El autor realiza un contrapunto entre un texto basado en supuestos científicos -"Del bosque a la ciudad: ¿Progreso?", de Juan Pablo Orrego- que realiza un diagnóstico y una prospección del sistema biótico, en particular del bosque, y que llama a la responsabilidad y a a una acción ante la lógica depredadora capitalista, además de criticar una visión occidental antropocentrista; y el texto, Sobre árboles y madres, del filósofo chileno Patricio Marchant, de interpretación filosófica y de reivindicación poética, que resalta la (...) quema como pérdida insoslayable del fundamento originario en la pérdida originaria del fundamento. No presenta el autor una tercera parte conclusiva, dejándolo esto como un surgimiento de las dos lecturas. (shrink)

Resumen: En el presente artículo planteamos la existencia, en el Derrida de La diseminación, de cierto pensamiento sobre la bio-política. Incluyendo la figura animal, este pensamiento es también el pensamiento de una soberanía más allá de la instancia del poder y del dominio. El Seminario La bestia y el soberano publicado postumamente, parece ser su más acabada expresión. En primer lugar, seguimos las indicaciones realizadas por Derrida acerca de la pintura como zôgraphia en La diseminación. La deconstrucción derridiana de lo (...) que llamamos "la secuencia soberana", nos permite analizar la relación entre el problema de "la animalidad de la escritura" y de la soberanía como corolario del pensamiento de una cierta bio-política o zoo-política tempranamente discernida. En segundo lugar, exploramos en algunos de los pliegues de la discusión de Derrida con Agamben y con Foucault sobre el concepto de vida, los términos de una cierta politicidad de la vida que incluye la animalidad y susceptible de ser situada más allá de la instancia del poder y del dominio. Finalmente, y en tercer lugar, tras confrontar los conceptos de soberanía de Foucault y de Derrida a propósito del Leviatán de Hobbes, retomamos el problema inicial de la zôgraphia en relación con la cual buscamos aproximarnos a lo que Derrida va a llamar en el Seminario La bestia y el soberano "la doble y contradictoria figuración".: In the present article we try to find in the Derrida of La dissemination a certain bio-political thinking that includes the figure of the animal, and in relation to which the concept of sovereignty can be thought of in a way that goes beyond instances of power and domination. The Seminar The Beast and the Sovereign, published posthumously, seems to be the Derrida's most finished expression of this line of thinking. First we follow Derrida's discussion of painting as zoography in La dissemination. On the basis of a deconstruction of what we call here the "sovereign sequence", we analyze the relationship between sovereignty and "the animality of writing" as a corollary of bio-politics or zoopolitics. Second, we explore Derrida's discussion with Agamben and with Foucault on the concept of life, and discuss a politicity of life that includes animality and that can be situated beyond power and domination. Third, we compare Foucault's and Derrida's ideas on sovereignty as expounded in Hobbes' Leviathan. Three question raised by Foucault about the Leviathan are treated: whether it is purely manufactured, whether it is purely unitary, and whether it is purely central. In conclusion, we return to the initial problem of zoography and what Derrida calls "the double and contradictory figuration". A concept of sovereignty that includes animal figuration can not avoid de-figuration and, consequently, it is no longer possible to think of sovereignty only in terms of the political. (shrink)

Es conocida la oposición de Albert Camus a la pena capital. En sus Réflexions sur la guillotine (1957) va a criticar la máquina judicial que hace sufrir en el tiempo y en el espacio al condenado a muerte. Antes, en L'homme revolté (1951), ha criticado la perversa lógica contractual rousseauniana implicada en la auto-imputación que conduce silenciosamente a Saint-Just al patíbulo en la época del terror revolucionario en Francia y a los condenados a muerte en la purgas del régimen de (...) Stalin en la Unión Soviética. Pero unos años antes, en El Mito de Sísifo (1942), hablando del suicidio, se ha referido a Galileo y al peligro que ha corrido de morir en la hoguera por defender sus verdades. Nos preguntamos aquí por aquello que, en el pensamiento de Camus, convierte a la pena capital en suicidio. (shrink)

