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Articles 91 - 120 of 181

Full-Text Articles in Philosophy

Racism And The Political Romance Of The Browning Of America, Ronald Sundstrom Jan 2008

Racism And The Political Romance Of The Browning Of America, Ronald Sundstrom

Philosophy

The browning of America promises the bodily, social, and political transfor- mation of the United States, and as with all ethno-racial threats—or promises of deliverance—browning operates through the private, intimate arenas of love, sexuality, gender, family, and friendship. As a demographic idea, the “browning of America” gathers together Native Americans, African Ameri- cans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Americans with a multiracial identity, as well as non-white immigrants. In popular culture, however, it primarily con- notes the expanding population of Latinos, and Mexican and Latin American immigrants. Secondarily, it includes the growing social and political presence of multiracial Americans, those who …


Communicating With Accelerated Observers In Minkowski Spacetime, Francisco Flores Jan 2008

Communicating With Accelerated Observers In Minkowski Spacetime, Francisco Flores

Philosophy

Our goal here is to determine the spatial and temporal constraints on communication between two observers at least one of which moves with constant proper acceleration in two-dimensional Minkowski spacetime. We take as a simplified model of communication one observer bouncing a light signal off another observer. Our derivations use only elementary mathematics and spacetime diagrams, and hence are accessible to students taking their first course in special relativity. Furthermore, the qualitative features of our results can be easily explained to non-physics students in courses that discuss special relativity at a ‘conceptual’ level.


Play Until The Whistle Blows: Sportsmanship As The Outcome Of Thirdness, Tamba Nlandu Jan 2008

Play Until The Whistle Blows: Sportsmanship As The Outcome Of Thirdness, Tamba Nlandu

Philosophy

No abstract provided.


Nanotechnology Bound: Evaluating The Case For More Regulation, Patrick Lin Aug 2007

Nanotechnology Bound: Evaluating The Case For More Regulation, Patrick Lin

Philosophy

In continuing news, there is a growing debate on whether current laws and regulations, both in the US and abroad, need to be strengthened as they relate to nanotechnology. On one side, experts argue that nanomaterials, which are making their way into the marketplace today, are possibly harmful to consumers and the environment, so stronger and new laws are needed to ensure they are safe. On the other side, different experts argue that more regulation will slow down the pace of business and innovation in nanotechnology, or that self-regulation is the answer, or other opposing positions. This paper will draw …


Nietzsche, Eternal Recurrence, And The Horror Of Existence, Philip J. Kain Apr 2007

Nietzsche, Eternal Recurrence, And The Horror Of Existence, Philip J. Kain

Philosophy

Nietzsche believed in the horror of existence—in a world filled with meaningless suffering. He also believed in eternal recurrence—that our lives will repeat infinitely and that in each life every detail will be exactly the same. Furthermore, it was not enough that eternal recurrence simply be accepted—Nietzsche demanded that it be loved. Thus the philosopher who introduces eternal recurrence is the very same philosopher who also believes in the horror of existence—a paradox that is completely overlooked by commentators (who thus fail to adequately understand Nietzsche). All of this demands careful explanation.


Eternal Recurrence And The Categorical Imperative, Philip J. Kain Mar 2007

Eternal Recurrence And The Categorical Imperative, Philip J. Kain

Philosophy

The question has been raised whether Nietzsche intends eternal recurrence to be like a categorical imperative. The obvious objection to understanding eternal recurrence as like a categorical imperative is that for a categorical imperative to make any sense, for moral obligation to make any sense, it must be possible for individuals to change themselves. And Nietzsche denies that individuals can change themselves. Magnus thinks the determinism “implicit in the doctine of the eternal recurrence of the same renders any imperative impotent…. How can one will what must happen in any case?” At the other end of the spectrum, those who …


Attunement, Deprivation, And Drive: Heidegger And Animality, Gerard Kuperus Jan 2007

Attunement, Deprivation, And Drive: Heidegger And Animality, Gerard Kuperus

Philosophy

No abstract provided.


Traveling With Socrates: Ways And Non-Ways In The Phaedo And Protagoras, Gerard Kuperus Jan 2007

Traveling With Socrates: Ways And Non-Ways In The Phaedo And Protagoras, Gerard Kuperus

Philosophy

No abstract provided.


