Este ensaio introdutório faz uma breve apresentação do tratado de óptica atribuído a Euclides de Alexandria, inserindo-o no contexto das teorias sobre a visão formuladas pelas doutrinas filosóficas antigas. Ressalta-se o antagonismo entre a análise geométrica da visão, empreendida por Euclides, e as considerações filosóficas acerca dos processos físicos subjacentes à sensação visual. Pretende-se mostrar que o objeto da óptica euclidiana é a percepção visual daquilo que Aristóteles denomina "sensível comum". This introductory essay provides an abridged presentation of the optical (...) treatise attributed to Euclid of Alexandria, placing it in the context of theories about vision formulated by the ancient philosophical doctrines. I emphasize the antagonism between the geometric analysis of vision, undertaken by Euclid, and the philosophical considerations about the physical processes underlying visual sensation. In addition, I aim to show that the object of Euclidean optics is the visual perception of what Aristotle calls "common sensible". (shrink)

O texto analisa a Constituição Federal de 1988 traduzida em norma e em fato no que concerne à solidariedade ambiental frente às mudanças climáticas que provocam a desigualdade. Desta forma, defende-se sua função dentro do âmbito jurídico e social da solidariedade em face da desigualdade social provocada por este fenômeno ambiental. Pressupõe-se que a solidariedade ambiental é um instrumento relevante a ser observado e aplicado na contenção das desigualdades provocadas pelas mudanças climáticas, que promovem a pobreza, a degradação ambiental e (...) a não realização dos direitos fundamentais/humanos. Utiliza-se o método dedutivo em pesquisa bibliográfica-documental. (shrink)

A partir das considerações sobre a essência da técnica e do artefato, procuramos pensar o seu valor e seu potencial na cultura e na sociedade, e estabelecer em que medida há uma dimensão política sobre esse problema para, então, tentar mostrar que tecnologia precisa possuir um tipo necessário de política. No presente trabalho, partindo do artigo de Langdon Winner e de considerações sobre tecnologia e sociedade, bem como nos valendo de outros nomes do ramo com perspectivas diferentes sobre a técnica, (...) com ênfase em Gilbert Simondon (1924 – 1989) e a sua abordagem sobre o problema entre individuação, técnica e cultura, tentaremos entender possíveis soluções que auxiliem o debate contemporâneo e problemático sobre técnica e política, em especial quando o pressuposto benefício da técnica aos seres humanos não encontra correspondência na realidade. Finalmente, identificar na ação do técnico e na potencialidade criativa e instauradora da individuação novos regimes e condições de realidade que possam fornecer uma base política coletiva. Longe de esgotar os problemas levantados, as considerações aqui presentes nos servem para levar adiante a questão presente sobre a técnica e sua dimensão política. (shrink)

O período moderno concebeu à humanidade contribuições riquíssimas ao permear o desenvolvimento massivo da ciência. Através da vontade, e necessidade, de conhecer as propriedades do mundo e da vida. É visto, também, o rompimento da ideia do saber pautado na tradição e defendendo que o saber das coisas deve ser segregado da Igreja, e deixado à mão da ciência da técnica. Deste modo, a filosofia de Francis Bacon e René Descartes nos fornece grandiosas contribuições acerca do conhecimento sobre a natureza, (...) e de como ela é fundamental para a existência humana: as possibilidades de melhoramento do corpo e longevidade de vida são os principais objetivo que guiam está investigação. O conhecimento das propriedades da natureza e da corporeidade humana, concebe a idealização e criação de artifícios capazes de propiciar uma vida mais longa e saudável, que beneficie a existência humana. A exposição deste artigo tende a implicar uma reflexão a respeito destas concepções, entendidas aqui como paradigmas, principalmente para as técnicas médicas hoje conhecidas. (shrink)

O presente artigo pretende explorar a máxima contida em Os irmãos Karamázov (se não há Deus, tudo é permitido?) à luz do pensamento de Immanuel Kant. Para tanto, se vale do pensamento de Dostoiévski apenas na medida em que ele serve como auxílio na apresentação da ideia de Deus e de sua relação com a posição do ateu. Tendo em vista a filosofia kantiana, buscamos não apenas a apresentação dessa ideia, mas também sua relação com o ato moral e com (...) a própria condição desse ato. Isso, portanto, resultará em Kant, uma resposta duplamente negativa à pergunta que reflete a posição ateísta de Ivan Karamazov. Pois Kant ao distinguir o ato moral por dever e conforme o dever, defende que recorrer a algo externo à razão (Deus) constituiria uma vontade meramente heterônoma. Portanto, o ato moral por excelência ocorre quando a ação é realizada de um modo unicamente guiado pela razão, com base num interesse puro, e isso conduz, por sua vez, à reprovação por parte de Kant da referida máxima presente na obra de Dostoiévski. (shrink)

O texto analisa a Constituição Federal de 1988 traduzida em norma e em fato no que concerne à solidariedade ambiental frente às mudanças climáticas que provocam a desigualdade. Desta forma, defende-se sua função dentro do âmbito jurídico e social da solidariedade em face da desigualdade social provocada por este fenômeno ambiental. Pressupõe-se que a solidariedade ambiental é um instrumento relevante a ser observado e aplicado na contenção das desigualdades provocadas pelas mudanças climáticas, que promovem a pobreza, a degradação ambiental e (...) a não realização dos direitos fundamentais/humanos. Utiliza-se o método dedutivo em pesquisa bibliográfica-documental. (shrink)

