In this paper—dedicated to Prof. Asim O. Barut—we generalize the Diracnon-linear electrodynamics by introducing two potentials(namely, the vector potential A and the pseudo-vector potential γ5B of the electromagnetic theorywith charges and magnetic monopoles) and by imposing the pseudoscalar part of the product ωω* to be zero, with ω≡A+γ5B. We show that the field equations of such a theory possess a soliton-like solution which can representa priori a “charged particle,” since it is endowed with a Coulomb field plus the field of (...) a magneticdipole. The rest energy of the soliton is finite, and the angular momentum stored in its electromagnetic field can be identified—for suitable choices of the parameters—with the spin of the charged particle. Thus, this approach seems to yield a classical model for the charged (spinning) particle which does not encounter the problems met by earlier attempts in the same direction. (shrink)

Breastfeeding is one important form of maternal investment that is influenced by support from kin and non-kin. This paper investigates who provides support for breastfeeding mothers and their children, what type of support they provide, and how support impacts breastfeeding duration. The data were derived from a survey of 594 American mothers and were analyzed using quantitative methods, including Cox regression. Analyses indicate that mothers receive significant support, particularly from spouses and maternal grandmothers. More frequent breastfeeding discussions with La Leche (...) League and maternal grandfathers were associated with longer duration, whereas discussions with physicians were associated with shorter breastfeeding duration. Results indicate that consulting others specifically about breastfeeding may influence breastfeeding decisions. The results are consistent with the idea that social support may influence breastfeeding duration and that some types of support are more influential than others. Furthermore, support persons should be educated about breastfeeding to prevent early weaning. (shrink)

The cities of refuge as detailed in the Deuteronomic witness in the Hebrew Bible have served as the inspiration and model for the practice of providing sanctuary for many throughout the centuries, namely with the most recent Sanctuary movements in the US and the UK in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. And yet, its biblical witness as to its implementation and effectiveness is practically silent. Using methods of biblical studies via liberation hermeneutics and theological ethics from both the Jewish and (...) Christian traditions, the following questions will be explored: What were the cities of refuge? How were they to be set up? What are the theological and ethical questions at play in the biblical witness as to their use? What relevance, if any, do they have for us today? (shrink)

s for the Second Workshop on Implementing Machine Ethics.

The formal oversight of medical education in India occurred with the promulgation of the Indian Medical Degrees Act in 1916. Despite an awareness of the need to train ethical doctors and the formal discussion of this as early as 1955, the formal teaching of medical ethics has been restricted to a few colleges as it has not been part of a mandated requirement. In August, 2019, all medical colleges in India will adopt a new Medical Council of India mandated curriculum. (...) An embedded AETCOM module across all years of training is a part of this curriculum and is the first attempt to introduce medical ethics uniformly in close to 500 medical colleges in the country. This paper traces the historical attempts to include medical ethics in medical education in India, and describes the current plan to implement ethics teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum in India. (shrink)

The return of individual research results and incidental findings from biobanking research is a much debated ethical issue globally but has extensive relevance in India where the burden of out of pocket health care expenses is high for the majority. The views of 21 ethics committee (EC) members and 22 researchers from Bengaluru, India, concerning the ethics of biobanking research were sought through in‐depth interviews using an unfolding case vignette with probes. A shared view among most was that individual research (...) results which are ‘actionable’ or have ‘clinical significance’ should be returned to the sample contributors through their treating physicians. This was seen as an ethical obligation and a moral duty on the side of the researcher to “give back” to the person who contributed to the research. The challenges foreseen were that of resources, both financial and personnel, for the time and counseling needed to accompany the disclosure of results. Perceptions of ‘ownership’ appear to influence the concept of benefit sharing. While benefit sharing in financial terms was considered ethically challenging, certain researchers and ethics committee members made a case for “two way altruism” where the researcher in return for the altruistic ‘valuable contribution’, shares with the contributor/ community, benefits of the research which could include research findings, improved patient care, and more affordable access to the new diagnostic tests or products arising from the research. This defines the emerging ethic of “giving back” which goes beyond individual rights and ensures reciprocity and distributive justice. (shrink)

