, loving self-sacrifice, and taking responsibility for one’s own culpability. The final prong is the capacity of (...) this affective engagement with evil to permit a belief in God as an existential commitment to a suffering God as a transcendental ideal of self-sacrificing love that guides one’s perpetual project of self-creation. (shrink)

Researchers working in the field of ecosystem services (ES) have long acknowledged the importance of recognising multiple values in ecosystems and biodiversity. Yet the operationalisation of value pluralism in ES assessments remains largely elusive. The aim of this research is to present a taxonomy of values and valuation methods to widen the evaluative space for ES. First, we present our preanalytic positions in regards to the values and valuation of ES. Second, we review different value definitions that we deem relevant (...) for the discussion of ES valuation. Third, we propose a taxonomy of ES values based on different conceptions of human–nature relationships. Finally, we present a taxonomy of different methods that can be used to recognise plural values in ES. This taxonomy for a plural valuation can help ES scientists and practitioners with their aim of representing people's multiple and context-specific ways of valuing nature. The taxonomy can also serve to pay broader attention to ES values that are overlooked or misrepresented in assessments that restrict their focus to monetary valuations. (shrink)

I suggest a way of extending Stalnaker’s account of assertion to allow for centered content. In formulating his account, Stalnaker takes the content of assertion to be uncentered propositions: entities that are evaluated for truth at a possible world. I argue that the content of assertion is sometimes centered: the content is evaluated for truth at something within a possible world. I consider Andy Egan’s proposal for extending Stalnaker’s account to allow for assertions with centered content. I argue that Egan’s (...) account does not succeed. Instead, I propose an account on which the contents of assertion are identified with sets of multi-centered worlds. I argue that such a view not only provides a plausible account of how assertions can have centered content, but also preserves Stalnaker’s original insight that successful assertion involves the reduction of shared possibilities. (shrink)

The topic of mixed emotions has received considerable attention in recent years. However, two limitations in this research are the lack of (a) theoretical prediction regarding the types of conditions likely to cause one emotion to yield to another, and (b) attention given to the moment-to-moment (MTM) experience of mixed emotions. Using the empirical context of competitive contests, the mixed emotions state of suspense was manipulated in a series of studies designed to address these shortcomings. The results indicate that the (...) most appropriate emotion pair to describe suspense is hope and fear. In addition, we find that the juxtaposition of these two emotions over the temporal sequence relies on viewers’ interpretation of observed events relative to a preferred outcome. The results indicate a prevalence of bipolarity between hope and fear at lower levels of suspense and bivariance at higher levels. Given a high-suspense episode, both hope and fear are activated; whereas when suspense is low, hope (fear) is ascendant and fear (hope) declines when it becomes obvious a preferred competitor will ultimately win (lose). (shrink)

Is that stone genuine? Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s11016-011-9577-6 Authors Marcos Martinón-Torres, Institute of Archaeology, University College London, 31-34 Gordon Square, London, WC1H OPY UK Journal Metascience Online ISSN 1467-9981 Print ISSN 0815-0796.

La influencia de la filosofía positivista ha propiciado que, en el mundo contemporáneo, se tienda a identificar verdad y objetividad. Este artículo se propone argumentar que: a) el concepto de objetividad es una reducción indebida del concepto clásico de verdad; b) las premisas en las que se basa la teoría de la objetividad no son axiomáticas, como parecen, y conducen a contradicciones; c) es necesaria una rehabilitación de la concepción realista de verdad, libre de las ataduras del pensamiento positivista.