IntroductionRegular exercise has long been shown to positively impact the immune system responsiveness and improve mental well-being. However, the putative links between biomarkers of mental health and immune efficiency in exercising subjects have been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of a 14-week combined chair-based exercise program on salivary steroid hormones and anti-microbial proteins, functional fitness, and MWB indexes in pre-frail older women.MethodsThe participant women were randomly divided into the exercising group and the non-exercising (...) control group. The pre/post assessment included: salivary anti-microbial proteins lysozyme; and immunoglobulin-A ; salivary steroid hormones of testosterone and cortisol ; functional fitness ; MWB questionnaires.ResultsSignificant differences with large Cohen’s effect sizes were found on increased salivary TT after exercise intervention. The results revealed a decrease in IgA levels after CEP. The increase in subjective happiness levels and decrease of stress perception and depressive state were found after intervention in the CEP group. Robust statistical differences in gait speed and balance tests were also found in the CEP group. In control, COR increased moderately while no changes were found for the other indicators. Correlation analyses showed inter-dependence between pre–post variations of MWB, biochemical indexes, and fitness function.ConclusionThe CEP program was able to improve functional-fitness performance, decrease feelings of stress, and increase happiness. The CEP also induced clinically relevant hormonal and immune responses, which suggests that chair exercises that combine muscular strength, balance, and gait speed training are promising interventions to improve physical and mental health of older pre-frail adults. (shrink)

AimTo evaluate the cognitive functioning of subjects practicing trance mediumship in Brazil.MethodThe study was based on the measurement of cognitive functions of 19 spirits mediums through neuropsychological tests such as the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery, the Verbal Fluency Test, the digit span test, the cube test, the five digit test and an evaluation of mental health through scales such as the Beck Depression Inventory, the Self-Report Questionnaire, and the Trauma History Questionnaire. The sample included the participation of spirit mediums divided (...) into two groups. The more experienced group with 11 subjects had more than 10 years of mediumistic practice, while the other less experienced group with 8 subjects had 1–5 years of experience. The inclusion criteria were psychophonic mediums with regular trance practices for at least one year. The data collected were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package.ResultsRegarding performance on the BCSB and digit span test, all subjects reached scores at the median or higher in comparison to standardized scores of Brazilians. Scores of 90% on the cube test and 42% on the FAS were reached in comparison to median or higher values, versus the median of standardized scores among Brazilians. On the FDT, we found statistical significance in the choice stage, with higher performance of subjects whose initial age of trance recognition occurred before 21 years old. On the BDI scale, no participant met the criteria for major depression. The SRQ showed an incidence of common mental disorders in 21% of the sample, which was more prevalent in the LEG.ConclusionThe cognitive functioning of subjects who practice trance mediumship in Brazil is associated with cognitive health. Executive dysfunction may be a tendency in LEG. However, an incidence of common mental disorders in the LEG was observed. Executive processing was higher in the subgroup with early practices of recognizing the phenomenon. (shrink)

Este trabalho é de natureza bibliográfica e de revisão de literatura e tem por objetivo fazer uma reflexão sobre as reinvindicações sociais que estão na pauta de grupos que por vezes foram negligenciados por discursos hegemônicos da sociedade. As reinvindicação destes grupos buscam dar visibilidade a lutas por reconhecimento de direitos básicos das mulheres, das pessoas negras, da classe trabalhadora, e de outras vozes que são silenciadas pelo totalitarismo dos discursos hegemônicos. Buscaremos utilizar estudos de Stuart Hall, Homi Bhabha e (...) Judith Butler, visando questionar a pretensa homogeneidade e estabilidade das categorias de cultura, etnia e gênero. A partir de uma compreensão de que tais categorias não são estanques, buscaremos questionar algumas vozes preconceituosas que se fundamentam na compreensão homogênea dessas categorias. Além disso, pretendemos apresentar o pensamento de Angela Davis como uma forma de unificar as reinvindicações de classe, etnia e gênero, como meio de dar mais consistência a luta daqueles que muitas vezes são excluídos do pleno exercício da cidadania. (shrink)

O artigo se propôs a compreender o tema das notícias falsas como tópico que aglutina em torno de si, questões que são de caráter eminentemente ético e epistêmico, educacional e político. Desse modo utilizou-se do diálogo Górgias, de Platão, para que mediante as suas problematizações como a oposição entre opinião e conhecimento e entre a racionalidade discursiva da filosofia e a retórica sofística, fosse então possível a problematização de um tópico contemporâneo a partir de uma contextualização filosófica clássica. Nesse sentido (...) evidenciou-se que tanto a retórica como as fake news possuem a mesma finalidade, isto é, meramente persuadir, portanto, levar a crer sem considerar a distinção entre simples opinião e conhecimento. Do mesmo modo o artigo apresentou como possibilidade de enfrentamento aos danos causados pelas notícias falsas uma perspectiva filosófico-educacional fundamentada nos conceitos complementares de Paideia e de Bildung, demonstrando-se assim que a causa primária de criação e propagação de fake news é, em verdade, originaria de falhas formativas à educação da pessoa humana. Assim, sugestiona-se que a formação humana em sentido racional e ético, condicionada na aquisição de virtude ou excelência (arete) na alma (psyche), bem como uma formação direcionada ao autodesenvolvimento da pessoa, são imprescindíveis para atenuar, de modo profícuo, as inverdades e injustiças provindas das notícias falsas que, invariavelmente, ocasionam prejuízos diversos aos indivíduos, às sociedades e às democracias. (shrink)

