Determinism, Self-Reference and Morality
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Autonomy and Republicanism: Immanuel Kant's Philosophy of Freedom Author(S): Heiner Bielefeldt Source: Political Theory, Vol
Autonomy and Republicanism: Immanuel Kant's Philosophy of Freedom Author(s): Heiner Bielefeldt Source: Political Theory, Vol. 25, No. 4 (Aug., 1997), pp. 524-558 Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/191892 Accessed: 25-05-2018 14:18 UTC REFERENCES Linked references are available on JSTOR for this article: http://www.jstor.org/stable/191892?seq=1&cid=pdf-reference#references_tab_contents You may need to log in to JSTOR to access the linked references. JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at http://about.jstor.org/terms Sage Publications, Inc. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Political Theory This content downloaded from 81.157.207.121 on Fri, 25 May 2018 14:18:33 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms AUTONOMY AND REPUBLICANISM Immanuel Kant's Philosophy of Freedom HEINER BIELEFELDT University of Bielefeld INTRODUCTION: THE PARADOX OF LIBERALISM Since its origins in early modernity, liberalism has always been a hotly debated issue. A charge frequently brought forward is that liberalism mirrors a lack of ethical substance in modern society, a society which seemingly loses its inner normative cohesiveness and hence can be held together only by a set of abstract procedural rules. -
Philosophical Theory-Construction and the Self-Image of Philosophy
Open Journal of Philosophy, 2014, 4, 231-243 Published Online August 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/ojpp http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojpp.2014.43031 Philosophical Theory-Construction and the Self-Image of Philosophy Niels Skovgaard Olsen Department of Philosophy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany Email: [email protected] Received 25 May 2014; revised 28 June 2014; accepted 10 July 2014 Copyright © 2014 by author and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Abstract This article takes its point of departure in a criticism of the views on meta-philosophy of P.M.S. Hacker for being too dismissive of the possibility of philosophical theory-construction. But its real aim is to put forward an explanatory hypothesis for the lack of a body of established truths and universal research programs in philosophy along with the outline of a positive account of what philosophical theories are and of how to assess them. A corollary of the present account is that it allows us to account for the objective dimension of philosophical discourse without taking re- course to the problematic idea of there being worldly facts that function as truth-makers for phi- losophical claims. Keywords Meta-Philosophy, Hacker, Williamson, Philosophical Theories 1. Introduction The aim of this article is to use a critical discussion of the self-image of philosophy presented by P. M. S. Hacker as a platform for presenting an alternative, which offers an account of how to think about the purpose and cha- racter of philosophical theories. -
Defending the Subjective Component of Susan Wolf's
Defending the Subjective Component of Susan Wolf’s “Fitting Fulfillment View” About Meaning in Life. Andreas Hjälmarö Andreas Hjälmarö Kandidatuppsats Filosofi, 15 hp. Ht 2016 Handledare Frans Svensson Umeå Universitet, Umeå Table of content Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Background ...................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 The question .................................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Common answers .......................................................................................................................... 8 The nihilistic view ............................................................................................................................ 8 The super-naturalistic view ............................................................................................................. 8 The naturalistic view ....................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Wolf’s view – a combination ...................................................................................................... -
God As Both Ideal and Real Being in the Aristotelian Metaphysics