Nelson Maldonado-Torres argues that European modernity has become inextricable from the experience of the warrior and conqueror. In _Against War_, he develops a powerful critique of modernity, and he offers a critical response combining ethics, political theory, and ideas rooted in Christian and Jewish thought. Maldonado-Torres focuses on the perspectives of those who inhabit the underside of western modernity, particularly Jewish, black, and Latin American theorists. He analyzes the works of the Jewish Lithuanian-French philosopher and religious thinker Emmanuel (...) Levinas, the Martiniquean psychiatrist and political thinker Frantz Fanon, and the Catholic Argentinean-Mexican philosopher, historian, and theologian Enrique Dussel. Considering Levinas’s critique of French liberalism and Nazi racial politics, and the links between them, Maldonado-Torres identifies a “master morality” of dominion and control at the heart of western modernity. This master morality constitutes the center of a warring paradigm that inspires and legitimizes racial policies, imperial projects, and wars of invasion. Maldonado-Torres refines the description of modernity’s war paradigm and the Levinasian critique through Fanon’s phenomenology of the colonized and racial self and the politics of decolonization, which he reinterprets in light of the Levinasian conception of ethics. Drawing on Dussel’s genealogy of the modern imperial and warring self, Maldonado-Torres theorizes race as the naturalization of war’s death ethic. He offers decolonial ethics and politics as an antidote to modernity’s master morality and the paradigm of war. _Against War_ advances the de-colonial turn, showing how theory and ethics cannot be conceived without politics, and how they all need to be oriented by the imperative of decolonization in the modern/colonial and postmodern world. (shrink)

Previous behavioral research on advertising deception has focused on the extent to which consumers would be misled by claims and implications of advertisements. The present research examines the effect of an important, but largely neglected, dimension: the severity of anticipated harm as a result of being deceived. Two experiments disentangle the effect of anticipated harm on consumer brand attitudes and purchase intentions from that of perceived deception. Interestingly, greater harmfulness increases diagnosticity of perceived deception, which partially accounts for consumers’ negative (...) reactions to deceptive advertising. Theoretical, methodological, and ethical implications are discussed. (shrink)

The need for a comprehensive semiotic understanding of poetic translation is at the heart of the present paper. This task is framed in terms of a multidisciplinary theoretical framework termed semiosic translation that I apply in this article to the translation of Holocaust poetry. This type of poetry is characterized as a distinct sign system that poses a number of challenges to both translators and semioticians. One of the most conspicuous problems is the ineffability of nothingness, which is particularly evident (...) in the poetry of Paul Celan. Building on the notions of abductive inference (Charles S. Peirce) and rule-following (Ludwig Wittgenstein), I introduce a method for the translation of two key poems Schwarze Flocken (‘Black Snowflakes’), corresponding to Celan’s early period, and Weggebeizt (‘Worn down,’ a poem written in 1963). The semiotic method applied shows that the underlying Firstness of Holocaust art (an anti-semiotic sign system) is the driving force behind Celan’s poetry. It is also suggested that iconicity and indexicality are not peripheral semiotic processes but central elements to elucidating how the translation across sign systems takes place. (shrink)

Based on Maldonado-Torres’s formulation of the term, we conceive the decolonial turn as a form of liberating and decolonising reason beyond the liberal and Enlightened emancipation of rationality, and beyond the more radical Euro-critiques that have failed to consistently challenge the legacies of Eurocentrism and white male heteronormativity (often Eurocentric critiques of Eurocentrism). We complement Maldonado-Torres’s account of the decolonial turn in philosophy, theory and critique by providing an analysis of the trajectories of academic philosophy and clarifying the (...) relevance of decolonising philosophy and of the decolonial turn for current efforts in transforming philosophy in face of the challenges of social movements such as the Third World Liberation Front and Black Lives Matter in the United States, and Rhodes Must Fall in South Africa and England. After a brief analysis of the trajectory and current status of philosophy as a discipline in the modern Western research university, we provide examples of the decolonial turn and of decolonising philosophy in three areas: the engagement with (1) Asian and (2) Latin American philosophies, and (3) debates in the philosophy of race and gender. (shrink)

Call ‘a substance’ a person who is at home in a relatively stable and unified sense-making framework: a social structure that to some degree specifies which categories are important for interpreting reality, which goals are worth pursing, which character traits are admirable, etc. Call ‘an accident’ a person who is not at home in one such framework. It is tempting to think that being a substance is preferable, but I present some considerations for thinking otherwise. Mexican philosophers Emilio Uranga and (...) Jorge Portilla, I argue, present notions of accidentality as decolonial tools. Uranga’s account enables Mexicans to have positive valuation of their being independently of the approving gaze of the colonizers and their standards of value. Portilla’s thought distinguishes between pernicious accidentality resulting from the disintegration of sense-making frameworks and authentic accidentality as a condition for freedom, self-creation, and ultimately for individual and communal liberation. (shrink)