In recent decades, many theories of formal semantics of natural language have undergone what can be called a dynamic turn: they have moved from treating language as a static system to considering it 'in action' and to taking meanings as crucially involving 'context-change potentials'. The theories, however, usually concentrate much more on the hows of the turn than on its whys and as a result, the conceptual foundations of dynamic semantics are much less elaborated than its technical side. This book, (...) based on a conference held in Prague in September 2001, is a contribution to filling this gap: it consists of papers addressing, from various sides, the foundational questions of the dynamic theories of meaning. It includes contributions of writers who are commonly held as authorities concerning the turn, who, however, here concentrate more on the why's than on the how's of dynamic semantics. Hence the book should be of interest both for those who want to know what the turn is about, and for those who are not satisfied with knowing the technical side of dynamic semantics and want to know its point. (shrink)

The goal of this paper is to present action research on the collapsed relations between the Roma minority and the majority population in a single location. The topic of this research emerged as the result of a request from organizations operating in socially deprived areas where the inhabitants anticipated that they might become the target of retaliatory attacks by extremists. Local organizations, along with the police and other institutions, were unable to prevent the resulting spread of panic; the goal of (...) the qualitative research was, therefore, to uncover the mechanism through which panic emerges and spreads, and offer suggestions on how to prevent similar events in the future. The paper presents a reflexive methodology and the initial convictions of the researcher. (shrink)

A review of deVries' and O'Shea's books, both titled "Wilfrid Sellars". By Jaroslav Peregrin.

In accordance with current philosophical opinions, four classical and one more recently proposed types of methods frequently used in theoretical natural science are specified here together with the corresponding sources of inspiration. More precisely, abstract models, thought experiments, mathematical hypotheses and metaphors are dealt with here as classical types of methods, whereas hybrids of mathematical hypotheses and thought experiments represent more recent methodic group. In addition, this paper describes the relationships of the introduced types of methods to the (i) three-floor (...) hierarchy of scientific theories, (ii) examples of ancient or recent discoveries and (iii) recent usage of computers. (shrink)

Logic is usually considered to be the study of logical consequence – of the most basic laws governing how a statement’s truth depends on the truth of other statements. Some of the pioneers of modern formal logic, notably Hilbert and Carnap, assumed that the only way to get hold of the relation of consequence was to reconstruct it as a relation of inference within a formal system built upon explicit inferential rules. Even Alfred Tarski in 1930 seemed to foresee no (...) kind of consequence other than one induced by a set of inference rules: "Let A be an arbitrary set of sentences of a particular discipline. With the help of certain operations, the so-called rules of inference, new sentences are derived from the set A, called the.. (shrink)

Ve své nové knížce Kauzalita činitele Petr Dvořák argumentuje, že svoboda vůle existuje, a tudíž musíme přijmout nějakou formu indeterminismu; a předkládá návrh odpovídajícího pojmového rámce. Já se naproti tomu domnívám, že ač svoboda vůle skutečně existuje, neměli bychom proto opouštět determinismus; hlásím se tedy k určité formě kompatibilismu. Podle mého druhu kompatibilismu tomu ovšem není tak, že by se svoboda vůle dala vtěsnat do deterministického rámce. Domnívám se, že řešení je v přijetí toho, že při výkladu skutečnosti nevystačíme s (...) jediným pojmovým rámcem – konkrétně že na člověka se můžeme dívat jako na organismus (skrze deterministický a fyzikalistický rámec), ale také jako na osobu (skrze rámec, který je „prodchnut normativitou“). (shrink)

Ve své polemice s mou recenzí jeho knihy Tomáš Marvan argumentuje, že debatu mezi realismem a relativismem (či konstruktivismem) lze rozřešit, a to prostřednictvím důkazů ve prospěch realismu. V tomto příspěvku vysvětluji, že podle mne realismus nemůže být prokázán, protože to není teze, kterou by bylo možné dokazovat, ale spíše něco jako kantovská „regulativní idea“. In his polemic reply to my review of his book Tomáš Marvan argues that the debate between realism and relativism (or constructivism) can be resolved, especially (...) by means of evidence in favor of realism. In this contribution I explain that according to me realism cannot be demonstrated, because it is not a thesis that could be supported by evidence, but rather something as a Kantian "regulative idea". (shrink)