In this article we give some elements of the debate between the liberationist, decolonialist and deconstructivist currents around the problem of Eurocentrism. In the first place, we identify some of the contributions of Jacques Derrida's thought to this debate from his reading of three representative authors of European thought: Husserl, Hegel and Heidegger. Secondly, we give some elements on the way in which certain forms of decolonialism and liberationism conceive not only their difference with Eurocentrism, but also the difference between (...) European thinkers to whom they feel linked and this same Eurocentrism. Finally, in the third place, we briefly review two versions of deconstructivism that seem able to dialogue despite the distance, two versions of wandering between Latin America and Europe. (shrink)

El objetivo del artículo es, en el cruce entre dos textos de Derrida sumamente contemporáneos (uno sobre Foucault y el otro sobre Heidegger) reconocer el enfoque de la fenomenología trascendental característico del pensador francés. En relación con el primero, se plantea en qué medida o bajo qué condición la reducción trascendental puede estar asociada a la locura, al silencio y a la violencia. En relación con el segundo, se indaga en qué medida la noematicidad volvería insumisa la fenomenología trascendental al (...) esquema de la Vorhandenheit. (shrink)

En esta brevísima introducción a la hipótesis derridiana del “nacional-filosofismo” procedemos, en primer lugar, a situarla en el hilo conductor que atraviesa, a lo largo del trabajo de Jacques Derrida, sus lecturas de Husserl, Hegel y Heidegger. Enseguida, la situamos en el marco del seminario “Le fantôme de l’autre” de mediados de los años 80 y que la inscribe en el gran seminario “Nationalité et nationalisme philosophiques”. Finalmente, reseñamos esta hipótesis a la luz de tres de sus rasgos: generalidad, ejemplaridad (...) e invariancia. (shrink)

En la primera parte de este artículo Marc Richir plantea el problema fenomenológico central de la Crisis de las ciencias europeas y la fenomenología trascendental de Edmund Husserl y que encuentra en El origen de la geometría su prueba concreta: el problema del irreductible hiatus o laguna en la continuidad fenomenológica entre la Lebenswelt y la ciencia. La exposición de este problema se desarrolla en la segunda parte mostrando que el primer problema fenomenológico fundamental de la Krisis es el del (...) movimiento de la formación de sentido originario (Sinnbildung), es decir del despliegue de la temporalidad concreta de una conciencia irreductible a la presencia, conciencia de la que es coextensivo un fenómeno-de- lenguaje consistente en fases de presencia de sentido originariamente plurales y múltiples, en un tiempo lacunar originariamente estallado. En la tercera parte, y en relación esta vez con la institución simbólica como el segundo problema fenomenológico fundamental de la Krisis, Richir problematiza el paso de la Sinnbildung originaria a la sedimentación con el que Husserl, en un gesto metafísico clásico de estructuración, compromete a la fenomenología. Finalmente, en la cuarta parte Richir se aventura a explicar, con el ejemplo concreto del Origen de la geometría, las condiciones fenomenológicas bajo las cuales nace la institución simbólica de la geometría como ciencia al encajarse en la institución simbólica del mundo de la pre-geometría, es decir en el orden de una Sinnbildung originaria en operación en un trazado de figuras que no conduce ipso facto a la institución propiamente geométrica. (shrink)

En el presente artículo se toma como punto de partida la distinción que condensa la concepción husserliana de la Historia en la Krisis, a saber, la formación del sentido y la sedimentación, entendidas la primera como campo fenomenológico y la segunda como institución simbólica. El hiato entre ambas manifiesta el carácter problemático de la Historia que se profundiza enseguida sobre la base de una radicalización de la formación del sentido, como presencia sin presente. Y se vuelve altamente problemática ante la (...) posibilidad de una reflexión fenomenológica no teleológica, sino estética, de los sentidos por sí mismos. La reflexión richiriana se va a detener en la conversión de la reflexión fenomenológica en reflexión teleológica, es decir en la subsunción conceptual del sentido, propio de la institución simbólica. Finalmente, comprendemos por qué el desajuste originario entre el presente y las fases de presencia no vuelve al presente un presente histórico (así en el caso del pensamiento mítico). El nacimiento de la Historia se identifica con la experiencia de lo sublime como relación con la muerte o puesta en juego del orden simbólico. (shrink)

