This paper provides a method for characterizing space events using the framework of conceptual spaces. We focus specifically on estimating and ranking the likelihood of collisions between space objects. The objective is to design an approach for anticipatory decision support for space operators who can take preventive actions on the basis of assessments of relative risk. To make this possible our approach draws on the fusion of both hard and soft data within a single decision support framework. Contextual data is (...) also taken into account, for example data about space weather effects, by drawing on the Space Domain Ontologies, a large system of ontologies designed to support all aspects of space situational awareness. The framework is coupled with a mathematical programming scheme that frames a mathematically optimal approach for decision support, providing a quantitative basis for ranking potential for collision across multiple satellite pairs. The goal is to provide the broadest possible information foundation for critical assessments of collision likelihood. (shrink)

The overall goal of the approach developed in this paper is to estimate the likelihood of a given kinetic kill scenario between hostile spacebased adversaries using the mathematical framework of Complex Conceptual Spaces Single Observation. Conceptual spaces are a cognitive model that provide a method for systematically and automatically mimicking human decision making. For accurate decisions to be made, the fusion of both hard and soft data into a single decision framework is required. This presents several challenges to this data (...) fusion framework. The first is the challenge involved in handling multiple complex terminologies, which is addressed by drawing on a set of Space Domain Ontologies. Another challenge is the complex combinatorics involved when considering all possible feature combinations. This can be mitigated by using integer linear programming optimization that is outlined by the Complex Conceptual Spaces Single Observation mathematical model framework. A third challenge is the complicated physics that is involved in a spacecraft collision that must be addressed to obtain a better understanding of threat assessment. Overcoming these various challenges allows for a quantitative ranking for the potential of a kinetic kill collision across multiple spacecraft pairs. In addition to overcoming these challenges this paper will break down threat assessment into four domains and identify a ranking of threat both for each individual domain and for the four domains combined. Simulation results are shown to verify the developed concepts. (shrink)

Previous work has shown that the Complex Conceptual Spaces − Single Observation Mathematical framework is a useful tool for event characterization. This mathematical framework is developed on the basis of Conceptual Spaces and uses integer linear programming to find the needed similarity values. The work of this paper is focused primarily on space event characterization. In particular, the focus is on the ranking of threats for malicious space events such as a kinetic kill. To make the Conceptual Spaces framework work, (...) the similarity values between the contents of observations on the one hand and the properties of the entities observed on the other needs to be found. This paper shows how to exploit Dempster-Shafer theory to implement a statistical approach for finding these similarities values. This approach will allow a user to identify the uncertainty involved in similarity value data, which can later be propagated through the developed mathematical model in order for the user to know the overall uncertainty in the observation-to-concept mappings needed for space event characterization. (shrink)

Review of Rodolfo Llinas’ ‘I of the Vortex'.

Artificial intelligence, the "science and engineering of intelligent machines", still has yet to create even a simple "Advice Taker" [McCarthy, 1959]. We have previously argued [Waser, 2011] that this is because researchers are focused on problem-solving or the rigorous analysis of intelligence (or arguments about consciousness) rather than the creation of a "self" that can "learn" to be intelligent. Therefore, following expert advice on the nature of self [Llinas, 2001; Hofstadter, 2007; Damasio, 2010], we embarked upon an effort to design (...) and implement a self-understanding, self-improving loop as the totality of a (seed) AI. As part of that, we decided to follow up on Richard Dawkins' [1976] speculation that "perhaps consciousness arises when the brain's simulation of the world becomes so complete that it must include a model of itself" by defining a number of axioms and following them through to their logical conclusions. The results combined with an enactive approach yielded many surprising and useful implications for further understanding consciousness, self, and "free-will" that continue to pave the way towards the creation of safe/moral autopoiesis. (shrink)

Philosophers and psychologists seeking an accessible introduction to current neuroscience will find much value in this volume. Befitting the neuroscientific focus on sensory processes, many essays address explicitly the binding problem. Theoretical and experimental work pertaining to the “temporal synchronicity” solution is prominent. But there are also some surprising implications for current philosophical concerns, such as the intemalism/extemalism debate about representational content, epistemological realism, a “bottom-up” approach to naturalizing intentionality, Humean concerns about the self, and implications from phantom-limb phenomena. Higher-level (...) theorists about the mind ignore results like these from current neuroscience at their own peril, at least from the point of view of discourse worthy of serious attention as the sciences of the mind/brain push forward into the 21st century. (shrink)

