1 – Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health, Wilhelmstr. 3a, 79098 Freiburg, Germany 2 – Parmenides Center, Via Mellini 26-28, 57031 Capoliveri, Italy 3 – Department of Ophtalmology, University of Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany 4 – Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Hermann- Herder -Str. 3, 79104 Freiburg, GermanyThe “Necker-Zeno model”, a model for bistable perception inspired by the quantum Zeno effect, was previously used to relate three basic time scales of cognitive relevance to one (...) another in a quantitative manner. In this paper, the model predictions are compared with experimental results obtained under discontinuous presentation of an ambiguous stimulus. In addition to earlier results for long inter-stimulus intervals, we show that the reversal dynamics according to the Necker-Zeno model is also in agreement with new results for short inter-stimulus intervals. Moreover, we refine the model in such a way that it accounts for the distribution of “dwell times”. Finally, we indicate applications concerning the modification of cognitive time scales under conditions of psychopathological impairments and meditationinduced modes of awareness. ∗Address correspondence to this author at the Theory Division of the Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology, Wilhelmstr. 3a, D–79098 Freiburg, Germany; E-mail: [email protected]. (shrink)

The dominant approach to environmental policy endorsed by conservative and libertarian policy thinkers, so-called “free market environmentalism”, is grounded in the recognition and protection of property rights in environmental resources. Despite this normative commitment to property rights, most self-described FME advocates adopt a utilitarian, welfare-maximization approach to climate change policy, arguing that the costs of mitigation measures could outweigh the costs of climate change itself. Yet even if anthropogenic climate change is decidedly less than catastrophic, human-induced climate change is likely (...) to contribute to environmental changes that violate traditional conceptions of property rights. Viewed globally, the actions of some countries—primarily industrialized nations—are likely to increase environmental harms suffered by other countries—less developed nations that have not made any significant contribution to climate change. It may well be that aggregate human welfare would be maximized in a warmer, wealthier world, or that the gains from climate change will offset environmental losses. Yet such claims, even if demonstrated, would not address the normative concern that the consequences of anthropogenic global warming would infringe upon the rights of people in less-developed nations. As a consequence, this paper calls for a rethinking of FME approaches to climate change policy. (shrink)

In what has preceded I have travelled a good deal beyond Simonides. But I have done so in order to illustrate the fact that the remains of ancient lyric cannot be interpreted in isolation. I come back now to the extant fragments of Simonides.

I argue that in a classical universe, all the events that ever happen are encoded in each of the universe's parts. This conflicts with a statement which is widely believed to lie at the basis of relativity theory: that the events in a space-time region R determine only the events in R's domain of dependence but not those in other space-time regions. I show how, from this understanding, a new prediction method (which I call the &unknown;Smoothness Method&unknown;) can be obtained (...) which allows us to predict future events on the basis of local observational data. Like traditional prediction methods, this method makes use of so-called &unknown;ceteris paribus clauses&unknown;, i.e. assumptions about the unobserved parts of the universe. However, these assumptions are used in a way which enables us to predict the behaviour of open systems with arbitrary accuracy, regardless of the influence of their environment--which has not been achieved by traditional methods. In a sequel to this paper (Schmidt, 1998), I will prove the Uniqueness and Predictability Theorems on which the Smoothness Method is based, and comment in more detail on its mathematical properties. (shrink)

Es geht um die Frage, welcher Begriffsapparat und welche Methode angemessen ist, um Geschichte als Teil der Lebenswirklichkeit des Menschen zu begreifen. Die dialektische Methode und die dazu gehörige Begrifflichkeit bietet sich hierfür an. Bei Hegel ist diese Methode jedoch mit einem problematischen Universalitätsanspruch verbunden. Dies hat zur Folge, dass er die Vorgeschichte der europäisch-abendländischen Staaten seiner Zeit als allumfassende Weltgeschichte betrachtet. Bei Marx wird einerseits nach den Grenzen der dialektischen Methode gefragt und andererseits werden bestimmte Differenzierungen im Geschichtsbegriff angebracht. (...) Er beschränkt sich auf die Geschichte der Klassengesellschaften und erwartet für die Zeit nach deren Aufhebung einen Geschichtstyp anderer Art. Dieser Ansatz lässt sich erweitern zu einer Typologie sozialer Evolutionen, von denen nur die Geschichte der Klassengesellschaften als Geschichte im engeren Sinn aufgefasst wird. In einem folgenden Schritt werden die Begrenzung der Dialektik mithilfe der Dekonstruktion der Hegelschen Philosophie durch Derrida und die Differenzierungen im Geschichtsbegriff mithilfe der Rekonstruktion des Historischen Materialismus durch Habermas weitergeführt. So entsteht eine Konzeption, in der die Dialektik als eine mögliche Form des Denkens von Differenzen aufgefasst wird, die geeignet erscheint, um als Methode für das Begreifen eines bestimmten Typs sozialer Evolution (Geschichte im Sinne von Geschichte der Klassengesellschaften) gebraucht zu werden. (shrink)