This paper examines the association between board characteristics and the ethical reputation of financial institutions. Given the pivotal governance role of the board of directors and the value-relevance of ethical corporate behavior, we postulate a positive relationship between ethical reputation and board features that foster more effective monitoring and oversight. Using a sample of large financial institutions from 13 different countries, we run several alternative panel regressions of ethical reputation on board characteristics and firm-specific controls. Our results demonstrate that the (...) ethical reputation of financial institutions is positively associated with board size, gender diversity, and CEO duality, while being negatively related to the busyness of the board members and a composite index reflecting poor monitoring. Nevertheless, inconsistent with our hypothesis, we also document that financial institutions with less frequent board meetings have better ethical reputation. Overall, our empirical findings suggest that stronger board oversight may promote ethical behavior in the financial industry. (shrink)

Multiple selves is a conventional assumption in behavioural welfare economics for modelling intrapersonal well-being. Yet an important question is which self has normative authority over others. In this paper, we advance an argument for what we call the ‘ontological approach’ to personal identity in behavioural welfare economics. According to this approach, ethical questions – such as which preference should be granted normative authority over another – can be informed by the ontological criterion of personal persistence, which aims at determining what (...) it takes for an individual to persist from one time to another. (shrink)

Voluntary sustainability standards that establish global rules for firms’ environmental and/or social conduct and allow for verification of firm compliance via third-party certification hold the promise to govern firms’ sustainability conduct in a globalizing world economy. However, the recent proliferation of competing and overlapping global sustainability standards that have been developed by various stakeholders with different agendas, creates uncertainties for firms that likely reduce their propensity to adopt any standard. Without widespread adoption these standards cannot effectively govern firm conduct and (...) in contrast create barriers for firms’ access to export markets. We suggest that the uncertainties associated with competing standards and the effect of these uncertainties on standard certification decisions are especially large for firms in emerging economies because these firms lack access to information about current and future standards and the resources to obtain certifications to multiple standards. We theoretically propose and empirically identify three distinct sources of sustainability standard uncertainty: diversity of customer requirements, dynamism of customer requirements, and the unpredictability of the future evolution of standard and propose that each of these sources reduces firms’ propensity to obtain certification to any standard. Our empirical results based on certifications to food safety standards by a sample of 97 Mexican food exporting firms confirm that three distinct sources of sustainability standard uncertainty exist and that all of them negatively impact certification. We discuss ethical implications and offer recommendations for both suppliers as well as standard setting organizations. (shrink)

In virtue of what does a linguistic act count as an insult? I discuss five main approaches to this question, according to which an insult is determined by (i) the semantic properties of the expression used; (ii) the insulter, her intention, or attitudes; (iii) the addressee and her personal standard; (iv) the features of the speech act performed; and (v) the standard of the relevant social group. I endorse the last, objectivist account, according to which an act x counts as (...) an insult if and only if x is assessed as demeaning when addressed at A by the standard of the relevant social group at t. (shrink)

This article analyzes the adoption of voluntary environmental management programs by firms operating in Mexico. Mexican firms can obtain national certification (Clean Industry) and/or international certification (ISO 14001). Based on institutional entrepreneurship theory, we posit that the role played by first movers as institutional entrepreneurs is crucial if these programs are to become established with sufficient strength and appeal. This understanding is especially important in an environment where more than one program can be adopted. We tested several hypotheses on the (...) behaviors of 1328 facilities operating in Mexico, half of which (664) had certified environmental management programs. Of the 664 certified facilities, 217 were classified as early adopters. Three variables predicted the likelihood of a facility being an early adopter: (1) connected to international market, (2) in the maquila sector, and (3) linked to an industry association that offers free resources. (shrink)

Aristotle argued that you need some wealth to live well. The Stoics argued that you could live well with or without wealth. But the Cynics argued that wealth is a hinderance. For the Cynics, a good life consists in self-sufficiency, or being able to rule and help yourself. You accomplish this by living simply and naturally, and by subjecting yourself to rigorous philosophical exercises. Cynics confronted people to get them to abandon extraneous possessions and positions of power to live better. (...) And while the Cynics were experts in living in this way, their ascetic lifestyles made their message curious to some audiences. This paper reflects on Cynic ascetic practices and the ways others perceived them. (shrink)