God As Both Ideal and Real Being In the Aristotelian Metaphysics Martin J. Henn St. Mary College Aristotle asserts in Metaphysics r, 1003a21ff. that "there exists a science which theorizes on Being insofar as Being, and on those attributes which belong to it in virtue of its own nature."' In order that we may discover the nature of Being Aristotle tells us that we must first recognize that the term "Being" is spoken in many ways, but always in relation to a certain unitary nature, and not homonymously (cf. Met. r, 1003a33-4). Beings share the same name "eovta," yet they are not homonyms, for their Being is one and the same, not manifold and diverse. Nor are beings synonyms, for synonymy is sameness of name among things belonging to the same genus (as, say, a man and an ox are both called "animal"), and Being is no genus. Furthermore, synonyms are things sharing a common intrinsic nature. But things are called "beings" precisely because they share a common relation to some one extrinsic nature. Thus, beings are neither homonyms nor synonyms, yet their core essence, i.e. their Being as such, is one and the same. Thus, the unitary Being of beings must rest in some unifying nature extrinsic to their respective specific essences. Aristotle's dialectical investigations into Being eventually lead us to this extrinsic nature in Book A, i.e. to God, the primary Essence beyond all specific essences. In the pre-lambda books of the Metaphysics, however, this extrinsic nature remains very much up for grabs. -
Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Chemistry
Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Chemistry Jaap van Brakel Abstract: In this paper I assess the relation between philosophy of chemistry and (general) philosophy of science, focusing on those themes in the philoso- phy of chemistry that may bring about major revisions or extensions of cur- rent philosophy of science. Three themes can claim to make a unique contri- bution to philosophy of science: first, the variety of materials in the (natural and artificial) world; second, extending the world by making new stuff; and, third, specific features of the relations between chemistry and physics. Keywords : philosophy of science, philosophy of chemistry, interdiscourse relations, making stuff, variety of substances . 1. Introduction Chemistry is unique and distinguishes itself from all other sciences, with respect to three broad issues: • A (variety of) stuff perspective, requiring conceptual analysis of the notion of stuff or material (Sections 4 and 5). • A making stuff perspective: the transformation of stuff by chemical reaction or phase transition (Section 6). • The pivotal role of the relations between chemistry and physics in connection with the question how everything fits together (Section 7). All themes in the philosophy of chemistry can be classified in one of these three clusters or make contributions to general philosophy of science that, as yet , are not particularly different from similar contributions from other sci- ences (Section 3). I do not exclude the possibility of there being more than three clusters of philosophical issues unique to philosophy of chemistry, but I am not aware of any as yet. Moreover, highlighting the issues discussed in Sections 5-7 does not mean that issues reviewed in Section 3 are less im- portant in revising the philosophy of science. -
Models of Sociality After Idealism in Gadamer, Levinas, Rosenzweig, and Bonhoeffer Christopher J
University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School November 2017 From Object to Other: Models of Sociality after Idealism in Gadamer, Levinas, Rosenzweig, and Bonhoeffer Christopher J. King University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Philosophy Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Scholar Commons Citation King, Christopher J., "From Object to Other: Models of Sociality after Idealism in Gadamer, Levinas, Rosenzweig, and Bonhoeffer" (2017). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7047 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. From Object to Other: Models of Sociality after Idealism in Gadamer, Levinas, Rosenzweig, and Bonhoeffer by Christopher J. King A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Philosophy with a concentration in Philosophy and Religion College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Co-Major Professor: Lee Braver, Ph.D. Co-Major Professor: Michael DeJonge, Ph.D. Cass Fisher, Ph.D. Michael Morris, Ph.D. Date of Approval: November 3, 2017 Keywords: ontology, dialogue, intersubjectivity, anthropology, -
Existence in Physics
Existence in Physics Armin Nikkhah Shirazi ∗ University of Michigan, Department of Physics, Ann Arbor January 24, 2019 Abstract This is the second in a two-part series of papers which re-interprets relativistic length contraction and time dilation in terms of concepts argued to be more fundamental, broadly construed to mean: concepts which point to the next paradigm. After refining the concept of existence to duration of existence in spacetime, this paper introduces a criterion for physi- cal existence in spacetime and then re-interprets time dilation in terms of the concept of the abatement of an object’s duration of existence in a given time interval, denoted as ontochronic abatement. Ontochronic abatement (1) focuses attention on two fundamental spacetime prin- ciples the significance of which is