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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Defending Conventions As Functionally A Priori Knowledge, David J. Stump
Defending Conventions As Functionally A Priori Knowledge, David J. Stump
Philosophy
Recent defenses of a priori knowledge can be applied to the idea of conventions in science in order to indicate one important sense in which conventionalism is correct—some elements of physical theory have a unique epistemological status as a functionally a priori part of our physical theory. I will argue that the former a priori should be treated as empirical in a very abstract sense, but still conventional. Though actually coming closer to the Quinean position than recent defenses of a priori knowledge, the picture of science developed here is very different from that developed in Quinean holism in that …
What's Wrong With Computer-Generated Images Of Perfection In Advertising?, Earl W. Spurgin
What's Wrong With Computer-Generated Images Of Perfection In Advertising?, Earl W. Spurgin
Philosophy
ABSTRACT. Advertisers often use computers to create fantastic images. Generally, these are perfectly harmless images that are used for comic or dramatic effect. Sometimes, however, they are problematic human images that I call computer-generated images of perfection. Advertisers create these images by using computer technology to remove unwanted traits from models or to generate entire human bodies. They are images that portray ideal human beauty, bodies, or looks. In this paper, I argue that the use of such images is unethical. I begin by explaining the common objections against advertising and by demonstrating how critics might argue that those objections …
Falling Into The Olongapo River, Ronald Sundstrom
Practicing Politics With Foucault And Kant: Toward A Critical Life, Dianna Taylor
Practicing Politics With Foucault And Kant: Toward A Critical Life, Dianna Taylor
Philosophy
This paper problematizes the claim that Michel Foucault’s work is normatively lacking and therefore possesses only limited political relevance. While Foucault does not articulate a traditional normative framework for political activity, I argue that his work nonetheless reflects certain normative commitments to, for example, practicing freedom and improving the state of the world. I elucidate these commitments by sketching out Foucault’s notion of critique as a mode of existence charac- terized by practices of the self, arguing that such practices possess political significance within the context of what Foucault refers to as a way of life, and analyzing points of …