Las dificultades teóricas que obstaculizan la idea de una ética constitucional -- ¿constitucionalismo global o constitucionalismo cosmopolita? -- El constitucionalismo, entre el cosmopolitismo, el universalismo y el localismo del estado nación -- El estado constitucional de derecho (o Estado constitucional de derecho, social y ambiental) y los derechos sociales -- El impacto del consenso de Washington en el derecho social colombiano, y la respuesta social desde la movilización y desde los derechos -- Los derechos, un espacio de lucha y emancipación (...) -- La autocrítica a modo de conclusión. (shrink)

Reason and Value collects 15 new papers by leading contemporary philosophers on themes from the work of Joseph Raz. Raz has made major contributions in a wide range of areas, including jurisprudence, political philosophy, and the theory of practical reason; but all of his work displays a deep engagement with central themes in moral philosophy. The subtlety and power of Raz's reflections on ethical topics make his writings a fertile source for anyone working in this area. Especially significant are his (...) explorations of the connections between practical reason and the theory of value, which constitute a sustained and penetrating treatment of a set of issues at the very center of moral philosophy as it is practiced today. The contributors to the volume acknowledge the importance of Raz's contributions by engaging critically with his positions and offering independent perspectives on the topics that he has addressed. The volume aims both to honour Raz's accomplishments in the area of ethical theorizing, and to contribute to an enhanced appreciation of the significance of his work for the subject. (shrink)

Este artículo aborda la cuestión del ser humano en Descartes, entendido como unión de cuerpo y alma. Tras recorrer La pensée passive de Descartes de Marion, se propone la necesidad de reformular el concepto de sustancia, adecuándolo a la nueva filosofía, y se concluye que lo principal para Descartes consiste en presentar una concepción del ser humano acorde con la nueva modernidad científica y filosófica, y que se sitúe, también, dentro de la ortodoxia religiosa.

Resumen¿Es relevante la propuesta moral cartesiana? La influencia de Montaigne sobre Descartes se sitúa no sólo al inicio (como lo que debe ser superado) sino también al final de la filosofía cartesiana, porque la moral cartesiana recoge aspectos clave de la actitud vital que aparece en los Ensayos de Montaigne. El análisis de los textos cartesianos de la década de los 40, y en especial de Principios de la Filosofía, permite precisar la peculiaridad de la moral cartesiana, que sin abandonar (...) Montaigne apunta a Kant.Palabras claveDescartes, Filosofía Moral, Montaigne, Principios de la FilosofíaAbstractIs the Cartesian moral proposal relevant? Montaigne’s influence on Descartes stands at the beginning and end of Cartesian philosophy; at the beginning because it is in the epistemological field, which must be surpassed; at the end, because the Cartesian moral collects key aspects of the attitude towards life that appear in Montaigne’s Essays. The analysis of Principles of Philosophy, among other texts, allows us to specify the peculiarity of the Cartesian moral, which without moving away from Montaigne approaches Kant.KeYwordsDescartes, Moral Philosophy, Montaigne, Principles of Philosophy. (shrink)

The aim of this article is to analyse the positions of Montaigne and Descartes in relation to the question of the animal. To do this, I begin by characterizing Derrida's position on the subject, who considers Montaigne and Descartes as two opposing positions on the subject. Then, I analyse the positions of Montaigne and Descartes by means of a commentary on texts by both authors, while I try to explain the Cartesian turn on the animal question with respect to Montaigne. (...) Finally, I argue that Derrida's approach, beyond emphasizing the problem of the animal from the point of view of the Western tradition, inherits the dispute between Montaigne and Descartes. He stressed not so much animal dignity as the peculiarity of man. Moreover, this peculiarity must be demonstrated in order to make self-government possible in a world which is not incomprehensible, but explicable by laws that seem to make human freedom impossible. (shrink)

The aim of this article is to analyse the positions of Montaigne and Descartes in relation to the question of the animal. To do this, I begin by characterizing Derrida's position on the subject, who considers Montaigne and Descartes as two opposing positions on the subject. Then, I analyse the positions of Montaigne and Descartes by means of a commentary on texts by both authors, while I try to explain the Cartesian turn on the animal question with respect to Montaigne. (...) Finally, I argue that Derrida's approach, beyond emphasizing the problem of the animal from the point of view of the Western tradition, inherits the dispute between Montaigne and Descartes. He stressed not so much animal dignity as the peculiarity of man. Moreover, this peculiarity must be demonstrated in order to make self-government possible in a world which is not incomprehensible, but explicable by laws that seem to make human freedom impossible. (shrink)

