We present here a direct elementary construction of continuous utility functions on perfectly separable totally preordered sets that does not make use of the well-known Debreu’s open gap lemma. This new construction leans on the concept of a separating countable decreasing scale. Starting from a perfectly separable totally ordered structure, we give an explicit construction of a separating countable decreasing scale, from which we show how to get a continuous utility map.

L'esperienza del leggerescrivere ci ha guidati oltre i confini della nostra corporeitÀ in una esplorazione che ha riguardato noi stessi e il mondo. Terminato questo esercizio, la pratica dell'ipertestuale ci introduce a un modo di pensare narrativo, sensoriale e ambientale che attraversa le diverse Muse e le unisce nell'idioma col quale ci stiamo confrontando. Dopo il pensiero vettoriale che accumula lettere nelle parole e parole nelle pagine incatenandole in nessi causali, dubiteremo che una ragione abbia mai guidato i nostri passi (...) nei sentieri sempre interrotti del mondo e che una coscienza sia stata la vigile sentinella delle nostre intenzioni? (shrink)

The present paper gives a topological solution to representability problems related to multi-utility, in the field of Decision Theory. Necessary and sufficient topologies for the existence of a semicontinuous and finite Richter–Peleg multi-utility for a preorder are studied. It is well known that, given a preorder on a topological space, if there is a lower semicontinuous Richter–Peleg multi-utility, then the topology of the space must be finer than the Upper topology. However, this condition fails to be sufficient. Instead of search (...) for properties that must be satisfied by the preorder, we study finer topologies which are necessary or/and sufficient for the existence of semicontinuous representations. We prove that Scott topology must be contained in the topology of the space in case there exists a finite lower semicontinuous Richter–Peleg multi-utility. However, the existence of this representation cannot be guaranteed. A sufficient condition is given by means of Alexandroff’s topology, for that, we prove that more order implies less Alexandroff’s topology, as well as the converse. Finally, the paper is implemented with a topological study of the maximal elements. (shrink)

The existence of a Richter–Peleg multi-utility representation of a preorder by means of upper semicontinuous or continuous functions is discussed in connection with the existence of a Richter–Peleg utility representation. We give several applications that include the analysis of countable Richter–Peleg multi-utility representations.

Neste livro, o autor percorre seis séculos de história da civilização ocidental em busca dos momentos decisivos da luta intelectual entre dominados e dominadores. Atento às formulações da tradição hegeliano-marxista e sem descartar os clássicos da Sociologia, Alfredo Bosi investiga a dinâmica de antagônicos, discursos que moldaram a feição da sociedade, bem como suas singularidades culturais. Na primeira parte, Alfredo Bosi discorre sobre alguns autores das áreas de filosofia, política e literatura universais, destacando as estratégias contraideológicas que utilizaram (...) para combater o pensamento hegemônico. Em seguida, volta-se para o Brasil analisando as interseções com a cultura ocidental e detendo-se em figuras, como Joaquim Nabuco e Celso Furtado. O capítulo final tenta desatar o nó ideológico que reconhece na obra de Machado de Assis. (shrink)

Nell'ultima decade la letteratura sugli effetti dei movimenti sociali ha conosciuto una notevole espansione. Questo sviluppo ha generato una domanda di miglioramento dei nostri approcci alla materia sia a livello teorico sia metodologico. Nonostante tutto questo, nel cercare di misurare l'impatto dei movimenti sociali, legando questi agli obiettivi che alcune componenti di un movimento dichiarano di avere, la ricerca scientifica sulla materia ha prodotto scarsi risultati. L'articolo suggerisce che per conoscere come i movimenti sociali producono cambiamento sociale bisogna guardare all'interrelazione (...) delle conseguenze e non limitarsi a studiare le conseguenze nel breve periodo ma estendere le analisi al lungo periodo. L'articolo vuole provocare una discussione sulla materia e identificare una nuova opportunitÀ d'investigazione empirica. (shrink)

It is well known that interval orders are particularly interesting in decision theory, since they are reflexive, complete and nontransitive binary relations which may be fully represented by means of two real-valued functions. In this paper, we discuss the existence of a pair of nonnegative, positively homogeneous and semicontinuous real-valued functionals representing an interval order on a real cone in a topological vector space. We recover as a particular case a result concerning the existence of a nonnegative, positively homogeneous and (...) continuous utility functional for a complete preorder on a real cone in a topological vector space. (shrink)

Hume's Reception in Early America: Expanded Edition brings together the original American responses to one of Britain's greatest men of letters, David Hume. Now available as a single volume paperback, this new edition includes updated further readings suggestions and dozens of additional primary sources gathered together in a completely new concluding section. From complete pamphlets and booklets, to poems, reviews, and letters, to extracts from newspapers, religious magazines and literary and political journals, this book's contents come from a wide variety (...) of sources published in colonial America and the early United States between 1758 and 1850. As well as classics by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, it contains scores of unknown and hard-to-locate items, many of which have not been reprinted since their original publication. These responses are divided into four parts covering Hume's Essays; his Philosophical Writings; his History of England; and his Character and Death. Each of those parts has a separate introductory essay, and every selection is introduced by a short headnote that sets the piece in its historical context and provides bibliographical references. Packed with new insights into Hume and American thought and culture, Hume's Reception in Early America reveals the relevance and impact of Hume on American political, philosophical, historical, religious, and aesthetic debates. (shrink)

This is a welcome reprint of a book that continues to grow in importance.

Editor James Fetzer presents an analytical and historical introduction and a comprehensive bibliography together with selections of many of Carl G. Hempel's most important studies to give students and scholars an ideal opportunity to appreciate the enduring contributions of one of the most influential philosophers of science of the 20th century.

This entirely new work guides the reader through the most basic systems of modal propositional logic up to systems of modal predicate with identity, dealing with both technical developments and discussing philosophical applications.

Includes bibliographical references and index.