Resumo. Neste artigo apontaremos a filosofia kantiana como um sistema que tem como preocupação fundamental o a priori. Isto envolve tanto a razão teórica quanto a razão prática. Esta, por sua vez, dividida em ética e direito. Palavras-chave. Kant, razão teórica, razão prática, ética e direito, a priori.: In this article we will identify the Kantian philosophy as a system, whose fundamental concern a priori. This involves both theoretical reason and practical reason. This, in turn, divided into ethics and law. (...) Keywords. Kant, theoretical reason, practical reason, ethics and law, a priori. (shrink)

Nagel’s official model of theory-reduction and the way it is represented in the literature are shown to be incompatible with the careful remarks on the notion of reduction Nagel gave while developing his model. Based on these remarks, an alternative model is outlined which does not face some of the problems the official model faces. Taking the context in which Nagel developed his model into account, it is shown that the way Nagel shaped his model and, thus, its well-known deficiencies, (...) are best conceived of as a mere by-product of his philosophical background. (shrink)

The essay opens with some background information about the period in which J.S. Mill wrote. The discussion revolves around the concept of blasphemy which Mill considered to be highly problematic. Tagging unpopular views as ‘blasphemous’ amounted to abuse of governmental powers and infringed on the basic liberties of the out-of-favour speakers. The discussion on blasphemy sets the scene to the understanding of Mill's concerns, his priorities and consequently his emphasis on the widest possible liberty of expression. Section 2 presents the (...) Millian principles that are pertinent to his philosophy of free speech: liberty and truth. Section 3 analyzes Mill's very limited boundaries to freedom of expression, asserting that the consequentialist reasoning had led Mill to ignore present tangible harm. It is argued that democracy is required to develop protective mechanisms against harm-facilitating speech. (shrink)

Criticizing Gallagher’s view on direct perception, I develop a basic model of social perception. According to the Cartesians another person’s intentions are not directly accessible to an observer. According to the cognitivist Cartesians conscious processes are necessary for social understanding. According to the Anti-Cartesians social perception is direct. Since both of these latter approaches face serious problems, I will argue in favor of an alternative: anti-cognitivist Cartesianism. Distinguishing between an active- and a passive part of the perceptual system we can (...) describe the situation as follows: Some functionally individuated parts of our nervous system generate percepts that correspond to the properties that causally trigger the system, whilst others form percepts of properties that do not causally trigger the system. The model is basic in that it merely helps clarifying some of the fundamental concepts we need in order to describe empirical findings. (shrink)

How to measure performance in charitable organisations continues to excite interest among academics and practitioners. Despite the intellectual interest, little consensus has emerged as to what are the best measures of performance in charities. This is against the backdrop of an increased demand by donors and other stakeholders on charities to provide information on their performance. Building on prior studies, this paper examines the measures of performance in charities using a hybrid methodological approach which consists of 14 exploratory interviews and (...) a quantitative survey of 105 chief executive officers/board of trustees of large British charities. The results of factor analysis and internal reliability produced five broad measures of performance of charities: financial measures; client satisfaction; management effectiveness; stakeholder involvement; and benchmarking, indicating that the overall performance of charities is best measured by a set of factors that reflect the multiple and diverse stakeholders associated with charities. Further analysis using structural equation modelling corroborates the results that non-financial measures such as management effectiveness, stakeholder involvement and benchmarking are important to the performance of charities. (shrink)

Framing effects occur when different descriptions of the same decision problem give rise to divergent decisions. They can be seen as a violation of the decisiontheoretic version of the principle of extensionality (PE). The PE in logic means that two logically equivalent sentences can be substituted salva veritate. We explore what this notion of extensionality becomes in decision contexts. Violations of extensionality may have rational grounds. Based on some ideas proposed by the psychologist Craig McKenzie and colleagues, we contend that (...) framing effects are justified when the selection of one particular frame conveys choice relevant information. We first discuss this idea from a philosophical point of view, and proceed next to formalize it first in the context of the Bolker–Jeffrey decision theory. Finally, we extend the previous analysis to non-expected utility theories using the Biseparable Preference model introduced by Ghirardato and Marinacci (2001) and therefore show that the analysis is independent of the assumptions of Bayesian decision theory. (shrink)

