Omniprésente dans l'ensemble des sciences de la vie, la catégorie de fonction a les allures d'un scandale épistémologique : attribuer une fonction à une structure ou à un processus biologique, c'est en effet suggérer qu'on l'explique par ses effets. Cet ouvrage, sans précédent en langue française examine les débats philosophiques contemporains sur les fonctions depuis une trentaine d'années, et propose de nouvelles voies d'analyse. Il confronte ces débats à l'usage de la notion de fonction dans un large spectre de disciplines (...) biologiques, psychologiques et médicales. Il soulève aussi la question de savoir si cette notion, aussi ancienne dans l'histoire des techniques que dans celle des sciences de la vie, y a le même sens. (shrink)

This book, originally published in French, examines the philosophical debates on functions over the last forty years and proposes new ways of analysis. Pervasive throughout the life sciences, the concept of function has the air of an epistemological scandal: ascribing a function to a biological structure or process amounts to suggesting that it is explained by its effects. This book confronts the debates on function with the use of the notion in a wide range of disciplines, such as biology, psychology, (...) and medicine. It also raises the question of whether this notion, which is as old in the history of technology as it is in the life sciences, has the same meaning in these two domains. (shrink)

El artículo analiza la función de la teología cristiana en la sociedad actual. A tal fin, el autor comienza por sintetizar los elementos más característicos de la sociedad que se está gestando. En segundo lugar, propone la necesidad de una mediación cultural para la comunicación del evangelio. Seguidamente, el autor reclama el necesario diálogo de la teología con la cultura y la universidad. Y el estudio termina por presentar sintéticamente el papel de los centros superiores de enseñanza de la teología, (...) según las recomendaciones de la Veritatis Gaudium del papa Francisco. (shrink)

Malgré les déclarations d'intention et les efforts des écologistes, la planète est en danger. Ses ennemis cherchent un profit immédiat à empoisonner l'air, les sols et l'eau, à abattre les arbres et les animaux. Ils trouvent un intérêt à détruire la réalité pour lui substituer un monde virtuel contrôlable. Cet essai invite à établir de nouvelles relations entre la planète et les hommes.

La crise de 2008 est une crise de gouvernance des entreprises, notamment des banques, qui, pour faire des profits élevés, sont allées jusqu’à compromettre leur existence. Comment faire en sorte que l’entreprise ne soit pas seulement préoccupée de maximiser le cours de l’action, alors que jusque dans les sciences sociales, elle est réduite à cela? L’entreprise est apparue à la fin du XIX e siècle pour révolutionner la vie quotidienne grâce aux découvertes scientifiques. L’entreprise est une association de partenaires dans (...) une création collective de modes de vie, dont les partenaires financiers, mais aussi les ingénieurs, les consommateurs, le personnel. Il faut refonder l’entreprise et qu’elle se donne une mission qui exprime son projet à long terme et à laquelle souscrivent les actionnaires. (shrink)

Jeremy Bentham entend rompre avec les théories du contrat social et proposer une justification utilitariste de la démocratie. Or, aucune théorie de la démocratie ne peut se dispenser d’une théorie du « demos ». L’utilitarisme benthamien comporte ainsi un renouvellement de la question du peuple dans chacun de ses aspects, ontologique, politique et moral. Bentham développe une véritable théorie du peuple qui, bien que méconnue, constitue un tournant dans l’histoire de la philosophie politique.

