Polyphony of Anxiety. The Interview with Stefano Micali about His Book Phenomenology of Anxiety.

In this article, Adriana Cavarero and Nidesh Lawtoo resume a dialogue on mimetic inclinations in view of furthering a relational, embodied and affective conception of subjectivity that challenges homo erectus from the immanent perspective of homo mimeticus. If a dominant philosophical tradition tends to restrict mimesis to an illusory representation of reality, Plato was the first to know that mimesis also operates as an affective force, or pathos, that dispossesses the subject. While Plato tended to emphasize the pathological implications (...) of mimesis, Cavarero and Lawtoo agree that both mimesis and inclinations go beyond good and evil and can be put to both pathological and democratic use. Picking up a dialogue started during a walk in New York City, Cavarero and Lawtoo, take their shared interests in Joseph Conrad's relating narratives as an occasion to discuss good and bad mimetic inclinations in contemporary politics and ethics. Joined in conclusion by the Gendered Mimesis team (Willow Verkerk, Isabelle Dahms and Giulia Rignano), topics addressed include new fascism, surging democracy, ethical responsibility for vulnerable others, hypermaternity and public happiness in a precarious world. (shrink)

The text presents a short account of the history of the philosophically relevant key concepts of feminist theory – sex and gender. Those concepts were crucial in the process of the constitution of gender studies as well as for the manouvering of feminist practice. On the other hand, however, as Judith Butler demonstrates exceptionally, these concepts are also the points of a fruitful debate, opening the possibility for resignification, different ways of thinking about the fundamental assumptions of feminist theory. While (...) it leaves feminist theory devoid of a firm,fixed position, ensuing instability, it offers a specific, subversive potential for a theory in general, while expanding the domains of inclusiveness in practice. (shrink)

Insistiranje na tome da ljudska prava i prava coveka nisu jedno i isto, kako bi se u prvi mah moglo zakljuciti na temelju pojma "covek" koji se javlja u oba naziva, predstavlja okosnicu ovog rada. Razvijanjem ovog motiva u tekstu nastojim da pokazem sledece: da je pojam "covek", iako po definiciji inkluzivan i u apstraktnom smislu nediskriminativan, u vreme kada i prakticki ulazi u upotrebu zapravo zasnovan na precutnom iskljucivanju i da je samo na temelju tog iskljucivanja mogao da oznacava (...) "slobodne i jednake". Iako paralelni ili istovremeni nastanak i implementacija prava coveka i nacionalnih prava isprva deluje protivrecno, nastojim da pokazem da je taj paradoks samo prividan, buduci da je sam pojam coveka ogranicen i iskljucujuci, te utoliko kompatibilan s ekskluzivnoscu koja je nuzni uslov pojma nacije. Posledice nacionalizama - svetski ratovi, pre svega - iznele su na videlo nemogucnost opstanka koncepcije slobode i jednakosti zasnovane na bratstvu ljudi, i nemogucnost demokratije koja je samo parcijalna iako hini univerzalnost. Kodifikovanje univerzalnih ljudskih prava predstavlja odgovor na ovu unutrasnju diskrepanciju u jednakoj meri u kojoj je reakcija na razornost svih tipova nacionalizama. Pojam zivota, koji u tekstu obrazlazem, korespondira temeljnom zahtevu na pravo na zivot, koje vise ne pripada "coveku", vec svakome/svakoj. (shrink)

This paper analyses how the Cold War influenced the discourses on basic research and on Science and Technology Policies of some leaders of the Argentine research community. It explores two key intersections to study the Cold War: the first between politics and policies; the second between the global and the regional/national. The basic assumption is that, just as there was no one Cold War, specific regional and national traits lent specific meanings to basic research. In dialogue with the literature on (...) Latin American history of STPs, on Cold War and on the conceptual history of science, the paper identifies three discursive configurations around S&T: the first refers to the semi-peripheral scientific context; the second is associated with the ‘democracy-totalitarianism’ dichotomy, and the third is linked to the ‘development-dependence’ dichotomy. Finally, the paper also traces some connections between these discourses and the institutional models proposed by different key actors of the research community to implement STPs. (shrink)

La memoria es el principio de la justicia que permite destruir el vínculo entre el poder y la violencia que funda y mantiene el orden del derecho. La justicia de la memoria es, en efecto, una fuerza revolucionaria que anuncia el sufrimiento de los oprimidos, de los vencidos, de los sojuzgados de la historia; es una especie de antihistoria que se rebela ante el poder que somete la vida natural a un estado de excepción permanente; es una justa apelación a (...) la justicia más allá del derecho que permite instaurar un nuevo orden fundado en la vida como potencia y como vida justa. (shrink)

Adriana Novoa and Alex Levine offer here a history and interpretation of the reception of Darwinism in Argentina, illuminating the ways culture shapes ...