Este artigo visa descrever sumariamente a forma e os resultados da participação do Grupo Hegel e o Idealismo Especulativo (GHIE) nos VI e VII Leituras da Lógica de Hegel 2022 e 2023 (VI e VII LLH). A motivação de elaborá-lo foi relatar os resultados positivos alcançados, em especial, devido a continuação do novo formato de estudo e pesquisa adotado pelo GHIE, a partir do IV Leituras da Lógica de Hegel 2020 – Homenagem aos 250 anos de nascimento de Hegel: Stuttgart (...) 1770 – 2020 (IV LLH). Tais resultados foram: (1) os próprios seminários apresentados no GHIE, que foram gravados, bem como as apresentações nos VI e VII LLH; (2) os textos do VI LLH, publicados no livro no livro Ser Para Si: Dialética entre Idealidade e Realidade (organizado por A. Bavaresco, J. Tauchen, J. S. Jung; Porto Alegre, Editora Fundação Fênix, 2022), e os textos do VII LLH, publicados nesta revista, do qual este artigo faz parte; (3) a formação (Bildung) dos participantes, em especial, devido ao novo formato; (4) a continuidade de uma nova forma de proceder com os estudos e as pesquisas no GHIE, estabelecida desde sua participação no IV LLH. Aqui os dois últimos itens são destacados, principalmente devido aos resultados obtidos: (1) um profundo e intenso estudo e pesquisa do texto em questão pelos autores das apresentações; (2) a aquisição de mais autonomia e mais maturidade por esses autores; (3) um aprendizado e formação mais profundos dos participantes das apresentações (autores e comentadores); (4) o exercício de se trabalhar com diversas interpretações e buscar certa unidade; e (5) a continuidade pelo GHIE de uma nova forma de estudo e pesquisa, que foi incorporada e passou a influenciar as seguintes, em especial, quanto à participação nos VI e VII LLH. Portanto, estabeleceu-se e consolidou-se uma nova dinâmica, devido a todos essesresultados positivos elencados. (shrink)

Dos textos originais, que possibilitaram as traduções que se seguem, o primeiro compõe o volume 3, número 2, da revista Archiv Für Rechts- Und Wirtschaftsphilosophie, abreviada por ARWP6, publicado em dezembro de 1909. O segundo, por sua vez, é fruto de uma conferência de abertura ministrada por Fritz Berolzheimer na ocasião do III Kongress der Internationalen Vereinigung für Rechts- und Wirtschaftsphilosophie, realizado entre os dias 02 e 05 de junho de 1914 na Akademie für Sozial- und Handelswissenschaften em Frankfurt am (...) Main. A abertura do congresso realizada por Berolzheimer, assim como outras conferências proferidas ao longo do mesmo, foi publicada em Stuttgart pela Franz Steiner Verlag no mês seguinte à realização do congresso, isto é, em julho de 1914 no volume 7, número 4, da ARWP. (shrink)

A teoria do conhecimento desenvolvida por Guilherme de Ockham no século XIV traz uma importante distinção entre dois níveis de cognição: conhecimento intuitivo e conhecimento abstrativo. O conhecimento intuitivo ou notitia intuitiva tem uma relação de causalidade com os objetos do mundo extramental: os objetos são a causa do conhecimento intuitivo. Este conhecimento é aquele pelo qual pode-se afirmar que algo existe ou não existe; ele desempenha um papel central na epistemologia ockhamiana porque é destacado como a base de (...) todo o conhecimento. O conhecimento abstrativo ou notitia abstrativa, por sua vez, diz respeito ao conhecimento inteligível dos objetos sensíveis que prescinde da existência ou não-existência do objeto. Apesar de todo o conhecimento derivar do conhecimento intuitivo, o conhecimento abstrativo não é imediatamente formado a partir da notitia intuitiva. Nesse sentido, nosso objetivo nessa comunicação é mostrar como se dá a passagem do conhecimento intuitivo para o conhecimento abstrativo através da teoria do habitus desenvolvida por Ockham. O pano de fundo dessa discussão é a noção essencial de que as etapas envolvidas no processo cognitivo do Venerabilis Inceptor, isto é, tanto o conhecimento intuitivo quanto o conhecimento abstrativo são atos mentais, de modo que o ato mental neste modelo é não somente o ponto de partida das operações intelectuais como também o produto final: o conceito. Assim, apresentaremos como as noções supracitadas se articulam na teoria cognitiva ockhamista. (shrink)

Objetivou-se estratificar fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) em dez anos em jogadores de basquetebol em cadeiras de rodas. O percentual de risco cardiovascular foi estratificado pelos escores de Framingham (ERF) e de Risco Global (ERG). Dos treze jogadores avaliados, 38,46% apresentava sobrepeso e obesidade e 77%, alterações na porcentagem de gordura corporal e na circunferência abdominal. O ERF identificou 15,38% dos jogadores com risco intermediário para desenvolvimento de DCV e pelo ERG, 15,4% dos homens apresentava risco intermediário, 7,7% (...) alto risco por diabetes e 7,7% muito alto risco por doenças ateroscleróticas. Os resultados de composição corporal demonstram uma predisposição para desenvolvimento de DCV, sendo que o ERG identificou indivíduos com alto risco e muito alto risco. Conclui-se que a identificação dos fatores de risco é útil para que ocorra uma maior prevenção das DCV e aconselhamento adequado sobre adoção de hábitos de vida saudáveis por esses indivíduos. (shrink)

Este relato de experiência traz quatro depoimentos de três alunos/a e um professor do programa de pós-graduação stricto sensu em Ensino de História da África do Instituto Superior de Ciências de Educação, situado no sudoeste angolano. Pretende-se acompanhar as trajetórias pessoais destes pesquisadores em torno do ensino e pesquisa em história da África, tanto em Angola quanto no Brasil.

