Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o filme Equilibrium de Kurt Wimmer em que a técnica surge como única possibilidade de fundamentação do desenvolvimento da humanidade. No filme os sentimentos são identificados como fonte do sofrimento e das desgraças humanas, sendo então estabelecido que devem ser exterminados com o uso de uma droga. A técnica se apresenta no filme como fim para a história da humanidade, tal qual teme Heidegger. A fim de mostrar as conseqüências ultimas do domínio da técnica (...) sobre o sentir e sobre o próprio ser se discorrerá esse artigo, sempre fazendo uma alusão ao filme Equilibrium. (shrink)

Tal como a maioria dos alunos que ingressam em um curso superior em uma universidade pública, vindos de uma formação básica muito aquém do preparo para a universidade, quando ingressei no curso de Filosofia eu pouco sabia sobre como eram as aulas, desconhecia completamente os projetos e oportunidades para ensino, pesquisa e extensão, e sequer conseguia projetar meu futuro além da essencial formação como licenciado. E provavelmente não teria a oportunidade de expandir meus objetivos e ter uma formação adequada não (...) fossem os excelentes professores e professoras com quem fui aprender sobre filosofia, sobre os trabalhos e projetos acadêmicos, e mesmo sobre a vida. (shrink)

O objetivo do presente ensaio é apresentar os principais pontos da crítica de Hans Jonas à concepção de natureza desenvolvida na modernidade, sobretudo pelas ciências naturais e pela matemática. A influência da matemática e da física, diz Jonas, projetou sobre a natureza e sobre o cosmos um olhar científico que, interessando em entender “apenas” seu funcionamento a partir das descobertas das leis que os regem, legou-nos um cosmos e uma natureza destituídos de valor intrínseco. Compreender essa análise de Jonas sobre (...) a concepção de natureza na modernidade nos permite entender a preocupação do filósofo a respeito do modo como os seres humanos se relacionam e agem com/no mundo natural, tarefa importante para situar sua fenomenologia dentro de seu projeto ético. (shrink)

Quão próxima está a ética do cuidado com a saúde da ética da responsabilidade ambiental? Enxergamos os problemas ambientais e também os problemas de saúde das pessoas, mas conseguimos ver realmente uma ligação entre eles?

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o filme Equilibrium de Kurt Wimmer em que a técnica surge como única possibilidade de fundamentação do desenvolvimento da humanidade. No filme os sentimentos são identificados como fonte do sofrimento e das desgraças humanas, sendo então estabelecido que devem ser exterminados com o uso de uma droga. A técnica se apresenta no filme como fim para a história da humanidade, tal qual teme Heidegger. A fim de mostrar as conseqüências ultimas do domínio da técnica (...) sobre o sentir e sobre o próprio ser se discorrerá esse artigo, sempre fazendo uma alusão ao filme Equilibrium. (shrink)

This book consists of an edited collection of original essays of the highest academic quality by seasoned experts in their fields of cognitive science. The essays are interdisciplinary, drawing from many of the fields known collectively as “the cognitive sciences.” Topics discussed represent a significant cross-section of the most current and interesting issues in cognitive science. Specific topics include matters regarding machine learning and cognitive architecture, the nature of cognitive content, the relationship of information to cognition, the role of language (...) and communication in cognition, the nature of embodied cognition, selective topics in visual cognition, brain connectivity, computation and simulation, social and technological issues within the cognitive sciences, and significant issues in the history of neuroscience. This book will be of interest to both professional researchers and newer students and graduate students in the fields of cognitive science—including computer science, linguistics, philosophy, psychology and neuroscience. The essays are in English and are designed to be as free as possible of technical jargon and therefore accessible to young scholars and to scholars who are new to the cognitive neurosciences. In addition to several entries by single authors, the book contains several interesting roundtables where researchers contribute answers to a central question presented to those in the focus group on one of the core areas listed above. This exciting approach provides a variety of perspectives from across disciplines on topics of current concern in the cognitive sciences. (shrink)

Psychology, no less, than Psycho-Analysis claims to be a science. Notwithstanding that, its explanations are more probably characterized by its aesthetic nature. Moreover, the compelling dimension belongs intrinsically to the Freudian theory. This, however, doesn't argue against a systematical study of its concepts.Tanto a psicologia como a psicanálise têm a pretensão de serem ciências. Contudo, suas explicações parecem ser mais estéticas do que científicas. Em Freud, a dimensão da persuasão é parte inerente de sua teoria. O que não impede, contudo, (...) que se possam determinar com precisão os movimentos internos dos seus conceitos. (shrink)

