Global interests in bioethics have increased drastically since the end of 20th century. The reason for this should be ascribed to a broad application of molecular-genetic methods introduced in human bio-medicine. This has, in turn, produced an involvement and development of numerous inter-disciplines, which have started to apply bioethics as a part of their own subject of interest. This article presents more than a decade of experience of teaching bioethics in our country, particularly under the auspices of the National Com?mittee (...) for Bioethics of UNESCO-commission of Serbia. Globalni interes za bioetiku drasticno se povecao krajem dvadesetog stoleca, sto treba pripisati sirokoj primeni molekularno-genetickih metoda uvedenih u oblasti humane biomedicine. Ovo je dovelo do prikljucenja i razvitka brojnih interdisciplinarnih oblasti koje su bioetiku prihvatile kao deo svog opsega interesa. U ovom se clanku iznosi iskustvo dugo preko deset godina o primeni edukacije bioetike u nasoj zemlji, posebno u organizaciji i pod okriljem Nacionalnog komiteta za bioetiku UNESCO-ve komisije R. Srbije. (shrink)

Der verfasser analysiert den umschwung der philosophie der reflexion in der positiven philosophie, der sich im spaten deutschen idealismus ereignet hat und der unvoraussehbare konsequenzen fur die gesamte entwicklung des posthegelianischen denkens gehabt hat. dieselbe tendenz findet der verfasser im heideggerschen werk "sein und zeit" (1927). in der analyse der befindlichkeit und der faktizitat zeigt er, wie jedes denken von der ursprunglichen versetzung des daseins in seinem "dass es ist" abhangig ist. diese umkehr des denkens war schon am werk bei (...) marx wie auch bei vielen nachfolgern seines denkens. (edited). (shrink)

We consider topological pairs,, which have computable type, which means that they have the following property: if X is a computable topological space and a topological imbedding such that and are semicomputable sets in X, then is a computable set in X. It is known, e.g., that has computable type if M is a compact manifold with boundary. In this paper we examine topological spaces called graphs and we show that we can in a natural way associate to each graph (...) G a discrete subspace E so that has computable type. Furthermore, we use this result to conclude that certain noncompact semicomputable graphs in computable metric spaces are computable. (shrink)

It is known that a semicomputable continuum S in a computable topological space can be approximated by a computable subcontinuum by any given precision under condition that S is chainable and decomposable. In this paper we show that decomposability can be replaced by the assumption that S is chainable from a to b, where a is a computable point.

We examine topological pairs (\Delta, \Sigma) which have computable type: if X is a computable topological space and f:\Delta \rightarrow X a topological embedding such that f(\Delta) and f(\Sigma) are semicomputable sets in X, then f(\Delta) is a computable set in X. It it known that (D, W) has computable type, where D is the Warsaw disc and W is the Warsaw circle. In this paper we identify a class of topological pairs which are similar to (D, W) and have (...) computable type: we prove that (\Delta, \Sigma) has computable type if \Delta can somehow be approximated by a 2-cell whose boundary circle approximates \Sigma. Moreover, we examine higher-dimensional analogues of such pairs. (shrink)

A compatible statistical interpretation of a wave packet is proposed. De Broglian probabilities which unite wave and particle features of quantons are evaluated for free wave packets and Jor a superposition of wave packets. The obtained expressions provide a very plausible and physically appealing explanation of coherence in apparently incoherent beams and of the characteristic modulation of the momentum distribution, found recently in neutron interferometry combined with spectral filtering. Certain conclusions about dualism and objectivity in quantum domain are also derived.

The new techniques and ideas in quantum interferometry with neutrons, photons, atoms, electrons, and Bose condensates that fluorished in the last two decades have influenced in a decisive way the thinking and the research in the foundations and interpretation of quantum mechanics. The controversies existing among different schools on the reality of matter waves of quantum theory, the postulates of quantum measurement theory, and the (in)completeness of quantum mechanics have to be approached now in a new way. Our argumentation follows (...) the spirit of the Paris school. (shrink)