We retrieve Bakhtin's reflections on Forms of Time and the Chronotope in the Novel present in The Dialogic Imagination: Four Essays by M. M. Bakhtin in order to verify the variations of the 'Ancient Biography and Autobiography Chronotope' in contemporary autobiography novel. We thus analyze the chronotope in the autobiography novels A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway, and Chá das cinco com o vampire [Afternoon Tea with the Vampire], by the Brazilian writer Miguel Sanches Neto. Our reading of Bakhtin's (...) notion of chronotope in these narratives leads us to relate the form of public and private space configuration with different strategies of representation. (shrink)

O presente artigo tem por objetivo apresentar as contribuições da estética da existência em Foucault para o âmbito da educação. Inicialmente será apresentado, em linhas gerais, os três domínios de sua produção teórica: Arqueologia do Saber, Genealogia do Poder e Estética da Existência. Posteriormente, será exposto mais profundamente a terceira fase de sua obra, destacando as ideias acerca do conceito do Cuidado de Si e a sua relação com o ambiente escolar e a formação docente. A estética da existência caracteriza-se (...) como o terceiro domínio foucaultiano e concerne na ideia da vida como obra de arte, onde por meio das práticas de si, cuidado de si, governo de si, _parrhesía_ e exame de consciência o sujeito torna-se capaz de estilizar sua existência, moldando sua vida e sendo artesão de si mesmo. Os apostes teóricos que fundamentam a pesquisa, além do Michel Foucault, são: Veiga-Neto (2016), Brandão (2011), Barcelos, Rabelo e Rodrigues (2009), entre outros autores. Esses correlacionam a obra do Filósofo Michel Foucault com a Educação. A partir da relação estabelecida entre a Estética da Existência e a Educação, percebeu-se que a escola têm sido, desde a sua fundação até os dias de hoje, um espaço que prioriza a disciplina e a normatização. Portanto, faz-se necessário introduzir nesse espaço saberes que possibilitem um novo modo de formar os sujeitos para que esses sejam conscientes e desfrutem da sua liberdade, que por muitas vezes lhes é retirada. (shrink)

Contrary to the common-sense view and positivist aspirations, scientific concepts are often imprecise. Many of these concepts are ambiguous, vague, or have an under-specified meaning. In this paper, I discuss how imprecise concepts promote integration in biology and thus benefit science. Previous discussions of this issue focus on the concepts of molecular gene and evolutionary novelty. The concept of molecular gene helps biologists integrate explanatory practices, while the notion of evolutionary novelty helps them integrate research questions into an interdisciplinary problem (...) New directions in the philosophy of science, Springer, Dordrecht, 2014). In what follows, I compare molecular gene and evolutionary novelty to another imprecise concept, namely biological lineage. This concept promotes two other types of scientific integration: it helps biologists integrate theoretical principles and methodologies into different areas of biology. The concept of biological lineage facilitates these types of integration because it is broad and under-specified in ways that the concepts of molecular gene and evolutionary novelty are not. Hence, I use the concept of biological lineage as a case study to reveal types of integration that have been overlooked by philosophers. This case study also shows that even very imprecise concepts can be beneficial to scientific practice. (shrink)

Functional language is ubiquitous in ecology, mainly in the researches about biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, it has not been adequately investigated by ecologists or philosophers of ecology. In the contemporary philosophy of ecology we can recognize a kind of implicit consensus about this issue: while the etiological approaches cannot offer a good concept of function in ecology, Cummins’ systemic approach can. Here we propose to go beyond this implicit consensus, because we think these approaches are not adequate for ecology. (...) We argue that a sound epistemological framework to function in ecology is to be found in organizational approaches. In this line, we define function in ecology as a precise effect of a given constraint on the ecosystem flow of matter and energy performed by a given item of biodiversity, within a closure of constraints. We elaborate on this definition by developing a case study of a bromeliad ecosystem. (shrink)

This article defends lineage pluralism; the view that biological lineages are not a single, unified type of entity. I analyze aspects of evolutionary theory, phylogenetics, and developmental biology to show that these areas appeal to distinct notions of lineage. I formulate three arguments for lineage pluralism. These arguments undercut the main motivations for lineage monism; the view that biological lineages are a single, unified type of entity. Although this view is rarely made explicit, it is often assumed in philosophy and (...) biology. Hence, this article sheds light on this monistic assumption and shows why lineage pluralism should be adopted instead. (shrink)

The concept of scaffold is widespread in science and increasingly common in evolutionary biology. While this concept figures in causal explanations, it is not clear what scaffolds are and what role they play in those explanations. Here we present evolutionary scaffolding explanation as a distinct type of explanatory strategy, distinguishing it from other types of evolutionary explanation. By doing so, we clarify the meaning of “scaffold” as a causal concept and its potential contribution to accounts of evolutionary novelty and major (...) transitions. (shrink)

Biological race realism (hereafter BRR) is the view that humans form biologically distinct groups. Non-racist versions of BRR have emerged recently based on sophisticated work in science and philosophy (Hardimon 2003; 2017; Spencer 2012; 2014; 2019a). In this paper, I examine Quayshawn Spencer’s version of BRR and argue that it fails to fully consider how social, political, and moral values influence the metaphysics of race. To do so, I rely on the “science and values” literature and the notions of inductive, (...) epistemic, and ethical risk (Douglas 2000; Douglas 2009; Brown 2015; Biddle and Kukla 2017; Elliot and Richards 2017). Once one realizes the complex relationship between these types of risks and BRR, Spencer’s metaphysical arguments become less appealing than they might first seem. This analysis raises questions about what it means to do metaphysics of race in a socially responsible way. Hence, this paper aims at making these questions visible, inviting metaphysicians of race to directly engage with them. (shrink)

Objective: Illness perceptions are important predictors of emotional and behavioral responses in many diseases. The current study aims to investigate the COVID-19-related IP throughout Europe. The specific goals are to understand the temporal development, identify predictors and examine the impacts of IP on perceived stress and preventive behaviors.Methods: This was a time-series-cross-section study of 7,032 participants from 16 European countries using multilevel modeling from April to June 2020. IP were measured with the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Temporal patterns were observed (...) considering the date of participation and the date recoded to account the epidemiological evolution of each country. The outcomes considered were perceived stress and COVID-19 preventive behaviors.Results: There were significant trends, over time, for several IP, suggesting a small decrease in negativity in the perception of COVID-19 in the community. Age, gender, and education level related to some, but not all, IP. Considering the self-regulation model, perceptions consistently predicted general stress and were less consistently related to preventive behaviors. Country showed no effect in the predictive model, suggesting that national differences may have little relevance for IP, in this context.Conclusion: The present study provides a comprehensive picture of COVID-19 IP in Europe in an early stage of the pandemic. The results shed light on the process of IP formation with implications for health-related outcomes and their evolution. (shrink)