We investigate several ideal versions of the pseudointersection number \(\mathfrak {p}\), ideal slalom numbers, and associated topological spaces with the focus on selection principles. However, it turns out that well-known pseudointersection invariant \(\mathtt {cov}^*({\mathcal I})\) has a crucial influence on the studied notions. For an invariant \(\mathfrak {p}_\mathrm {K}({\mathcal J})\) introduced by Borodulin-Nadzieja and Farkas (Arch. Math. Logic 51:187–202, 2012), and an invariant \(\mathfrak {p}_\mathrm {K}({\mathcal I},{\mathcal J})\) introduced by Repický (Real Anal. Exchange 46:367–394, 2021), we have $$\begin{aligned} \min \{\mathfrak (...) {p}_\mathrm {K}({\mathcal I}),\mathtt {cov}^*({\mathcal I})\}=\mathfrak {p},\qquad \min \{\mathfrak {p}_\mathrm {K}({\mathcal I},{\mathcal J}),\mathtt {cov}^*({\mathcal J})\}\le \mathtt {cov}^*({\mathcal I}), \end{aligned}$$ respectively. In addition to the first inequality, for a slalom invariant \(\mathfrak {sl_e}({\mathcal I},{\mathcal J})\) introduced in Šupina (J. Math. Anal. Appl. 434:477–491, 2016), we show that $$\begin{aligned} \min \{\mathfrak {p}_\mathrm {K}({\mathcal I}),\mathfrak {sl_e}({\mathcal I},{\mathcal J}),\mathtt {cov}^*({\mathcal J})\}=\mathfrak {p}. \end{aligned}$$ Finally, we obtain a consistency that ideal versions of the Fréchet–Urysohn property and the strictly Fréchet–Urysohn property are distinguished. (shrink)

V tomto článku se zabývám konceptem SI (superinteligence) a s ní spojeným problémem kontroly. Podle určité skupiny teoretiků umělé inteligence stojíme na prahu události, která může radikálně změnit povahu technologického pokroku a lidské společnosti obecně. Touto událostí má být takzvaná technologická singularita, která je často spojována se vznikem první větší než lidské inteligence. Lidé jako Nick Bostrom varují před nebezpečím, které pro nás vznik SI znamená a upozorňují, že musíme co nejdříve najít metody kontroly této inteligence. Podle Bostroma a dalších (...) nebezpečí SI vyplývá z její povahy. Já na jedné straně posuzuji, jak SI může vzniknout, a na druhé straně soudím smysluplnost problému kontroly. Vznik SI vyplývá ze vzniku umělé inteligence. Proto soustřeďuji podstatnou část textu argumentům pro její vznik. Ukazují jak se Bostrom a další nechávají unést jedním problematickým argumentem. Dále podrobuji jejich pozici klasické kritice umělé inteligence. Prezentuji, jak stále lpí na problematických domněnkách svých předchůdců. Zejména soustřeďuji svoji kritiku na tvrzení, že SI bude mít jeden konečný cíl, který bude interpretovat. Toto tvrzení označuji jako antitetické, a to představě, že SI bude obecnou inteligencí. V závěru z mojí argumentace vyvozuji, že problém kontroly zaměňuje dva jiné různé problémy „kontroly.“. (shrink)

Growth modelling is of interest to scientists in various disciplines. In our article, we will collect 17 models designed for growth modelling, appraise these models and contribute to the discussion of their applicability. The merit of the paper lies in studying the convergence properties of nonlinear regression in selected models. Our studies will be performed mainly concerning the quality of the obtained estimates, which are closely related to the intrinsic curvature of the model according to Bates and Watts. This curvature (...) determines the size of the linearization domains. Only if the initial solution is in this domain, then the convergence of the estimate in nonlinear regression is guaranteed. The primary goal is to design a methodology for selecting a growth model. We will demonstrate fruitfulness of our methodology on the weight measurements of 10 calves under 25 months of age from cowsheds in the village Záluží in the Czech Republic. Estimated parameters of growth curves, sizes of linearization domain, calculated residues and coefficients of determination indices will be the subject of discussion. (shrink)

Tomáš Marvan Otázka významu: Cesty analytické filosofie jazyka. 1. vyd. Praha: Togga, 2010, ISBN 978-80-87258-33-0, 150 stran.

In his proof of the first incompleteness theorem, Kurt Gödel provided a method of showing the truth of specific arithmetical statements on the condition that all the axioms of a certain formal theory of arithmetic are true. Furthermore, the statement whose truth is shown in this way cannot be proved in the theory in question. Thus it may seem that the relation of logical consequence is wider than the relation of derivability by a pre-defined set of rules. The aim of (...) this paper is to explore under which assumptions the Gödelian statement can rightly be considered a logical consequence of the axioms of the theory in question. It is argued that this is the case only when the all the theorems of the theory in question are understood as statements of the same kind as statements of arithmetic and statements about provability in the theory, and only if the language of the theory contains logical expressions allowing to include certain predicates of meta-language in the language of the theory. (shrink)

Odborná práce z oboru hudební teorie. Navazuje na knihu téhož autora "Teoretické základy harmonie s hľadiska vedeckej filozofie", jež vyšla r. 1954. Soustřeďuje pozornost k oněm názorům a teoriím, které jsou z hlediska filosofického ovlivněny idealistickým postojem. V první části sleduje a hodnotí vlivy idealismu na nauku o harmonii v 19. a 20. století, v druhé se obírá předpoklady dialektického materialismu v hudební teorii.

