There is currently a great debate about whether the holobiont, i.e. a multicellular host and its residential microorganisms, constitutes a biological individual. We propose that resident microorganisms have a general and important role in the individuality of the host organism, not the holobiont. Drawing upon the Equilibrium Model of Immunity, we argue that microorganisms are scaffolds of immune capacities and processes that determine the constituency and persistence of the host organism. A scaffolding perspective accommodates the contingency and heterogeneity of resident (...) microorganisms while accounting for their necessity and unifying contributions to host individuality. In our symbiotic view of life, holobionts may not be organisms or units of selection, but macroorganisms cannot persist nor function as individuals without their scaffolding microorganisms. (shrink)

Written by one of the most important founding figures of Western philosophy, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics represents a critical point in the study of ethics which has influenced the direction of modern philosophy. The Routledge Guidebook to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics introduces the major themes in Aristotle’s great book and acts as a companion for reading this key work, examining: The context of Aristotle’s work and the background to his writing Each separate part of the text in relation to its goals, meanings (...) and impact The reception the book received when first seen by the world The relevance of Aristotle’s work to modern philosophy, its legacy and influence. With further reading included throughout, this text is essential reading for all students of philosophy, and all those wishing to get to grips with this classic work. (shrink)

To most, myths are merely fantastic stories. But for Luc Brisson, one of the great living Plato scholars, myth is a key factor in what it means to be human – a condition of life for all. Essential and inescapable, myth offers a guide for living, forming the core of belonging and group identity. In 1999 Quebec classicist Louis-André Dorion published a series of French conversations with Brisson on the idea of myth. In Making Sense of Myth Gerard Naddaf offers (...) an extended and updated English translation of these conversations, as well as a new set of discussions between himself and Brisson. Beginning with Brisson's childhood in the village of Saint-Esprit, Quebec, through his education as a gifted child in minor seminaries starting at age eleven, and continuing with his years in Paris, first as a graduate student and later at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Brisson tells the story of his escape from an all-encompassing myth – the one promulgated by the Roman Catholic Church. The philosopher situates Quebec society as inseparable from the history of the Catholic Church in Quebec, and argues that this correlation offers a perfect paradigm of myth and mythmaking. Naddaf’s introduction and afterword contextualize the conversations by discussing Brisson’s and Plato’s understanding of the origin and meaning of myth, elaborating on the role of myth in anthropogeny, in the creation of selfhood, and in multiculturalism. Making Sense of Myth promises both a philosophy of myth and a philosophy of life, one inspired by Brisson’s lifelong engagement with the great Western philosopher Plato. (shrink)

Autobiografisch getint relaas van de protestantse predikant over hoe zijn visie op God en het geloof is veranderd.

Are OCypersonsOCO physical things, members of the species homo sapiens which exist solely in materialist form, continuous in structure with other living things? Or is the issue a more complex one: are there more dimensions to being a person than mere physical, biological existence? These are matters of interest and discussion in many fields of study in this age of individuality. In this wide-ranging essay, the author addresses various aspects of the issue, including the history of self and identity. The (...) ancient tradition of dualism is rejected in favour of a straightforward holistic and naturalistic account of selfhood; it is argued that the mind arises in an emergent sense from the body and personal identity is best expressed in terms of a self-reflective and meaningful narrative. The approach is principally from an analytic philosophy point of view but also takes onOCoboard psychological and sociological aspects of self and identity. (shrink)

v. 1. Genèse de la personne -- v. 2. Le lieu de la personne.

Le présupposé éthique et politique de la modernité veut que la " nature " soit extérieure aux humains. Les hommes la considèrent comme leur " environnement ", comme si les choses de la nature étaient conçues aux seules fins de les servir. Telle est l'origine de la crise écologique de notre temps : le projet politique et technique d'asservissement d'une nature fantasmatique vouée à satisfaire nos besoins. L'État moderne résulte donc d'un prétendu droit selon lequel nous devons nous organiser en (...) vue de la lutte contre la nature et non d'une vie en harmonie avec elle. Ainsi pensée, la nature n'est plus qu'un vaste magasin où nous puisons notre nourriture. Quant à sa " valorisation ", elle se réduit à la marchandisation capitaliste de ses ressources. Pour faire face à la crise, nous devons requalifier les fondements politiques et moraux de nos façons de penser et d'agir, et substituer au droit naturel un droit biotique permettant une réforme radicale de la relation qu'entretiennent la cité des hommes et la nature. Car, en réalité, la crise n'est pas écologique mais politique : c'est celle des fondements essentiels de la cité. Plutôt qu'une politique des hommes sur les choses de la nature, il nous faut concevoir une cosmopolitique de la nature. (shrink)