We hypothesize that rapid eye movement or REM sleep evolved, in part, to mediate sexual/reproductive behaviors and strategies. Because development of sexual and mating strategies depends crucially on early attachment experiences, we further hypothesize that REM functions to mediate attachment processes early in life. Evidence for these hypotheses comes from (1) the correlation of REM variables with both attachment and sexual/reproductive variables; (2) attachment-related and sex-related hormonal release during REM; (3) selective activation during REM of brain sites implicated in attachment (...) and sexual processes; (4) effects of maternal deprivation on REM; (5) effects of REM deprivation on sexual behaviors; and (6) the REM-associated sexual excitation. To explain why we find associations among REM sleep, attachment, and adult reproductive strategies, we rely on recent extensions of parent-offspring conflict theory. Using data from recent findings on genomic imprinting, Haig (2000) and others suggest that paternally expressed genes are selected to promote growth of the developing fetus/child at the expense of the mother, while maternally expressed genes counter these effects. Because developmental REM facilitates attachment-related outcomes in the child, developmental REM may be regulated by paternally expressed genes. In that case, REM may have evolved to support the “aims” of paternal genes at the expense of maternal genes. (shrink)

O texto pretende fazer um exame preliminar de questões relativas à natureza do bem em Platão, com referências a alguns diálogos e comentadores e, ainda, com a menção da posição de Aristóteles sobre o tema e, finalmente, encerra com algumas observações gerais.

O texto pretende fazer um exame preliminar de questões relativas à natureza do bem em Platão, com referências a alguns diálogos e comentadores e, ainda, com a menção da posição de Aristóteles sobre o tema e, finalmente, encerra com algumas observações gerais.

O artigo pretende oferecer subsídios para o debate pedagógicosobre alguns modos de ensinar e de aprender no Ensino Superior naatualidade tendo presente as condições e possibilidades criadas pelastransformações tecnológicas e científicas e as novas exigências pedagógicascom estudantes ativos que desejam maior participação nos processos deaprendizagem.

O artigo pretende mostrar os pressupostos éticos e epistemológicos das atividades de ensino e aprendizagem em Kant e Habermas e, igualmente, introduzir alguns aspectos relevantes da questão que sirvam para um posterior desenvolvimento.

Os artigos contidos neste número de Veritas, como é de praxe, na edição que corresponde ao mês de dezembro de cada ano, versam sobre temas ligados direta e indiretamente à dialética. Os projetos integrados de Dialética: conhecimento e linguagem, ética e política, sob a coordenação do professor Dr. Carlos Roberto V. Cirne Lima, com a participação dos professores Dr. Manfredo Araújo de Oliveira, Dr. Tadeu Weber, Dr. Jayme Paviani, Me. Angelo Cenci, Doutorando Eduardo Luft, Doutorando Sérgio Augusto Sardi, Doutorando (...) Custódio Luís S. de Almeida e outros professores que estão se integrando ao programa de pesquisa, começam a mostrar os primeiros resultados de uma política de coordenação e sistematização da produção científica. Estes projetos sintonizados com as linhas de pesquisa do Curso de Pós-Graduação em Filosofia, Mestrado e Doutorado, da PUCRS, contribuem para a investigação de problemas filosóficos reatualizados e aprofundados sob o enfoque dialético. Os projetos de pesquisa em andamento ao responderem às perguntas o que é dialética e o que é filosofia investigam questões fundamentais da filosofia e da cultura contemporâneas remetendo-as aos métodos filosóficos desde as suas origens gregas. Os números especiais da revista Veritas têm, portanto, a função de publicar resultados parciais destas pesquisas realizadas pelos professores do núcleo Dialética: conhecimento e linguagem, ética e política e de seus colaboradores e interlocutores. (shrink)

A Veritas desse número reúne os artigos apresentados no Congresso Interfaces do pensamento de Platão.