In this paper, I show how idealizations contribute to social activities in science, such as the recruitment of experts to a research project. These contributions have not been explicitly discussed by recent philosophical accounts of scientific idealization. These accounts have focused on how idealizations influence activities like scientific theorization, explanation, and modeling. Other accounts focus on how idealizations influence policy-making and science communication. I expand these accounts by exploring the uses of idealized phylogenetic trees in science. Trees are not only (...) useful for improving our understanding and public communication of evolutionary history, but they also help with the organization of laboratories and collaboration among scientists. Attending to the relation between idealizations and these social practices in science matters. It can help us understand why idealized models become entrenched and why certain social practices change over time. (shrink)

O presente artigo objetiva analisar os impactos da pandemia no ensino de filosofia. Mais precisamente, se ainda é possível filosofar em uma realidade de quase “terra arrasada” que atingiu a educação brasileira, durante os meses que sucederam ao noticiário da Covid-19. Para tanto, considera-se, no primeiro momento, a realidade educacional enfrentada pelos profissionais da educação no que tange ao distanciamento exigido pelas autoridades sanitárias em virtude da pandemia. Em seguida, no segundo momento, aborda-se a necessidade do ensino de filosofia, caracterizando-a (...) enquanto possibilidade crítico-reflexiva. Apesar do distanciamento social, bem como da utilização impessoal e, por vezes, abstrata das ferramentas digitais, a práxis filosófica não pode ser descartada. Por fim, intenta-se responder à provocação inicial que dá título ao presente texto, refletindo sobre as possibilidades do ato de filosofar em realidade educacional tão hostil e, em muitos aspectos, difícil de administrar, como o contexto pós-pandemia. (shrink)

In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:Hume and Pascal: Pyrrhonism vs. Nature José R. Maia Neto The view that Pyrrhonism is not practically viable was, according to Richard H. Popkin, held during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuriesbydifferent philosophers suchas Mersenne,Arnauld, Pascal, Ramsay, and others.1 Among the anti-sceptics, this position was usually taken as an argument against Pyrrhonism. Popkin points out that Hume's main contribution to the "Pyrrhonian controversy" is to show that (i) "the (...) Pyrrhonian doctrine was the logical outcome of philosophical analysis,"2 (ii) that the infeasibility of Pyrrhonism does not weaken its epistemological force but only its psychological plausibility, and (Ui) that this implausibility obtains because nature (the common affairs ofeveryday life and the feeUngs, impressions, and ideas thereby generated) impels the philosopher to believe.3 Popkin alsomakes an allusion to the similaritybetweenHume and Pascal on this issue.4 In this paper I compare the dilemma posed by Pascal as apropaedeutic tofaith withthe "dangerous dilemma" alluded to, but avoided, by Hume in the conclusion of book 1 of the Treatise. The dilemma follows from (i) above. At a certain point in his epistemological enquiry the philosopher is forced tomake a hard choice between the quite disadvantageous alternatives: either to continue his philosophizing, which, leading to Pyrrhonism, may bring despair and cause the annihilation ofhis life, or to abandon philosophy, makinghim aprey ofthe "errors, absurdities, andobscurities"ofanon-critical life.5 In what follows I compare Hume's solution to this dilemma with Pascal's.? In the following passage Hume shows the toughness of the dilemma and offers a first answer to it: What party, then, shall we choose among these difficulties? If we... condemn all refin'd reasoning, we run into the most manifest absurdities. If we reject it in favour of these reasonings, we subvert entirely the human understanding. We have, therefore, no choice left but betwixt a false reason and none at all. For my part, I know not what ought to be done Volume XVII Number 1 41 JOSE R.???? NETO in the present case. I can only observe what is commonly done; which is, that this difficulty is seldom or never thought of; and even where it has once been present to the mind, is quickly forgot, and leaves but a small impression behind it. (T 268) Note that in this first answer Hume manages to avoid the normative response that the dilemma demands. He provides, instead, a descriptive account which is a kind of solution because it purports to show that human psychology makes it unlikely that someone could reach the point at which he or she would have to choose between the two parties. The dilemma does not arise because nature stops the self-subversion ofreason. Most fortunately it happens, that since reason is incapable of dispelling these clouds, nature herselfsuffices to that purpose, and cures me of this philosophical melancholy and delirium, either by relaxing this bent ofmind, or by some avocation, and lively impression of my senses, which obliterate all these chimeras. (T 269) Hume means by nature in this passage both human nature and the social and natural environments which, in so far as they demand specific reactions, generate appropriate beliefs. Those beliefs imposed by nature are necessaryforour survival. So, the mere interaction ofthe philosopher with the world outside his closet suffices to dispel his sceptical crisis. According to Hume, this determination of nature is absolute and necessary. "I find myself absolutely and necessarily determin'd to live... I may, nay I must yield to the current ofnature" (T 269). This view is reaffirmed in the Enquiry. Nature is always too strong for principle. And though a PYRRHONIAN may throw himself or others into a momentary amazement and confusion by his profound reasonings; the first and most trivial event in life will put to flight all his doubts and scruples, and leave him the same, in every point ofaction and speculation, with the philosophers of every other sect, or with those who never concerned themselves in any philosophical researches.6 So, it would appear that the dilemma is just a fleeting impression in the imagination of the philosopher during a momentary sceptical crisis. Nature provides that such a crisis is not prolonged... (shrink)

