While the term ‘nihilism’ has become increasingly widespread throughout the past two centuries, not only in academic discourses but in popular culture more widely, there is a surprising lack of con...

ESPAÑOL: Aunque Aristóteles llegó a calificar como «revolución» el cambio violento de las politeias griegas y Arendt, al revisar el uso moderno del término, ve a ésta como el surgimiento de una inevitable y desconocida forma de gobierno que, a través también de la violencia, busca la libertad e igualdad política de todos los ciudadanos, fue Ortega quien se atrevió a aseverar que lo menos esencial de las revoluciones es la violencia, apuntando con ello a la aparición de un discurso (...) y una narrativa que quebranta y modifica nuestra percepción del mundo. Sin embargo, a pesar de mantener dicha intención quebrantadora, el discurso revolucionario parece haberse convertido en ciertas zonas de Latinoamérica en un arte factus lingüístico —término que usó también Ortega— que sirve a la concentración del poder y la ideología ( en el sentido usado por Teun van Dijk) de un grupo social específico. ENGLISH: Although Aristotle came to qualify as a «revolution» violent change of the Greek polity and Arendt, reviewing the modern use of the term, sees this as the emergence of an inevitable and unknown form of government, also through violence, seek freedom and political equality of all citizens, was Ortega who dared to assert that the least essential of revolutions is the violence, pointing to the emergence of this discourse and narrative breaks and changes our perception of the world. However, despite this intention to keep disruptive, revolutionary discourse seems to have become in parts of Latin America in a language factus art — a term also used by Ortega — serving concentration of power and ideology (in the sense used by Teun van Dijk) of a particular social group. (shrink)

Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, EarlyView.

The literature on mathematical explanation contains numerous examples of explanatory, and not so explanatory proofs. In this paper we report results of an empirical study aimed at investigating mathematicians’ notion of explanatoriness, and its relationship to accounts of mathematical explanation. Using a Comparative Judgement approach, we asked 38 mathematicians to assess the explanatory value of several proofs of the same proposition. We found an extremely high level of agreement among mathematicians, and some inconsistencies between their assessments and claims in the (...) literature regarding the explanatoriness of certain types of proofs. (shrink)

Thomas Bonk has dedicated a book to analyzing the thesis of underdetermination of scientific theories, with a chapter exclusively devoted to the analysis of the relation between this idea and the indeterminacy of meaning. Both theses caused a revolution in the philosophic world in the sixties, generating a cascade of articles and doctoral theses. Agitation seems to have cooled down, but the point is still debated and it may be experiencing a renewed resurgence.

A 68-year-old patient who suffered from gastric cancer diagnosed 8 months earlier presented with multiple peritoneal and hepatic metastasis, despite several rounds of chemo- and radiotherapy. After admission to hospital, his general condition quickly became severely compromised. He was nearly emaciated, despite being on partial parenteral feeding. Four years earlier, due to a cardiac arrhythmia that was refractory to medication, the patient had a cardiac pacemaker implanted, regulated to go off at frequencies of below 70 beats per minute. Given the (...) patient's terminal situation, the team started developing some doubts about the pacemaker's effects during his dying process. The patient had mentioned his intention to donate his pacemaker after his death, but had not asked for its deactivation. The specialists were not sure about the effect of the pacemaker in unnecessarily prolonging the patient's final hour. Nevertheless, they opposed deactivation, which they considered ethically uncertain. The family, who had been initially for the deactivation, decided against it. The patient's condition was progressively deteriorating, as he was falling into a state of sopor and, later, into a coma. (shrink)