The science and technology of genetic testing is rapidly advancing with the consequences that genetic testing may well offer the prospect of being able to detect the onset of future disabilities. Some recent research also indicates that certain behavioural profiles may have a strong genetic basis, such as the determination to succeed and win or the propensity for risk-taking, which may be of interest to third parties. However, as this technology becomes more prevalent there is a danger that the genetic (...) information may be misused by entities such as employers, insurance companies, educational facilities, and finance companies and that people with particular genetic profiles may be discriminated against.This book explores the different types and the potential uses of genetic testing. The book highlights the ethical and legal dilemmas and the challenges arising as a result of emerging and rapidly advancing genetic science. Chapters in the book assess the importance and impact of the US Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) in the employment and health insurance contexts asking whether it is proving to be an effective tool in addressing the issue of genetic discrimination and alleviating individuals' fears of discrimination. The book then goes on to make the case for regulation at the European Union level in order to protect the privacy of genetic information and to prevent the discriminatory use of genetic information in Europe. It considers what can be learnt from the experience of the US in addressing ethical and legal issues as well as the impact that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is having on this debate within the EU. (shrink)

Using the latest scientific discoveries and theories of astronomy and genetics, the author discusses the nature of life and the universe and asks big questions like, 'Why are we here?' It is both a critique of scientific atheism, and a scientific argument for the "unknown" that people call 'God'.

It is sometimes said that there has been a ‘paradigm shift’ in the field of assessment over the last two or three decades: a new preoccupation with what learners can do, what they know or what they have achieved. It is suggested in this article that this change has precipitated a need to distinguish two conceptually and logically distinct methodological approaches to assessment that have hitherto gone unacknowledged. The upshot, it is argued, is that there appears to be a fundamental (...) confusion at the heart of current policy, a confusion occasioned by the demand to know what learners know and compounded by a failure to recognise what this properly entails for assessment methodology. (shrink)

The last decade or so has seen a resurgence of interest in Ryle's knowing‐how / knowing‐that (KH/KT) distinction, prompted by Stanley and Williamson's provocative intellectualist reading of the distinction. This chapter argues that even by Ryle's own account the distinction cannot properly be regarded as an epistemological distinction, that is, as demarcating two different kinds of knowledge. It talks about being clear about where our use of the KH/KT distinction does make sense and where it doesn't. More specifically, it leaves (...) us incapable of explaining how we are able to distinguish cases perhaps identical in terms of overt behaviour yet seemingly very different in terms of what is known. Although the KH/KT distinction has some limited viability in the context of knowledge attribution it is simply not viable as an epistemological distinction. (shrink)

Analyzes the different feelings, drives and instincts we have inherited from other species, to suggest a new understanding of ourselves as part of an eco-political community.

La tradition utopique compte autant de projets de société promettant l’avènement d’une ère de loisirs que de projets dans lesquels le travail demeure le pilier de la cohésion sociale. Cette double lignée continue d’inspirer certains programmes politiques, mais à la différence des années 1970 une sorte de résignation semble s’être répandue. Cet article propose, au contact de l’histoire des idées politiques et de la philosophie politique contemporaine, de réexaminer les paradigmes de la conception du travail et de sa place dans (...) la société, et de dresser un bilan des théories et utopies sociales qui ont imaginé comment le règne de la liberté peut s’établir sur le règne de la nécessité. La relecture de la tradition utopique permet de faire justice d’une série de lieux communs. Par exemple la crainte qu’une organisation communautaire trop parfaite, « communiste », ne dissuade de travailler – un argument qui ne cesse de polluer toute réflexion sur une conception sociale globale (et non libéraleindividuelle) de la question du travail. (shrink)