Os signos e as classes dos signos estão entre os tópicos mais importantes do sistema filosófico de Charles S. Peirce. As 10, 28, e 66 classes de signos são classificações desenvolvidas especialmente a partir de 1903 e representam um grande refinamento da divisão fundamental de signos – ícone, índice, símbolo. Nossa abordagem aqui define uma estratégia de visualização das classificações dos signos, com especial atenção para as 10 e 66 classes de signos. O livro está dividido em duas partes: (i) (...) bases teóricas, (ii) diagramas para as classes de signos. Na Parte I (bases teóricas), são apresentadas introdutoriamente as noções fundamentais das categorias fenomenológicas, classes de signos, as tricotomias e diagramas, assim como implicações gerais de nossa abordagem, metodologia e aplicações. Na Parte II (diagramas para as classes de signos), são apresentados e discutidos os modelos das classes, propostos por Peirce e seus comentadores, incluindo uma introdução detalhadamente documental de nossos modelos, 10cubes e 3N3, diagramas dinâmicos para as classes de signos. (shrink)

In his 1903 Syllabus, Charles S. Peirce makes a distinction between icons and iconic signs, or hypoicons, and briefly introduces a division of the latter into images, diagrams, and metaphors. Peirce scholars have tried to make better sense of those concepts by understanding iconic signs in the context of the ten classes of signs described in the same Syllabus. We will argue, however, that the three kinds of hypoicons can better be understood in the context of Peirce's sixty-six classes of (...) signs. We analyze examples of hypoicons taken from the field of information design, describing them in the framework of the sixty-six classes, and discuss the consequences of those descriptions to the debate about the order of determination of the 10 trichotomies that form those classes. (shrink)

This article presents some results of a research on computational strategies for the visualization of sign classification structures and sign processes. The focus of this research is the various classifications of signs described by Peirce. Two models are presented. One of them concerns specifically the 10-fold classification as described in the 1903 Syllabus (MS 540, EP 2: 289–299), while the other deals with the deep structure of Peirce’s various trichotomic classifications. The first is 10cubes, an interactive 3-D model of Peirce’s (...) 10-fold classification, as described in the Syllabus. The second is 3N3, a computer program that builds equivalent diagrams for any n-trichotomic classification of signs. We are specially interested in how a graphic design methodology, associated with computer graphic resources and techniques, can contribute to the construction of interactive models that serve as tools for the investigation of C. S. Peirce’s theory of signs. (shrink)

O artigo analisa a recente política de formação de professores no Brasil, via o Programa Nacional de Formação de Professores, tendo por base o conceito de semiformação (particularmente empregado por Theodor Adorno) e é fruto de uma pesquisa realizada junto a docentes de diferentes regiões do Estado do Pará que participaram enquanto discentes do referido Programa pelo curso de Pedagogia (UEPA).

Freud, em 1891, ao estudar a afasia, vai contra a concepção dominante na época, que era anatômica. Mais tarde, em 1893, começa a pensar a histeria como um tipo de afasia. O que mostra a estreita vinculação entre a teoria freudiana sobre o aparelho psíquico e a linguagem entendida como fala.

O objetivo deste trabalho é compreender os interesses teórico e prático da ideia kantiana de história como progresso. Nesse passo, pretende-se examinar como o interesse teórico da razão relaciona-se com a filosofia da história de Kant e em que medida ele diferencia-se do interesse teórico referente ao conhecimento objetivo, ao assumir a forma de ideias heurístico-regulativas. Contra aqueles que não admitem o interesse teórico na filosofia da história de Kant, pretende-se defender não somente a sua ocorrência, mas também a sua (...) necessidade quando se tem em vista os horizontes do interesse prático da ideia de progresso histórico. Com isso, passa-se a estudar a convergência dos interesses prático e teórico na ideia kantiana de história e como Kant investiga os elementos fáticos da história à procura de motores empíricos para guiar o progresso humano. (shrink)

The author wants to focus on the possible relation between kerygmatic preaching and the Liturgical Year with a view to the Initiation to Christian Life. Based on Church documents, the author underlies initially what Kerygma is and then its relation with the first time of Initiation to Christian Life proposed in catechumenate style, the pre-catechumenate, issuing guidelines as to the interlocutors, length and content of this initial time. He shows that the Liturgical Year is a possible route to the first (...) preaching. Finally, he concludes that the kerygmatic preaching that follows the rhythm of the Liturgical Year encourages the awakening of faith and adhesion to Jesus Christ. (shrink)