unappreciated under the current paradigm, (2) clarifies the state of existence of speed-of-light objects, and (3) leads to the recognition that physical existence is an equivalence relation by absolute dimensionality. These results may be used to justify the incorporation of the physics-based study of existence into physics as physical ontology. Keywords: Existence criterion, spacetime ontic function, ontochronic abatement, invariance of ontic value, isodimensionality, ontic equivalence class, areatime, physical ontology 1 Introduction This is the second in a two-part series of papers which re-interprets relativistic length contraction and time dilation in terms of concepts argued to be more fundamental, broadly construed to mean: concepts which point to the next paradigm. The first paper re-conceptualized relativistic length contraction in terms of dimensional abatement [1], and this paper will re-conceptualize relativistic time dilation in terms of what I will call ontochronic abatement, to be defined as the abatement of an object’s duration of existence within a given time interval. -
Moral Obligations to Future Generations
Moral Obligations toward the Future I. Introduction Until now our ethical considerations have typically involved our interactions with people such as family members, fellow students, and fellow citizens—those who together might be called our moral community. Even when our considerations have encompassed the wider “community” of human beings, we have still limited our thinking to those presently living—to our contemporaries. The same can be said of most moral theories—which likewise tend to focus on the moral obligations of the living toward their contemporaries. This suggests an interesting question: Can we also have moral concerns and obligations involving those who do not belong to our contemporary moral community? For instance, what about those who lived in the past? Although we cannot now affect any persons who are no longer alive, we can still affect some of their interests. Like ourselves, past people certainly had interests in their own human dignity, in what others thought of them, and in the welfare of their progeny. We thus appear to have moral obligations not to desecrate their graves, slander them, or take for ourselves what they willed to their offspring. Further, it seems that we can sometimes hold past persons morally blameworthy for the ways their actions have affected us. Consider a present-day man whose grandparents were gassed by the Nazis. Besides blaming the Nazis for what they did to his grandparents, doesn’t this man also have a right to hold the Nazis responsible for personally wronging him by causing the untimely deaths of his grandparents? Doesn’t the Native American who is destitute today because of policies carried out against her ancestors likewise have a personal moral claim against those past people whose actions led to her present condition? In fact, we take such moral judgments so seriously that reparations are sometimes made to people today for wrongs committed by past generations. -
John Stuart Mill's Sanction Utilitarianism
JOHN STUART MILL’S SANCTION UTILITARIANISM: A PHILOSOPHICAL AND HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION A Dissertation by DAVID EUGENE WRIGHT Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Chair of Committee, Linda Radzik Committee Members, Clare Palmer Scott Austin R.J.Q. Adams Head of Department, Gary Varner May 2014 Major Subject: Philosophy Copyright 2014 David Eugene Wright ABSTRACT This dissertation argues for a particular interpretation of John Stuart Mill’s utilitarianism, namely that Mill is best read as a sanction utilitarian. In general, scholars commonly interpret Mill as some type of act or rule utilitarian. In making their case for these interpretations, it is also common for scholars to use large portions of Mill’s Utilitarianism as the chief source of insight into his moral theory. By contrast, I argue that Utilitarianism is best read as an ecumenical text where Mill explains and defends the general tenets of utilitarianism rather than setting out his own preferred theory. The exception to this ecumenical approach to the text comes in the fifth chapter on justice which, I argue on textual and historical grounds, outlines the central features of Mill’s utilitarianism. With this understanding of Utilitarianism in place, many of the passages commonly cited in favor of the previous interpretations are rendered less plausible, and interpretations emphasizing Mill’s other writings are strengthened. Using this methodology, I critique four of the most prominent act or rule utilitarian interpretations of Mill’s moral theory. I then provide an interpretation of Mill’s theory of moral obligation and utilitarianism. -
Action Verbs