El linaje vacío o las cartas que no llegaron de Mauricio Rosencof.

This essay answers two questions that continue to drive debate in moral and legal philosophy; namely, ‘Is a risk of harm a wrong?’ and ‘Is a risk of harm a harm?’. The essay’s central claim is that to risk harm can be both to wrong and to harm. This stands in contrast to the respective positions of Heidi Hurd and Stephen Perry, whose views represent prominent extremes in this debate about risks. The essay shows that there is at least one (...) category of risks – intentional impositions of risk on unconsenting agents – which can be both wrongful and harmful. The wrongfulness of these risks can be established when, on the balance of reasons, one ought not to impose them. The harmfulness of these risks can be established when the risks are shown to set back legitimate interests. In those cases where risks constitute a denial of the moral status of agents, risks set back agents’ interest in dignity. In these ways, the essay shows that there are instances when a risk can constitute both a wrong and a harm. (shrink)

Relating Narratives is a major new work by the philosopher and feminist thinker Adriana Cavarero. First published in Italian to widespread acclaim, Relating Narratives is a fascinating and challenging new account of the relationship between selfhood and narration. Drawing a diverse array of thinkers from both the philosophical and the literary tradition, from Sophocles and Homer to Hannah Arendt, Karen Blixen, Walter Benjamin and Borges, Adriana Cadarero's theory of the `narratable self' shows how narrative models in philosophy and (...) literature can open new ways of thinking about formation of human identities. By showing how each human being has a unique story that can be told about them, Adriana Cavarero inaugurates an important shift in thinking about subjectivity and identity which relies not upon categorical or discursive norms, but rather seeks to account for `who' each one of us uniquely is. (shrink)

La problematización de sentido integra el horizonte histórico y cultural de la modernidad occidental, donde se abre la posibilidad de una explosión de sentidos. En este escenario, el pensamiento filosófico se enfrenta a la crisis de fundamentación última y la dificultad para traducir, en términos de verdad y racionalidad, la reflexión en el campo de la filosofía y las ciencias humanas. En este sentido, existen por lo menos dos alternativas para que las filosofías modernas, sin renunciar a la pretensión de (...) universalidad, se encuentren con su propio tiempo histórico: la hermenéutica y la crítica dialéctica. El pensamiento de Paul Ricoeur, para quien hermenéutica y crítica son dos momentos necesarios a la reflexión filosófica, promueve la reconciliación entre estas dos tradiciones de la filosofía moderna. Sin embargo, la tesis que se plantea en este ensayo es que las estrategias reconciliadoras de Ricoeur corresponden, en último término, a la construcción de su propio pensamiento filosófico. Es decir, el movimiento reconciliador del pensamiento ricoeurniano es parte de su propio proyecto filosófico, a saber, el de hacer emerger una hermenéutica crítica y una ética ontológicamente fundada. (shrink)

The problematization of sense includes the historical and cultural horizon of the western culture, where it opens the possibility for an explosion of senses. In this modernity setting, the philosophical thought faces the crisis of the last fundamentation and the difficulty for translating, in terms of truth and racionality, the reflection in the field of philosophy and human sciences. In this context, there are at least two alternatives for modern philosophy- without resigning the pretension of universality- to find its own (...) historical time: the hermeneuthic and the dialectical criticism. The Paul Ricoeur thought, for whom hermeneuthical and critical are two necessary moments to the philosophical reflection, promotes the reconciliation between those two traditions of the modern philosophy. However, the thesis proposed in this essay is that the reconciliation strategies by Ricoeur correspond, in last term, to the construction of his own philosophical thought. It means the reconciliator movement of the Ricoeur thought is part of his own philosophical project: to do emerge a critical hermeneuthical and an ontologically founded ethics.La problematización de sentido integra el horizonte histórico y cultural de la modernidad occidental, donde se abre la posibilidad de una explosión de sentidos. En este escenario, el pensamiento filosófico se enfrenta a la crisis de fundamentación última y la dificultad para traducir, en términos de verdad y racionalidad, la reflexión en el campo de la filosofía y las ciencias humanas. En este sentido, existen por lo menos dos alternativas para que las filosofías modernas, sin renunciar a la pretensión de universalidad, se encuentren con su propio tiempo histórico: la hermenéutica y la crítica dialéctica. El pensamiento de Paul Ricoeur, para quien hermenéutica y crítica son dos momentos necesarios a la reflexión filosófica, promueve la reconciliación entre estas dos tradiciones de la filosofía moderna. Sin embargo, la tesis que se plantea en este ensayo es que las estrategias reconciliadoras de Ricoeur corresponden, en último término, a la construcción de su propio pensamiento filosófico. Es decir, el movimiento reconciliador del pensamiento ricoeurniano es parte de su propio proyecto filosófico, a saber, el de hacer emerger una hermenéutica crítica y una ética ontológicamente fundada. (shrink)

