This research characterizes and compares the job satisfaction of fitness professionals in Portugal between genders, ages, professional experience, professional title, and educational qualifications. A total of 401 fitness professionals answered the online questionnaire Job Satisfaction Scale, which has 16 factors rated on a Likert scale with seven levels. The statistical analysis comprises descriptive and statistical tests to compare the results of two or more groups. Overall, the results demonstrated that fitness professionals were moderately satisfied with their work. The lower degrees (...) of job satisfaction were concerning salary, opportunities for promotion, and stability at work. The highest levels of job satisfaction were related to the freedom to choose their work method, their work colleagues, the physical conditions of their workplace, and the opportunity to use their competencies. There were no differences in job satisfaction in terms of gender and a few differences between professional title and between educational levels. Regarding age and professional experience, the results showed significant differences in almost all factors, suggesting that, as fitness professionals get older and more experienced, their job satisfaction is greater. The results of this study suggest that even though fitness professionals are, in general, moderately satisfied with their work, some aspects can be improved by employers to increase their satisfaction levels. Such findings would assist employers in guiding the job satisfaction of their employees with consequent enhancements in the services provided by fitness professionals, which can increase participants’ retention in exercise fitness activities. (shrink)

Este artigo busca ampliar a reflexão a respeito da escolha profissional de jovens, assentado na premissa de que novos sentidos e compreensões heurísticas se descortinam com a consideração do conceito de identificação, conforme sua formulação em Freud e em Lacan. Considerando a adolescência, período ..

The aim of this paper is to explore the ethical dimension of hawala, an ancient informal financial practice rooted in Islamic moral traditions. Widely used in countries with an Islamic background and their diasporas, hawala is considered an important vehicle for the financial and economic development of some less developed countries. Nevertheless, in Western countries, hawala is regarded with suspicion due its controversial ethical nature. Unlike other Islamic financial institutions, the controversial questions are not the legitimacy of profit sources or (...) the interest charged, but rather the lack of transparency that surrounds hawala transactions. Yet, the literature on hawala has neglected its ethical perspective. Our study delves into this dimension with a critical approach, using the Triple Font Theory, grounded on virtue ethics. We conclude that if hawala transactions are carried out with honesty, and fairness, this practice deserves a positive ethical appraisal. However, it is necessary to implement efficient regulatory measures to guarantee that the system is not abused by money launders and criminals. In practice, it becomes imperative to bring over a change in the regulatory approach to hawala toward a more ethically, culturally, and economically sensitive strategy. Thus, future research should focus on how “hyper-norms” or fundamental principles inherent to humanity, which are common to both “formal” and “informal,” “Western” and “non-Western” financial practices, could run the new AML/ctf regulation agenda. (shrink)

Desde la Revista “Derechos y Libertades” se nos convoca a dar nuestra opinión sobre los desafíos a los que se enfrenta el actual discurso de los derechos humanos. La cuestión planteada nos remite a la historicidad del propio concepto de derechos humanos, que no puede sustentarse sobre una razón abstracta, sino sobre una concepción evolutiva, diversa e intercultural del ser humano y de la sociedad. Desafíos han existido siempre y son amplios, pero quizá ahora estamos en un momento de importantes (...) cambios tecnológicos y transiciones energéticas, que demandan un enfoque ético, político y jurídico, para poder intervenir sobre los nuevos conflictos sociales que se derivan de su aplicación. (shrink)

Toda poesía es fundamentalmente imagen, ésta surge del poema como un instrumento incantatorio. Indudablemente, el poeta tiene con el mundo una relación de privilegio, de la que la experiencia poética es la revelación. Esa relación permite sentir como próximos y conexos, elementos que son considerados aislados y heterogéneos. La tendencia metafórica es algo inherente al ser humano, no una actitud privativa del poeta: en cierto modo, el lenguaje íntegro es metafórico y refrenda la tendencia humana a la concepción analógica del (...) mundo y el ingreso de las analogías en las formas del lenguaje. La poesía hace de la imagen su eje estructural, su instrumento poético por excelencia. Por medio de imágenes y metáforas, Raúl Aceves expresa su ser, sus angustias personales, su percepción del mundo y su ansia de comunión con lo exterior para participar de ello, para ser eso. El poeta, "pasajero de la irrealidad", como el loco, ordena su universo de acuerdo con su propio ritmo interior. (shrink)

