The debate on the state of the art of philosophy in Italy shows many differences from the three main currents of contemporary philosophy, namely deconstructionism, critical theory, and analytic philosophy. On one hand...The debate on the state of the art of philosophy in Italy shows many differences from the three main currents of contemporary philosophy, namely deconstructionism, critical theory, and analytic philosophy. On one hand, the philosophical stance towards language, and on the other hand, the strong separation between science and philosophy are the distinctive features of the Italian thought. In particular, philosophy of language shows a fragmented framework in which current researches are an example for future studies on language and human nature. The basic idea behind the Philosophy of Language in Italy is that language has a biological and social nature. The aim of this paper is to give an account of the range of ＂bio＂ through a dialogue between philosophy and neuroscience. I will review the Italian research on mirror neurons with particular attention to the developments in embodied simulation proposed by Vittorio Gallese. I will underline the philosophical aspects of this neuroscientific theory, providing some remarks on intersubjectivity, intentions, and language. Finally, I will suggest future joint studies in neuroscience and the philosophy of language.展开更多
Emotions have long been considered by philosophers as a fundamental element to understand human thought and existence in general. This present study examines how Roberto Rossellini＇s early neorealist films, Rome, Ope...Emotions have long been considered by philosophers as a fundamental element to understand human thought and existence in general. This present study examines how Roberto Rossellini＇s early neorealist films, Rome, Open City （1945） and Paisan （1946）, utilize the emotion of compassion to examine the social and historical significance of women in the postwar Italy. Furthermore, it also focuses on the role of the female protagonists and the compassionate responses they suggest to clarify their position in society. In fact, by depicting the female protagonists as modest dissenter that attempt to perform traditional domestic roles, the director proposes a unique perspective on the conditions and social involvement of women in Italy during that time. Additionally, this study will propose interesting observations on the emotion of compassion itself, and its mechanisms that produce an image of idealized womanhood.展开更多
This paper is a theological reflection on the theology of wealth in Africa--its nature, philosophy, and sustaining factors. Through the methodology of theological reflections, the paper finds out that the theology of ...This paper is a theological reflection on the theology of wealth in Africa--its nature, philosophy, and sustaining factors. Through the methodology of theological reflections, the paper finds out that the theology of wealth, though difficult to describe, is sustained on the African continent by economic hardship, the influence of some preachers of the theology of wealth, and the availability of improved facilities for disseminating the content of the theology of wealth. It also finds out that the entire philosophy of the theology of wealth is biblically, theologically, and ethically deficient. Biblically, it adapts parts of scripture to suit its teachings. Theologically, it puts forth viewpoints that are foreign to theological thought. Ethically, it is a means of exploiting congregants. The paper concludes with a recommendation that the content and nature of the theology of wealth must be highlighted and thoroughly explained to both clergy and membership of different denominations so that all will be safeguarded against the impact of this false gospel on their lives.展开更多
In the 40s and the 50s of the last century existed a largely shared conviction amongst the majority of social scientists in the US regarding the explanation of the theoretical philosophical roots of National Socialism...In the 40s and the 50s of the last century existed a largely shared conviction amongst the majority of social scientists in the US regarding the explanation of the theoretical philosophical roots of National Socialism. Contrarily to European writers, who searched its philosophical origins in irrational philosophical traditions, in the US, they relied upon the perception that Hegel＇s Philosophy of State was the most relevant ideological basis of National Socialism. Hegel＇s idea for the need of a strong state, seemed to clearly support the hypothesis. Herbert Marcuse, exiled in the United States, bad to confront himself with this conviction that academic colleague shared. This theoretical hypothesis was in tune to the Zeitgeist and the political context, in which anticommunism was growing stronger by the day and where the cold war was developing. Associating Hegel and National Socialism implied, for most of the hypothesis defenders yet another vantage point： it could discredit also Marx, for the tights links between his philosophical thinking and Hegel＇s one. For Marcuse this hypothesis was even more problematic knowing that in Germany, national socialist philosophers had rejected Hegel from the very first day their party came to power. In this article we try to analyze Marcuse＇s respective philosophical argument. The point of departure of this reconstruction is the philosophical interpretation of Hegel＇s theory of the State. Further than the historical context, the debate on Hegel and his theory of the State, is very relevant for today＇s debates, dominated by neoliberal ideologies, which often are starting from similar theoretical errors than the mentioned. In both cases exists a lack of understanding of the classic bourgeois content within the concept of the State, based on the French Revolution.展开更多
