This study investigates the performance of psychopathic individuals on tasks believed to be sensitive to dorsolateral prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) functioning. Psychopathic and non-psychopathic individuals, as defined by the Hare psychopathy checklist revised (PCL-R) [Hare, The Hare psychopathy checklist revised, Toronto, Ontario: Multi-Health Systems, 1991] completed a gambling task [Cognition 50 (1994) 7] and the intradimensional/extradimensional (ID/ED) shift task [Nature 380 (1996) 69]. On the gambling task, psychopathic participants showed a global tendency to choose disadvantageously. Specifically, they showed an (...) impaired ability to show learning over the course of the task. On the ID/ED task, the performance of psychopathic individuals was not significantly different from incarcerated controls on attentional set-shifting, but significant impairments were found on response reversal. These results are interpreted with reference to an OFC and amygdala dysfunction explanation of psychopathy. (shrink)

This paper forms an introduction to this issue, the contents of which arose directly or indirectly from a conference in May 2001 on Corruption of scientific integrity? — The commercialisation of academic science. The introduction, in recent decades, of business culture and values into universities and research institutions is incompatible with the openness which scientific and all academic pursuit traditionally require. It has given rise to a web of problems over intellectual property and conflict of interest which has even led (...) to corporate sponsors’ suppressing unfavourable results of clinical trials, to the detriment of patients’ health. Although there are those who see the norms of science developing to recognise the importance of instrumental science aiming at specific goals and of knowledge judged by its value in a context of application, none justifies the covert manipulation of results by vested interest. Public awareness of these problems is growing and creating a climate of opinion where they may be addressed. We suggest a way forward by the introduction of nationally and internationally-accepted guidelines for industrial collaboration which contain proper protections of the core purposes of universities and of the independence of their research. Some codes suggested for this purpose are discussed. We note that some universities are moving to adopt such codes of conduct, but argue the need for strong support from the government through its funding bodies. (shrink)

Viewing Husserl's posthumous works in the light of their evolution, Pedroli considers his transcendental phenomenology and his efforts towards the foundation of philosophy as a rigorous science. An ample bibliography is appended. --R. D. G.

In this study, which was his doctoral dissertation at the Free University of Amsterdam, Knudsen passes "through the entire range of Jaspers' idea of transcendence, from the first awareness of the boundaries in world orientation to the fullness of content in the transcendent."--R. D. G.

This fourth edition has been enlarged by over 400 pages through the addition of 762 new articles and some revision of a number of others. Bibliographies have been updated, and a chronological table added. The best of its kind in Spanish.--R. D. G.

This logico-semantic study of value judgments is an attempt to unite values in general and ethical values through a quasi-Deweyan view of experience.--R. D. G.

This volume of the author's Studies in Dogmatics presents an up-to-date study of the Reformed doctrine of perseverance, showing that it is an expression of the mystery of preservation and has an unbreakable connection with the assurance of faith.--R. D. G.

This volume is an introduction to the subject of guilt in the light of present day philosophic and psychoanalytic thought. The author presents a sweeping account of guilt "in the subject," the guilt "of the subject," guilt in relation to morality and in relation to the feeling of guilt in the psychological domain, guilt as illusion, and guilt as reality.-R. D. G.

Condillac's view of language and its function in man's work of constructing the world receive a careful and well-documented though rather uncritical examination in this work. Salvucci concludes that Condillac had fought to guarantee the dignity of man, and that this is a good thing.--R. D. G.

A fine introduction to Rensi's work in general, since the development of his ethical thought is presented in relation to the rest of his philosophy. The author also traces its connections to Kant, Spinoza, and other modern philosophers. The work is more expository than critical; contains an extensive bibliography on Rensi.--R. D. G.

An uncritical presentation of Lavelle's theory of value. Though the author rightly attempts to relate Lavelle's axiology to his psychology and ontology, the relation of value to Lavelle's philosophy as a whole remains sketchy.--R. D. G.

Starting with a Leninist thesis on the identity of dialectic and logic, the author concludes that the only authentic logic is dialectico-materialistic. Lenin predominates; though such logicians as Hilbert, Russell, and Carnap are mentioned, they are not seriously considered.--R. D. G.

A collection of fifteen of the author's writings, dating from 1951, some of which served to awaken Italian interest in sociology by defining and explaining the matter and method of sociological research.--R. D. G.

Beginning from a psychological point of view, the author moves into a strictly phenomenological study of the organization of perception and of consciousness. His thesis is that every field of consciousness has three domains, viz., a theme, a field or background, and a fringe area, each of which has its own type of organization. The work breaks some new ground in phenomenology and contains a sketch of the ontological implications of the study.--R. D. G.

A general introduction to Hegel's philosophic system and dialectical method, from the perspective of Engels, Marx and Lenin.--R. D. G.

A valuable survey and appraisal of Kantian exegesis and criticism of the second half of the 19th century, including such philosophers as Liebmann, Paulsen, Riehl, Windelband and Vaihinger. The author divides the critics according to their dominant interest in Kant and so presents studies of Kantian psychology and transcendental ism, rationalism, positivism, and empiricism, among others.--R. D. G.