This article is a report on ongoing field research and the exponential growth of the environment in which sex workers, prostitutes, call girls, and escorts operate. We look at the complexity of the conditions of such work and consider the socio-psychological and media vectors that make up the context from which its actors and stereotypes emerge. With the explosion of websites offering virtual or real sex, there is also a continuation of oppressive and violent male practices in this sector, restricting (...) the freedom of choice for women who work professionally in this field. These practices reproduce the power relations and the exclusion that has always been present in society, and are also now more diffuse as virtual reality has come to play an important role in social practice. (shrink)

Uma seção da Gramática Especulativa de C.S.Peirce – Dez classes de signos – recebeu, a partir de 1903, um importante tratamento diagramático. Neste artigo, são apresentados e discutidos dois diagramas desenvolvidos por Peirce para as dez classes, incluindo esboços desses modelos.

The classifications of signs are among the most important topics of Peirce's theory of signs. The 10 classes of signs were developed from 1903 and represent an important refinement of the fundamental division of signs into icons, indexes, and symbols. In this paper we present two diagrammatic models for 10 classes, proposed by Peirce, and an interpretation of the reasoning behind their development, based on the analysis of preparatory versions of these models.

This article presents the first results of a research on visual models for the classifications of semiotic processes. The main issue discussed is how a graphic design methodology, associated with computer graphics resources, may contribute to the construction of interactive models, that can be used as tools for the investigation of C. S. Peirce theory of signs. Two models are presented: the first is an interactive 3-D model of Peirce's 3-trichotomic classification; the second is a computer program that builds diagrams (...) for any n-trichotomic classification of signs, and facilitates the analysis and comparison of different hypothesis regarding their structures. (shrink)

O tema deste artigo é sobre o modus operandi de Jesus, a maneira como ele proclama a chegada o Reino de Deus, que consiste na restauração da saúde das pessoas em suas diversas enfermidades. Qual a sua fonte de energia para a missão? Onde ele foi buscar o poder para curar e até salvar pessoas da morte, restaurando-lhes a saúde? Em suma, onde ele encontrou forças para essa missão salvífica? O objetivo desta breve pesquisa consiste em demonstrar a íntima relação (...) entre espiritualidade e saúde na prática messiânica de Jesus. A metodologia utilizada é a da exegese bíblica, a partir de Mc 1,32-39, na perspectiva de uma hermenêutica teológica atualizada, que leve a conclusões sobre a ação missionária salvífica de Jesus, pertinentes para a ação evangelizadora no tempo presente. Os resultados apontam para o fato de que a atividade messiânica de Jesus contém uma soteriologia que leva em conta a restauração da saúde física e mental. Não se trata de uma espiritualidade desencarnada das reais necessidades humanas, em suas fragilidades físicas e mentais. É, sem dúvida, uma prática comprometida com a instauração do Reino de Deus, que deve ser continuada pelos atuais discípulos e discípulas de Jesus. (shrink)

The cry of the poor, the theme of this work, challenges the humanitarian consciousness of the people and is a strong questioning of the religious conscience and the Christian faith. Nevertheless, the preferential option for the poor, consecrated in the Final Document of the Episcopal Conference held in Puebla of Los Angeles, is still the cause of much controversy inside and outside the Church. Bearing in mind this context, this article aims to present the resonance of the cry of the (...) poor in the context of the Puebla Conference; demonstrate that this cry is not recent: it has been present since antiquity, and was contemplated in the earliest sacred texts, including the religious culture of Israel and the Christian religion; to reflect on this cry of impoverished crowds in contemporary times. The research is bibliographic, based on the Official Document of the conclusions of the Puebla Conference; from critical analysis by Latin American theologians, as well as from articles and books by authors from the epistemological field of the Sciences of Religion. The results achieved point to the timeliness of the issue, as there is a growing wave of impoverishment everywhere and, at the same time, a growing lack of commitment and intolerance towards the outcry of the great excluded masses. (shrink)

O trabalho analisa, por meio da cobertura do diário A Tarde, de Salvador, a convivência entre a delegação alemã de futebol e a população local de Santa Cruz Cabrália, no sul da Bahia, que serviu de base para a seleção que conquistou a Copa do Mundo de futebol em 2014. A partir dos critérios de identidade cultural, globalização e seleção jornalística, mostra que a estratégia de aproximação com os moradores marcou a cobertura de A Tarde e criou um clima simpático (...) à seleção alemã. (shrink)