CAVALCANTI NETO, Lamartine de Hollanda. Contributions of Thomistic Psychology to the study of the plasticity of the ethos. 2012. 571s. Thesis (Doctorate in Bioethics) – Centro Universitário São Camilo, São Paulo,2012. If Ethics is not a static science, it is because ethos — its basic object of study — is a mutable reality. For this reason, ethical themes, chiefly those of Bioethics, are directly related to the study of the plasticity of the ethos. Nevertheless, such investigation requires that the (...) researcher distance himself from concrete ethical questions, to apply himself to the theoretical examination of what enables the existence and development of such questions — that is, the aforementioned plasticity. However, bibliographical literature on this subject has revealed a scarcity of works focused specifically on the theme. This scarcity seems to indicate that the subject is still in a process of methodological definition. Therefore, we propose as a research question, to investigate at the theoretical level, if Thomistic Psychology can be considered a valid study tool for the plasticity of ethos. For this aim, we adopt a documental and bibliographical research methodology adapted to the aforesaid question, based on the presupposition that such validity can be gauged to the extent that Thomistic Psychology offers objective contributions to the study of the plasticity of the ethos. Backed by extensive literature, we present an overview of Thomistic Psychology, as well as of ethos and its plasticity. With the data obtained, we establish a discussion with a view to identifying these contributions. Based on the results, we close with a reply, while still open, to our research question, hoping to afford, in this way, a kind of platform on which new studies can be developed with greater facility. (shrink)

The present study aimed to explore and map the views of Portuguese laypersons regarding the acceptability of downsizing and restructuring measures during a recession. Two hundred and seven participants with various levels of training in economics were presented with a number of realistic scenarios depicting various measures, and were asked to indicate the extent to which they considered them to be acceptable. The scenarios were created by varying three factors likely to have an impact on people’s views: the magnitude of (...) a company’s reduction in net sales, the magnitude of planned downsizing, and the way in which downsizing would be implemented, either through layoffs, job alliances or both. Six qualitatively different personal positions were found. Four of these following positions were expected: never acceptable, mainly depends on the magnitude of downsizing, mainly acceptable and job alliance. Two unexpected positions were also observed: drastic measures and undetermined. (shrink)

Although the skeptical crisis at the dawn of modern philosophy can be properly labelled Pyrrhonian specific features of the academic school of skepticism played an important role in this crisis. Academic skepticism becomes even more influential in post-Cartesian skepticism from Foucher to Hume.

Jose Raimundo Maia Neto - The Limits of Doubt: The Moral and Political Implications of Skepticism - Journal of the History of Philosophy 40:4 Journal of the History of Philosophy 40.4 551-552 Book Review The Limits of Doubt: The Moral and Political Implications of Skepticism Petr Lom. The Limits of Doubt: The Moral and Political Implications of Skepticism. Albany: The State University of New York Press, 2001. Pp. xiv + 138. Cloth, $49.50. Paper, $16.95. Since the appearance in 1960 (...) of Richard Popkin's The History of Skepticism from Erasmus to Descartes skepticism has been acknowledged as a powerful intellectual force in modern philosophy. Lom's The Limits of Doubt corroborates this view by showing the relevance of this ancient tradition in the political and moral thought of a number of major modern.. (shrink)

According to the species-as-individuals thesis(hereafter S-A-I), species are cohesive entities. Barker and Wilson recently pointed out that the type of cohesion exhibited by species is fundamentally different from that of organisms (paradigmatic individuals), suggesting that species are homeostatic property cluster kinds. In this article, I propose a shift in how to approach cohesion in the context of S-A-I: instead of analyzing the different types of cohesion and questioning whether species have them, I focus on the role played by cohesion in (...) the identity of individuals. This shift allows us to recognize why cohesion matters to S-A-I, as well as to reconceive the analogy between species and organisms (paradigmatic individuals), and also allows us to highlight the context sensitivity of both ‘‘cohesion’’ and ‘‘individuals.’’ From this perspective, I identify two problems in Barker and Wilson’s argumentation. Firstly, the authors fail to recognize that species are individuals even if they do not have the same type of cohesion that organisms have. Secondly, their argument relies on a misinterpretation of S-A-I. I conclude that species cohesion is still best framed as a feature of species individuality rather than a feature of species as homeostatic property cluster kinds. The arguments presented here contribute to the re-articulation and reevaluation of S-A-I in the face of contemporary discussions. (shrink)