"Jewish Philosophy and the Academy reflects in broad terms on the current state of Jewish philosophy in the university. This generation of university teachers lives at a unique historic junction. It is the last to be taught by the giants of European Wissenschaft des Judentums and the first to experience the remarkable expansion of Judaic scholarship in Israel and abroad." "Emil Fackenheim suggests that if we are indebted to Athens for the philosophical method, we are also indebted to Jerusalem for (...) the ethical content of philosophy, which is both an intellectual and a moral challenge. This dual challenge shapes the diverse papers in this volume."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (shrink)

Recently, a time-honored assumption has resurfaced in some parts of the free will debate: if past divine beliefs or past truths about what we do depend on what we do, then these beliefs and truths are, in a sense, up to us; hence, we are able to act otherwise, despite the existence of past truths or past divine beliefs about our future actions. In this paper, I introduce and discuss a novel incompatibilist argument that rests on. This argument is interesting (...) in itself, for it is independent of a number of assumptions about the nature of God that have played an essential role in the classical defense of incompatibilism about divine foreknowledge and human free will. Moreover, the argument enables us to identify a difficulty compatibilists encounter when employing to block incompatibilism. (shrink)

SC was an 80-year-old Israeli woman. She suffered from multiple chronic conditions, including heart disease, pulmonary congestion, chronic leukemia, diabetes, and high blood pressure. She received medication to treat her medical condition. Her pressing problems were shortness of breath and severe pain in her left leg, the result of poor blood circulation. SC resided in a rehabilitative nursing home in Tel Aviv. One night she could not sleep. She sat on her bed, unable to lie down, and screamed with pain. (...) A nurse came and gave her some analgesics with no relief of her pain. The following day the institution's social worker visited her. SC sat in the dining hall with her older sister CA. The social worker asked SC .. (shrink)

This article reviews the history of press self-regulation in Britain, from the 1947 Ross Commission to the 2012 Leveson Inquiry Commission. It considers the history of the Press Council and the Press Complaints Commission, analysing the ways they developed, their work, and how they have reached their current non-status. It is argued that the existing situation in Britain is far from satisfactory, and that the press should advance more elaborate mechanisms of self-control, establishing a new regulatory body called the Public (...) and Press Council that will be anchored in law, empowering the new regulator with greater and unprecedented authority, and equipping it with substantive sanctioning abilities. The Public and Press Council should be independent and effective, with transparent policies, processes and responsibilities. Its adjudication should be made in accordance with a written, detailed Code of Practice. (shrink)

L'obiettivo del presente articolo è l'osservazione storica delle politiche della memoria nel Brasile contemporaneo, con particolare attenzione al periodo tra il 2019 e il 2022 (governo Bolsonaro). Dall'analisi delle azioni giudiziarie proposte da diversi attori sociali e politici, l'articolo propone una riflessione sulle temporalità coinvolte nelle politiche della memoria nel contesto post-dittatoriale, soprattutto dalla prospettiva delle vittime del regime.

In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.In 2014, Belgium Became the first country in the world to allow euthanasia of minors, irrespective of their age. This article explores whether this legislation enhances minors' rights or negates them.Do minors have capacity for agency? Are they able to make decisions concerning life and death? Can minors understand (...) death? Are minors capable of weighing various alternatives for treatment? Is there a difference between adult euthanasia and child euthanasia? Does life experience matter?... (shrink)

This chapter considers eternity, duration, time, and their interrelations, and aims to resolve a paradox in Spinoza's theory of the mind's eternity. Spinoza's metaphysics of time includes an endless series of virtuous regresses. Spinoza characterizes duratio as a “magnitude. Spinoza says that duratio is “conceived as being greater or lesser, and as composed of parts”. Spinoza addresses time and its relation to duratio in the Metaphysical Thoughts. Spinoza accepts Suarez's view that “duratio and existence are only rationally distinct”. Spinoza holds, (...) with some of the Scholastic philosophers, that extrinsic denominations are mind‐made. Spinoza also uses geometrical construction as a model for thinking about the relationship between eternity and time. Spinoza seems, prima facie, to think that the mind cannot ever be eternal, but also can become eternal, and moreover already is eternal. (shrink)

Si le contrat social occupe une place centrale dans les débats contemporains en aménagement, la notion n’est jamais spatialisée, ni réellement ancrée dans une réflexion sur l’espace. Partant de ce constat dont il prend le contre-pied, l’article formule une double hypothèse. Tout d’abord, le contrat social serait une notion spatiale en soi, ce qui, par conséquence, feraient des notions s’y attachant des catégories elles aussi spatiales – comme la justice, l’intérêt (particulier ou général), ou encore le compromis social. D’autre part, (...) les grandes ruptures des régimes d’actuation du contrat social pourraient s’expliquer par la rupture spatiale des dynamiques socio-économiques des sociétés et des territoires – ce que l’article propose d’observer et de discuter avec le passage des logiques fordistes aux logiques post-fordistes de l’aménagement. (shrink)