The intensification of cross-sector collaboration phenomena has occurred in multiple fields of action. Organizations in the private, public, and social sectors are working together to tackle society’s most wicked problems. Some success has resulted in a generalized belief that cross-sector collaborations represent the new paradigm to manage complex problems. Yet, important knowledge gaps remain about how cross-sector alliances generate value for society, particularly to its beneficiaries. This paper answers the question: How cross-sector collaborations lead to systemic change? It uses a (...) qualitative embedded case study design. I use two general cases of alliance-based interventions in the developing country Colombia. Embedded cases within each general case identify evidence of collective action capacity of the beneficiaries. Findings identify and explain alliances’ contributions to beneficiaries’ capacity building: brokering trust and creating spaces where beneficiaries develop an emergent collective action capacity. Alliances also enable beneficiaries to enact that capacity by building bridges, circulating capitals, and buffering relationships to protect people’s initiatives. Alliances and empowered collectives of beneficiaries produce systemic change using five mechanisms: brokering trust, creating spaces, building bridges, circulating capitals, and buffering relationships. Beneficiaries increased capacity for collective action is an outcome that becomes an alliance input, leading overtime to further benefits involving systemic change. (shrink)

When considering the value of friendship, most philosophers ignore the negatives. Most assume that humans need friends to flourish, and some argue that friendships can be good, no matter the risks entailed. This makes conversations about the value of friendship one-sided. Here, I argue that Cynics and Pessimists have an important view on friendship, despite it being ignored. They hold that: (a) friendship is unnecessary for flourishing, and (b) friendship presents ethical risks, especially to one’s own self-sufficiency. I defend these (...) views. Then I conclude with reflections on why Cynics and Pessimists actually make great friends. By helping people to focus on vulgar human nature and the flaws that humans have, they create an unpretentious basis for friendship. (shrink)

We present a study of the linguistic output of the German-speaking writer Robert Walser using Natural Language Processing (NLP). We curated a corpus comprising texts written by Walser during periods of sound health, and writings from the year before his hospitalization, and writings from the first year of his stay in a psychiatric clinic, all likely attributed to schizophrenia. Within this corpus, we identified and analyzed a total of 20 linguistic markers encompassing established metrics for lexical diversity, semantic similarity, and (...) syntactic complexity. Additionally, we explored lesser-known markers such as lexical innovation, concreteness, and imageability. Notably, we introduced two additional markers for phonological similarity for the first time within this context. Our findings reveal significant temporal dynamics in these markers closely associated with Walser’s contemporaneous diagnosis of schizophrenia. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between these markers, leveraging them for classification of the schizophrenic episode. (shrink)

In conversation, individuals work together to achieve communicative goals, complementing and aligning language and body with each other. An important emerging question is whether interlocutors entrain with one another equally across linguistic levels (e.g., lexical, syntactic, and semantic) and modalities (i.e., speech and gesture), or whether there are complementary patterns of behaviors, with some levels or modalities diverging and others converging in coordinated fashions. This study assesses how kinematic and linguistic entrainment interact with one another across levels of measurement, and (...) according to communicative context. We analyzed data from two matched corpora of dyadic interaction between—respectively—Danish and Norwegian native speakers engaged in affiliative conversations and task‐oriented conversations. We assessed linguistic entrainment at the lexical, syntactic, and semantic level, and kinetic alignment of the head and hands using video‐based motion tracking and dynamic time warping. We tested whether—across the two languages—linguistic alignment correlates with kinetic alignment, and whether these kinetic‐linguistic associations are modulated either by the type of conversation or by the language spoken. We found that kinetic entrainment was positively associated with low‐level linguistic (i.e., lexical) entrainment, while negatively associated with high‐level linguistic (i.e., semantic) entrainment, in a cross‐linguistically robust way. Our findings suggest that conversation makes use of a dynamic coordination of similarity and complementarity both between individuals as well as between different communicative modalities, and provides evidence for a multimodal, interpersonal synergy account of interaction. (shrink)

The paper reconstructs the connections between the evolution of Patrick Suppes’ measurement theory from 1951 to 1958 and the research in utility analysis he conducted between 1953 and 1957 within the Stanford Value Theory Project. In particular, the paper shows that Suppes’ superseding of the classical understanding of measurement, his endorsement of the representational view of measurement, and his conceiving of an axiomatic version of the latter were prompted by his research in utility analysis.

