In this paper, we will explain and analyse a phenomenological distinction between two kinds of actions. The distinction we have in mind is the difference between those actions that actors try, or are satisfied, to carry out, in like situations, ‘in the same way’, and all other actions. We call the first kind ‘mimeomorphic actions’ and the second kind ‘polimorphic actions’. We will define these two kinds of actions, and their species, on the basis of their characteristic intentions and experiences, (...) and thus our inquiry falls broadly into the phenomenology of action. The latter has been defined by D. W. Smith as the “description of the experience of acting, or doing something”. (shrink)

The Greek word afi≈n has a wide-ranging meaning as well as a wideranging history: it is most commonly translated as ‘eternity’ but has as its first meaning ‘life’ or ‘lifetime’; it has its place in Greek literature and philosophy, but also in the Greek Bible, where it represents the Hebrew word ‘olâm. In this article I intend to sketch the history of the meaning and interpretation of aiôn from the word’s first attestation in Homer up until the beginning of the (...) Christian era. The expanded version of this study was defended as a doctoral dissertation, entitled Life Time Entirety: A Study of AIVN in Greek Literature and Philosophy, the Septuagint and Philo, on 7 September 1999 at the University of Amsterdam. (shrink)

A person should establish a connection between both his material and spiritual worlds and maintain this harmony by establishing harmony between these two worlds. In this sense, a person must have a philosophy of spirituality. Because moral values stand like a beacon above the ideas and thoughts that extend from the individual to the society, from the state to history, from economic order to art and religion. The values and norms that people have to obey in the establishment of social (...) relations constitute the moral philosophy of a person in public life. The source that satisfies this need for a modern human model or personality is the history, literature, cultural and religious tradition of the society in which a person lives. As the famous historical scholar Bernard Lewis said: "In human history, political ideologies such as socialism and capitalism have not offered anything to man in the desired form, so the man of the 21st century will look for his happiness in his historical roots". It is for this reason that in the Turkish world in recent times, "the need for our people to turn to the history of philosophical thought in order to review the traditional sources of spirituality with the possibilities of modern times" has been voiced as the main principle. Nurettin Topcu, a philosopher who considers spirituality and morality to be one of the elements of the state, says: “Morality and spirituality take their source from religion. Therefore, morality is the basis and direct essence of the Islamic religion. Those who want to separate morality from religion or religion from morality are those who want to see the inner world of a person separate from himself”. We can easily say that this philosophical approach was accepted by the national leader Heydar Aliyev as the main criterion for the formation of the Azerbaijani people as a nation in the 21st century. He was saying: "We will never depart from our faith and religion and we will build our future using these spiritual resources!" As a leader with one or another slogan, he emphasized that our history of philosophical thought is rich in every platform and that it is easy to achieve and implement it in the context of modern possibilities. The article reflects the philosophy of spirituality in general and the context of Heydar Aliyev. (shrink)

In this Article, I examine the Visiting Mechanisms under the Convention against Torture (CAT) and the Optional Protocol thereto (OPCAT), applying an analytic approach resting on Foucault’s Discipline and Punish. I argue that international Visiting Mechanisms essentially constitute disciplinary apparatuses as depicted by Foucault. However, because they fail to recognise this functional similarity, they do not effectively apply the methods of inducing panoptic power. Most notably the concept of ‘hierarchical observation’ is hardly utilised at all. The two introduced legal entities, (...) the Committee against Torture under CAT, and the Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture under OPCAT, both engage in visits to states with a view to eradicate torture and ill-treatment throughout the world. Critically examining their systemic design and practises reveals that the preventative ante hoc mandate of the Subcommittee is more effective than the post hoc inquiries of the Committee. Nevertheless, because both entities unfortunately fail to fully utilise panoptic power, the article concludes by offering a set of recommendations for both bodies that could arguably enhance their overall effectiveness. (shrink)

This article reports on a survey of the moral problems that Dutch nurses experience during their everyday practice. A questionnaire was developed, based on published literature, panel discussions, in-depth interviews and participation observations. The instrument was tested in a pilot study and proved to be useful. A total of 2122 questionnaires were sent to 91 institutions in seven different health care settings. The results showed that nurses were not experiencing important societal issues such as abortion and euthanasia as morally the (...) most problematic, but rather situations such as verbally aggressive behaviour of colleagues towards patients, keeping silent about errors, and medical treatment given against the wishes of patients. Moral problems occurred especially when nurses experienced feelings of powerlessness with regard to the well-being of patients. Moreover, these moral problems proved to be related to institutional organization, leadership, and collaboration with colleagues and other disciplines. Nurses appeared to have a limited awareness of the moral dimensions of their practice. (shrink)

This article reports on a survey of the moral problems that Dutch nurses experience during their everyday practice. A questionnaire was developed, based on published literature, panel discussions, in-depth interviews and participation observations. The instrument was tested in a pilot study and proved to be useful. A total of 2122 questionnaires were sent to 91 institutions in seven different health care settings. The results showed that nurses were not experiencing important societal issues such as abortion and euthanasia as morally the (...) most problematic, but rather situations such as verbally aggressive behaviour of colleagues towards patients, keeping silent about errors, and medical treatment given against the wishes of patients. Moral problems occurred especially when nurses experienced feelings of powerlessness with regard to the well-being of patients. Moreover, these moral problems proved to be related to institutional organization, leadership, and collaboration with colleagues and other disciplines. Nurses appeared to have a limited awareness of the moral dimensions of their practice. (shrink)