Este articulo presenta una revisión de la necesidad y situación general del soporte audiovisual para la formación en el ámbito científico técnico universitario dentro del conjunto de las universidades públicas españolas, contextualizado en la exigencia creciente de virtualización, consecuencia de la aceleración continua de la actividad formativa en línea. Revisando los resultados de la aplicación del Modelo de Producción en Red (audiovisual) desarrollado en su día, como soporte a la necesidad de divulgación científica y formativa. Se presenta un ejemplo de (...) su actualización para la producción de material didáctico, objetivo de prácticas universitarias tanto presenciales como remotas. (shrink)

Los textos que se presentan a continuación aúnan a reconocidos estudiosos en el cartesianismo, junto a investigadores más nóveles. Son fruto además de un proyecto de investigación financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, [Referencia PID2021-126133NB-100] que lleva por título: Éticas y metafísica de los afectos. Las génesis modernas del presente actual (EMAP). Se ofrecen, por tanto, los estudios que siguen como resultados de este proyecto, que inició su andadura en septiembre de 2022.

En este artículo pretendo precisar el noutopismo de Montaigne en relación a la organización sociopolítica a partir del análisis de la utilización de Platón que lleva a cabo Montaigne en el capítulo «Sobre los caníbales» de los Ensayos, capítulo que puede ser visto como un intento de valorar la utilidad de modelos de estado como el de la República de Platón a partir de la observación de sociedades reales alternativas a las europeas. Aunque la sociedad caníbal de los Tupinamba se (...) asemeja a la sociedad primitiva descrita en la República y las Leyes, Platón cree que una sociedad como esa ya no es factible, por lo que la solución pasa por la utopía, como aquello a lo que debe aspirar una sociedad compleja. En cambio, Montaigne, que más que criticar a Platón en cierto modo lo justifica, defiende la utilidad de analizar esa sociedad primitiva, como un modelo real que permite mejorar la sociedad europea. La alternativa a la utopía consiste, pues, en mirar al otro para mejor mirarse a sí mismo. (shrink)

In the last decades the concept of objectivity has been criticized by the "new epistemologies". These criticisms favour the consolidation of relativist and subjective positions, which condition the objectivity of scientific knowledge to such an extent that it seems to be a goal impossible to achieve.

Los artículos de este segundo número monográfico dedicado a Descartes son un fruto más del proyecto de investigación -financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, [Referencia PID2021-126133NB-I00]- que lleva por título: Éticas y metafísica de los afectos. Las génesis modernas del presente actual (EMAP). Se ofrecen a continuación relecturas cartesianas que ponen el acento en la revisión de ciertos tópicos atribuidos al pensamiento del padre de la modernidad, más mencionado que leído y estudiado.

Despite All Critique (2014) -- World Politics and Western Reason (1980) -- The Doubled Outsides of the Modern International (2005) -- The Subject of Security (1995) -- The Protection of Nature and the Nature of Protection (2005) -- Social Movements/World Politics (1994) -- Europe is Not Where It is Supposed to Be (2000) -- They Seek it Here, They Seek it There : Looking for Politics in Clayoquot Sound (2003) -- Violence, Modernity, Silence : From Weber to International Relations (1993) (...) -- Hobbes, Origins, Limits (2011) -- War, Terror, Judgement (2002) -- International, Imperial, Exceptional (2005) -- Which Democracy for Which Demos? (2013) -- The Political Theory of Boundaries and the Boundaries of Political Theory : Interview With Raia Prokhovnik (2012). (shrink)

This book focuses upon the perennial question of the existence and nature of an obligation to obey the law. Leading writers have, at one time or another, emphasized considerations such as gratitude, 'divine ordering, ' prudence, contract, autonomy, and utility in seeking to justify, or to deny any justification for, some sort of obligation to obey the positive law. The book provides relevant selections from a sampling of the historical approaches to legal obligation taken by writers such as Plato, Augustine, (...) Aquinas, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Thoreau, Bentham, Marx and Engels, and Martin Luther King, Jr. These classical discussions are augmented by critical questions and commentary, by independent discussions of the question of legal obligation by a wide range of contemporary writers, and by relevant judicial cases discussing matters such as conscientious objection and civil disobedience. (shrink)

Resumen¿Es relevante la propuesta moral cartesiana? La influencia de Montaigne sobre Descartes se sitúa no sólo al inicio (como lo que debe ser superado) sino también al final de la filosofía cartesiana, porque la moral cartesiana recoge aspectos clave de la actitud vital que aparece en los Ensayos de Montaigne. El análisis de los textos cartesianos de la década de los 40, y en especial de Principios de la Filosofía, permite precisar la peculiaridad de la moral cartesiana, que sin abandonar (...) Montaigne apunta a Kant.Palabras claveDescartes, Filosofía Moral, Montaigne, Principios de la FilosofíaAbstractIs the Cartesian moral proposal relevant? Montaigne’s influence on Descartes stands at the beginning and end of Cartesian philosophy; at the beginning because it is in the epistemological field, which must be surpassed; at the end, because the Cartesian moral collects key aspects of the attitude towards life that appear in Montaigne’s Essays. The analysis of Principles of Philosophy, among other texts, allows us to specify the peculiarity of the Cartesian moral, which without moving away from Montaigne approaches Kant.KeYwordsDescartes, Moral Philosophy, Montaigne, Principles of Philosophy. (shrink)