In this paper it is performed a historical account of the theoretical roots that grounded the following four key basic ideas of chemical equilibrium: ‘incomplete reaction’, ‘reversibility’, ‘equilibrium constant’ and ‘molecular dynamics’. These notions developed in nineteenth-century as a consequence of the evolution of the concept of chemical affinity. The discussion begins with the presentation of the earliest affinity table [‘Table des rapports’] published in 1718 by Geoffroy. Afterwards, it is examined Bergman’s compilation. The theory supporting this arrangement assumed that (...) chemical displacement reactions were complete and could not be reversed. It is analysed how Berthollet’s model showed the inadequacy of this view. His new conceptual considerations established that the amount of the substances involved in a reaction was an essential factor determining its direction, which accounted for the early concepts of incomplete reaction and reversibility. Guldberg and Waage specified the role of mass in chemical equilibrium reactions as they considered the concentrations of the chemicals involved, formulating the first chemical equilibrium mathematical equation that approximates what is called nowadays chemical equilibrium constant. Finally, it is presented how Pfaundler was the first to consider the kinetic theory in the interpretation of the macroscopic properties of equilibrium reactions. (shrink)

Based on a condensed historical overview of management as an artifact, the article argues that management is still suffused by an implicit paradigm of value extraction that is ideologically and culturally tinted and that we need to find a new foothold in theory and practice, a more universally valid approach with an encompassing awareness of societal well-being and long-term impact. The radically new approach proposed is based on free energy minimization, a concept from computational neuroscience, as a universally valid principle (...) derived from the biological imperative to survive that holds true for individuals and social systems alike. In order to reduce harmful free energy from entropy and stochastic adversity, an amplified way of perceiving and being aware of reality is required that needs to be cultivated. This is achieved through the guiding principle of Minding, an ongoing process of inner and outer awareness and caring consideration of oneself, others and the world around us, routed in a comprehensive consciousness including awareness of Body sensations, Emotions, Thoughts and Action impulses (BETA). This comprehensive, strategic awareness is proposed as a unifying, contextual framework for individual and collective well-being rather than a categorical imperative, and therefore may, when and where indispensable, include value extraction and value maximization if required for the overall objective of shared, long-term flourishing. The article also presents examples of implementation of the proposed approach for both individuals and organizations and briefly introduces MBSAT-Mindfulness-based Strategic Awareness Training, a training protocol designed specifically to enhance the competence of Minding, the guiding principle. (shrink)

El presente trabajo se enfoca en el abordaje que realiza Foucault de la tragedia Edipo Rey de Sófocles. Mi objetivo es rastrear algunas diferencias entre el análisis que el autor realiza en sus trabajos de los años 70 y el que se encuentra en sus últimos cursos. En esta última etapa, aparece una interpretación que ya no se limita a la descripción genealógica de un modo de ejercer el poder, sino que muestra las implicancias transformadoras de este reconocimiento. A través (...) de esta torsión se hace explicita la dimensión ética del rastreo genealógico, una cuestión que se expresa en un posicionamiento más claro que distingue a la verdad del saber jurídico-discursivo. Este enfoque también revela las diversas posibilidades de desestabilización, cambio y constitución a la altura de este reconocimiento. (shrink)

En este artículo analizamos la crítica que Richard Rorty hace de la apelación al “método experimental” por parte de John Dewey. Defendemos que la categórica desestimación que Rorty presenta del vínculo entre el pragmatismo de Dewey y su concepción de método hubiera sido o bien matizada, o bien radicalmente diferente, de haber considerado seriamente la importancia que la reflexión sobre la educación tenía para el filósofo de Vermont. Nuestra estrategia interpretativa se apoya en la recuperación que Henry Cowles hace recientemente (...) de la apelación al método experimental que Dewey lleva a cabo en How We Think —uno de sus textos educativos más importantes—, en donde se muestra las vinculaciones relevantes entre pragmatismo, evolucionismo y método. Este marco histórico-conceptual nos permitirá cuestionar la reconstrucción de Rorty en torno de este aspecto de la filosofía deweyana tomando en cuenta, fundamentalmente, sus propias reflexiones sobre educación. (shrink)

The article focuses on some discursive defects that influence on decision-making around issues of science and technology (technoscience). Particularly, the nature and use of the linguistic phenomenon known as bullshit are analysed, and the results of this analysis are placed into the general context of the controversy about climate change. The conclusion emphasizes the relevance of avoiding confusions and humbug in the information available to the public and linked to decisions in the realm of science policy or regulation.