ACTION VERBS Accepts To receive as true; to regard as proper, normal, inevitable Accounts To give a report on; to furnish a justifying analysis or explanation Accumulates To collect; to gather Achieves To bring to a successful conclusion Acknowledges To report the receipt of Acquires To come into possession of Activates To mobilize; to set into motion Acts To perform a specified function Adapts To suit or fit by modification Adjusts To bring to a more satisfactory state; to bring the parts of something to a true or more effective position Administers To manage or direct the execution of affairs Adopts To take up and practice as one's own Advises To recommend a course of action; to offer an informed opinion based on specialized knowledge Advocates To recommend or speak in favor of Affirms To assert positively; to confirm Aligns To arrange in a line; to array Allots To assign as a share Alters To make different without changing into something else Amends To change or modify for the better Analyzes To separate into elements and critically examine Answers To speak or write in reply Anticipates To foresee and deal with in advance Applies To put to use for a purpose; to employ diligently or with close attention Appoints To name officially Appraises To give an expert judgment of worth or merit Approves To accept as satisfactory; to exercise final authority with regard to commitment of resources Arranges To prepare for an event; to put in proper order Ascertains To find out or discover through examination; to find out or learn for a certainty -
Response to Daniel Dennett on Free Will Skepticism Derk Pereboom(Α)
RIVISTA INTERNAZIONALE DI FILOSOFIA E PSICOLOGIA ISSN 2039-4667; E-ISSN 2239-2629 DOI: 10.4453/rifp.2017.0021 Vol. 8 (2017), n. 3, pp. 259-265 STUDI Response to Daniel Dennett on Free Will Skepticism Derk Pereboom(α) Ricevuto: 17 febbraio 2017; accettato: 24 agosto 2017 █ Abstract What is at stake in the debate between those, such as Sam Harris and me, who contend that we would lack free will on the supposition that we are causally determined agents, and those that defend the claim that we might then retain free will, such as Daniel Dennett? I agree with Dennett that on the suppo- sition of causal determination there would be robust ways in which we could shape, control, and cause our actions. But I deny that on this supposition we would have the control in action required for us to basical- ly deserve to be blamed, praised, punished or rewarded. In this response, I argue that this is the core issue that divides compatibilists and incompatiblists about free will and causal determination, and that the in- compatibilist position is the right one to accept. KEYWORDS: Sam Harris; Daniel Dennett; Free Will Skepticism; Compatibilism; Incompatibilism █ Riassunto Risposta a Daniel Dennett sullo scetticismo circa il libero arbitrio – Qual è la posta in gioco nel dibattito che vede contrapporsi chi – come Sam Harris e me – sostiene che non avremmo libertà di volere sulla scorta dell’ipotesi per cui siamo agenti causalmente determinati e chi, al contrario – come Daniel Den- nett – difende l’idea che possa darsi un libero volere? Concordo con Dennett circa il fatto che, anche nell’ipotesi della determinazione causale, resterebbe lo spazio per sostenere che per vari e importanti aspetti saremmo comunque noi a modellare, controllare e causare le nostre azioni. -
INTUITION .THE PHILOSOPHY of HENRI BERGSON By
THE RHYTHM OF PHILOSOPHY: INTUITION ·ANI? PHILOSO~IDC METHOD IN .THE PHILOSOPHY OF HENRI BERGSON By CAROLE TABOR FlSHER Bachelor Of Arts Taylor University Upland, Indiana .. 1983 Submitted ~o the Faculty of the Graduate College of the · Oklahoma State University in partial fulfi11ment of the requirements for . the Degree of . Master of Arts May, 1990 Oklahoma State. Univ. Library THE RHY1HM OF PlllLOSOPHY: INTUITION ' AND PfnLoSOPlllC METHOD IN .THE PHILOSOPHY OF HENRI BERGSON Thesis Approved: vt4;;. e ·~lu .. ·~ests AdVIsor /l4.t--OZ. ·~ ,£__ '', 13~6350' ii · ,. PREFACE The writing of this thesis has bee~ a tiring, enjoyable, :Qustrating and challenging experience. M.,Bergson has introduced me to ·a whole new way of doing . philosophy which has put vitality into the process. I have caught a Bergson bug. His vision of a collaboration of philosophers using his intuitional m~thod to correct, each others' work and patiently compile a body of philosophic know: ledge is inspiring. I hope I have done him justice in my description of that vision. If I have succeeded and that vision catches your imagination I hope you Will make the effort to apply it. Please let me know of your effort, your successes and your failures. With the current challenges to rationalist epistemology, I believe the time has come to give Bergson's method a try. My discovery of Bergson is. the culmination of a development of my thought, one that started long before I began my work at Oklahoma State. However, there are some people there who deserv~. special thanks for awakening me from my ' "''' analytic slumber.