Black The Libertarian, David P. Hunt Jan 2007

Black The Libertarian, David P. Hunt

Philosophy

The most serious challenge to Frankfurt-type counterexamples to the Principle of Alternate Possibilities (PAP) comes in the form of a dilemma: either the counterexample presupposes determinism, in which case it begs the question; or it does not presuppose determinism, in which case it fails to deliver on its promise to eliminate all alternatives that might plausibly be thought to satisfy PAP. I respond to this challenge with a counterexample in whichconsidering an alternative course of action is anecessary condition fordeciding to act otherwise, and the agent does not in fact consider the alternative. I call this a …


Is It True That ‘Evolution Is A Theory, Not A Fact’?, Todd R. Long Jan 2007

Is It True That ‘Evolution Is A Theory, Not A Fact’?, Todd R. Long

Philosophy

No abstract provided.


Moral Philosophy And Moral Cultivation, William J. Prior Jan 2007

Moral Philosophy And Moral Cultivation, William J. Prior

Philosophy

Moral cultivation is a practice, any practice, by which one attempts to direct the course of moral development either of oneself or others. The aim of this practice is the attainment of moral wisdom, or the closest approximation to that ideal that human beings can attain. In the ancient Greek tradition of philosophy, as well as in the Chinese tradition, the name often given to one who has attained moral wisdom is "the sage." Writers in the ancient Greek tradition, with which I shall be concerned here, attempt to show that the life of the sage is one that we …


Nanoethics And Human Enhancement: A Critical Evaluation Of Recent Arguments, Patrick Lin, Fritz Allhoff Mar 2006

Nanoethics And Human Enhancement: A Critical Evaluation Of Recent Arguments, Patrick Lin, Fritz Allhoff

Philosophy

Human enhancement – our ability to use technology to enhance our bodies and minds, as opposed to its application for therapeutic purposes – is a critical issue facing nanotechnology. It will be involved in some of the near-term applications of nanotechnology, with such research labs as MIT’s Institute for Soldier Technologies working on exoskeletons and other innovations that increase human strength and capabilities. It is also a core issue related to far-term predictions in nanotechnology, such as longevity, nanomedicine, artificial intelligence and other issues.


On The Importance Of History For Responsible Agency, Manuel R. Vargas Feb 2006

On The Importance Of History For Responsible Agency, Manuel R. Vargas

Philosophy

In this article I propose a resolution to the history issue for responsible agency, given a moderate revisionist approach to responsibility. Roughly, moderate revisionism is the view that a plausible and normatively adequate theory of responsibility will require principled departures from commonsense thinking. The history issue is whether morally responsible agency – that is, whether an agent is an apt target of our responsibility characteristic practices and attitudes – is an essentially historical notion. Some have maintained that responsible agents must have particular sorts of histories, others have argued that no such history is required. Resolution of this contentious issue …


Occupational Safety And Paternalism: Machan Revisited, Earl W. Spurgin Jan 2006

Occupational Safety And Paternalism: Machan Revisited, Earl W. Spurgin

Philosophy

In 1987, Machan provided a libertarian case against the right to occupational safety. Since before Machan’s essay appeared, many business ethicists and legal scholars have given considerable attention to the overall position Machan endorses: the acceptance of employment at will and the rejection of employee rights. No one yet has given adequate attention, however, to the fact that Machan’s argument against the right to occupational safety actually stands or falls independently of his overall position on employee rights. His argument ultimately rests on two values: the promotion of employee interests and anti-paternalism. Insofar as those who support the right to …


Torture And Legitimacy, Ronald Sundstrom Jan 2006

Torture And Legitimacy, Ronald Sundstrom

Philosophy

George W. Bush’s administration has undermined the legitimacy of the United States of America as a member of the international community through an astonishing array of unilateral policies that do not respect the interests and concerns of that community. On matters of serious concern to the peoples of the world, such as the global environment, human rights, nuclear weapons proliferation, terrorism, and, of course, war, the United States has pursued its foreign policy interests guided by “political realism” and a stubborn commitment to its narrowly interpreted national interests. It is not enough, however, to merely identify and condemn the legitimacy …


Virtue And The Evaluation Of Character, Jacqueline Taylor Jan 2006

Virtue And The Evaluation Of Character, Jacqueline Taylor

Philosophy

No abstract provided.