This article has four main objectives. First, it introduces the ideal types of domination of Weber. Contrary to the received wisdom, which knows only “three ideal types” (traditional, charismatic and legal rational) I present the “fourth” type of domination, Weber called “Wille der Beherrschten” as an important correction of his ideal type of legal-rational authority. Next I make a novel, critical distinction between patrimonial and prebendal types of traditional authority. Third, I discuss various ways that communist regimes tried to legitimate (...) themselves and how they entered eventually a legitimation crisis, leading to the collapse of communism. In the next section, I explore the different ways post-communist capitalisms seek legitimacy (with various combinations of legal rational authority and patrimonialism), and finally I conclude with a trend of re-convergence of some post-communist systems (especially Russia and Hungary, but with signs for similar trends elsewhere) into an illiberal, prebendal quasi-democratic system. (shrink)

Karl Polanyi’s scholarship is interpreted in radically different ways. The “hard” reading of Polanyi sees him as a radical socialist; the “soft” reading presents him as a theorist of mixed economy. This article sides with the soft interpretation. It uses Polanyi’s biography to explain his theoretical “elusiveness,” presents a novel interpretation of his three types of economic integration, claiming all economies are “mixed.” While it acknowledges Polanyi as one of the major sources of world system theory, it claims that Polanyi (...) saw not only the dangers, but also the necessity and positive consequences of globalization. Finally, it shows that, in spite of Polanyi’s life-long commitment to the political left, his scholarly work did not offer an apology of socialism. Instead this article uses Polanyi’s theory of economic integration to build a critical political economy of state socialism. (shrink)

Many fans of Diogenes of Sinope laud his parrhesia, free speech used for critique. However, Diogenes abused not only the powerful but also the socially marginalized. We argue that interpreters of Diogenes cannot explain away the undeniably troublesome things that Diogenes said about those at the margins. But we also argue that Diogenes ought nonetheless to be preserved. Some of his chreiai can be reminders of how to be courageous and fight for the downtrodden, and others can serve as reminders (...) of how easily those aspirations can be forgotten. We offer a variety of ways to interpret Diogenes, especially since the figure of Diogenes is an historical composite from centuries of sources. But we arrive at a position of loving antagonism toward Diogenes, loving Cynic commitments to autarkeia and against wealth and power, and disapproving when Cynics fell short of their commitments and critical aspirations. (shrink)

This paper begins with a vignette of Juan Carlos, an immigrant to America who works to support his family, attends classes at a community college, and cares for his ill daughter. It argues that an Aristotelian virtue ethicist could condone a safe, legal, and virtuous use of cognitive enhancements in Juan Carlos’s case. The argument is that if an enhancement can lead him closer to eudaimonia (i.e., flourishing, or a good life), then it is morally permissible to use it. The (...) paper closes by demonstrating how common objections to cognitive enhancement fail to undermine Juan Carlos’s justifiable use of the technology. The particularities of his case make it morally acceptable for him to use enhancements in certain situations. The paper, thus, constructs a limited, positive case for the virtuous use of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancements. (shrink)

This paper begins with a vignette of Juan Carlos, an immigrant to America who works to support his family, attends classes at a community college, and cares for his ill daughter. It argues that an Aristotelian virtue ethicist could condone a safe, legal, and virtuous use of cognitive enhancements in Juan Carlos’s case. The argument is that if an enhancement can lead him closer to eudaimonia, then it is morally permissible to use it. The paper closes by demonstrating how common (...) objections to cognitive enhancement fail to undermine Juan Carlos’s justifiable use of the technology. The particularities of his case make it morally acceptable for him to use enhancements in certain situations. The paper, thus, constructs a limited, positive case for the virtuous use of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancements. (shrink)