In his unpublished 1979 Lectures on the Philosophy of Mind, Saul Kripke offers a knowledge argument against materialism focusing on deaf people who lack knowledge of auditory experience. Kripke's argument is a precursor of Frank Jackson's better‐known knowledge argument against materialism (1982). The paper sets out Kripke's argument, brings out its interest and philosophical importance, and explores some similarities and differences between Kripke's knowledge argument and Jackson's.

We reconstruct “the classical transformational theory” of Chomsky, and fit it into the structuralist theory of science. We describe both the formal and the empirical features of this classical account, so that one basic hypothesis of this theory – where central notions are used – can be formulated, and in which Chomsky’s “classical” distinction between surface structure and deep structure is clarified. In the empirical claim of this theory are words, sentences and high-structured entities in an inseparable way intertwined. We (...) claim that the formal structure of a natural language is not approximately the same as that of an empirical theory in general. We clarify two special points which affect the structure of the notion of an empirical theory, namely: the delineation of intended applications and the fit between data and models. We hold that the concept of the empirical claim for a linguistic theory should be generalized in comparison with the “standard” structuralist approach. (shrink)

Throughout the history of Christianity, innumerable men and women have consecrated their lives to God in an exclusive and radical way, reproducing in their own lives the very life of Christ. With this, we are going to identify the presence, the fundament and the characteristics of the state of virginal life consecration within the early Church. We will also analyze its contribution and importance within the ecclesial and social spheres of that time. The witness of this form of life calls (...) the attention of the Church and the world to the dignity of human person and of love. It reminds us of its superiority in relation to other creatures and invites us to look towards future realities, where we find our final goal as Christian and human existence. (shrink)

The main purpose of this study is the scientific practice of Edgard Roquette-Pinto at the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro during the 1910’s and 1920’s in the XXth Century. The article examines the relationship between laboratory science and nation building. Driven by Physicians-Anthropologists like Edgard Roquette-Pinto among others, the investigations performed at the Anthropology Laboratory there reveal the dynamic of the borders between Laboratory and Field Sciences, and the new biological parameters adopted at that time. The investigative agenda involved (...) plants, animals and human bodies, and it was related to the current Anthropology concept aligned with the debate of Nation construction. The physiological studies amplified the scientific exchange with different institutions, emphasizing cultural exchange between Brazil and Paraguay, and the role played by Edgard Roquette-Pinto there as he inaugurated the Physiological course at Faculty of Medicine at University of Asunción. (shrink)

The paper focuses on the ethical teachings of Classical Antiquity philosophers in the poetry of Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, especially on the parallels between the author’s work and the Cynics and the Stoics. The syncretic nature of Gregory’s work, reflected in the assimilation of the teachings of ancient philosophical schools and the then expanding Christianity creates conditions for the explanation and highlighting of basic human virtues. Gregory of Nazianzus’ legacy also draws on the teachings of such philosophers as Plato and (...) Aristotle, but he always approaches them from the perspective of a strictly Christian worldview. He understands philosophy as a moral underlying basis from which one can draw inspiration for a virtuous and happy life. Gregory thinks that philosophy cannot harm Christians in the pursuit of a virtuous life. Nevertheless, Christian teachings and God are the highest authority. They stand above all philosophical schools or ideas advanced by specific philosophers. Gregory’s moral poetry thus directs his readers, if they are to deserve eternal life, to follow the commandments, which is possible only if one lives a practical and virtuous life. (shrink)