As capacity design philosophy suggests, the best way to achieve a safe seismic response of multistory buildings, under strong earthquakes, is to uniformly spread the inelastic deformation demands throughout the buildi...As capacity design philosophy suggests, the best way to achieve a safe seismic response of multistory buildings, under strong earthquakes, is to uniformly spread the inelastic deformation demands throughout the building structure. Unfortunately, this type of mechanism is difficult to be reached due to the abundant presence ofinfill wall panels on buildings, which under strong earthquakes show severe cracks and strength degradations, thus complicating the seismic response of buildings. In order to avoid these brittle mechanisms of failure, studies were made toward development of new seismic protection system which would completely protect the infill walls from any cracks and strength degradation manifestations and simultaneously improve the seismic response of the entire structure. Utilization of the ＂IDRIZI＂ seismic protection system, would greatly contribute to many important aspects, like the increase of structural seismic performance, drastic reduction of damages under strong earthquake events and avoiding any unpredictable local failure mechanisms on buildings.展开更多
The ＂general problem＂ that Marx＇s philosophy analyzes and aims to solve is capital＇s ownership of labor-power and the emancipation of the proletariat. In the course of exploring this problem, Marx＇s philosophy de...The ＂general problem＂ that Marx＇s philosophy analyzes and aims to solve is capital＇s ownership of labor-power and the emancipation of the proletariat. In the course of exploring this problem, Marx＇s philosophy developed three basic, organically integrated forms： the popular, the scholarly and the political. However, the post-Marx history of Marxist philosophy has seen these three forms evolve differently and meet with different fates. The situation in contemporary China can be summarized as follows. The popular form is proposed but not fully realized; the scholarly form is robust but estranged from politics and the public; and the political form is prominent but needs further academic support and popular recognition. For the healthy development of Marxist philosophical research in contemporary China, we must not only clarify the integral structure of Marx＇s philosophy but also create an ＂ecological environment＂ favorable to its sustainable development with a view to facilitating the benign interaction of the three basic forms.展开更多
Western Marxism has developed a broad semantic space and a variety of possible approaches for renewing our understanding of Marxist philosophy; however, its essential failing of separation from political practice and ...Western Marxism has developed a broad semantic space and a variety of possible approaches for renewing our understanding of Marxist philosophy; however, its essential failing of separation from political practice and its internal tension and conflict should attract more attention. The sinicization of Marxist philosophy is not a simple change of categories or using traditional Chinese philosophy to ＂convert＂ Marxist philosophy, but the combination of Marxist philosophy and Chinese reality in a process integrating Marxist philosophy and traditional Chinese philosophy so that Marxist philosophy ＂acquires a national form.＂ The construction of Marxist studies in China can never overlook the ＂re- interpretation＂ of any text by practice; all ＂reconstruction＂ of the philosophical system is fundamentally inspired by the activities of practice.展开更多
文摘The debate on the state of the art of philosophy in Italy shows many differences from the three main currents of contemporary philosophy, namely deconstructionism, critical theory, and analytic philosophy. On one hand, the philosophical stance towards language, and on the other hand, the strong separation between science and philosophy are the distinctive features of the Italian thought. In particular, philosophy of language shows a fragmented framework in which current researches are an example for future studies on language and human nature. The basic idea behind the Philosophy of Language in Italy is that language has a biological and social nature. The aim of this paper is to give an account of the range of ＂bio＂ through a dialogue between philosophy and neuroscience. I will review the Italian research on mirror neurons with particular attention to the developments in embodied simulation proposed by Vittorio Gallese. I will underline the philosophical aspects of this neuroscientific theory, providing some remarks on intersubjectivity, intentions, and language. Finally, I will suggest future joint studies in neuroscience and the philosophy of language.
文摘Emotions have long been considered by philosophers as a fundamental element to understand human thought and existence in general. This present study examines how Roberto Rossellini＇s early neorealist films, Rome, Open City （1945） and Paisan （1946）, utilize the emotion of compassion to examine the social and historical significance of women in the postwar Italy. Furthermore, it also focuses on the role of the female protagonists and the compassionate responses they suggest to clarify their position in society. In fact, by depicting the female protagonists as modest dissenter that attempt to perform traditional domestic roles, the director proposes a unique perspective on the conditions and social involvement of women in Italy during that time. Additionally, this study will propose interesting observations on the emotion of compassion itself, and its mechanisms that produce an image of idealized womanhood.