Of all the different types of public buildings, hospitals are the biggest energy consumers. Cooling systems for air conditioning and healthcare uses are particularly energy intensive. Forecasting hospital thermal-cooling demand is a remarkable and innovative method capable of improving the overall energy efficiency of an entire cooling system. Predictive models allow users to forecast the activity of water-cooled generators and adapt power generation to the real demand expected for the day ahead, while avoiding inefficient subcooling. In addition, the maintenance costs (...) related to unnecessary starts and stops and power-generator breakdowns occurring over the long term can be reduced. This study is based on the operations of a real hospital facility and details the steps taken to develop an optimal and efficient model based on a genetic methodology that searches for low-complexity models through feature selection, parameter tuning and parsimonious model selection. The methodology, called GAparsimony, has been tested with neural networks, support vector machines and gradient boosting techniques. Finally, a weighted combination of the three best models was created. The new operational method employed herein can be replicated in similar buildings with similar water-cooled generators. (shrink)

The aim of this article is to clarify the grounds of Kant’s practical postulate of the immortality of the soul. In order to do that, I discuss some passages of the Critique of Pure Reason, in which Kant explains the nature of antinomies and the reasons why these cannot be theoretically solved. After that, my next step will be to elucidate the connection in Kant’s philosophy between the moral law and the intelligible world. By doing so, I explore the arguments (...) in the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals and the Critique of Practical Reason that prove that there is a practical access to the intelligible world, which is banned to those who consider the problems of antinomies –specially, the problem of human freedom– solely from a theoretical standpoint. I then reconstruct Kant’s view about the nature of practical postulates. In this regard, my analysis will focus on the notion of moral progress, which is, according to Kant, the actual motive that prompts us human beings to suppose legitimately our enduring existence after death. Lastly, I discuss the problematic nature of the notion of moral progress –which implies temporality–, and try to provide some reasonable grounds as to why it is nevertheless sound and cogent within Kant’s system. (shrink)

Apresentam-se, em forma de sintética perspectiva histórica, alguns dos temas principais da metafisica do ser, de modo a mostrar a articulação do pensamento filosófico desde Parmênides a Tomás de Aquino, salientando-se no fim de cada período as conquistas que ficaram em aberto. A seguir, expõe-se a metafisica Juliana, afirmando-se que esta seguramente consistiria numa tentativa de continuar a especulação e o aprofundamento sobre o ato de Ser, a partir do ponto alcançado pela especulação anterior. O trabalho pode ser visto portanto (...) como uma chave para a leitura das obras lulianas. (shrink)

Esta comunicación muestra que elpensamiento del filósofo mallorquín avanza conrelación ai estado de la doctrina tradicional sobrelas nociones clásicas de naturaleza y personaporque arranca de su teoria de las Dignidades,según la cual el ser se presenta como actividadformalizada. Si "pensar", "escuchar" y "ver" sonactos, lo son por el acto de ser, y tendrá que seréste, el acto en primer lugar diferenciado.Además, la importante teoria Juliana de las obraspropias y apropiadas permite una explicación dela naturaleza humana muy consistente con larealidad. Se (...) empieza por explicar cómo surge elhombre por su acto de ser. Según Llull, e! hombreradica en e! "soy", un "acto común" que conectaalma y cuerpo. La naturaleza humana es la únicaque reúne en si todo lo criado y es gracias a ellaque las criaturas pueden alcanzar su fin. Sedemuestra que el alma existe, es criada, y es máspor su fin que por su esencia, y es, porconsiguiente, eterna. Finalmente, Llull dice queexiste en nosotros un entender interior ypripligenio, siempre en acto, por media del cualtenemos noticia de nuestro ser, del ser de lascosas y de Dios. (shrink)