Se pretende indagar sobre la consideración de Comenio y Descartes como dos de los principales impulsores de la modernidad, pedagógica en el caso de Comenio y filosófica en el caso de Descartes. Para ello, en primer lugar, se analizan las bases filosóficas del proyecto pedagógico de Comenio, centradas en la idea de Ciencia Universal. En segundo lugar, se explica por qué este proyecto aparentemente configura la modernidad pedagógica pero no la filosófica. En tercer lugar, se presentan las líneas básicas de (...) lo que podría ser el proyecto pedagógico cartesiano, proyecto en cualquier caso no expuesto por Descartes en ninguna obra específicamente dedicada al tema. Finalmente, se defiende, a partir de la comparación entre Comenio y Descartes, que la modernidad pedagógica se configuró a partir de una didáctica proporcionada por Comenio, pero con un marco programático cartesiano. Ello fue posible, entre otros factores, porque ambos comparten un principio básico de la nueva pedagogía: la democratización de la enseñanza. (shrink)

Philo introduced into Greek Philosophy the idea of God’s absolute unlikeness with respect to his creatures, a thesis which implies that He is perfectly transcendent and consequently that He is without qualities (apoios) and that nothing can be predicated of Him except proprieties (idiotetes). Our aim is also to clarify that Philo’s consideration of God’s Nature is in the origen of Plotinus’ First Principle or One.

Information can be public among a group. Whether or not information is public matters, for example, for accounts of interdependent rational choice, of communication, and of joint intention. A standard analysis of public information identifies it with (some variant of) common belief. The latter notion is stipulatively defined as an infinite conjunction: for p to be commonly believed is for it to believed by all members of a group, for all members to believe that all members believe it, and so (...) forth. This analysis is often presupposed without much argument in philosophy. Theoretical entrenchment or intuitions about cases might give some traction on the question, but give little insight about why the identification holds, if it does. The strategy of this paper is to characterize a practical-normative role for information being public, and show that the only things that play that role are (variants of) common belief as stipulatively characterized. In more detail: a functional role for “taking a proposition for granted” in non-isolated decision making is characterized. I then present some minimal conditions under which such an attitude is correctly held. The key assumption links this attitude to beliefs about what is public. From minimal a priori principles, we can argue that a proposition being public among a group entails common commitment to believe among that group. Later sections explore partial converses to this result, the factivity of publicity and publicity from the perspective of outsiders to the group, and objections to the aprioricity of the result deriving from a posteriori existential presuppositions. (shrink)

The concept of yinyang lies at the heart of Chinese thought and culture. The relationship between these two opposing, yet mutually dependent, forces is symbolized in the familiar black and white symbol that has become an icon in popular culture across the world. The real significance of yinyang is, however, more complex and subtle. This brilliant and comprehensive analysis by one of the leading authorities in the field captures the richness and multiplicity of the meanings and applications of yinyang, including (...) its visual presentations. Through a vast range of historical and textual sources, the book examines the scope and role of yinyang, the philosophical significance of its various layers of meanings and its relation to numerous schools and traditions within Chinese philosophy. By putting yinyang on a secure and clear philosophical footing, the book roots the concept in the original Chinese idiom, distancing it from Western assumptions, frameworks and terms, yet also seeking to connect its analysis to shared cross-cultural philosophical concerns. (shrink)

Recent Work on Intrinsic Value brings together for the first time many of the most important and influential writings on the topic of intrinsic value to have appeared in the last half-century. During this period, inquiry into the nature of intrinsic value has intensified to such an extent that at the moment it is one of the hottest topics in the field of theoretical ethics. The contributions to this volume have been selected in such a way that all of the (...) fundamental questions concerning the nature of intrinsic value are treated in depth and from a variety of viewpoints. These questions include how to understand the concept of intrinsic value, what sorts of things can have intrinsic value, and how to compute intrinsic value. The editors have added an introduction that ties these questions together and places the contributions in context, and they have also provided an extensive bibliography. The result is a comprehensive, balanced, and detailed picture of current thinking about intrinsic value, one that provides an indispensable backdrop against which future writings on the topic may be assessed. (shrink)