¿Es el Antropoceno una nueva época geológica? La discusión está abierta científica y profesionalmente, lo que acentúa aún más la cuestión de su alcance cultural -teórico y práctico- difícilmente asumible bajo un único concepto que reúna todas las ramificaciones de dicha denominación. Este trabajo intenta proporcionar, desde un punto de vista filosófico, un campo semántico para «Antropoceno» que ayude a ordenar y comprender la vastísima literatura existente al día de hoy.

Two truisms about empirical justification are that experience plays a crucial role in it and that it is defeasible. There are, of course, different ways of developing these truisms into philosophical theories. I favor one particular view about the role of experience in empirical justification which may be thought to lead to problems in accommodating its defeasibility. My aim in this paper is to argue that the problems are illusory, based on an entrenched misconception how defeaters work.

In this paper we study the interpretation of Iacobi Zabarellae on the agent intellect. He argues that the agent intellect different from the potential intelect, to whom activates and lights it directly without mediation; He sais also that do not abstracts in us, that in it coincides his being with his operation, and that is God. It is, therefore, an Averroism combined with Platonic, Augustinians and Thomists elements.

Este articulo revisa las tesis de los pensadores árabes Avicena y Averroes referentes a la teoría del conocimiento, en especial a su punto culminar, el entendimiento agente. Se añade la revisión crítica de Leonardo Polo a tales propuestas. El quid de la crítica poliana reside en que, frente al axioma de que el conocer es acto en cualquier nivel, tales pensadores mantienen la pasividad del conocer humano. Se concluye que esas interpretaciones son despersonalizantes, y se esboza la solución de sus (...) aporías. (shrink)

Which is the best icon of philosophical activity? The Spanish philosopher Garcia Morente analyses three sculptures: Le penseur by Rodin, Il pensieroso by Michelangelo and a sculpture known as El Doncel de Siguenza, in the cathedral of this Castilian town. Morente asserts that the latest reflects better than anyone else the nature of philosophy. In this paper the Morente’s view is rejected and another two ways of representing the philosophical activity are suggested: two ancient paintings that represent more properly the (...) philosophical labour, understood as an unending Socratic dialogue. (shrink)

This article aims to present a Free Dialogic Logic [FDL] as a general framework for hypothesis generation in the practice of modelling in science. Our proposal is based on the idea that the inferential function that models fulfil during the modelling process (surrogate reasoning) should be carried out without ontological commitments. The starting point to achieve our objective is that the scientific consideration of models without a target is a symptom that, on the one hand, the Applicability of Logic should (...) be considered among the conditions of adequacy that should take into account all modeling process and, on the other, that the inferential apparatus at the base of the surrogate reasoning process must be rid of realistic assumptions that lead to erroneous conclusions. In this sense, we propose as an alternative an ontologically neutral inferential system in the perspective of dialogical pragmatism. (shrink)

The paper critically examines Bobbio's famous disctinction between legal positivism as a method, a theory and an ideology. The author first highlights certain problems of the distinction itself and then focuses on Bobbio's self-determined position within it. Delving on Bobbio's analysis of the concepts of basic norm and rule of recognition, he demonstrates how Bobbio's later rejection of these two concepts implies acceptance of positivistic legal theory and ideology – despite the fact that he explicitly rejected them in the first (...) place. The reason for this Bobbio's slip is found in his absorbtion in the positivist legal culture which is permeated with the internal point of view on the law. The author suggests rejecting Bobbio's tripartite disctinction of legal positivism and proposes instead to view this as a set of seldom indvisible standpoints forming a specific legal culture. (shrink)