In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:Academic Skepticism in Early Modern PhilosophyJosé R. Maia NetoAncient skepticism was more influential in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries than it had ever been before. Thanks to the groundwork of Charles B. Schmitt and Richard H. Popkin on the influence of ancient skepticism in early modern philosophy and to the extensive research that followed their lead, skepticism is now recognized as having played a major role in the rise (...) of modern thought. 1There were two ancient skeptical schools, Academic skepticism and Pyrrhon-ism. Were both equally influential? Until the sixteenth century, Pyrrhonism was scarcely known. Only a few copies of Sextus’s books (the only surviving primary source of ancient Pyrrhonism) have been discovered in medieval libraries. By contrast the main source of Academic skepticism, Cicero’s Aca-demica, was occasionally referred to by medieval authors and was the object of some commentaries and criticism in the Renaissance. 2 Academic skepticism was preserved from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance not only through Cicero’s Academica, but also through Lactantius’s Divinae Institutiones and [End Page 199] Augustine’s Contra Academicos. 3 This situation changed when Sextus’s works were translated to latin and published in 1562 and 1569. Sextus presents a much more complete and detailed account and defense of ancient skepticism than that of Cicero’s Academica. Sextus presents Pyrrhonism as a coherent form of skepticism and Academic skepticism as a kind of negative dogmatism. 4 It was thus natural that the ancient skepticism that fascinated some (and troubled so many) early modern thinkers was mostly Pyrrhonian. Because of the publication of Sextus’s works, according to Schmitt, the increasing influence of Cicero’s Academica in the Renaissance was halted. Sextus’s Hypotyposes and Adversus Mathematicos took the place of Cicero’s Academica and drastically increased the influence of ancient skepticism. 5 The skeptical crisis at the dawn of modern philosophy is called “pyrrhonienne” not “academicienne.”While the appearance of Sextus’s works in Latin turned him and Pyrrhonism into the main source and influence of ancient skepticism in early modern philosophy, further research on the history of skepticism in the period has shown that the role of Cicero’s Academica and of Academic skepticism in general continued to be considerable. First, Cicero’s works were important items in the university curricula. Although Cicero’s works of rhetoric and morals were those more read, the students could certainly learn about Academic skepticism through at least some of them. Second, many editions of De Natura Deorum, a work of Cicero’s in which Academic skepticism is quite central, were published during the seventeenth century. Third, features of Academic skepticism, exhibited above all in Cicero’s Academica, are basic to the skepticism revived in the late Renaissance by Montaigne and Charron; were related to the new science in the first half of the seventeenth century by Gassendi; were used in the anti-Cartesian reaction of the late seventeenth century by Rapin, Huet, Bayle, and above all Foucher; and were radicalized in the eighteenth century by Hume. Despite the Academic features of Montaigne’s, Charron’s, and Gassendi’s skepticisms, it does seem that from the publication of Sextus’s works to the mid-seventeenth century, Academic skepticism was secondary to Pyrrhonism. But the appearance of Descartes and the development of Cartesianism in the second half of the seventeenth century set conditions for a complete revamping of Academic skepticism, bringing about what Schmitt thought was precluded by the appearance of Sextus in the modern scene, namely, a “full flowering of the Academica as a work to inspire new directions of philosophical thought.” 6 [End Page 200]Montaigne’s Apologie pour Raimond Sebond is rightly considered the first major result of the revival of ancient Pyrrhonism in modern thought. 7 Montaigne never cites the name of Sextus nor acknowledges his source and, by contrast, fills his Apology with passages from Cicero on the Academic skeptics. It is clear, however, that Montaigne follows closely Sextus’s Outlines of Pyrrhonism in the central part of the Apology where he gives a detailed and sympathetic exposition of ancient skepticism.After dwelling on the evils and problems arising from knowledge and science, Montaigne... (shrink)

Neste artigo, discutimos o papel das explicações teleológicas na teoriaGaia. Mostramos que seu principal proponente, James Lovelock, pretendeevitá-las devido a uma interpretação equivocada da natureza de taisexplicações. Na tentativa de evitar compromissos com a teleologia,Lovelock recorre ao conceito de propriedades emergentes. Esta não é,contudo, uma saída consistente, porque os conceitos de propriedadesemergentes e teleologia não são mutuamente excludentes. Discutimostambém as dificuldades de uma interpretação de Gaia de uma perspectivateleonômica, considerando problemas como o da noção de superorganismo.Para avaliar o estatuto das (...) explicações teleológicas em Gaia, examinamoso caso da interação entre algas e nuvens, que resultou num novo campo depesquisas e expõe as contribuições teóricas e empíricas que Gaia podeoferecer. Com base nos argumentos apresentados ao longo do artigo,sugerimos uma reorganização da estrutura do programa de pesquisa Gaia,visando à continuação de seu progresso teórico e empírico.In this paper, we discuss the role of teleological explanations in Gaia theory.We show that its main proponent, James Lovelock, intends to avoid themdue to a misinterpretation of the nature of teleological explanations. Inorder to avoid a commitment to teleology, Lovelock appeals to the conceptof emergent properties. This is not a consistent solution, however, since the concepts of emergent properties and teleology are not mutuallyexclusive. We also discuss difficulties in an interpretation of Gaia from ateleonomic perspective, discussing problems such as that of the notion ofsuperorganism. In order to appraise the status of teleological explanationsin Gaia, we examine the case of the interaction between algae and clouds,which gave birth to a new research field and show the theoretical andempirical contributions that Gaia can bring. Based on the argumentsdeveloped in the paper, we suggest a reorganization of the structure ofGaia research program, in order to go on with its theoretical and empiricalprogress. (shrink)

Resumo: Este artigo possui o propósito de colocar à prova a interpretação heideggeriana acerca das noções nietzschianas de vontade de potência e eterno retorno do mesmo. Para levar a cabo o referido objetivo, de início, apresentaremos o argumento desenvolvido por Heidegger nas suas preleções e textos sobre Nietzsche, editadas e publicadas em dois volumes, no ano de 1961. Num segundo momento, examinaremos, em Nietzsche: sua filosofia dos antagonismos e os antagonismos de sua filosofia, a resposta que Müller-Lauter ofereceu à crítica (...) de Heidegger. Por ocasião deste exame, tentaremos salientar que haveria certa insuficiência na réplica deste comentador. Por fim, iremos recorrer aos textos do próprio Nietzsche para tentar promover uma confrontação com a interpretação do Filósofo da Floresta Negra.: This article has the purpose to challenge the Heideggerian interpretation of Nietzsche’s notions of will to power and eternal recurrence. To carry out this objective, we will first present the argument developed by Heidegger in his lectures and texts on Nietzsche, edited and published in two volumes, in 1961. In a second moment, we will examine, in Nietzsche: his philosophy of antagonisms and the antagonisms of his philosophy, the answer that Müller-Lauter offered to Heidegger’s criticism. On the occasion of this examination, we will try to point out that there would be a certain insufficiency in this commenter’s reply. Finally, we will resort to Nietzsche’s own texts to try to promote a confrontation with the Black Forest Philosopher’s interpretation. (shrink)