Este texto introduz a tradução do discurso de intitulado "Sobre os números transfinitos" ("Über transfinite Zahlen"), proferido por Henri Poincaré em 27 de abril de 1909, na Universidade de Göttingen. Após uma breve apresentação do pensamento do autor acerca dos fundamentos da aritmética, procura-se citar os aspectos mais relevantes da chamada crise dos fundamentos da matemática, para então introduzir a reformulação do conceito de predicatividade aventada no referido discurso sobre números transfinitos, contribuição compreendida como um recurso teórico necessário para a (...) superação dos paradoxos relativos à teoria dos conjuntos. Com isso, pretende-se evidenciar o papel central do texto publicado nesta edição para o desenvolvimento da concepção matemática de Henri Poincaré. This article provides an introduction to the translation of the lecture entitled "On transfinite numbers" ("Über transfinite Zahlen"), given by Henri Poincaré at the University of Göttingen on April 27, 1909. Following a short presentation of Poincaré's views on the foundations of arithmetic, it identifies the aspects of the so-called crisis of the foundations of mathematics that are most relevant for understanding his reconstruction of the concept of predicativity, which is intended to be a theoretical resource that may overcome the paradoxes of set theory. In doing so, the article highlights the central role of this text in the process of maturation of Poincaré's views on the foundations of mathematics. (shrink)

Based on the hypothesis that modified human beings will have successful life projects, the biopolitical presuppositions of genetic manipulation in modern society are reflected. Considering the theories presented by Michel Foucault, Jürgen Habermas, Michael J. Sandel, Hans Jonas and Achille Mbembe, a genetic Africanization of the economically disadvantaged population is identified. In this scenario, concepts of class and race are confused and social prejudice increases. Faced with the new technologies of genetic engineering, gene manipulation presents itself as a new face (...) of biopower, since science now has the power to give life from the selection of characteristics considered superior. It is argued that the criticism surrounding the process of genetic manipulation is necessary as it opens the possibility of debating mutual recognition as a condition of life, above the identification of race or class, geographic location or other characteristics of the individuals that make up society. (shrink)

This paper considers the search for the best papers by the editors of an academic journal. At each period, each editor receives a set of submissions and has to decide which paper to accept. Some editors being more demanding than others, researchers choose the quality level of their papers taking as given the composition of the editorial board. According to the specific structures of the editorial board, various equilibria may appear. We show that the journal will publish a high number (...) of high quality papers only when the editorial board is composed by a homogeneous set of very demanding editors. (shrink)

Background: The present study compared the effects of a traditional resistance training and resistance training combined with cognitive task on body composition, physical performance, cognitive function, and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in older adults. Methods: Thirty community-dwelling older adults were randomized into TRT and RT+CT. Exercise groups performed a similar resistance training program, twice a week over 16 weeks. Cognitive Training involved performing verbal fluency simultaneously with RT. Exercise sessions were performed 2-3 sets, 8-15 repetitions at 60-70% of 1-repetition (...) maximum. Body composition, physical function, cognitive performance, and BDNF levels were assessed before and after intervention period. Results: The physical performance was similarly improved in response to both TRT and RT+CT. However, exclusive improvements on cognitive function and BDNF levels were observed only after RT+CT. Conclusion: The RT program associated with a cognitive task, improved physical and cognitive performance in healthy older adults. (shrink)

A epistemologia da crença religiosa é uma área da filosofia da religião que procura responder ao seguinte problema: haverá justificação para se ter fé sem provas, argumentos ou indícios? Ou formulando de outra forma: será epistemicamente legítimo acreditar em Deus sem provas, argumentos ou indícios? Além das respostas tradicionais de William Clifford e de William James a esse problema, há uma resposta mais contemporânea e filosoficamente prometedora: a epistemologia reformista de Alvin Plantinga (n. 1932). Chama-se “reformista” à sua epistemologia porque (...) este filósofo se identifica com o pensamento reformista, tradição protestante que remonta a João Calvino. (shrink)

