Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics is one of the three volumes of Karl Popper’s Postscript to the Logic of scientific Discovery . The Postscript is the culmination of Popper’s work in the philosophy of physics and a new famous attack on subjectivist approaches to philosophy of science. Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics is the third volume of the Postscript . It may be read independently, but it also forms part of Popper’s interconnected argument in (...) the Postscript . It presents Popper’s classic statement on quantum physics and offers important insights into his thinking on problems of method within science and physics as a whole. (shrink)

The first 400 years of Christianity posed an intricate scenario of social dynamics. The interplay of these social dynamics or catalysts analogous to time perceivably conceived the political-religious establishment that then forged orthodoxy. The resultant continuum that was consequent of the imperial religious-political merger upon the following eras further established a formative impact of these catalysts. As a revisionist analysis of the era leading up to the Constantinian turn, and a parallel comparison between preceding and following eras, this research proposes (...) an alternate construction to the narrative of Early Christianity orthodoxy. The preceding position derives from the attempt at the development of a modular theory through which Christianity can be analysed. Through document analysis, a literature review was accomplished. The development of early Christianity from inception to 400 CE when deduced against enculturating influences implies a sociological study. From the three perceived phases that Christianity went through, Jewish-Christian schism, Hellenism and then imperial interventional politics, implications can be made upon latter eras and derivations can be deduced from earlier eras. Significantly, there seems to have been a resurgent theme in the person of religious-political institutions that consolidated their positions. The synergy and inevitability of the process that preceded the first ecumenical council are confirmed in both a positive and negative substantiation of the proposed model. The emergent episcopal leadership in Christianity and its consolidation averse to the political dynamics of imperial Rome implied a composite significance of all factors. Similarly, the intransigent nature of certain African Christian elements argues for the inevitability of cultural enculturation as precedent to political definition in the formation of a universal orthodoxy. (shrink)

Centuries ago, Descartes and Locke initiated a foundational debate in epistemology over the relationship between knowledge, on the one hand, and practical factors, on the other. Descartes claimed that knowledge and practice are fundamentally separate. Locke claimed that knowledge and practice are fundamentally united. After a period of dormancy, their disagreement has reignited on the contemporary scene. Latter-day Lockeans claim that knowledge itself is essentially connected to, and perhaps even constituted by, practical factors such as how much is at stake, (...) how important the situation is, or how one should act. Latter-day Cartesians claim, by contrast, that knowledge is entirely constituted by truth-related factors such as truth, belief, and evidence. Each side has supported its case with claims about patterns in ordinary behavior and knowledge judgments. Lockeans argue that these patterns are best explained by positing a fundamental and direct link between knowledge and practical factors. Cartesians argue that the patterns can be equally well explained by positing an indirect link, entirely mediated by the traditional factors of truth, belief, and evidence, thereby rendering the Lockean hypothesis unnecessary. We argue that Cartesians are right about some practical factors, in particular stakes and how important a situation is, which have, at best, a modest indirect relationship to knowledge. However, Lockeans are right about actionability: whether a person should pursue a course of action is unquestionably very powerfully and directly connected to knowledge. (shrink)

_Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics_ is one of the three volumes of Karl Popper’s _Postscript to the Logic of scientific Discovery_. The_ Postscript_ is the culmination of Popper’s work in the philosophy of physics and a new famous attack on subjectivist approaches to philosophy of science. Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics is the third volume of the _Postscript_. It may be read independently, but it also forms part of Popper’s interconnected argument in the _Postscript_. (...) It presents Popper’s classic statement on quantum physics and offers important insights into his thinking on problems of method within science and physics as a whole. (shrink)

_Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics_ is one of the three volumes of Karl Popper’s _Postscript to the Logic of scientific Discovery_. The_ Postscript_ is the culmination of Popper’s work in the philosophy of physics and a new famous attack on subjectivist approaches to philosophy of science. Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics is the third volume of the _Postscript_. It may be read independently, but it also forms part of Popper’s interconnected argument in the _Postscript_. (...) It presents Popper’s classic statement on quantum physics and offers important insights into his thinking on problems of method within science and physics as a whole. (shrink)

_Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics_ is one of the three volumes of Karl Popper’s _Postscript to the Logic of scientific Discovery_. The_ Postscript_ is the culmination of Popper’s work in the philosophy of physics and a new famous attack on subjectivist approaches to philosophy of science. Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics is the third volume of the _Postscript_. It may be read independently, but it also forms part of Popper’s interconnected argument in the _Postscript_. (...) It presents Popper’s classic statement on quantum physics and offers important insights into his thinking on problems of method within science and physics as a whole. (shrink)

En Algérie, la nouvelle loi sur les hydrocarbures autorise l’exploitation des hydrocarbures non conventionnels, incluant le gaz de schiste, dont les réserves ont récemment été réévaluées à la hausse. Ces rebondissements ont suscité autant l’intérêt que l’inquiétude de l’opinion publique. Très sommairement, le débat est perçu comme opposant les « pour » l’exploitation qui mettent en avant des gains économiques aux « contre », écologistes s’opposant à la fracturation hydraulique. Cette dualité ne rend pas justice à la complexité de la (...) controverse. Le but de ce travail est donc de percevoir clairement les enjeux liés à la controverse en mettant de l’avant la complexité et la variété des argumentaires présentés à travers une cartographie de la controverse. Nous souhaitons, par la même occasion, démontrer qu’une bonne compréhension des dynamiques et des processus de conflits exprimés par la controverse est nécessaire et décisive pour le processus d’acceptabilité sociale. (shrink)

In this talk I present the main results from Anta (2021), namely, that the theoretical division between Boltzmannian and Gibbsian statistical mechanics should be understood as a separation in the epistemic capabilities of this physical discipline. In particular, while from the Boltzmannian framework one can generate powerful explanations of thermal processes by appealing to their microdynamics, from the Gibbsian framework one can predict observable values in a computationally effective way. Finally, I argue that this statistical mechanical schism contradicts the (...) Hempelian (1958) thesis that the predictive power of a scientific theory is directly proportional to its explanatory potential, and vice versa. (shrink)

Lorsque la controverse sur les gaz de schiste a éclaté au Québec, les pouvoirs publics ont fait le pari de miser sur la science et les nouvelles connaissances pour refroidir le débat et construire l’acceptabilité sociale de la filière. Or, si la stratégie retenue a permis de documenter la technique de fracturation sous ses multiples aspects et d’approfondir les connaissances sur le milieu physique, biologique, économique et social ainsi que sur l’encadrement juridique, les recherches scientifiques sur la filière des gaz (...) de schiste n’ont pas calmé le jeu, tant s’en faut. Le dispositif mis en place pour piloter les études, le Comité sur l’évaluation environnementale stratégique sur les gaz de schiste, a très tôt suscité une vive opposition en raison de sa composition et de son mandat ; parallèlement, une science de contestation s’est développée à travers la mise sur pied d’un réseau de scientifiques opposés à la filière. Si bien que loin de pacifier les débats, la démarche scientifique a participé de la controverse jusqu’à la fin du processus marqué par la publication du second rapport du Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. Le présent article propose de retracer les rapports entre science et acceptabilité sociale dans le dossier des gaz de schiste au Québec à l’échelle de la filière elle-même, mais aussi du processus décisionnel mis en place par le gouvernement pour fixer sa politique en la matière. (shrink)

The basic theme of Popper's philosophy--that something can come from nothing--is related to the present situation in physical theory. Popper carries his investigation right to the center of current debate in quantum physics. He proposes an interpretation of physics--and indeed an entire cosmology--which is realist, conjectural, deductivist and objectivist, anti-positivist, and anti-instrumentalist. He stresses understanding, reminding us that our ignorance grows faster than our conjectural knowledge.

Philosophy in the 20th century witnessed a schism between so called ‘analytic’ and ‘continental’ schools of philosophy. One of the aims of the IJPS from its inception was to provide a space for articles attempting to overcome, or at least foreshorten, that divide. This paper critically examines the various understandings of the divide and takes a quick glance at some of the attempts to bridge it.