Estudam-se realidades básicas da moral - o ente, o ato de ser e a causalidade eficiente intrínseca - e se conclui que se harmonizam apenas com aquelas metafísicas denominadas do ser. que concebem o ser como a primeira perfeição à qual se reduzem todas as outras. Critica-se a posição essencialista. Examina-se a noção de ser implícita nos escritos de Tomás de Aquino que, por superar a concepção formalista do ser, permite uma compreensão adequada da vida moral.,Da mesma maneira, a noção (...) do ser que se extrai da obra de Raimundo Lúlio não difere essencialmente daquelas apresentadas pelas metafisicas do ser, e por isso a moral Juliana sobre ela assente é permanente e adequada à pessoa humana. (shrink)

This paper introduces pragmatic hypotheses and relates this concept to the spiral of scientific evolution. Previous works determined a characterization of logically consistent statistical hypothesis tests and showed that the modal operators obtained from this test can be represented in the hexagon of oppositions. However, despite the importance of precise hypothesis in science, they cannot be accepted by logically consistent tests. Here, we show that this dilemma can be overcome by the use of pragmatic versions of precise hypotheses. These pragmatic (...) versions allow a level of imprecision in the hypothesis that is small relative to other experimental conditions. The introduction of pragmatic hypotheses allows the evolution of scientific theories based on statistical hypothesis testing to be interpreted using the narratological structure of hexagonal spirals, as defined by Pierre Gallais. (shrink)

Após afirmar que os dois sentidos aristotélicos do ato são insuficientes para dizer o ente tal como este se encontra na realidade, o trabalho mostra como o novo sentido que Lúlio atribuiu à noção de ato permitiu-lhe superar a limitação própria dos conhecimentos obtidos mediante as operações da faculdade cognoscitiva e alcançar, com ajuda de sua Ars, o ato de ser dos entes.

This study is divided in three parts. First, it shows which are the specific truths of Christianism, that distinguish it from other monotheistic religions. In the second part, establish the lullian metaphysics´suppositions that consent to embrace this truths. Finally, the third part is an attempt to expose the arguments and demonstrations characteristic of Lullian theory of knowledge.

A field study collecting behavioral data was conducted to investigate effects of behavioral interventions, commonly known as nudges, in promoting the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables. Consumption, both organically and conventionally produced fruits and vegetables, was measured in a grocery store during 4 days where consumers were exposed to informational messages in combination with either emotional images or social norm messages. Measurements of daily consumption without exposure to nudges were carried out during four other days. The results showed no (...) effect of the nudging strategy; instead, it pointed to the importance of the price as a determinant of buying decisions. Buying ecological alternatives was associated with lower price differences between the ecological and non-ecological alternatives. We conclude that combined nudges and collected psychological data from participants may contribute to more successful nudging interventions. Some political measures in balancing the price difference between organically and conventionally produced products might also be interesting strategies in order to promote the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables. (shrink)

Kant entendió su tarea filosófica como un intento por responder a tres preguntas humanas fundamentales - qué puedo saber, qué debo hacer y qué me es lícito esperar. Esta pretensión kantiana puede tomarse como el hilo conductor que recorre los siete estudios reunidos en este libro.

One of theprincipaI tush of the philosoher is educution, thut is, rhe formation of other human beings. mis is so related with moral discourse that it could be said that dhere is no dzyerence with the discome of educa- ?ion, und the latter is ackieved through quesfions and a critica1 attiíude...