Pierre-Daniel Huet is one of the most important skeptics from the end of the 17th/begining of the 18th centuries. In this article, I show that Descartes is the main source of Huet’s skepticism by means of six remarks, each developed in a section of the article. 1) Huet discovered Cartesian doubt before he discovered ancient skeptical doubt ; 2) the skepticism exhibited in the Traité Philosophique de la Faiblesse de l’Esprit Humain and the anti-cartesianism exhibited in the Censura Philosophiae Cartesianae (...) were originally parts of the same work ; 3) there is a skeptical Descartes in the Censura ; 4) the intellectual biography of the Provençal in the Traité Philosophique updates and pyrrhonizes Descartes’s intellectual biography in the Discours de la Méthode ; 5) four skeptical arguments in the Traité — including the most important one in the book — are Cartesian ; 6) Huet’s skepticism was perceived as partially Cartesian by the first readers of the manuscript. (shrink)

Montaigne faz um ataque pirrônico ao conceito acadêmico de verossimilhança ou probabilidade na Apologia de Raymond Sebond. O ataque é paradoxal porque Montaigne parece seguir o verossímil na própria Apologia e em diversos outros ensaios. Para resolver este problema exegético proponho uma dupla restrição do escopo do ataque à verossimilhança. Por um lado, mostro que o ataque visa mais a leitura epistêmica da verossimilhança proposta por Filo de Larissa do que ao conceito original de ordem exclusivamente prática de Carnéades. Por (...) outro, situo-o em um contexto político-religioso bem específico. O ataque pirrônico à verossimilhança é a estratégia oferecida por Montaigne à rainha católica de Navarra e irmã do rei da França, Marguerite de Valois, para eventual uso nas polêmicas religiosas em sua corte majoritariamente protestante de Nérac. Esta contextualização soluciona também outros problemas exegéticos da Apologia, como o da defesa paradoxal de Sebond, a inconsistência aparente entre as respostas de Montaigne às duas objeções feitas ao livro de Sebond, e o problema do fideísmo. In the Apology for Raymond Sebond, Montaigne launches a Pyrrhonian attack on Academic probability. However, Montaigne does follow probability in the Apology and other essays. In order to solve this exegetical problem I propose a double restriction of the attack. On the one hand, I show that it aims at Philo of Larissa's epistemic interpretation of the doctrine rather than at Carneades' original practical conception. On the other hand, I place the attack on a very specific historical context. Montaigne's Pyrrhonian attack on probability is a polemical strategy offered to Marguerite de Valois, the sister of the catholic king of France and wife of the protestant leader Henri de Navarre, to be used in the religious controversies in her predominant protestant court at Nérac. This context also solves other exegetical problems of the Apology such as Montaigne's paradoxical defense of Sebond, the apparent contradiction between the replies to the two objections to Sebond's book addressed by Montaigne, and the problem of fideism. (shrink)

A defining aspect of our modern age is our tenacious belief in technology in all walks of life, not least in education. It could be argued that this infatuation with technology or ‘techno-philia’ in education has had a deep impact in the classroom changing the relationship between teacher and student, as well as between students; that is, these relations have become increasingly more I–It than I–Thou based because the capacity to form bonds, the level of connectedness between teacher and students, (...) and between students has either decreased or become impaired by the increasing technologisation of education. Running parallel to this and perhaps exacerbating the problem is the so-called process of ‘learnification’, which understands that teachers are mere facilitators of the learning process, rather than someone with an expertise who has something to teach others. In this article, I first assess the current technologisation of education and the impact it has had in relations within the classroom; second, I characterise Buber’s I–It and I–Thou relations and its implications for education; finally, I investigate through a thought experiment if the development of AI could 1 day successfully replace human teachers in the classroom. (shrink)

In this text, I propose to revisit Jacques Derrida “Plato's Pharmacy” in its main arguments and provide an analysis based on two important receptions and developments of Derridean thought – by Bernard Stiegler and Catherine Malabou. Firstly, I divide the text into four scenes to demonstrate its logical ordering and rigorous nature of its argument: (1) accepting assumptions of Plato’s text; (2) assuming hierarchy following the argument; (3) reversing hierarchy with contradictions and contaminations; (4) dissolving the opposition with a transversal (...) concept (pharmakon). Afterward, I mention the theoretical proposal of Bernard Stiegler, presenting his reception of “Plato’s Pharmacy” and pointing problems of such reception since – after integrating technique/writing into philosophy – gradually, as the work progresses, Stiegler leans towards a Eurocentric Nous. Finally, I present Catherine Malabou thought as another post-deconstructive path that develops at the level of form, placing the brain as an axis of problematization that allows dualisms to be overcome, Eurocentrism reinvigorated with the restoration of Nous, and exploring new paths. (shrink)

After the publication of Hart's Concept of Law, Dworkin published his article “The Model of Rules,” dividing positivism into two varieties: inclusive and exclusive. Many theorists involved in this debate have characterized Hart's position as inclusivist, which we reject in this article. We argue that Hart, in the postscript to The Concept of Law, conceded a point to Dworkin in accepting that inclusive positivism would imply the existence of objective moral standing, adopting a more “neutral” position—compatible with inclusive and exclusive (...) positivism—and consequently distancing himself from the incorporation thesis, which is paramount to inclusive positivism. (shrink)

The history of Christianity was a prevalent subject among 18th century philosophers. This article presents a historical perspective of the relationship between Christianity and power based on a comparative analysis of the ideas of Voltaire and Rousseau. Bibliographic research was undertaken using a philosophical approach to their works. This study examines Voltaire’s inquiry into Jesus Christ as a historical figure and a“genealogy” of Christianity in three of his works: Tumbeau du fanatisme(1736), Traité sur la tolérance(1763), and Catéchisme de l'honnête homme (...) (1763). Regarding Rousseau, this study interprets his historical approach to the connections between Christianity and politics based on the following works: Sur la Réponse qui a été faite à son Discours(1751), the chapter entitled “Civil Religion” in Du Contract social(1762), and Lettres écrites de la montagne(1764). Not only do the findings of this inquiry reveal the similarities and differences between the thoughts of Voltaire and Rousseau and the historical tensions between Christianity and power, the findings also point toward a fundamental defense of a secular state. (shrink)