L’énergie est essentielle pour le développement socioéconomique et la stabilité de chaque pays. Les changements et les défis auxquels fait face le secteur de l’énergie augmentent l’importance de l’acceptation sociale. Elle est essentielle pour la conception, la conduite et l’exploitation des projets énergétiques. Cet article vise à montrer l’importance de l’acceptabilité sociale, y compris dynamiquement, dans un contexte plus large : géographique, historique, culturel et institutionnel. À cet effet, l’auteure étudie le cas de l’extraction de gaz de schiste en Pologne (...) et présente l’opposition active à cette industrie dans la partie sud-est du pays. Elle tente, en outre, d’indiquer que les conditions sociales et économiques contemporaines mettent davantage l’accent sur le modèle démocratique de développement de l’énergie. L’exemple de la production de gaz de schiste en Pologne montre que l’acceptation sociale est un processus unidirectionnel, dans lequel les parties prenantes acceptent ou rejettent le projet, et où les questions énergétiques ne peuvent être considérées comme un manque de compréhension pour les spécificités, les traditions et le patrimoine d’une région. (shrink)

In this paper I will argue that the two main approaches to statistical mechanics, that of Boltzmann and Gibbs, constitute two substantially different theoretical apparatuses. Particularly, I defend that this theoretical split must be philosophically understood as a separation of epistemic functions within this physical domain: while Boltzmannians are able to generate powerful explanations of thermal phenomena from molecular dynamics, Gibbsians can statistically predict observable values in a highly effective way. Therefore, statistical mechanics is a counterexample to Hempel's (1958) symmetry (...) thesis, where the predictive capacity of a theory is directly correlated with its explanatory potential and vice versa. (shrink)

Ethical dilemmas in critical care may cause healthcare practitioners to experience moral distress: incoherence between what one believes to be best and what occurs. Given that paediatric decision-making typically involves parents, we propose that parents can also experience moral distress when faced with making value-laden decisions in the neonatal intensive care unit. We propose a new concept—that parents may experience “moral schism”—a genuine uncertainty regarding a value-based decision that is accompanied by emotional distress. Schism, unlike moral distress, is (...) not caused by barriers to making and executing a decision that is deemed to be best by the decision-makers but rather an encounter of significant internal struggle. We explore factors that appear to contribute to both moral distress and “moral schism” for parents: the degree of available support, a sense of coherence of the situation, and a sense of responsibility. We propose that moral schism is an underappreciated concept that needs to be explicated and may be more prevalent than moral distress when exploring decision-making experiences for parents. We also suggest actions of healthcare providers that may help minimize parental “moral schism” and moral distress. (shrink)

This essay conducts an analysis of the underlying factors contributing to the ideological and strategic disagreement between Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio during the Philippine Revolution. Employing a multi-dimensional approach, the essay scrutinizes the distinct objectives each leader had for the revolution, highlighting the complexities of their conflicting perspectives. Likewise it evaluates the substantive impact of the Aguinaldo-Bonifacio schism on what was otherwise considered a unified revolutionary movement, thereby presenting implications for the interpretation of historical revolutions.

1. The texts and inscriptions dating from the early period – roughly the first 500 years after the Buddha’s passing away – do not support the conclusion that fully-fledged sects existed at that time. Rather, we should think in terms of ‘sectarian tendencies’ that emerged as actual sects towards the end of the early period. The available sources that speak of the First Schism are best read as sectarian accounts depicting the situation in the Buddhism of their own time (...) – roughly 100-500 CE – rather than as historical records of the pre-A?okan era. 2. All of the Sthavira sources mention the so-called ‘five theses’ of the Mah?sa?ghika as either the cause of the First Schism or as important doctrinal issues. And a review of relevant Vinaya sources demonstrates that the ‘five theses’ were probably accepted within the Mah?sa?ghika, which confirms that this was likely the principal cause of the First Schism. (shrink)

Le présent article s’interroge sur l’action citoyenne et plus particulièrement sur ce qui peut pousser des personnes, qui ont toujours vécu dans un « anonymat politique », à se lancer dans une action publique qui interpelle les gouvernements. L’auteure prend pour point de départ la conception selon laquelle des préoccupations vécues dans la vie quotidienne sont à l’origine d’une prise de conscience quant à un problème qui concerne ce que les acteurs identifient comme des biens communs. Elle illustre sa thèse (...) à partir d’une étude menée auprès d’un comité de citoyens qui s’est formé dans la foulée de la mobilisation contre le gaz de schiste au Québec en 2010. (shrink)

Editor's introduction to the Bulletin for the Study of Religion 44.4 (2015): -/- Specifically, this introduction presents a panel of appears responding to Caroline Schaffalitzky de Muckadell's JAAR article on essentialist definitions of religion, an Open Letter to the AAR from Kat Daley-Bailey (and comments on the problems facing adjunct faculty with regard to the AAR annual meeting), a standalone article by Joseph Laycock on the Irving, Texas controversy Ahmed Ahmed Mohamed’s homemade clock (taken as a bomb threat), an interview (...) with the editors of the Practicum blog, and finally an Editor's Corner announcement with comment on a new subscription arrangement with NAASR. (shrink)

This collection presents the broadest range of experiences faced during the Schism, center and periphery, clerical and lay, male and female, Christian and Muslim, theology, including exegesis of Scripture, diplomacy, French literature, reform, art, and finance.