Platão, na República, condena a arte. Essa condenação, inicialmente, é de natureza pedagógica e moral e não estética, no sentido moderno da teoria estética e, em segundo lugar, por motivos metafísicos. No contexto de uma reforma ético-política e de uma reforma educacional, podemos nos indagar se os argumentos de Platão atingiriam hoje a poesia de Fernando Pessoa e a pintura de Pablo Picasso. As acusações contra a arte fundam-se em dois tipos de argumentos. Nos livros II e III, Platão afirma (...) e demonstra a incapacidade dos poetas gregos de atender as exigências das faculdades da alma. No livro X, a condenação da poesia e da pintura tem como base o fato de a arte ser puramente imitação, ilusão e, assim, opor-se à teoria das ideias. (shrink)

Este ensaio aborda possíveis aproximações e afastamento entre as filosofias dePlatão e de Merleau-Ponty, especialmente entre a fundação de uma ontologia inteligível em Platão e a inauguração de uma ontologia sensível ou selvagem em M. Merleau-Ponty.

A Dialética de Platão, antes de alcançar os estágios dos processos diaíresis e da synagogê e de 'intuir' o Bem, o Uno, passa pelo processo da refutação, elenchos, também conhecido como "diálogo socrático" presente nos primeiros Diálogos. Esta aprendizagem da dialética articula-se com duas origens: a dos argumentos de Zenão de Eléia e a das aporias de Heráclito.

O texto apresenta de algumas características básicas da ideia de bem em A República, com algumas referências gerais a outros diálogos, a partir da leitura do texto platônico e de algumas contribuições de comentadores, tendo em vista a presença dessa ideia na filosofia e na ética de Platão. Palavras-chave: Platão. Bem. Virtude. Justiça.

Exame introdutório das condições depossibilidade de recuperação da racionalidade daexperiência sensível posta de lado, desde o inicioda filosofia, por Platão e Aristóteles, e do papelda reflexão dialética na investigação da fé per -ceptiva, conforme M. Merleau-Ponty em Levisible e J'invisibJe.

Caracterização das relações entre estética e educação a partir das noções de experiência, percepção e juízo estético.

Exposição introdutória da dialética dePlatão e estudo da relação dialética e linguagensno diálogo Sofista, e das relações entre dialética eanalítica a partir de alguns aspectos da Carta sobrea Dialética de Carlos R. Cirne Lima.

Interpretação de aspectos relevantes da Analítica do Belo da Critica da Faculdade do Juízo de Kant sob a perspectiva de uma fundamentação da racionalidade estética.

Contextualização e identificação dos processos dialéticos em alguns diálogos de Platão. Constituição da dialética platônica, a partir da dialética socrática e eleática. Caracterização dos diferentes níveis e modalidades do processo dialético, desde a dialética negativa ou dicotômica até a evolutiva tripartida.

Exame introdutório ao conceito de virtude de Platão considerando especialmente a questão da unidade e das partes, da possibilidade de ensinar a virtude e das relações entre a ideia de alma e as condições da virtude. O artigo analisa o contexto social e histórico da virtude na Grécia antiga e na obra de Platão, examina algumas posições teóricas sobre o problema da unidade e das partes da virtude e a questão da aprendizagem da virtude no Menon, Górgias e Protágoras e, (...) finalmente, examina as implicações do conceito de alma presentes na concepção de virtude em Platão. (shrink)

O presente trabalho apresenta indicações de traços literários nos textosfilosóficos e de conteúdos filosóficos nos textos literários e faz aproximações e distinções entre os textos filosóficos e literários. Aborda tambémquestões referentes a estilo e argumentação, autoria e linguagem filosófica.

Indicação de tópicos do prólogo de o Sofista considerados relevantes, sob o ponto de vista propedêutico, para o estudo do diálogo na perspectiva do processo diairético. Observações sobre as implicações entre o método, os temas e a estrutura do diálogo.