Si la question de juste répartition des ressources traverse les sociétés depuis même l’Antiquité, celle de la répartition équitable des ressources médicales prend de nos jours une toute autre ampleur dans le contexte de pandémie mondiale actuelle. Cette table ronde tente d’analyser et de comprendre comment concilier les principes de justice distributive dans des conditions de ressources limitées. Elle permet d’ouvrir plus largement la réflexion sur la différence fondamentale qui se trouve entre la prise de décision éthique ou politique auprès (...) du patient, et à l’échelle macroscopique. Enfin, une discussion ouvrira la réflexion sur l’autonomie des patients et la légitimité de la réanimation – pour ceux qui ne souhaitent pas continuer à vivre – sur la valeur du « sauver à tout prix » et de la place du triage dans la pratique de la médecine. (shrink)

This paper addresses the concepts of moral and social responsibility on the Internet in considering the most troubling phenomenon of cyberbullying that results in loss of life. Specifically, I probe the moral and social responsibilities of Internet users (agents), of the education system in fighting cyberbullying, and of Internet intermediaries. Balance needs to be struck between freedom of expression and social responsibility. The tragic story of Megan Meier serves as an illustrative example and some further incidents in which this ugly (...) phenomenon of cyberbullying had cost young life are mentioned. It is argued that all relevant stakeholders need to think of the consequences of their conduct, that Internet abusers should be accountable for their wrongdoing, and that people who have the ability to stop or at least reduce the risk of cyberbullying should take proactive steps, exhibiting zero tolerance to cyberbullying. (shrink)

La présente étude entend tracer et analyser le déploiement de « la Vérité de l’Etre » afin de montrer en quoi celui-ci est indissociable, pour Heidegger, de ce qu’il appelle, dans un passage tardif des Cahiers Noirs, l’« auto-annihilation ( Selbstvernichtung ) » du judaïsme. Nous montrerons en quoi et pourquoi, chez Heidegger, l’« Histoire » de la « Vérité de l’Etre », en se déployant elle-même, produit aussi un antijudaïsme, indissociable d’un antisémitisme, sans précédent dans l’histoire de la philosophie (...) occidentale. En effet, le judaïsme, pour Heidegger, se voit brutalement exproprié de toute possibilité d’être, et, par conséquent, demeure résolument forclos de l’« Histoire » gréco-allemande de la « Vérité de l’Etre » pour ne séjourner que dans l’« inessentielle » machination et exploitation « indéterminée » du monde. Il nous appartiendra de souligner, depuis le « dispositif » heideggérien de la « Vérité de l’Etre » – un dispositif, contrairement à ce qu’en dit Heidegger, dès plus technique – en quoi le judaïsme se voit condamné à son « auto-annihilation ». C’est ainsi que l’antijudaïsme de Heidegger, inséparable d’un antisémitisme catégorique, est à comprendre depuis sa pensée philosophique elle-même. Ce qui exige de nous une relecture dès plus vigilante, dès plus intransigeante et un questionnement critique circonstancié de cette œuvre et du rapport qu’elle détermine entre l’« Histoire » de la « Vérité de l’Etre » et l’« auto-annihilation » du judaïsme. Ainsi, à aucun moment ne s’agira-t-il, pour nous, de rejeter purement et simplement la pensée philosophique de Heidegger. Car, c’est aussi par une relecture critique de cette même pensée, par une confrontation incessante envers ce qui s’y cache dans ses plis les plus obscurs et douteux, que peuvent aussi se révéler d’inédites possibilités de repenser notre tradition philosophique tout entière en l’ouvrant vers une tout autre histoire de la philosophie – tout autre que celle qui se sera consacrée et déterminée dans et par le « dispositif » heideggérien. (shrink)