U ovome se članku kritički prikazuje i valorizira hrvatski prijevod Hegelove "Znanosti logike" . Radi se o vrlo dobrom prijevodu , koji je važan naročito zato što je danas sve manji broj mladih filozofa u stanju čitati djela na njemačkom jeziku. Nadalje, promišljaju se najvažnije dimenzije Hegelove "Znanosti logike", s posebnim osvrtom na pitanje o dokidanju metafizike. "Znanost logike" trebala bi služiti kao priručnik za postmetafizičko mišljenje.In diesem Aufsatz wird die kroatische Übersetzung von der Hegels Wissenschaft der Logik kritischdargestellt und (...) valorisiert. Es geht um eine sehr gute Übersetzung , die deswegen besonders wichtig ist, weil heute immer wenigen Anzahl jungenPhilosophen in der Lage ist, auf Deutsch zu lesen. Weiter werden die wichstige Dimensionen HegelscherLogik nachgedacht mit besonderen Aufmerksamkeit auf die Frage über die Aufhebung derMetaphysik. Die Wissenschaft der Logik sollte als Handbuch für nachmetaphysiches Denken dienen. (shrink)

U ovom se članku kritički analiziraju i komentiraju neki najznačajniji momenti knjige Slavoja Žižeka "Nedjeljivi ostatak". U mjeri vlastita oslobađanja od metafizike, Žižek je oblikovao jedno nadahnjujuće tumačenje klasične njemačke filozofije.In diesem Aufsatz werden die wichtigsten Moment edes Buchs von Slavoj Žižek "Unteilbarer Überrest" kritisch analysiert und kommentiert, In dem Maß eigener Befreiung von der Metaphysik gestaltet Žižek eine einleuchtenden Deutung der klassischen deutschen Philosophie.

U ovom se članku kritički razmatraju i uspoređuju bitni momenti knjiga Williama McBridea Od jugoslovenskog Praxisa do globalnog patosa i Marijana Krivaka Protiv!. Obje knjige predstavljaju važne priloge kritici ideologije, a obojica filozofa misle perspektive budućnosti čovječanstva s onu stranu vladavine dominantne logike profita.In diesem Aufsatz werden die Schwerpünkte der Bücher von amerikanischen Philosoph William McBride und Kroatischen Philosoph Marijan Krivak kritisch analysiert und verglichen. Beide Bücher stellen die wichtige Beiträge zur Ideologiekritik dar. Beide Philosophen denken die Zukunftperspektiven der Menschheit (...) jenseits der Herrschaft der dominanten Logik des Profits. (shrink)

Filozofija prava jest jedan od najvažnijih i temeljnih dijelova Hegelova mišljenja. U radu se pokazuje kako Hegel uopće nije državni filozof, nego povijesni mislilac, koji nasuprot nasilju i proizvoljnoj vlasti afirmira povijesnu, tj. ljudsku proizvedenost prava, pri čemu se suvremenoj samosvijesti suprotstavlja autoritarna prošlost. Stoga se Hegel imade razumjeti kao zastupnik autentične demokracije. Država služi tek kao jamac ljudske slobode, nipošto kao samosvrha. Dakle, Hegel je povijesni mislilac građanskog svijeta.Die Philosophie des Rechts stellt eine von den wichtigsten und grundlegenden Seiten (...) des He­gelschen Denkens dar. Es wird gezeigt, dass Hegel kein Staatsphilosoph ist, sondern ein ge­schichtlicher Denken, der gegenüber der Gewalt und willkürlichen Macht die geschichtliche,d.h. menschliche Genese des Rechts affirmiert, wobei er die gegenwärtige Selbstbewusstsein alsAntithese zur autoritären Vergangenheit stellt. Des wegen sollte man Hegel als Vertreter eineautentische Demokratie verstehen. Der Staat gilt nur als Garant der menschlichen Freiheit,Keineswegs als Selbstzweck. Also, Hegel ist ein geschichtlicher Denker der zivilen Welt zu definieren. (shrink)

We examine conditions under which, in a computable topological space, a semicomputable set is computable. It is known that in a computable metric space a semicomputable set S is computable if S is a continuum chainable from a to b, where a and b are computable points, or S is a circularly chainable continuum which is not chainable. We prove that this result holds in any computable topological space.

Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have emerged as an attractive means of implementing logic circuits, providing instant manufacturing turnaround and negligible prototype costs. They hold the promise of replacing much of the VLSI market now held by mask-programmed gate arrays. FPGAs offer an affordable solution for customized VLSI, over a wide variety of applications, and have also opened up new possibilities in designing reconfigurable digital systems. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays discusses the most important aspects of FPGAs in a textbook manner. It provides (...) the reader with a focused view of the key issues, using a consistent notation and style of presentation. It provides detailed descriptions of commercially available FPGAs and an in-depth treatment of the FPGA architecture and CAD issues that are the subjects of current research. The material presented is of interest to a variety of readers, including those who are not familiar with FPGA technology, but wish to be introduced to it, as well as those who already have an understanding of FPGAs, but who are interested in learning about the research directions that are of current interest. (shrink)

This anthology will provide the first accessible reader on magic's generative relationship with contemporary art practice.

Magic est de ces livres étonnants, bouleversant tout ce que nous croyions savoir sur un sujet. A partir d'une interrogation sur l'apparition du concept de "lien social" chez Rousseau ou Durkheim, Laurent de Sutter propose une surprenante remise en cause du consensus régnant autour de l'idée de lien. Plutôt que de poursuivre l'investigation du côté de la sociologie, il suggère, pour comprendre ce qui nous lie, de regarder du côté d'un droit qui aurait retrouvé celle qui lui a toujours été (...) consubstantielle et que l'on a pourtant tenté de refouler, à savoir sa magie. Que se passerait-il si, en effet, le droit était la dernière manifestation de la magie dans un monde qui croyait pouvoir s'en passer? Telle est la question au coeur de ce bref essai érudit, spectaculaire et fascinant, passant avec une grâce provocante de Montesquieu à Giordano Bruno, des juristes romains à Gabriel Tarde, de Marcel Mauss aux inspirateurs du Code civil, de Giorgio Agamben à Quentin Meillassoux. (shrink)

There is no doughnut without a hole, the saying goes. And that’s true. If you think you can come up with an exception, it simply wouldn’t be a doughnut. Holeless doughnuts are like extensionless color, or durationless sound—nonsense. Does it follow, then, that when we buy a doughnut we really purchase two sorts of thing—the edible stuff plus the little chunk of void in the middle? Surely we cannot just take the doughnut and leave the hole at the grocery store, (...) as we cannot just eat the doughnut and save the hole for later. But then, again, surely when we eat a doughnut we do not also eat the hole. Or do we? (shrink)

We must begin from the principle that all language is necessarily limited. The art of speaking is a common heritage, even if it is wasted. It has so lost its mystery (more precisely; we are so calm in its possession) that we consider it almost as a gift of nature. Nevertheless, it must be learned; it is, in fact, a product of education, even for those who might believe that they have never received any. Like all acquired disciplines, then, it (...) is the fruit of a long process of restraint. Manuals exist which teach Latin without tears. Learning the first language seems to take place without recourse to handbooks and hickory sticks, but this is because a vast program is available, full time, along with dedicated teachers who do not keep an eye on the clock, and fresh intellects who never think their knowledge is sufficient. Instruction is difficult, in spite of all this, for the task is more challenging than adults imagine it to be. (shrink)

Black magic (henceforth BM) is acting in an attempt to harm human beings through supernatural means. Examples include the employment of spells, the use of special curses, the burning of objects related to the purported victim, and the use of pins with voodoo dolls. For the sake of simplicity, we shall focus on attempts to kill through BM. The moral attitude towards BM has not been, as far as we know, significantly discussed in contemporary analytic philosophy. Yet the topic brings (...) up interesting questions and poses challenges, occasionally even reaching the level of paradoxes. Ideas of respecting persons, in particular, will be seen to be challenged by this form of magic. The notion of respecting persons will be treated here broadly and pluralistically. Indeed part of the interest in the discussion will be the unfolding of the diverse ways in which this term should be understood, and the contrasts between its various uses. Often, as we shall see, respect for persons and disrespect for them, in different senses, will co‐exist, and the dilemma will be one where avoiding some forms of disrespect will involve us in disrespect in other senses. (shrink)