IntroductionThe 2019–2020 pandemic COVID-19 has become a global health crisis. While many recent studies on COVID-19 pandemic have focused on disease epidemiology and psychological status of patients, few have explored the multi-facet influential factors or combined perspectives from both the patients and healthcare workers. The purposes of this study were to: analyze the influencing factors of psychological distress of COVID-19 patients; and describe the experience of healthcare workers relieving psychological distress.Materials and MethodsThis study uses a mixed-method cross-sectional design, including a (...) quantitative study and a qualitative study, targeting two populations: COVID-19 patient and health workers, respectively. In the quantitative part, we recruited a convenience sample of patients with COVID-19 from five hospitals in Wuhan, Hubei Province from 10 to 15 April, 2020. Besides, we collected data by using participants’ socio-demographic information sheet, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10, the Herth Hope Index, the Distress Thermometer, the Revised Chinese Version of Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and the Chinese Version of Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale. In the qualitative part, the participants were healthcare workers involved in medical aid missions in Hubei Province, China. Meanwhile, we used sampling with convenient and purposive, data collection with a semi-structured online video interview, and text transcription with Colaizzi’s phenomenological method.ResultsThe results reveal that 25.7% of patients reported higher level of psychological distress. After controlling the sociodemographic variables, only severity of COVID-19 and uncertainty in illness shown significant effect on psychological distress in the regression model. The experience of healthcare workers emerged five themes: Particularly needed psychological care, Manifestation of negative emotion, Manifestation of proactive adaptation, Strategies relieving psychological distress, and gains of healthcare workers after delivering effective psychological care.ConclusionThe 25.7% of patients with COVID-19 still suffered from psychological distress, which should receive timely attention from healthcare workers. And the severity of the disease and disease uncertainty have a significant impact on distress. It is critical to train the healthcare workers on detecting the different manifestation of psychological distress, offering timely disease related information, and applying communication strategies. (shrink)

One of the reasons for Carnap’s (1922) analysis of space was the confounding status of many arguments around the state of the art on that topic at that time. The unsatisfactory views supplied by mathematicians, physicists and philosophers led Carnap to propose a new conception of space. His proposal, which employs the notion of intuition as a fundamental tool, fared better, but clashed with his conventionalists intentions derived from an allegedly tolerant attitude. The notion of intuition here examined allows us (...) to claim that Carnap’s target was also an objectivist epistemological program dependent on certain realistic reminiscences embodied in the notion of evidence or matter of fact (Tatbestand). (shrink)

This is a case study of a program to address professionalism at the Universidad de la República in Uruguay. We describe a five-year ongoing international collaboration. Relevant characteristics of the context, the program components, activities, and results were analyzed. The expected outcomes were to introduce standards of professional practices in the curricula of medical students and residents and the implementation of a program that might lead to a significant change in the culture of medicine in the University. Traditional didactics, interactive (...) theater, and professional development workshops, issues such as teamwork and communication, professional behavior, and the culture of medicine, and physician wellness were addressed. A total of 359 faculty members, general practitioners, stakeholders, and other healthcare professionals participated in the intervention. The process led to specific achievements including new content in the curricula, the use of educational innovations to address issues of professionalism, a growing institutional culture of accountability, and the establishment of new rules and regulations. The strategies and interventions followed in the case of Uruguay can serve as a model to other developing countries to promote physician professionalism, wellness, and joy. (shrink)

This article examines all the books published by direct or indirect victims of terrorism in Italy in the so-called years of lead. It deals with two books published in the last century by two direct victims, those of the prosecutor Mario Sossi, who suffered a long kidnapping, and the architect Sergio Lenci, who survived being shot in the back of the head, and seven books published in the present century by relatives of victims: those of Agnese Moro, Sabina Rossa, Mario (...) Calabresi, Giammaria Mattei, Benedetta Tobagi, Silvia Giralucci and Luca Tarantelli. The essence of terrorism is to cause pain to some in order to frighten many, and if this pain is ignored in the historical narrative, an essential element is missing. (shrink)

Alasdair MacIntyre planteaba en una conferencia en 1984, Is Patriotism a Virtue?, una incompatibilidad entre el patriotismo de la visión liberal, que aparece como fácilmente criticable ante una racionalidad universal abstracta, y el patriotismo de la visión comunitarista, en el que esta virtud se presenta como fidelidad incondicional a un proyecto de nación. En este trabajo presentamos el patriotismo como la virtud política del amor a la patria, compatible con un sincero sentido universalista y con la posible auto-crítica, lejos del (...) riesgo del historicismo si se entronca con el conocimiento metafísico universal. Así entendido, el patriotismo, virtud propia del orden civil natural, resulta fortificado por la fe cristiana y sus exigencias de universalidad en la caridad y la justicia. (shrink)