Divisão do trabalho e apologia da ordem em Thomas Hobbes e Norbert Elias Resumo: O artigo expõe os juízos afirmativos granjeados por Thomas Hobbes e Norbert Elias a respeito da divisão do trabalho e de suas relações com a ordem social, a despeito das diferenças de métodos e de métricas dos autores em pauta. De Thomas Hobbes, recolhe-se a demonstração, com subjacência no raciocínio hipotético-dedutivo do filósofo inglês, de que, do indivíduo, palmilha-se à sociedade, do contrato que edifica o Estado, (...) envereda-se à divisão do trabalho como uma das maneiras de estatuir o conforto necessário à manutenção da sociedade civil. De Norbert Elias, apanha-se a relação processual entre sociogênese e psicogênese que, sem opor indivíduo e sociedade, trata da formação da divisão do trabalho e da individualidade como fenômenos inseparáveis e peculiares ao processo civilizador. Palavras-chave: Divisão do trabalho. Ordem social. Thomas Hobbes. Norbert Elias. Division of work and apology of the order in thomas hobbes and norbert elias: The article exposes the assertive judgments made by Thomas Hobbes and Norbert Elias concerning the division of labor and its relations with the social order, despite the differences of methods and metrics of the authors in question. From Thomas Hobbes, the demonstration, based on the hypothetical-deductive reasoning of the English philosopher, is gathered from the demonstration that, from the individual, ingrained in society, from the contract that builds the State, the division of labor is divided as one of the ways of establishing the comfort necessary for the maintenance of civil society. From Norbert Elias, one picks up the procedural relation between sociogenesis and psychogenesis that, without opposing individual and society, deals with the formation of the division of labor and individuality as inseparable phenomena peculiar to the civilizing process. Key-words: Division of labor. Social order. Thomas Hobbes. Norbert Elias. División del trabajo y apología del orden en thomas hobbes y norbert elias Resumen: El artículo expone los juicios afirmativos desmenuzados por Thomas Hobbes y Norbert Elias acerca de la división del trabajo y de sus relaciones con el orden social, a pesar de las diferencias de métodos y de métricas de los autores en pauta. De Thomas Hobbes, se recoge la demostración, con subyacencia en el razonamiento hipotético-deductivo del filósofo inglés, de que, del individuo, se adapta a la sociedad, del contrato que edifica el Estado, se entra en la división del trabajo como una de las formas de estatuir el confort necesario para el mantenimiento de la sociedad civil. De Norbert Elias, se recoge la relación procesal entre sociogénesis y psicogénesis que, sin oponer individuo y sociedad, trata de la formación de la división del trabajo y de la individualidad como fenómenos inseparables y peculiares al proceso civilizador. Palabras clave: División del trabajo. Orden social. Thomas Hobbes. Norbert Elias. (shrink)

Osteopathy is a person-centred healthcare discipline that emphasizes the body’s structure-function interrelationship—and its self-regulatory mechanisms—to inform a whole-person approach to health and wellbeing. This paper aims to provide a theoretical framework for developing an integrative hypothesis in osteopathy, which is based on the enactivist and active inference accounts. We propose that osteopathic care can be reconceptualised under active inference as a unifying framework. Active inference suggests that action-perception cycles operate to minimize uncertainty and optimize an individual’s internal model of the (...) lived world and, crucially, the consequences of their behaviour. We argue that active inference offers an integrative framework for osteopathy, which can evince the mechanisms underlying dyadic and triadic exchanges and osteopathic care outcomes. We propose that this theoretical framework can underpin osteopathic care across the lifespan, from preterm infants to the elderly and those with persistent pain and other physical symptoms. In situations of chronicity, as an ecological niche, the patient-practitioner dyad provides the osteopath and the patient with a set of affordances, i.e., possibilities for action provided by the environment, that through shared intentionally, can promote adaptations and restoration of productive agency. Through a dyadic therapeutic relationship, as they engage with their ecological niche’s affordances—a structured set of affordances shared by agents—osteopath and patient actively construct a shared sense-making narrative and realise a shared generative model of their relation to the niche. In general, touch plays a critical role in developing a robust therapeutic alliance, mental state alignment, and biobehavioural synchrony between patient and practitioner. However, its role is particularly crucial in the fields of neonatology and paediatrics, where it becomes central in regulating allostasis and restoring homeostasis. We argue that from an active inference standpoint, the dyadic shared ecological niche underwrites a robust therapeutic alliance, which is crucial to the effectiveness of osteopathic care. Considerations and implications of this model—to clinical practice and research, both within- and outside osteopathy—are critically discussed. (shrink)