These studies examined whether having thoughts related to an event before it occurs leads people to infer that they caused the event— even when such causation might otherwise seem magical. In Study 1, people perceived that they had harmed another person via a voodoo hex. These perceptions were more likely among those who had first been induced to harbor evil thoughts about their victim. In Study 2, spectators of a peer’s basketball-shooting performance were more likely to perceive that they had (...) influenced his success if they had first generated positive visualizations consistent with that success. Observers privy to those spectators’ visualizations made similar attributions about the spectators’ influence. Finally, addi- tional studies suggested that these results occur even when the thought-about outcome is viewed as unwanted by the thinker and even in field settings where the relevant outcome is occurring as part of a live athletic competition. (shrink)

According to theists, God is an immaterial thinking being. The main question of this article is whether theism supports the view that we are immaterial thinking beings too. I shall argue in the negative. Along the way, I will also explore some implications in the philosophy of mind following from the observation that, on theism, God’s mentality is in a certain respect magical.

The story of the beliefs and practices called 'magic' starts in ancient Iran, Greece, and Rome, before entering its crucial Christian phase in the Middle Ages. Centering on the Renaissance and Marsilio Ficino - whose work on magic was the most influential account written in premodern times - this groundbreaking book treats magic as a classical tradition with foundations that were distinctly philosophical. Besides Ficino, the premodern story of magic also features Plotinus, Iamblichus, Proclus, Aquinas, Agrippa, Pomponazzi, Porta, Bruno, Campanella, (...) Descartes, Boyle, Leibniz, and Newton, to name only a few of the prominent thinkers discussed in this book. Because pictures play a key role in the story of magic, this book is richly illustrated. (shrink)

Of course, words aren’t magic. Neither are sextants, compasses, maps, slide rules and all the other paraphenelia which have accreted around the basic biological brains of homo sapiens. In the case of these other tools and props, however, it is transparently clear that they function so as to either carry out or to facilitate computational operations important to various human projects. The slide rule transforms complex mathematical problems (ones that would baffle or tax the unaided subject) into simple tasks of (...) perceptual recognition. The map provides geographical information in a format well-suited to aid complex planning and strategic military operations. The compass gathers and displays a kind of information that (most) unaided human subjects do not seem to command. These various tools and props thus act to generate information, or to store it, or to transform it, or some combination of the three. In so doing, they impact our individual and collective problem- solving capacities in much the same dramatic ways as various software packages impact the performance of a simple pc. (shrink)

Renaissance magic was an attempt to supply Platonism with a philosophy of nature that could compete with Aristotelian physics. It was expected to heal the increasing breach between science and faith. However, the basic presupposition of every magic worldview, the notion of a living universe, favors immanentism and arguably hastened the rise of secularism. Secularism, it should be noted, was not an identifiable set of theories but a process towards modernity with its correspondent philosophical theology. Three different stages in that (...) development can be shown in the philosophical systems of three famous Renaissance magicians: Henry Cornelius Agrippa, Giordano Bruno, and Tommaso Campanella. (shrink)

Miller (1956) summarized evidence that people can remember about seven chunks in short-term memory (STM) tasks. However, that number was meant more as a rough estimate and a rhetorical device than as a real capacity limit. Others have since suggested that there is a more precise capacity limit, but that it is only three to five chunks. The present target article brings together a wide variety of data on capacity limits suggesting that the smaller capacity limit is real. Capacity limits (...) will be useful in analyses of information processing only if the boundary conditions for observing them can be carefully described. Four basic conditions in which chunks can be identified and capacity limits can accordingly be observed are: (1) when information overload limits chunks to individual stimulus items, (2) when other steps are taken specifically to block the recoding of stimulus items into larger chunks, (3) in performance discontinuities caused by the capacity limit, and (4) in various indirect effects of the capacity limit. Under these conditions, rehearsal and long-term memory cannot be used to combine stimulus items into chunks of an unknown size; nor can storage mechanisms that are not capacity-limited, such as sensory memory, allow the capacity-limited storage mechanism to be refilled during recall. A single, central capacity limit averaging about four chunks is implicated along with other, noncapacity-limited sources. The pure STM capacity limit expressed in chunks is distinguished from compound STM limits obtained when the number of separately held chunks is unclear. Reasons why pure capacity estimates fall within a narrow range are discussed and a capacity limit for the focus of attention is proposed. Key Words: attention; enumeration; information chunks; memory capacity; processing capacity; processing channels; serial recall; short-term memory; storage capacity; verbal recall; working memory capacity. (shrink)