Recent anti-governmental social movements in countries of former Yugoslavia have awakened the spirit of contention which had been dormant for almost two decades. The overwhelming economic deprivation, accompanied by the massive violation of basic human rights of the citizens, urged the challengers to take the streets.This paper is focused on comparison of two movements, the “Citizens for Macedonia” movement in the Republic of Macedonia and the “Bosnian Spring” in Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting the role and influence of movements on the (...) occurrence of policy outputs which articulated claims put forward by social movement organizations as well as other movement actors in the two respective countries. The analysis will be conducted taking into consideration specific social movement related variables like forms/types of claims-making and repertoires of action, as well as wider political process factors such as repression by state actors, and the attitude of allies and opponents of the movements.Regarding the methodological approach, we will apply a mixed comparative research design, with variation both on side of the independent and the dependent variables. Since the outcomes of the movements are already tangible, we will also apply elements of process tracing methodology, reconstructing the events as much as possible. My primary data collection tools encompass in-depth interviews with four specific categories of interviewees as well as thorough document analysis referring to the policy outputs. (shrink)

Los intentos de descubrir una ética o un fundamento de ésta en Ser y tiempo de Martin Heidegger son la mayoría de veces infructuosos debido al poco espacio que Heidegger le dedica al tema del “otro“ en su parte “positiva“, lo que le ha valido a éste no pocos reproches. Quienes vislumbran aquí una ética se podrían agrupar en tres: Los que ven una ética negativa (al modo de la teología negativa), los que centran su exposición en el concepto de (...) Fürsorge, y los que centran su visión en el concepto de Entschlossenheit. En este texto se esbozan estas tres líneas principales de interpretación. (shrink)

El objetivo de esta investigación, desarrollada en el contexto de educación virtual, fue mejorar las competencias investigativas de estudiantes universitarios. Este estudio cualitativo y de diseño investigación-acción se basó en un diagnóstico inicial con el que se identificó plagio académico, además de una autopercepción de nivel medio o bajo respecto de las habilidades investigativas de los alumnos. Durante la ejecución de las estrategias diseñadas, se aplicaron las técnicas de focus group y análisis documental de los ensayos estudiantiles. Se concluyó la (...) efectividad de las estrategias en la mejora de las competencias básicas, de búsqueda y análisis de información, y actitudinales. (shrink)

The article deals with the financing of investment projects by the World Bank, especially the rehabilitation of hydropower plants. It is noted that cooperation with Ukraine World Bank launched since 1992. The World Bank develops and finances projects at the request of the Government of Ukraine. After evaluating the project and the terms of the loan are following the negotiations, the approval of the Board of Directors and the signing of the agreement. The funds of the World Bank in Ukraine (...) are on the system of financing and investment projects. The content system projects is to change the conditions and rules of certain sectors of the public administration or industries. The aim of the investment projects is the technical reconstruction of some existing businesses a particular industry or region, creating new companies or provide funds to replenish the working capital of enterprises. This clearly defined list of goods, services and works to be procured through the World Bank loan. The paper conclusions on the results of the project of rehabilitation of hydropower plants. SuccessinitiatedenergyreforminUkraineislargelydeterminedbytheefficiencyoftheinvestmentpolicy, including attracting loans from international financial organizations. On receipt of credit, including the World Bank, depend on the possibility of upgrading technologically obsolete and worn-out fixed assets of the energy sector and problems olving reduce country's energy dependence, improve energy efficiency and reduce the impact on the environment. In turn Hydropower Rehabilitation project funding by the World Bank Ukraine will ensure uninterrupted operation of hydropower plants and have a positive impact on the environmental and energy security. (shrink)

How do we relate globalisation to other types of mondialisation, such as communications and economics? The answer should be: any globalisation should be motivated by the general interest of humanity and striving to that aim. In practice, this means that international protection of human rights and environmental rights need not only jurisdictional but also, above all, ethical standards. Without it, a conflict between different types of globalisation could become damaging, almost dangerous. The very idea of the global village that has (...) so well explained the phenomenon of mondialisation can assist in solving the problems that need to be addressed. One of the features of each village is the intense connection among the inhabitants. That phenomenon is now present globally, which is the essence of globalisation. That implies a global responsibility that must be implemented on the one hand by communities and the other by individuals, especially those who serve in the service of community — politicians. The crucial question arises, “How to define the responsibility of one and the others?” It is evident that at the top of the pyramid, there are major planetary problems whose solutions require the cooperation of all nations and countries. The straightforward phrase “Think globally, act locally”, expresses the rule of the fundamental game of the global world and its diversity — a possible ethic of sustainable development. (shrink)