It is shown here that the microcanonical ensemble for a system of noninteracting bosons and fermions contains a subensemble of state vectors for which all particles of the system are distinguishable. This “IQC” (inner quantum-classical) subensemble is therefore fully classical, except for a rather extreme quantization of particle momentum and position, which appears as the natural price that must be paid for distinguishability. The contribution of the IQC subensemble to the entropy is readily calculated, and the criterion for this to (...) be a good approximation to the exact entropy is a logarithmically strengthened form of the usual criterion for the validity of classical statistics in terms of the thermal de Broglie wavelength and the average volume per particle. Thus, it becomes possible to derive the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution directly from the ensemble in the classical limit, using fully classical reasoning about the distinguishability of particles. The entropy is additive—theN! factor of the Boltzmann count cancels out in the course of the calculation, and the “N! paradox” is thereby resolved. The method of “correct Boltzmann counting” and the lowest term of the Wigner-Kirkwood series for the partition function are seen to be partly based on the IQC subensemble, and their partly nonclassical nature is clarified. The clear separation in the full ensemble of classical and nonclassical components makes it possible to derive the classical statistics of indistinguishable particles from their quantum statistics in a controlled, explicit way. This is particularly important for nonequilibrium theory. The treatment of molecular collisions along too-literally classical lines turns out to require exorbitantly high temperatures, although there are suggestions of indirect ways in which classical nonequilibrium theory might be justified at ordinary temperatures. The applicability of exact classical ergodic and mixing theory to systems at ordinary temperatures is called into question, although the general idea of coarse-graining is confirmed. The concepts on which the IQC idea is based are shown to give rise to a series development of thermostatistical quantities, starting with the distinguishable-particle approximation. (shrink)

Comment une oeuvre esthétique peut-elle être en même temps philosophique, et inversement? Question classique à laquelle cet article se propose de répondre par une interprétation de trois albums du shock-rocker Marilyn Manson à la lumière de la notion deleuzienne de personnage conceptuel. Il s'agira ainsi de mettre au jour par l'exemple les conditions d'une rencontre improbable entre pensée artistique et pensée philosophique.

Intrinsic gait variability, i.e., fluctuations in the regularity of gait patterns between repetitive cycles, is inherent to the sensorimotor system and influenced by factors such as age and pathology. Increased GV is associated with gait impairments in individuals with cerebral palsy and has been mainly studied based on spatiotemporal parameters. The present study aimed to describe kinematic GV in young people with CP and its associations with clinical impairments [i.e., passive range of motion, muscle weakness, reduced selective motor control, and (...) spasticity]. This retrospective study included 177 participants with CP representing 289 clinical gait analyses [n = 172 for unilateral CP vs. 117 for bilateral CP ]. As variability metrics, Root Mean Square Deviation for nine lower-limb kinematic parameters and Gait Standard Deviation – as composite score of the kinematic parameters – were computed for the affected and most affected side, respectively, as defined by clinical scores. GaitSD was then computed for the non/less-affected side for between leg comparisons. Uni- and multivariate linear regressions were subsequently performed on GaitSD of the affected/most affected side with all clinical impairments as independent variables. Highest RMSD were found in the transverse plane, for distal joints in the sagittal plane and for foot progression. GaitSD was not different between uCP and bCP but higher in the non-affected vs. affected side in uCP. GaitSD was associated with age, gait deviation index, muscle weakness, selectivity, and pROM. After adjustment for age and GDI, GaitSD remained associated with muscle weakness and selectivity. Kinematic GV can be expressed as global indicator of variability in young people with CP given the strong correlation of RMSD for lower-limb kinematic parameters. In terms of asymmetry, increased variability of the non-affected vs. affected side may indicate contralateral compensation mechanisms in uCP. Notably muscle weakness and selectivity – but not spasticity – were associated with GaitSD. Further studies need to explore the clinical relevance of kinematic GV in CP to support the interpretation of clinical gait analyses and therapeutic decision-making. (shrink)

Dans cet ouvrage, Herbert Spencer propose une exploration approfondie de la psychologie, explorant les principes fondamentaux qui sous-tendent notre perception et notre compréhension du monde qui nous entoure. Ce livre est un classique de la psychologie moderne et une lecture indispensable pour les étudiants et les professionnels. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United (...) States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant. (shrink)

t. I. Introduction générale. Psychologie.--t. II. Logique, morale, philosophie générale.