A mística é um fenômeno presente em quase todas as grandes religiõesdo mundo. No cristianismo, esta manifestação pode ser notada já nos textosSagrados do Novo Testamento: desde os relatos que envolveram os eventos da vidade Jesus às visões escatológicas de João no livro do Apocalipse. Posteriormente,podemos en contrar registros de misticidade no grande movimento dos Pais da Igrejaconhecido como Patrística, se estendendo por toda Idade Média, até alcançar osdias de hoje. Todavia, alguns pesquisadores da antiguidade tardia, procuraramenquadrar o grande (...) nome da Patrística, Santo Agostinho, como o pai da místicacatólica. Outrossim, Agostinho é sumamente conhecido como um grande teólogo,filósofo ou mesmo como um gênio intelectual platônico cristão investigador daVerdade; sendo, porém, bastante diminuto, o número de pesquisadores que sepropõe a verificar se, de fato, há ou não razões, para que ele seja contado entre osgrandes místicos da Igreja. O presente ensaio traz à tona esta polêmica discussão,com o intuito de elucidar o problema que ora se levanta: podemo s considerar SantoAgostinho um místico ou apenas um grande nome da filosofia/teologia cristã? Istoposto, para responder a referida questão problema, nos propomos investigar osprincipais acontecimentos da vida de Agostinho, bem como, os principais textos desua obra, a fim de comprovar algum resquício de misticidade, seja em sua vida oumesmo em suas investigações acerca da Verdade. (shrink)

A juventude evangélica brasileira se viu, durante os anos 1970, bombardeada por uma carga considerável de versões fundamentalistas da escatologia e, com isso, essa questão veio a ocupar um lugar secundário dentre os temas teológicos dos evangélicos brasileiros. A introdução de uma perspectiva não disjuntada da escatologia, como a do teólogo George Eldon Ladd, foi o que possibilitou a difusão da Teologia da Missão Integral, indicando o quanto a missiologia é inseparável de escatologia. Posteriormente, as versões fundamentalistas mantiveram um espaço (...) menos popular, mas constante, nas igrejas. O quadro foi acrescido da Teologia da Prosperidade, que trouxe a noção de uma escatologia individualista. Portanto, de um lado temos uma escatologia construída numa perspectiva não disjuntada do tempo, e do outro uma visão escatológica fundamentalista e privatizada. O enfrentamento dessas duas tendências expressa a contínua tensão entre o dualismo e a integralidade na história do cristianismo. No Novo Testamento, as imagens da barraca (João 1.14, Atos 18.1-3) e da cortina (Mateus 27.45-52) servem para compreender a dinâmica do “habitar entre” em contraste com a do fechamento do sagrado no espaço do haram . Esses dois modos de habitar, na linha de pensamento do filósofo Peter Sloterdijk, ilustram essas duas tendências. Palavras-chave: Juventude Evangélica. Escatologia. Fundamentalismo. Teologia da Missão Integral.: Brazilian evangelical youth was, in 1970’s overflowed with a big variety of fundamentalistic versions of eschatology. That’s why this theme came to occupy a secondary place between the others theological themes in Brazilian evangelical Theology. The introduction of a non disjointed version of eschatology, as Georg Eldon Ladd’s, for instance, make possible the diffusion of IMT (Integral Mission Theology), demonstrating how Missiology is inseparable from eschatology. After that, fundamentalistic versions lost their popularity, but kept their presence in churches. Prosperity Theology brought a complete individualistic notion of eschatology. So, we have in one side a eschatology built on a non disjointed notion of time and reality, and in another, the fundamentalistic and privatized version. The clash of these two tendencies expresses the continuous tension between dualism and integrality in the History of Christianity. In the New Testament, the images of the tent (John 1.14, Acts 18.1-3) and of the curtain (Mathews 27.45-52) are useful to understand the logic of “live-between” in opposition with the closeness of the sacred in the haram . These two ways of dwell, following the thought of the philosopher Peter Sloterdijk, exemplify those two tendencies. Key words: Evangelical Youth. Eschatology. Fundamentalism. Integral Mission Theology. (shrink)

Animals, like humans, suffer and die from natural causes. This is particularly true of animals living in the wild, given their high exposure to, and low capacity to cope with, harmful natural processes. Most wild animals likely have short lives, full of suffering, usually ending in terrible deaths. This book argues that on the assumption that we have reasons to assist others in need, we should intervene in nature to prevent or reduce the harms wild animals suffer, provided that it (...) is feasible and that the expected result is positive overall. It is of the utmost importance that academics from different disciplines as well as animal advocates begin to confront this issue. The more people are concerned with wild animal suffering, the more probable it is that safe and effective solutions to the plight of wild animals will be implemented in the future. (shrink)