文摘This paper is a theological reflection on the theology of wealth in Africa--its nature, philosophy, and sustaining factors. Through the methodology of theological reflections, the paper finds out that the theology of wealth, though difficult to describe, is sustained on the African continent by economic hardship, the influence of some preachers of the theology of wealth, and the availability of improved facilities for disseminating the content of the theology of wealth. It also finds out that the entire philosophy of the theology of wealth is biblically, theologically, and ethically deficient. Biblically, it adapts parts of scripture to suit its teachings. Theologically, it puts forth viewpoints that are foreign to theological thought. Ethically, it is a means of exploiting congregants. The paper concludes with a recommendation that the content and nature of the theology of wealth must be highlighted and thoroughly explained to both clergy and membership of different denominations so that all will be safeguarded against the impact of this false gospel on their lives.
文摘In the 40s and the 50s of the last century existed a largely shared conviction amongst the majority of social scientists in the US regarding the explanation of the theoretical philosophical roots of National Socialism. Contrarily to European writers, who searched its philosophical origins in irrational philosophical traditions, in the US, they relied upon the perception that Hegel＇s Philosophy of State was the most relevant ideological basis of National Socialism. Hegel＇s idea for the need of a strong state, seemed to clearly support the hypothesis. Herbert Marcuse, exiled in the United States, bad to confront himself with this conviction that academic colleague shared. This theoretical hypothesis was in tune to the Zeitgeist and the political context, in which anticommunism was growing stronger by the day and where the cold war was developing. Associating Hegel and National Socialism implied, for most of the hypothesis defenders yet another vantage point： it could discredit also Marx, for the tights links between his philosophical thinking and Hegel＇s one. For Marcuse this hypothesis was even more problematic knowing that in Germany, national socialist philosophers had rejected Hegel from the very first day their party came to power. In this article we try to analyze Marcuse＇s respective philosophical argument. The point of departure of this reconstruction is the philosophical interpretation of Hegel＇s theory of the State. Further than the historical context, the debate on Hegel and his theory of the State, is very relevant for today＇s debates, dominated by neoliberal ideologies, which often are starting from similar theoretical errors than the mentioned. In both cases exists a lack of understanding of the classic bourgeois content within the concept of the State, based on the French Revolution.
文摘As capacity design philosophy suggests, the best way to achieve a safe seismic response of multistory buildings, under strong earthquakes, is to uniformly spread the inelastic deformation demands throughout the building structure. Unfortunately, this type of mechanism is difficult to be reached due to the abundant presence ofinfill wall panels on buildings, which under strong earthquakes show severe cracks and strength degradations, thus complicating the seismic response of buildings. In order to avoid these brittle mechanisms of failure, studies were made toward development of new seismic protection system which would completely protect the infill walls from any cracks and strength degradation manifestations and simultaneously improve the seismic response of the entire structure. Utilization of the ＂IDRIZI＂ seismic protection system, would greatly contribute to many important aspects, like the increase of structural seismic performance, drastic reduction of damages under strong earthquake events and avoiding any unpredictable local failure mechanisms on buildings.
文摘The ＂general problem＂ that Marx＇s philosophy analyzes and aims to solve is capital＇s ownership of labor-power and the emancipation of the proletariat. In the course of exploring this problem, Marx＇s philosophy developed three basic, organically integrated forms： the popular, the scholarly and the political. However, the post-Marx history of Marxist philosophy has seen these three forms evolve differently and meet with different fates. The situation in contemporary China can be summarized as follows. The popular form is proposed but not fully realized; the scholarly form is robust but estranged from politics and the public; and the political form is prominent but needs further academic support and popular recognition. For the healthy development of Marxist philosophical research in contemporary China, we must not only clarify the integral structure of Marx＇s philosophy but also create an ＂ecological environment＂ favorable to its sustainable development with a view to facilitating the benign interaction of the three basic forms.
文摘Western Marxism has developed a broad semantic space and a variety of possible approaches for renewing our understanding of Marxist philosophy; however, its essential failing of separation from political practice and its internal tension and conflict should attract more attention. The sinicization of Marxist philosophy is not a simple change of categories or using traditional Chinese philosophy to ＂convert＂ Marxist philosophy, but the combination of Marxist philosophy and Chinese reality in a process integrating Marxist philosophy and traditional Chinese philosophy so that Marxist philosophy ＂acquires a national form.＂ The construction of Marxist studies in China can never overlook the ＂re- interpretation＂ of any text by practice; all ＂reconstruction＂ of the philosophical system is fundamentally inspired by the activities of practice.