O presente artigo pretende mostrar por que é que a actualidade de Teilhard de Chardin é hoje imune às vicissitudes dos tempos e a sua obra se transformou num verdadeiro clássico do pensamento cristão no século XX. Mostra-se, com efeito, o valor permanente da mensagem teilhardiana, mensagem esta que importa acolher com entusiasmo renovado no momento em que se comemoram os primeiros 50 anos depois da morte do grande cientista e pensador. Neste sentido, o artigo mostra de que modo a (...) questão de Deus constitui o cerne da visão teilhardiana, já que nela reside o eixo orientador de todo o seu pensamento e actividade. O pensamento de Teilhard de Chardin pode, pois, ser considerado como uma grandiosa tentativa de responder à pergunta que nos nossos dias atravessa a alma dos homens e mulheres que se inserem no âmbito da tradição judaico-cristã, a saber: será possível pensar Deus, crer em Deus, aceitar Deus e agir à luz da existência de Deus num mundo que, aparentemente, chegou ao termo da imensa operação cultural, iniciada dois séculos antes, de liquidar de vez a herança teísta de uma história imemorial? Pergunta decisiva, da qual estão suspensas as próprias razões de viver do homem de hoje e o destino do Cristianismo na civilização por ele em grande parte inspirada. Segundo o artigo, a grandeza de Teilhard de Chardin e o segredo do seu imenso impacto num tempo em que a cultura pós-teísta parecia estabelecer definitivamente os seus próprios títulos de legitimidade histórica, residem não só na lucidez com que o pensador fez face à grande interrogação, mas também na originalidade da resposta que para ela encontrou. /// Aim of this article is primarily to show why the actuality of Teilhard de Chardin is nowadays immune to the vicissitudes proper to the change of times and that his work is now a true classic within the realm of contemporary Christian thought. The essay shows the permanent value of the teilhardian message, which we are particularly invited to grasp as we commemorate the 50 th anniversary after the death of the great scientist and thinker. In this sense, the article shows how the question of God constitutes the core of Teilhard de Chardin's vision and how this question is the organizing factor of his thought and activity. Thus, the thought of Teilhard de Chardin can be considered a grandiose attempt at answering the question that in our time touches so many men and women within the Judaeo-Christian tradition, namely: is it possible to think God, to believe in God, to accept God and to act in the light of God's existence in a world in which the cultural operation that began two centuries ago aimed at finishing up with the theistic heritage of our immemorial history seems to have come full circle? This is certainly a decisive issue in the measure that from it depends the question of meaning for the human being of today's world as well as the destiny of Christianity within the Civilization that has so deeply been inspired by it. According to the article, the greatness of Teilhard de Chardin and the secret of his immense impact in a time in which the posttheistic culture seemed to establish definitely its own titles of historical legitimacy, can be found not only in the lucidity with which the thinker faced the great question, but also in the originality of the answer that he was able to give. (shrink)

This article analyses the determinants associated with the use of the Integrated Report as a corporate reporting model for sustainability information. IRs provide information regarding the use and interdependence of different company resources. The previous literature has identified determinants behind the presentation of IRs at the country level as well as at the company level. Our work contributes to the literature by using a novel statistical approach that addresses the likelihood of the non-independence of data: companies in the same country (...) are more similar to one another than are companies from different countries. Our results confirm significant inter-country variance, which may be partially explained by the existence of specific regulations and the individualism vs. collectivism dimension. Although we confirm the effect of company-level determinants, our results do not support the role of specific variables tested as determinants. (shrink)

Moral reasoning typically informs environmental decision-making by measuring the possible outcomes of policies or actions in light of a preferred ethical theory. This method is subject to many problems. Environmental pragmatism tries to overcome them, but it suffers also from some pitfalls. This paper proposes a new method of environmental pragmatism that avoids the problems of both the traditional method of environmental moral reasoning and of the general versions of environmental pragmatism. We call it 'justificatory moral pluralism' - it develops (...) the intuition that normative ethical theories need not be mutually exclusive. This leaves room for important forms of pluralist environmental ethics that do not require a once-and-for-all prior commitment to an ethical theory when deciding about policies or courses of action related to the protection of the environment. Justificatory moral pluralism offers a viable solution to the recurrent conflicts between efficient environmental decisions and the need for moral reasoning. (shrink)