In this paper, we intend to discuss if and in what sense semiosis (meaning process, cf. C. S. Peirce) can be regarded as an "emergent" process in semiotic systems. It is not our problem here to answer when or how semiosis emerged in nature. As a prerequisite for the very formulation of these problems, we are rather interested in discussing the conditions which should be fulfilled for semiosis to be characterized as an emergent process. The first step in this work (...) is to summarize a systematic analysis of the variety of emergence theories and concepts, elaborated by Achim Stephan. Along the summary of this analysis, we pose fundamental questions that have to be answered in order to ascribe a precise meaning to the term "emergence" in the context of an understanding of semiosis. After discussing a model for explaining emergence based on Salthe's hierarchical structuralism, which considers three levels at a time in a semiotic system, we present some tentative answers to those questions. (shrink)

: In this paper, we intend to discuss if and in what sense semiosis (meaning process, cf. C. S. Peirce) can be regarded as an "emergent" process in semiotic systems. It is not our problem here to answer when or how semiosis emerged in nature. As a prerequisite for the very formulation of these problems, we are rather interested in discussing the conditions which should be fulfilled for semiosis to be characterized as an emergent process. The first step in this (...) work is to summarize a systematic analysis of the variety of emergence theories and concepts, elaborated by Achim Stephan. Along the summary of this analysis, we pose fundamental questions that have to be answered in order to ascribe a precise meaning to the term "emergence" in the context of an understanding of semiosis. After discussing a model for explaining emergence based on Salthe's hierarchical structuralism, which considers three levels at a time in a semiotic system, we present some tentative answers to those questions. (shrink)

Parenting is a transforming experience for the life of parents that brings joy and satisfaction as well as challenges, frustration, and demands. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between “parental stress and satisfaction” and work-home conflict, perceived social support, and global satisfaction with life, and to determine the moderating role of the parent's gender. A sample of 244 participants was studied: 49.6% (121) mothers and 50.4% (123) fathers with children between 2 and 12 years of age. (...) The data was analysed by means of multiple linear regression models and Beta regression for stress and parental satisfaction, respectively, and they were complemented with general and conditional dominance analyses to estimate the relevance of the predictors. Mothers presented higher levels of parental stress and satisfaction than fathers. Being female, having two children, and home-work conflict were predictors of a higher parental stress. Age was also a predictor, as younger parents and also those older than 37 years of age showed more parental stress. Having no partner and being male was associated to lower parental satisfaction. In conclusion, parental stress and satisfaction emerge as clearly differentiated dimensions of parenting experience. The gender gap in parental stress could be linked to the persistence of traditional roles regarding the care of the children, in agreement with the findings in other research. (shrink)

Although religious belief is often claimed to help with physical ailments including pain, it is unclear what psychological and neural mechanisms underlie the influence of religious belief on pain. By analogy to other top-down processes of pain modulation we hypothesized that religious belief helps believers reinterpret the emotional significance of pain, leading to emotional detachment from it. Recent findings on emotion regulation support a role for the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, a region also important for driving top-down pain inhibitory circuits. (...) Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in practicing Catholics and avowed atheists and agnostics during painful stimulation, here we show the existence of a context-dependent form of analgesia that was triggered by the presentation of an image with a religious content but not by the presentation of a non-religious image. As confirmed by behavioral data, contemplation of the religious image eneabled the religious group to detach themselves from the experience of pain. Critically, this context-dependent modulation of pain specifically engaged the right VLPFC, whereas group-specific preferential liking of one of the pictures was associated with activation in the ventral midbrain. We suggest that religious belief might provide a framework that allows individuals to engage known pain-regulatory brain processes. (shrink)

Harmful but culturally cherished practices often endure in spite of the damages they cause. Meat consumption is increasingly becoming one of such cases and may provide an opportunity from which to observe these phenomena. Growing evidence indicates that current and projected production and consumption patterns are important contributors to significant environmental problems, public health degradation, and animal suffering. Our aim is to contribute to a further understanding of the psychological factors that may hinder or promote personal disposition to change food (...) habits to benefit each of these domains. Drawing from previous evidence, this study explores the proposition that some consumers are motivated to resort to moral disengagement strategies when called upon to consider the impacts of their food habits. Data were collected from six semi-structured focus groups with a sample of 40 participants. Although affirming personal duties towards preserving the environment, promoting public health, and safeguarding animal welfare, participants did not show personal disposition to change their meat consumption habits. Several patterns of response that resonate with the principles of moral disengagement theory were observed while discussing impacts and the possibility of change. Results seem to support the proposition that the process of moral disengagement may play a role in hindering openness to change food habits for the benefit of the environment, public health, and animals, and point towards the relevance of further exploring this approach. (shrink)