This paper reviews the origin of inertia according to Mach's principle and Weber's law of gravitation. The resulting theory is based on simultaneous nonlocal gravitational interactions between particles in the solar system and others in the remote universe beyond the Milky Way galaxy. It explains the precession of the perihelion of Mercury. A most important implication of the Mach-Weber theory of the force of inertia is the necessity for a large amount of uniformly distributed matter in the galactic universe. This (...) matter could be the source of the cosmic background radiation. Nonlocal inertia forces are compatible with a static universe and also with an expanding universe but the latter would demand slow changes in the mass of particles and the gravitational constant. (shrink)

We present the opinion of some authors who believe there is no force between a stationary charge and a stationary resistive wire carrying a constant current. We show that this force is different from zero and present its main components: the force due to the charges induced in the wire by the test charge and a force proportional to the current in the resistive wire. We also discuss briefly a component of the force proportional to the square of the current (...) which should exist according to some models and another component due to the acceleration of the conduction electrons in a curved wire carrying a dc current (centripetal acceleration). Finally, we analyze experiments showing the existence of the electric field proportional to the current in resistive wires. (shrink)

We derive the equation describing the flow of a variable current in straight wires and in coaxial cables from Newton's second law of motion plus Weber's electrodynamics. We show that in both cases the signal propagates at light velocity.

In this work we analyze the case of resistive conductor plates carrying constant currents, utilizing surface charge distributions. We obtain the electric potential in the plates and in the space surrounding them. We obtain a non-vanishing electric field outside the conductors. We compare the theoretical results with experimental data present in the literature.

We present Helmholtz's argument against Weber's electrodynamics. It is related with a fixed charged nonconducting spherical shell and a charged particle moving inside it. Then we utilize Weber's electrodynamics plus Schrödinger's expression for gravitational interactions in order to obtain the equation of motion and to study this situation. We show that this approach avoids the problems pointed out by Helmholtz. Moreover, it indicates that the effective inertial mass of the charged particle will depend not only on the electrostatic potential of (...) the shell but also on its velocity. This is a relevant aspect of Weber's theory. (shrink)

A critical notice of T. Kouromenos, G. M. Parássoglou, K. Tsantsanoglou, The Derveni Papyrus. Edited with Introduction and Commentary, Studi e Testi per il Corpus dei Papiri Filosofici Greci e Latini 13, Leo Olschki, Firenze, 2006.

In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:252 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY Der junge Leibniz, Das Reich und Europa. von P. Wiedeburg. 1. Teil Mainz (Darstellungs band). 2. Teil Mainz (Anmerkungsband). Historische Forschungen. (Wiesbaden: Fr. Steiner Verlag, 1962. Pp. 262 and 310.) Les deux tomes de cet important ouvrage portent sur la vie de Leibniz durant son s~jour AMayence (1668-1671). Appel6 par Boineburg ~tparticiper ~t titre de conseiller aux affaires de l'Etat, Leibniz remplit ses premiers engagements (...) en proposant des plans de r6forme de la soci&6 et des s6ries de d~finitions relatives aux notions de la politique. Pour en faire comprendre la port&, P.W. d&rit d'abord largement l'&at de l'Allemagne et des principaut& rh~nanes depuis le trait6 de Westphalie et la fin de la guerre de Trente ans. Leibniz produisit notamment une &ude "sur la s&urit~ de l'&at," qui est longuement analys&, et expliqu& suivant le complexe historique et politique de l'6poque. I1 m6dita 6galement sur la question de la succession au tr6ne de Pologne, et &rivit au sujet des pr&entions fran~aises sur les territoires de l'ouest allemand, notamment sur les trois Ev&h&. La recherche d'un rapprochement entre Mayence et la France rut poursuivie jusqu'au d6part de Leibniz pour Paris. Un important chapitre se rapporte aux conceptions philosophiques de Leibniz ~tcette haute ~poque (pp. 212-250). Leibniz n'&ait pas juriste ~t se confiner ~tun domaine diplomatique: il d6bordait sans cesse dans les domaines de la physique et du droit. Les d6finitions de l'amour qui ne saurait exclure le plaisir, et la subordination de tout amour ~tl'amour de Dieu commencent ~tprendre une place importante dans tousles schemas r~dig& k cette ~poque. Le rapport du plaisir avec l'activit6 accomplie de la substance y est 6galement affirm6, accomplissant ce qu'en droit il est convenu d'attendre de l'Harmonie universelle. Les relations de Leibniz avec la philosophie cart&ienne font l'objet d'une &ude particuli~re et c'est ~t ce moment que Leibniz passe par une phase pro-cart6sienne, dont il reviendra rapidement. D'une mani~re g6n6rale cet ouvrage est ~t ranger au premier rang des &udes leibniziennes averties et compl&es. L'utilisation que l'auteur fait des textes que l'on a conserv6s pour cette pdriode est pr&ise et judicieuse. Le second des deux volumes est consacr6 aux notes sur le texte du premier volume: c'est dire l'importance de la documentation et des discussions qui sont entreprises au travers de ces notes, qui approuvent ou redressent les avis que d'autres historiens ont pu donner de la pens& et des 6crits de Leibniz durant le s6jour h Mayence. I1 est h souhaiter que de telles &udes reprennent point par point, ann& par ann&, l'&ude du "jeune" Leibniz. ANDm~ROBINEa" Orldans, France... (shrink)