The article maintains that chronic fatigue syndrome can be properly understood only by taking an integrated perspective in which evolutionary, developmental and ecological aspects are considered. The integrative approach, supplemented by a complexity theory and psychoneuroimmunological research, is capable of explaining why there are so few structural aberrations to be found in chronic fatigue syndrome and why specific treatment is so difficult to establish. A major outcome of the investigation, that all individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome are diseased in their (...) own way, emphasises the need to study the development of personalised life histories. It also highlights an ethical dimension; personalised disease defies essentialist thinking on patient management. Another major outcome, which follows from the developmental systems perspective, is the dissolution of ontological mind-body dualism. This in turn allows for a methodological complementation of the biological and phenomenological approaches to knowledge. New research strategies that may help to resolve chronic fatigue syndrome, grounded in the revised perspective on individual development, are suggested. (shrink)

Anthropology is the study of humanness, and the tension between cultural particularity and human universals has always enlivened the sub-discipline of ethnology. For example, efforts to show that logic and emotion vary with culture raise meta-theoretical questions of ontology and epistemology. Since the Boazian and Malinowskian revolution, however, the trend has been to delineate humanness in terms suggested by a given people, avoiding the fraught terrain of species ontology. But just as there is a global ecology, so there is a (...) global culture, seen as the sum of human intelligibilia. Linking the two is the central human problem, which evolved consciousness must solve. Critical realism offers a meta-theoretical description of the human-world relation capable of grounding both particular and comparative discussions. This paper uses a critical realist anthropology of consciousness to indicate its ethnological potential. Then by applying the result to two contemporary ethnological statements, by Kirsten Hastrup and Tim Ingold, it explores the approach's practical utility. Essentially, there must be a reality that exists independently of human consciousness, for consciousness evolved. With it emerged morality, and a morally warranted anthropological task is to accurately describe the world's structure as it impinges on any cultural mode of knowing. (shrink)

Anthropology is the study of humanness, and the tension between cultural particularity and human universals has always enlivened the sub-discipline of ethnology. For example, efforts to show that logic and emotion vary with culture raise meta-theoretical questions of ontology and epistemology. Since the Boazian and Malinowskian revolution, however, the trend has been to delineate humanness in terms suggested by a given people, avoiding the fraught terrain of species ontology. But just as there is a global ecology, so there is a (...) global culture, seen as the sum of human intelligibilia. Linking the two is the central human problem, which evolved consciousness must solve. Critical realism offers a meta-theoretical description of the human-world relation capable of grounding both particular and comparative discussions. This paper uses a critical realist anthropology of consciousness to indicate its ethnological potential. Then by applying the result to two contemporary ethnological statements, by Kirsten Hastrup and Tim Ingold, it explores the approach's practical utility. Essentially, there must be a reality that exists independently of human consciousness, for consciousness evolved. With it emerged morality, and a morally warranted anthropological task is to accurately describe the world's structure as it impinges on any cultural mode of knowing. (shrink)

In the Middle Ages, even more so than today, history writing could be an act of political engagement. In an era without formal representation, the ability to persuade audiences of particular views of the past could be a significant weapon for those seeking to gain rhetorical leverage in political disputes. Yet “useful” history could be compiled from existing works as well as written from scratch. Because of the technologies of transmission in the age before printing, texts were essentially unstable: even (...) authoritative works were vulnerable to editing and repackaging by copyists in ways that could fundamentally alter their original meanings. Moreover, because of the organization of manuscript production, historical compilations were more likely to reflect the views of communities rather than individual authors. Modern historians have observed that the Carolingian and Anglo-Norman periods, both of which witnessed a revival of interest in the writing of new history, also saw surges in the production of historical compilations that functioned as responses to high-level political events and contributed to the formation of social identities. (shrink)