At the start of the 21st century, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) seems to have great potential for innovating business practices with a positive impact on People, Planet and Profit. In this article the differences between the management systems approach of the nineties, and Corporate Social Responsibility are analysed.An analysis is structured around three business principles that are relevant for CSR and management systems: (1) doing things right the first time, (2) doing the right things, and (3) continuous improvement and innovation. (...) Basically CSR is focussing on the second principle, and management systems focus on the first. However, CSR is very likely to build on the management systems as well.From a CSR point of view, the existing generation of management systems with their focus on rational control (= doing things right) can only be of limited use in the development of CSR. However, the preventive rationalities of management systems are important. Values and the principle doing the right things is extremely relevant for CSR. This goes far beyond the present generation of ISO type management systems; opportunities stem from building on TQM approaches like the EFQM Business Excellence model. Continuous improvement and innovation is a permanent challenge underlying the two other business principles, and requires both individual and organisational learning processes. In the present generation of management systems, continuous improvement mainly addresses rational prevention, barely the value aspects of business.For the further development and implementation of CSR, each of the three business management principles are vital. There is a need for a new generation of management systems that addresses the values at stake in strategic decision-making, both at company level and in the behaviour of individuals, while the rationalities of prevention and anticipation are still relevant. In both directions more emphasis for continuous learning and innovation will be needed.CSR is likely to trigger the development of management systems in the directions mentioned. This will support companies to be credible and transparent in improving the performance with respect to people, planet and profit. (shrink)

One effect of information technology is the increasing need to present information visually. The trend raises intriguing questions. What is the logical status of reasoning that employs visualization? What are the cognitive advantages and pitfalls of this reasoning? What kinds of tools can be developed to aid in the use of visual representation? This newest volume on the Studies in Logic and Computation series addresses the logical aspects of the visualization of information. The authors of these specially commissioned papers explore (...) the properties of diagrams, charts, and maps, and their use in problem solving and teaching basic reasoning skills. As computers make visual representations more commonplace, it is important for professionals, researchers and students in computer science, philosophy, and logic to develop an understanding of these tools; this book can clarify the relationship between visuals and information. (shrink)

In their article, Nielsen Busch and Mjaaland defend the moral permissibility of cDCD, suggesting that much of the controversy around this donation practice has been the result of a misinterpretatio...

En premier fut un poète, Parménide, le père de l’ontologie, qui laissa libre cours à une autre manière de penser, plusd’une fois mythique, servie par un talent littéraire que l’on eut tort de sous-estimer. Puis un dialecticien, Zénon d’Élée, voulut ébranler de fausses certitudes et poser des questions nouvelles, en usant au besoin de paradoxes, restés fameux. Enfin dut s’imposer une synthèse, jouant aussi le rôle d’une « défense et illustration » de la philosophie éléatique. Elle fut l’oeuvre d’un amateur, (...) Mélissos, haut responsable (ou ancien haut responsable) civil et militaire de Samos. (shrink)

Qu'est-ce que les temps actuels font au cinéma et au film? La question revêt une double dimension, historique et prospective. Il s'agit de saisir le film en devenir à travers ses métamorphoses et ses interactions dans le champ artistique, politique et social. Le médium ne saurait se réduire à un seul mode de production et de circulation. En se rapprochant toujours davantage de la vie, le film est devenu le lieu de la double transformation des subjectivités et de toutes les (...) réalités. Les chapitres de ce livre oscillent entre ces deux pôles. L'auteur incite le lecteur - même non spécialiste - à un travail de réflexion sur la nature du film, ses dispositifs, sa matière et ses composantes, ses relations à la science et à la technique, son idéologie et son imaginaire. L'écriture, audacieuse, documentée et critique témoigne d'une subjectivité en prise avec le réel du cinéma"--Page 4 of cover. (shrink)

Introduction: catastrophizing: a beginner's guide -- Leonardo's disasters -- Earthquakes of the mind -- Shakespeare's catastrophic "anything" -- The earthquake and the microscope -- Disaster before the sublime; or, Kant's catastrophes -- Afterword: catastrophizing in the age of climate change.

Essays over het gedachtegoed van de Duitse filosoof (1844-1900).

Many Catholics have expressed hesitancy or resistance to being vaccinated for COVID-19, with magisterial authorities and influential Catholic organizations advocating divergent views regarding the moral liceity of the vaccines, the justification of vaccination mandates, and whether such mandates should include religious exemptions. We address each of these disputed points and argue that vaccination for COVID-19 falls within the definition of being an ordinary—and thereby morally obligatory—treatment. To that end, we offer a brief overview of the Catholic moral tradition regarding the (...) development of the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary treatment, show how the Church morally evaluates vaccination as a good act, and underline the importance of positive witnessing in supporting vaccination. (shrink)

Bioethics, Volume 36, Issue 7, Page 783-793, September 2022.