The aim of this paper is to ponder the intricate issue of the right to die in dignity by focusing attention on the role of the patient's beloved people. I first provide critical examination of some of the arguments advanced by Ronald Dworkin. I proceed by contemplating relevant scenarios and examining three American court decisions: Saikewicz, Spring and Gray. The first case, Saikewicz, concerns a patient who had no family or other beloved people. I observe that this fact had a (...) significant bearing on the court's ruling not to provide him treatment. The second case, Spring, involves a patient whose family wanted to withhold treatment from him. I argue that we should be cautious of incidents in which the best interests of the patient's beloved people come at the expense of the best interests of the patient. Spring is an example of such a case. The third case, Gray, serves as an example whereby the best interests of the patient coincide with the best interests of her beloved people. I conclude by arguing that attention has to be given to the question of whether the patient's close-ones demonstrate a unified position in regard to the destiny of the patient. Gegenstand des Beitrags ist es, das schwierige Problem des Rechts, in Würde zu sterben, im Hinblick auf die Rolle der Personen zu überdenken, die dem Patienten nahestehen. Der Autor setzt sich zunächst kritisch mit einigen von Ronald Dworkin vorgetragenen Argumenten auseinander. Dann stellt er die relevanten Fallgestaltungen dar und untersucht drei Entscheidungen amerikanischer Gerichte: die Fälle Saikewicz, Spring und Gray. Der erste Fall, Saikewicz, betrifft einen Patienten ohne Familie oder andere ihm nahestehende Personen. Dieser Umstand hatte einen wesentlichen Einfluß auf die Entscheidung des Gerichts, von der Anordnung einer Behandlung des Patienten abzusehen. Im zweiten Fall, Spring, wünschte die Familie, daß der Patient nicht behandelt würde. Der Autor mahnt für alle die Fälle zur Vorsicht, bei denen die Umstände so beschaffen sind, daß das wohlverstandene Interesse der Angehörigen und das des Patienten kollidieren. Der Fall Spring ist ein Beispiel für eine solche Kollisionssituation. Der dritte Fall, Gray, dient als ein Beispiel, in dem sich das wohlverstandene Interesse des Patienten und das der ihm nahestehenden Personen decken. Zuletzt geht es um die Frage, ob die Angehörigen und andere dem Patienten nahestehende Personen in ihren Vorstellungen über das weitere Schicksal des Patienten übereinstimmen oder nicht. Die Frage verdient eine besondere Aufmerksamkeit. (shrink)

This discussion is about the neglected concepts of trust and social responsibility on the Internet. I will discuss and explain the concepts and their implications to people and society. I then address the issue of moral and social responsibilities of ISPs and web-hosting companies. I argue that ISPs and web-hosting companies should aspire to take responsibility for content and that they should respect and abide by their own terms of conduct.

The philosophy of science: The faith of a logician.--Philosophical reflections: The new realism.--Scientific essays: Einstein's theory of relativity.

The article discusses the way people wish to die, analyzing the legal situation in countries that permit either euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. While criticizing the Dutch, Belgian and Swiss models, I argue that the Oregon model is the one with apparently little abuse. Building on the experiences of Oregon, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Northern Territory of Australia, the article ends with a set of guidelines to improve the conduct of PAS.

The goal of this paper is to reconstruct Nagel’s approach to idealization in the sciences and present his views as a viable option. In a nutshell, the theory that emerges can be described as follows: There are various types of idealization, which can be found in theoretical and experimental laws, and which, according to Nagel, play various important epistemic roles. In particular, they help organize complex knowledge and allow for approximations to truth. A cognate of idealization, which Nagel does not (...) refer to under this label but describes in terms of assimilation to the familiar and in terms of analogy, is key to scientific models, whose value is primarily heuristic in nature. The fact that theories involve idealization supports an instrumentalist perspective on science, a perspective which also determines a particular scope of the account of idealization. By these lights, particular types of questions simply do not arise, for instance: questions pertaining to the alleged peculiarity of scientific representation, the truth of law statements, etc. (shrink)

In the late 1990s, the Internet seemed a perfect medium for business: a facilitator of unlimited economical propositions to people without any regulatory limitations. Cases such as that of Yahoo! mark the beginning of the end of that illusion. They demonstrate that Internet service providers (ISPs) have to respect domestic state legislation in order to avoid legal risks. Yahoo! was wrong to ignore French national laws and the plea to remove Nazi memorabilia from its auction site. Its legal struggle proved (...) futile and may have harmed its business. This essay argues for the adoption of standards of corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR considerations may trump some forms of antisocial, highly offensive expression. (shrink)

Textes issus d'un colloque consacré aux relations entre J. Derrida, son oeuvre, sa pensée et les judéités dans leur pluralité interprétative, linguistique, nationale, politique, philosophique, littéraire et religieuse.