Viewpoint: Look Before Taking Another Leap For Mankind- Ethical And Social Considerationa In Rebuilding Society In Space, Patrick Lin Jan 2006

Viewpoint: Look Before Taking Another Leap For Mankind- Ethical And Social Considerationa In Rebuilding Society In Space, Patrick Lin

Philosophy

Commercial space travel is looking more like a real possibility than science fiction, but tied to that ambition we may be held back by the gravity of emerging ethical dilemmas. This viewpoint article surveys a range of social, economic, and political questions, and critically evaluates reasons why we should explore space. The usual ethical issues related to environmental and safety concerns are just the beginning, as there are other interesting questions, such as: what would be a fair process for commercializing or claiming property in space; how likely would a separatist movement be among space settlements who want to be …


Race And Place: Social Space In The Production Of Human Kinds, Ronald Sundstrom Jan 2006

Race And Place: Social Space In The Production Of Human Kinds, Ronald Sundstrom

Philosophy

Recent discussions of human categories have suffered from an over emphasis on intention and language, and have not paid enough attention to the role of material conditions, and, specifically, of social space in the construction of human categories. The relationship between human categories and social spaces is vital, especially with the categories of class, race, and gender. This paper argues that social space is not merely the consequent of the division of the world into social categories; it is constitutive of social categories. To put it more bluntly, if who we are is bound up with place, then not only …


The Portrait Of Socrates In Plato’S Symposium, William J. Prior Jan 2006

The Portrait Of Socrates In Plato’S Symposium, William J. Prior

Philosophy

Plato’s dialogues offer us numerous portraits of Socrates. Some of these are dramatic depictions that show us Socrates in conversation with various interlocutors. Others are descriptions of Socrates, sometimes presented by others, sometimes by Socrates himself. One of these descriptive portraits occurs in Plato’s Symposium. The portrait is complex, being made up of several contributions from several different characters. The relation among these various portraits is complicated. I believe that, taken together, they constitute a coherent description, when certain perspectival differences and other internal features of the individual portraits are taken into account. Thus, I shall speak in this paper …


On The Interpretation Of The Equation E = Mc2: Response To Krajewski, Francisco Flores Jan 2006

On The Interpretation Of The Equation E = Mc2: Response To Krajewski, Francisco Flores

Philosophy

No abstract provided.


Nietzsche, Truth, And The Horror Of Existence, Philip J. Kain Jan 2006

Nietzsche, Truth, And The Horror Of Existence, Philip J. Kain

Philosophy

This article1 will argue that at the center of Nietzsche's vision lies his concept of the "terror and horror of existence."2 As he puts it in The Birth of Tragedy: King Midas hunted in the forest a long time for the wise Silenus .... When Silenus at last fell into his hands, the king asked what was the best and most desirable of all things for man. Fixed and immovable, the demigod said not a word, till at last, urged by the king, he gave a shrill laugh and broke out into these words: "Oh, wretched ephemeral race, …


Practical Reason, Instrumental Irrationality, And Time, Manuel R. Vargas Nov 2005

Practical Reason, Instrumental Irrationality, And Time, Manuel R. Vargas

Philosophy

Standard models of practical rationality face a puzzle that has gone unnoticed: given a modest assumption about the nature of deliberation, we are apparently frequently briefly irrational. I explain the problem, consider what is wrong with several possible solutions, and propose an account that does not generate the objectionable result.


Bell's Spaceships: A Useful Relativistic Paradox, Francisco J. Flores Nov 2005

Bell's Spaceships: A Useful Relativistic Paradox, Francisco J. Flores

Philosophy

Bell’s spaceship ‘paradox’ [1] in special relativity is a particularly good one to examine with students, because although it deals with accelerated motions, it can be dissolved with elementary space–time diagrams. Furthermore, it forces us to be very clear about the relativity of simultaneity, proper length, and the ‘reality’ of the Lorentz contraction.