This paper elaborates on conceptual, empirical and practical arguments why corporations need to focus on their social dimensions, in order to further enhance organizational performance. The paper starts with an introduction on the general trend towards inclusiveness and connectedness. It then elaborates on the phase-wise development of cultures and organizational structures. Managing corporate improvement by building cultures of trust is the central focus of this contribution. By showing the cultural dimensions of Great Places to Work and their workplace practices, worthwhile (...) experiences leading to organizational improvement and superior financial performance are demonstrated. (shrink)

The Handbook of the Study of Play brings together, in two volumes, thinkers whose diverse interests at the leading edge of scholarship and practice define the current field. Because play is an activity that humans have shared across time, place, and culture, and in their personal developmental timelines - and because this behavior stretches deep into the evolutionary past - no single discipline can lay claim to exclusive rights to study the subject. Thus, this handbook features the thinking of evolutionary (...) psychologists; ethologists and biologists; neuroscientists; developmental psychologists; psychotherapists and play therapists; historians; sociologists and anthropologists; cultural psychologists; philosophers; theorists of music, performance, and dance; specialists in learning and language acquisition; and playground designers. Together, but out of their varied understandings, the incisive contributions to The Handbook of the Study of Play take on vital questions of educational policy, literacy, fitness, the role of play in brain development, spotaneity and pleasure, well-being and happiness, fairness, and the fuller realization of the self. These volumes also comprise an intellectual history, offering retrospective looks at the great thinkers who have made possible the modern study of play. -- from back cover. (shrink)

Die bis in unsere Gegenwart hineinreichende Gewissheit, dass es sich bei ästhetischer Praxis um die Praxis von Künstlern und die Wahrnehmung von Kunst durch ein Publikum handeln müsse, ist brüchig geworden. Eine Reihe von Indizien legen den Schluss nahe, dass der Bereich ästhetischer Praktiken und das Kunstfeld in der Gesellschaft eine nur noch partiale Deckung aufweisen. Beispiele für ästhetische Praktiken finden sich in der Mode, der Werbung und dem Design ebenso wie in den neuen Medien sowie in der Musik- und (...) Videospielindustrie. Aber auch Kosmetik-Ketten und Parfümerien, Schönheitschirurgen, Tätowierungsshops, Büros für Inneneinrichtung- und Landschaftsarchitektur, Blumenläden sowie Wellnessbetriebe annoncieren ihre Produkte und Dienstleistungen als ästhetisch. Angesichts des sowohl rasant steigenden Gebrauchs des Adjektivs „ästhetisch“ in der alltäglichen Lebenspraxis als auch des vermehrten wissenschaftlichen Bedürfnisses, das „Ästhetische“ an (bis dato) unverdächtigen Stellen in der Gesellschaft nachzuweisen, sind die Beiträge dieses Bandes entlang einer Leitfragestellung organisiert: Soll man das verstärkte Aufkommen ästhetischer Praktiken in der Gesellschaft in einer eher kulturwissenschaftlichen und -soziologischen Perspektive verstehen und also als eine „Selbstentgrenzung der Künste“? Oder zieht man dazu besser eine zwar nur äußerst selten gebrauchte, nichtsdestotrotz ebenso einprägsame wie aufschlussreiche Formel Adornos heran und begreift die Ästhetisierung der Gesellschaft als eine „Entkunstung der Kunst“? (shrink)

This paper elaborates on conceptual, empirical and practical arguments why corporations need to focus on their social dimensions, in order to further enhance organizational performance. The paper starts with an introduction on the general trend towards inclusiveness and connectedness. It then elaborates on the phase-wise development of cultures and organizational structures. Managing corporate improvement by building cultures of trust is the central focus of this contribution. By showing the cultural dimensions of Great Places to Work and their workplace practices, worthwhile (...) experiences leading to organizational improvement and superior financial performance are demonstrated. (shrink)

Reunites the editors of Star Trek and Philosophy with Starfleet’s finest experts for 31 new, highly logical essays Features a complete examination of the Star Trek universe, from the original series to the most recent films directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness Introduces important concepts in philosophy through the vast array of provocative issues raised by the series, such as the ethics of the Prime Directive, Star Trek’s philosophy of peace, Data and Voyager’s Doctor as (...) persons, moral relativism and the Federation’s quest for liberation, the effect of alternate universes on reality and identity, the Borg as transhumanists, Federation Trekonomics, Star Trek’s secular society, and much, much more…! An enterprising and enlightening voyage into deep space that will appeal to hardcore fans and science fiction enthusiasts alike Publishing in time to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the original TV series. (shrink)