Research using Controlled Human Infection Models is yet to be attempted in India. This study was conducted to understand the perceptions of the lay public and key opinion makers prior to the possible introduction of such studies in the country. 110 respondents from urban and rural Bangalore district were interviewed using qualitative research methods of Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews. The data was analyzed using grounded theory. Safety was a key concern of the lay public, expressed in terms of (...) fear of death. The notion of infecting a healthy volunteer, the possibility of continued effects beyond the study duration and the likelihood of vulnerable populations volunteering solely for monetary benefit, were ethical concerns. Public good outcomes such as effective treatments, targeted vaccines and prevention of diseases was necessary justification for such studies. However, the comprehension of this benefit was not clear among non-medical, non-technical respondents and suggestions to seek alternatives to CHIMs repeatedly arose. There was a great deal of deflection—with each constituency feeling that people other than themselves may be ideally suited as participants. Risk takers, those without dependents, the more health and research literate, financially sound and those with an altruistic bent of mind emerged as possible CHIM volunteers. While widespread awareness and advocacy about CHIM is essential, listening to plural voices is the first step in public engagement in ethically contentious areas. Continued engagement and inclusive deliberative processes are required to redeem the mistrust of the public in research and rebuild faith in regulatory systems. (shrink)

Two recently proposed experiments by Kolen and Torr (K-T), designed to detect possible failures of Einstein's special relativity (SR) are analyzed. Imprecisions in these papers are pointed out. Computation in Lorentz aether theory (LAT), with the K-T violation of SR, of the theoretical prediction for the proposed K-T clock experiment prove their results to be incorrect. Analytical computation of the proposed K-T rotor Doppler experiment using LAT confirms the order of magnitude of their prediction by numerical computation. For LAT in (...) the K-T form, this experiment, using a turntable, is shown to give results which could be detected with the technology of 20 years ago. Another LAT model is considered which leads to deviations of SR smaller than in the K-T model. The central point of the approach adopted in this paper is the use of Einstein's coordinates in the comoving frame, even when SR is violated, leading always to isotropic propagation of light in vacuum; the anisotropy usually obtained in LAT is only a coordinate effect. (shrink)

Context: Immunity includes cognitive concepts: the organism is thought to specifically recognize foreign materials and develop a memory of these encounters. Vaccines are thought to work by enhancing this immunological memory. Lymphocytes are key cells and specific antibodies are key molecules in immune recognition. Antibodies are blood proteins called “immunoglobulins.” Spontaneously formed immunoglobulins are seen as “natural” antibodies to dietary components and commensal bacteria. Immune cognition is used simply as a didactic metaphor. Problem: Do the cognitive aspects of immunology stem (...) from the activities of cells and molecules, or are they ascribed by the immunologist operating as a human observer? (1) An immense variety of immunoglobulins may bind to the same antigen with different binding energies. It is the immunologist who arbitrates the boundary between those that are specific (and declared antibodies) and those that are not. Specific antibodies serve as functional labels pasted onto natural immunoglobulins, as if they were recognizing elements. Is this “arbitration” the true cognitive event ascribed to immunoglobulins and lymphocytes? (2) A major impasse exists between progress in experimental immunology and its translation into clinical results. A proper understanding of immunological activity demands a wider view of an organism’s biology and, also, of the interference of human observers in delineating experimental realities, such as the specificity of immune recognition. Maturana’s biology of cognition and language provides one such approach. Method: Use of Maturana’s biology of cognition and language concepts to describe immunological activity. Results: A whole new understanding of immunological activity is suggested. Implications: A major change in the way of seeing is proposed that may eventually help the translation of this knowledge into clinical results. Furthermore, the immune system may also become a proper model for cognitive analyses. (shrink)

O artigo apresenta uma reflexão sobre a guerra a partir de Carl Schmitt e Hannah Arendt. Para tanto, realiza-se um recorte na obra de cada autor. De Carl Schmitt, discute-se o livro O conceito do político (2009) que contém ainda A teoria do Partisan. De Hannah Arendt, restringe-se a Sobre a violência (2001), A promessa da política (2020), e alguns ensaios contidos em Entre o passado e o futuro (2009). Neste sentido, Carl Schmitt permite discutir o papel da inimizade para (...) a decisão acerca da guerra e como essa situação-limite, ao mesmo tempo, constitui e afeta a dimensão do político. Já Hannah Arendt permite delinear certos traços constitutivos das guerras modernas que escapam à preocupação central Schmittiana, sobretudo o perigo intrínseco da inimizade produzir não a intensificação do político, mas a eliminação da vida humana sobre à Terra. Trata-se, enfim, de pensar o efeito do avanço tecnológico no campo dos assuntos humanos e como essa tópica transforma o estatuto da guerra. (shrink)