The dialectical method used in this work to clarify the issues and to render "an objective, impartial, and neutrally formulated report" is a model for analysis and is valuable in itself. Its application, in Book II, yields a well-documented presentation of almost all the important thinkers on freedom. First modes of possession and then modes of the self are viewed as characterizing this idea. The forty-page bibliography of works referred to or examined adds to the usefulness of the study and (...) indicates its scope.--R. D. G. (shrink)

"Why are there essents rather than nothing?" is the central question of this work. Heidegger here uncovers the meaning of "being" and the history of man's understanding of "being," mainly through a discussion of the origin and overtones of the pertinent Greek and German terms. The style is difficult; the translation on the whole satisfactory.--R. D. G.

This fourth edition of Gentile's well-known work has been augmented by a second part and an appendix, consisting of four late articles which give his last formulation of the problem of religion.--R. D. G.

According to the author, human society and everyone in it is insane with fear. The root of our trouble is our ability to think. Since to eliminate thought is to eliminate fear, our cure "is the blind surrender to an indescribable influence," which Woodworth calls "the self."--R. D. G.

Each chapter of this beginning textbook is followed by an extensive list of questions, but bibliography and guides for supplementary source readings are absent. Positions other than St. Thomas's--such as those of Suarez, Scotus, and Kant--are briefly considered on specific issues. --R. D. G.

In this doctoral dissertation for the Free University at Amsterdam, the author presents Croce's early aesthetic works in the light of his life and of his general philosophical development. He concludes his "academic test" with some critical observations.--R. D. G.

An elementary presentation, scholastic in terminology, of metaphysics in the tradition of Aristotle and Aquinas. Justification of this system as the perennial metaphysics is attempted via an oversimplified contrast with modern and contemporary approaches.--R. D. G.

In the volume on philosophy Dewey is the only philosopher to rate an essay for himself. Emphasis is understandably placed on logic, language, and semantics; but neither ethics nor metaphysics is mentioned, while two essays--one on aesthetics and the other on historical methodology-reflect Italian rather than American preoccupations. The volume on the social sciences presents a hazy picture of American culture through essays on democracy, pragmatism, institutionalism, studies in personality, and fiscal jurisprudence. The longest paper of all deals with the (...) Kinsey report. Bibliographies are included.--R. D. G. (shrink)

The author claims to present an interpretation of logic and dialectic, and in the second part of his brief work takes Hegel, Gentile, and Allmayer as examples for study. Not even his three page "clarifying note," however, makes his thesis clear.--R. D. G.

In this volume Franchini has collected a number of his articles and book reviews. In them he investigates and rejects the methodology of "existentialism" and "neo-positivism," and defends instead a historico-problematic method deriving from Croce. --R. D. G.

Translated from the Italian, this work forms part of the author's La philosophie de l'intégralité; it deals dialectically with the essence of being and with existence and reality, throwing interesting light on values, love, and morality. A long appendix presents some critical reflexions on Gentile's "Actualism."--R. D. G.

"The absolute is the total existence, the last key to existence is existence itself, the fact of existing. That does not say definitely anything. On the contrary it is an imprecise statement," the author tells us. But he does not elaborate.--R. D. G.

An ever-so-slightly changed version of the author's Introduction à Kierkegaard which appeared in 1946.--R. D. G.

Another careful and scholarly volume in this series of Campanella's theological writings. Critical Latin text and Italian translation on facing pages.--R. D. G.

A "non-Aristotelean General Semantics" is proposed as a nostrum for civilization's ills.--R. D. G.

Salit's thesis is that "God is an instrument for surviving death" who acts as a limit for man in his evolution toward immortality. Geometric forms, moreover, are godforms worshipped by man "that eventually, through culture... become machines to do some physical work."--R. D. G.

A very readable translation of a highly interesting book which marks an important step in the dialogue between existential phenomenology and the philosophia perennis. The author's claim is that each can profit from the other. After representing first the main currents of existentialist thought, with emphasis on the importance of intentionality and historicity, and then the relevance of Thomism, he shows the part the former could play in the developing Christian tradition.--R. D. G.

Newly translated and revised, this book is as pertinent today as when it first appeared in 1930. In it Maritain presents some striking aspects of the personality and work of Aquinas and shows the continued relevance of Thomism. A generous appendix includes bibliographies and reprints of four pertinent papal documents.--R. D. G.

A slim volume in which almost every English and American philosopher from the Middle Ages through the present day comes up for mention, but scarcely more.--R. D. G.

Documentation is generally lacking in this critique of Roman Catholic positions from the point of view of conservative Calvinism, and both through factual error and misplaced emphasis, the doctrines it discusses often become distorted. --R. D. G.

Time and death are the unifying themes of this work in twelve propositions. Beginning with the self as subject, M. Echeverria is led in successive propositions to the acknowledgment of the Other. With the Other is given the temporal dimension of human experience; this reveals the possibility of living for the world or for eternity. The final proposition states that "the Other, as he will reveal himself at our death, is the final cause of our acts."--R. D. G.

Some of the most important texts of St. Thomas--drawn from eight of his works, and paralleling the exposition in the first part--are helpfully reproduced in this elementary text.--R. D. G.