This monograph attempts to clarify one significant but much neglected aspect of Peirce's contribution to the philosophy of science. It was written in 1963 as my M. A. thesis at the Uni versity of Illinois. Since the topic is still neglected it is hoped that its pUblication will be of use to Peirce scholars. I should like to acknowledge my indebtedness to Dr. Max Fisch who broached this topic to me and who advised me con tinuously through its development, assisting (...) generously with his own insights and unpublished Peirce manuscripts. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1. A Current Issue in the Philosophy of Science 1 2. Peirce and His Theory of Abduction 5 3. The General Character of Abduction 7 PART I: THE EARLY THEORY 1. Peirce's Earliest Conception of Inference 11 2. Three Kinds of Inference and Three Figures of Syllogism 13 3. Ampliative Inference and Cognition 17 4. Induction and Hypothesis 20 5. The Method of Methods 23 PART II: THE LATER THEORY 1. The Transitional Period 28 2. Three Stages of Inquiry 31 3. Abduction and Guessing Instinct 35 4. Logic as a Normative Science 38 5. Hypothesis Construction and Selection 41 6. Abduction and Pragmatism 44 7. Economy of Research 47 8. Justification of Abduction 51 CONCLUSION 55 61 BIBLIOGRAPHY INTRODUCTION 1. (shrink)

PART The Early Wittgenstein Half of what I say is meaningless. I say it so that the other half may reach you. Kahlil Gibran My work consists of two parts ...

J. L. Austin (1911-1960) exercised in Post-war Oxford an intellectual authority similar to that of Wittgenstein in Cambridge. Although he completed no books of his own and published only seven papers, Austin became through lectures and talks one of the acknowledged leaders in what is called ‘Oxford philosophy’ or ‘ordinary language philosophy’. Few would dispute that among analytic philosophers Austin stands out as a great and original philosophical genius. Three volumes of his writing, published after his death, have become classics (...) in analytical philosophy: Philosophical Papers ; Sense and Sensibilia ; and How to Do Things with Words . First published in 1969, this book is a collection of critical essays on Austin’s philosophy written by well-known philosophers, many of whom knew Austin personally. A number of essays included were especially written for this volume, but the majority have appeared previously in various journals or books, not all easy to obtain. (shrink)

This article questions social constructionists' claims to introduce Wittgenstein's philosophy to psychology. The philosophical fiction of a neonate Crusoe is introduced to cast doubt on the interpretations and use of the private language argument to support a new psychology developed by the constructionists. It is argued that a neonate Crusoe's viability in philosophy and apparent absence in psychology offends against the integrity of the philosophical contribution Wittgenstein might make to psychology. The consequences of accepting Crusoe's viability are explored as they (...) appear in both philosophy and psychology. (shrink)

There is a unique relationship between Maoist policies and philosophy. This uniqueness is idue, on the one hand, to the pedagogical orientation of the CPC, and to the essential role of the cultural revolution, on the other.

On April 3, 1995, the Fourth Circuit upheld the right of a Maryland hospital to terminate a surgeon who was HIV-positive ). A resident in the University of Maryland Neurosurgical Training Program was dismissed when hospital administrators learned of his infection with HIV. The resident, known as Dr. Doe, claimed that his termination violated federal laws protecting persons with disabilities. The court upheld the hospital's actions as lawful and affirmed the trial court's grant of summary judgment for the hospital.Dr. Doe (...) charged that his dismissal from the training program violated the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. (shrink)