En este ensayo, nos proponemos explorar los diferentes significados de los conceptos de vivibilidad y vida en el pensamiento de Judith butler. si bien es crucial para su obra temprana —butler se refiere por primera vez a este concepto en su introducción del libro, El género en disputa de 1999—, el concepto en sí emerge con más claridad y elaboración en su obra tardía. nuestra pregunta principal sería: ¿cuál es el hilo conductor que une las diferentes concepciones de vida en (...) el trabajo de butler? ¿cuáles son los lazos entre la vida abyecta, invivible, precaria, indolora, desechada y desposeída? De estas dos preguntas surgen otras más: como la cuestión de gradación de vivibilidad — qué vida importa, y “cuánto,” y cómo pensar este tipo de cuantificación de algo no-cuantificable—; y la cuestión de la universalidad. estas preguntas, obviamente, tienen que contar con evidencias bajo las cuales la vida es cualificada, calificada y contada como vivible. estas condiciones abarcan las normas que organizan las posibilidades de reconocimiento y los órdenes de reconocimiento tanto como la distribución diferencial de la humanidad. Y además engloban las maneras en las que estamos constituidos políticamente, pero también, las maneras en las que el “nosotros” se define como social y corporal. La cuestión de la vida vivible está, por ende, enmarañada con la problemática de la contraposición entre la voluntad individual y la idea del “nosotros”, que, como seres, necesitamos —en palabras de la propia butler— “para mantener y reproducir las condiciones de propia vivibilidad”. (shrink)

The paper examines the meanings of the notion of reform. Is reform an act or a process; what is an object of reform and how is it performed; is the scope of its performance limited or does it permeate deeper social structures? The approach to reform in this paper is genealogical, through the analysis of the processes of institutionalisation of the prison in Great Britain in 18th and 19th centuries. Although the elaboration of these processes revolves around a particular era (...) and place, this micro-sample gives rise to conclusions that surpass historically conditioned analysis. The aim of this paper is to show that reform has to be understood as an expression and effect of a profound transformation of the political, as well as the complex, multilateral and dispersive process which penetrates into and alters extant social relations. (shrink)

This essay focuses on anthropomorphism as both a form of hype and fallacy. As a form of hype, anthropomorphism is shown to exaggerate AI capabilities and performance by attributing human-like traits to systems that do not possess them. As a fallacy, anthropomorphism is shown to distort moral judgments about AI, such as those concerning its moral character and status, as well as judgments of responsibility and trust. By focusing on these two dimensions of anthropomorphism in AI, the essay highlights negative (...) ethical consequences of the phenomenon in this field. (shrink)

In this article, we interpret sex education from the perspective of feminist care ethics, emphasizing the concept of caring democracy, advanced by Joan Tronto one of the most influential feminist political theorists. According to Tronto, these theories show that a deficit of care and a lack of democracy are mutually conducive. We argue that, as in other areas of life, a lack of care in sexuality and sex education leads to social inequalities that eventually translate into an unequal approach to (...) freedom, equality, and justice, and to a deficit of democracy in the lives of some people. At the same time, we believe that, as a moral theory, care ethics, with its emphasis on the needs of men and women, can be adequately applied to the design of research projects, as well as to sexuality policies and practices. This may contribute to overcoming the stalemate in the debate on sex education and other topics in Slovakia. (shrink)

The Article traces recent trends in the management and distribution of citizenship within the Israeli context of the 1990s, as they have evolved in the wake of new modes of migration that are neither Jewish nor Palestinian and that stem from liberalized market policies. The Article focuses on administrative and policy initiatives taken since September 2003 that deal with the naturalization of the children of undocumented labor migrants. The vulnerable situation of these migrants in lacking resident status and being eligible (...) for deportation, as well as the predominant Jewish ethno-national character of the Israeli state, make these initiatives and policy measures particularly surprising. However, these measures also reveal the boundaries of liberalizing reforms, as they become part of general trends in the nation-state towards deeming membership manageable without upsetting its national politics of identity. Indeed, it will be argued that, though this liberalizing legal reform is part of a larger context of demystification of national citizenship taking place in Israel following the adoption of socioeconomic liberal policies, it is also indicative of the adaptability of the nation-state as it seeks to reprioritize ethno-national definitions of citizenship in the face of new challenges. (shrink)