Not so long ago I attended a conference of philosophers and politicians. I was introduced to one rather opinionated politician as one of the philosophers. He promptly asked me, “What sort of philosopher?” I turned the edge of this by replying rather tartly in turn, “Quite a good one, it is generally thought.” This may seem a little naughty, but there are some uses for prevarication, and few of us care to attach a too explicit label to ourselves. When we (...) do so we often find ourselves keeping the wrong company. There are still some isms around, but we have weeded out most of them from our syllabuses. There is more important and rewarding work to do than fighting pitched philosophical battles between closely regimented troops. (shrink)

By the death, last summer, of Jack Robson, the world of utilitarian studies and a wider world of scholarship on both sides of the Atlantic lost one of their most distinguished figures. It would not be appropriate here, even if it were possible now, to attempt a full and measured assessment of his work. Writing only a few months after the news of his death, while the sense of loss is still so sharp for all his many friends, two things (...) are possible. Something can and should be said to acknowledge and celebrate Robson's achievement as a scholar; and to this can be added some personal recollections of one whose human qualities were as outstanding as his scholarship. (shrink)

Ṣadr al-Dīn Shīrāzī, Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm, -1641--Criticism and interpretation. ; Islamic philosophy.

In studies of scientific methodology, surprisingly little attention has been given to tests of hypotheses. Such testing constitutes a methodology common to various scientific disciplines and is an essential factor in the development of science since it determines which theories are retained. The classical theory of tests is a major accomplishment but requires modification in order to produce a theory that accounts for the success of science. The revised theory is an analysis of the nondeductive aspect of scientific reasoning. It (...) results in a new definition of probability and a nonclassical point of view with regard to the foundations of probability. (shrink)

This paper explicates and defends a social-naturalist conception of internationality and intentions, where internationality of scientific expressions is fundamental. Meanings of expressions are a function of their place in language-systems and of the relations of systems to object-level evidence and associated community activities-including deliberation and experiment. Naturalizing internationality requires social-intellectual reconstruction exemplified by the scientific community at its best. This approach emphasizes normative elements of pragmatic conceptions of meaning and their function in orientation. It requires social conditions and intellectual practices (...) making knowledge of intentions possible. Scientific ends, methods, and meanings, together, constitute culturally evolved instruments of adaptation to, and reconstruction of, physical and cultural environments. (Reprinted in Meaning without Analyticity.) -/- . (shrink)

Die drei Bücher "Vom rechten Handeln" beschäftigen sich mit dem Verhältnis zwischem dem "Sittlichen" und dem "Nützlichen". Cicero vertritt die These, dass beide Begriffe "von Natur aus" identisch sind. Einen Konflikt zwischen dem Sittlichen, d.h. den aus den Tugenden folgenden Pflichten, und dem Nützlichen kann es daher im Grunde nicht geben. Was immer auf den ersten Blick sich als Konfliktfall darstellen mag - und Cicero geht zahlreiche Beispiele durch -, erweist sich bei genauer Betrachtung stets als scheinbarer Konflikt, der Nutzen (...) als scheinbarer Nutzen. Cicero verfasste "De officiis" als Vermächtnis an seinen Sohn in den Monaten nach der Ermordung Caesars. Von allen Werken Ciceros hat es am stärksten auf die Nachwelt gewirkt, von der Antika an, über Mittelalter, Renaissance bis hin zur Neuzeit; es wurde 1465 in Mainz als erstes gedruckt und am häufigsten übersetzt und kommentiert. Voltaire und Friedrich der Große hielten "De officiis" für das beste Buch über Moral. Die Übersetzung Karl Büchners sucht so wörtlich wie möglich die kunstvolle Sprache Ciceros nachzubilden. Der lateinische Text folgt der maßgeblichen Ausgabe von C. Atzert, die zahlreichen Abweichungen werden ausführlich kommentiert. Mit Einführung, Verzeichnis der Eigennamen und Literaturhinweisen. (shrink)