There has been much controversy over the completeness and unity of Euripides᾽Heraclidaein the last two centuries. Hermann᾽s characterization of the play as a heavily mutilated piece, which was adopted by Kirchhoff, Wilamowitz, Nauck and Murray, prevailed for a long time. Wilamowitz's thesis that theHeraclidaewas revised by the ancient director found its adherents. It was Günther Zuntz who led the general offensive against this widely accepted opinion and whose critical scrutiny reversed the view of the play. According to Zuntz, the play (...) has come down to us substantially as it was written. The alleged mutilation, as well as the specific dramatic technique, shortness and swiftness of theHeraclidae, also influenced the general evaluation of the play as a minor or odd piece. It was Günter Zuntz again and also Franz Stoessl who reconstituted the reputation of theHeraclidae. Today Euripides᾽Heraclidaeis studied and recognized as a classicalHikesiedrama, a play deeply rooted in Athenian ideology and in the social and religious context of fifth-century Athens, and representing various aspects of communal life. Since the play has been interpreted and scrutinized from a very wide range of perspectives, I do not aim at a radically new general interpretation of theHeraclidae, but I would like to make a short remark on an aspect of it which has, as far as I know, been neglected or only briefly referred to: the term ἀμηχανία in crucial passages of the play, which signifies, or rather describes, a situation which is desperate, hopeless, and with no way out. I would like to show that for the characters in theHeraclidaewho follow the ideal of justice, in contrast to those who prefer profit, no situation is hopeless, even as it was not for Heracles, who managed to do things which could be evaluated as impossible. On the other hand, those who opt for the Heraclean ideal have to prepare to face the ultimate challenges. (shrink)

Gender ideology has quickly developed as a response to fostering human rights, especially in the case of gender equality. Gender policy thus became a political and ideological instrument that subjects human rights to another contest – a new form of crusade pursued by anti-gender movements which advocate traditional and conservative ideologies against gender equality and gender theories. In this paper, we seek to track and map the recent development of anti-gender movements and their mobilisation. We apply critical discourse analysis to (...) several doctrines of antigenderism in order to understand the global popularity and mass appeal of these movements. (shrink)

Following an historical survey of ethical perspectives, the author focuses on an emerging "market ethics" dictating economic, cultural and legal principles and practices. He is especially concerned with the subsequent loss of human and social capital, and suggests the need for reviving those vital ethical considerations, especially during this time of transition for The Czech Republic and other Eastern European nations.

U clanku se autor usredsredjuje na proces suocavanja s prosloscu koristeci primer ceske demokratske tranzicije nakon 1989. Na pocetku odredjuje sam koncept?suocavanja s prosloscu? da bi definisao ulogu istoriografije i skolskog obrazovanja na simbolickom nivou takvog jednog procesa. Autor se bavi trima osnovnim problemima - kultivacijom istorijske svesti unutar skolskog okruzenja, primenom modernih didaktickih koncepata i, na kraju, koristeci cesko iskustvo s postkomunistickim obrazovanjem iz istorije, u glavnim crtama izlaze problematicne teme koje okruzuju proces suocavanja s prosloscu. Izmedju ostalog, koncentrise (...) se na didakticke aspekte koncepta kulturnog i komunikativnog pamcenja. (shrink)

A set A of vertices of a graph G is called d-scattered in G if no two d-neighborhoods of (distinct) vertices of A intersect. In other words, A is d-scattered if no two distinct vertices of A have distance at most 2d. This notion was isolated in the context of finite model theory by Ajtai and Gurevich and recently it played a prominent role in the study of homomorphism preservation theorems for special classes of structures (such as minor closed classes). (...) This in turn led to the notions of wide, almost wide and quasi-wide classes of graphs. It has been proved previously that minor closed classes and classes of graphs with locally forbidden minors are examples of such classes and thus (relativized) homomorphism preservation theorem holds for them. In this paper we show that (more general) classes with bounded expansion and (newly defined) classes with bounded local expansion and even (very general) nowhere dense classes are quasi wide. This not only strictly generalizes the previous results but it also provides new proofs and algorithms for some of the old results. It appears that bounded expansion and nowhere dense classes are perhaps a proper setting for investigation of wide-type classes as in several instances we obtain a structural characterization. This also puts classes of bounded expansion in the new context. Our motivation stems from finite dualities. As a corollary we obtain that any homomorphism closed first order definable property restricted to a bounded expansion class is a restricted duality. (shrink)

This paper is a follow up of the author’s programme of characterizing Ramsey classes of structures by a combination of model theory and combinatorics. This relates the classification programme for countable homogeneous structures to the proof techniques of the structural Ramsey theory. Here we consider the classes of topological and metric spaces which recently were studied in the context of extremally amenable groups and of the Urysohn space. We show that Ramsey classes are essentially classes of finite objects only. While (...) for Ramsey classes of topological spaces we achieve a full characterization, for metric spaces this seems to be at present an intractable problem. (shrink)