The Revisionist’S Guide To Responsibility, Manuel R. Vargas Sep 2005

The Revisionist’S Guide To Responsibility, Manuel R. Vargas

Philosophy

Revisionism in the theory of moral responsibility is the idea that some aspect of responsibility practices, attitudes, or concept is in need of revision. While the increased frequency of revisionist language in the literature on free will and moral responsibility is striking, what discussion there has been of revisionism about responsibility and free will tends to be critical. In this paper, I argue that at least one species of revisionism, moderate revisionism, is considerably more sophisticated and defensible than critics have realized. I go on to argue for the advantages of moderate revisionist theories over standard compatibilist and incompatibilist theories.


The Trouble With Tracing, Manuel R. Vargas Jan 2005

The Trouble With Tracing, Manuel R. Vargas

Philosophy

Many prominent theories of moral responsibility rely on the notion of "tracing," the idea that responsibility for an outcome can be located in (i.e., "traced back to") some prior moment of control, perhaps significantly antecedent to the proximate sources of a considered action. In this article, I show how there is a problem for theories that rely on tracing. The problem is connected to the knowledge condition on moral responsibility. Many prima facie good candidate cases for tracing analyses appear to violate the knowledge condition on moral responsibility. So, either we need to dispense with tracing approaches or we must …


Frederick Douglass's Longing For The End Of Race, Ronald Sundstrom Jan 2005

Frederick Douglass's Longing For The End Of Race, Ronald Sundstrom

Philosophy

Frederick Douglass (1817–1895) argued that newly emancipated black Americans should assimilate into Anglo-American society and culture. Social assimilation would then lead to the entire physical amalgamation of the two groups, and the emergence of a new intermediate group that would be fully American. He, like those who were to follow, was driven by a vision of universal human fraternity in the light of which the varieties of human difference were incidental and far less important than the ethical, religious, and political idea of personhood. Douglass’s version of this vision was formed by natural law theories, and a Protestant Christian conception …


Rationalism In Science, David J. Stump Jan 2005

Rationalism In Science, David J. Stump

Philosophy

No abstract provided.


Interpretations Of Einstein's Equation E = Mc2, Francisco Flores Jan 2005

Interpretations Of Einstein's Equation E = Mc2, Francisco Flores

Philosophy

Interpretations of Einstein’s equation differ primarily concerning whether E = mc2 entails that mass and energy are the same property of physical systems, and hence whether there is any sense in which mass is ever “converted” into energy (or vice versa). In this paper, I examine six interpretations of Einstein’s equation and argue that all but one fail to satisfy a minimal set of conditions that all interpretations of physical theories ought to satisfy. I argue that we should prefer the interpretation of Einstein’s equation that holds that mass and energy are distinct properties of physical systems. This interpretation …


Nietzsche, The Kantian Self, And Eternal Recurrence, Philip J. Kain Oct 2004

Nietzsche, The Kantian Self, And Eternal Recurrence, Philip J. Kain

Philosophy

Nietzsche’s concept of the self grows out of Kant—and then attempts to subvert Kant. Nietzsche agrees that a unified subject is a necessary presupposition for ordered experience to be possible. But instead of a Kantian unified self, Nietzsche develops a conception of the self of the sort that we have come to call postmodern. He posits a composite bundle of drives that become unified only through organization. This subject is unified, it is just that its unity is forged, constructed, brought about by domination. But if the self is a bundle of struggling and shifting drives, how could it remain …


Responsibility And The Aims Of Theory: Strawson And Revisionism, Manuel R. Vargas Jun 2004

Responsibility And The Aims Of Theory: Strawson And Revisionism, Manuel R. Vargas

Philosophy

Strawsonian approaches to responsibility, including more recent accounts such as Dennett’s and Wallace’s, face a number of important objections. However, Strawsonian theories can be recast along revisionist lines so as to avoid many of these problems. In this paper, I explain the revisionist approach to moral responsibility, discuss the concessions it makes to incompatibilism (including the point that compatibilists may not fully capture what our commonsense understanding of responsibility), why it provides a fruitful recasting of Strawsonian approaches, and how it offers an alternative to the pattern of dialectical stalemates exhibited by standard approaches to free will and determinism.