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Showing papers in "Open Journal of Philosophy in 2019"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A systematic review of HTA literature pertaining to the barriers to the integration of ethics in HTA identified nine ethical approaches and shows that the difference between these approaches rests primarily on their disciplinary foundation,rooted in philosophy, philosophy/theology, or sociology.
Abstract: The integration of ethical analysis in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) has proven difficult to implement even though it is explicitly recognized as an important component of such assessments in HTA literature. When compared to the standardized scientific method for systematic reviews in HTA, the diversity of ethical analysis has been characterized as a fundamental barrier to the integration of ethics. The present paper aims to identify the theoretical and practical differences between the approaches underpinning ethical analysis in HTA and clarify the reasons for such diversity. Our systematic review of HTA literature pertaining to the barriers to the integration of ethics in HTA identified nine ethical approaches: Principlism, Casuistry, Coherence Analysis, Wide Reflective Equilibrium, Axiology, the Socratic approach, the Triangular model, Constructive Technology Assessment and Social Shaping of Technology. Citations pertaining to each approach were extracted and categorized according to three constitutive components of ethical argumentation established in a previous research evaluating nanotechnologies: i) the disciplinary foundation that grounds the validity of the ethical evaluation, ii) the characteristics of such evaluation, iii) the operational process involved in applying it to a particular case (i.e., its practical reasoning). This comparison shows that, 1) the difference between these approaches rests primarily on their disciplinary foundation (rooted in philosophy, philosophy/theology, or sociology), 2) their complexity can be observed in the distinct characteristics of ethical evaluation deriving from their differing disciplinary foundation, and 3) although four different types of operationalization procedure were identified, little information was available in regards to the practical reasoning associated with these approaches.

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The issue of animal ethics in general and feral cats in particular is introduced; an ethical framework with which to address the issue of feral cats is identified; the history of cat domestication is explored; and a framework to examine the relationship of all cats to their environments is utilized.
Abstract: The question of what responsibility humans have toward feral cats, if any, is a hotly contested one. Cats can be categorized in a number of ways: domesticated, stray, feral, and wild. However, of all these categories, feral cats are the most marginalized. Thus, they can pose a predicament for humans in terms of how or how not to care for them. Possible responses to this predicament range from leaving them alone; feeding them, but not neutering/spaying them; adopting a practice referred to as “trap, neuter, and release” (TNR), in which humans take responsibility for feeding cats, curbing their populations, and possibly monitoring their medical conditions; and even euthanizing them. This paper will provide an introduction to the issue of animal ethics in general and feral cats in particular; identify an ethical framework with which to address the issue of feral cats; explore the history of cat domestication; utilize a framework with which to examine the relationship of all cats to their environments; consider options for how to deal with feral cats in particular (TNR); explore and analyze data on TNR from the city of Philadelphia; and offer concrete solutions to the issue of the liminal feral cat.

6 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors summarizes the philosophical framework underlying Western science and the evolution and current state of the Western scientific worldview in the social sciences, compares and contrasts Western science with Indigenous peoples' way of knowing, and presents an example of how the limits of the western scientific worldview can negatively impact the study of metaphysically inclusive peoples.
Abstract: The study and understanding of peoples whose worldviews include metaphysical phenomena and explanations are undermined by the strict adherence of many social scientists to the Western scientific worldview which acknowledges only physical phenomena and explanations. The effect of employing Western science in studying the material and practiced cultures of these peoples is to reduce them to constituent ontological components, strip away and discard their metaphysical aspects, and then take what can be readily extracted while leaving what is not understood and therefore not valued. This disrespects the knowledge and alternative worldviews of the very peoples that social scientists seek to more fully understand. One solution is not only to acknowledge the existence of and study alternative worldviews, but also to include and even operationally adopt them when appropriate or necessary to more fully appreciate the metaphysical perspectives of other cultures. In anthropology, for example, this approach could be accomplished by extending the rationale for and methodology of participant observation to include worldview pluralism, and employing the most appropriate worldview for a subject or aspect of a subject under study. In archaeology, this approach is consistent with the goals of the growing Indigenous archaeology movement. Specifically, if the subject has a metaphysical aspect, then a non-Western scientific worldview should be employed in studying that aspect rather than simply dismissing it as unimportant or even non-existent. This paper summarizes the philosophical framework underlying Western science and the evolution and current state of the Western scientific worldview in the social sciences, compares and contrasts Western science with Indigenous peoples’ way of knowing, and presents an example of how the limits of the Western scientific worldview can negatively impact the study of metaphysically inclusive peoples.

6 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Issues such as the notion of “lawful access”, the beneficiary of the mandatory exception for TDM, the purpose-specific TDM described in art.3 of the new Directive on Copyright in the DSM, and the application of the “three-step test” in TDM are shed light.
Abstract: Text and Data Mining (hereinafter, TDM) issue for the purpose of scientific research or for any other purpose which is included in the provisions of the new EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (hereinafter, DSM). TDM is a term that includes Web harvesting and Web Archiving activities. Web harvesting and archiving pertains to the processes of collecting from the web and archiving of works that reside on the Web. Web harvesting and archiving is one of the most attractive applications for libraries which plan ahead for their future operation. When works retrieved from the Web are turned into archived and documented material to be found in a library, the amount of works that can be found in said library can be far greater than the number of works harvested from the Web. This paper aims at presenting certain issues related to the existing legal framework as well as technical/librarianship issues that apply to TDM which includes Web harvesting and archiving activities. This paper elaborates upon the applicable new provisions of Directive 2019/ 790/EU on Copyright in the DSM with the aim to shed light upon issues such as the notion of “lawful access”, the beneficiary of the mandatory exception for TDM, the purpose-specific TDM described in art.3 of the new Directive on Copyright in the DSM, and the application of the “three-step test” in TDM.

5 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the Liar paradox can be defused to a hypodox by relatively minimally restricting three principles: the T-schema, substitution of identicals and universal instantiation.
Abstract: It seems that the Truth-teller is either true or false, but there is no accepted principle determining which it is. From this point of view, the Truth-teller is a hypodox. A hypodox is a conundrum like a paradox, but consistent. Sometimes, accepting an additional principle will convert a hypodox into a paradox. Conversely, in some cases, retracting or restricting a principle will convert a paradox to a hypodox. This last point suggests a new method of avoiding inconsistency. This article provides a significant example. The Liar paradox can be defused to a hypodox by relatively minimally restricting three principles: the T-schema, substitution of identicals and universal instantiation. These restrictions are not arbitrary. For each, I identify the source of a contradiction given some presumptions. Then I propose each restriction as a reasonable way to deal with that source of contradiction.

4 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that love is a modification of the existential of disposedness (Befindlichkeit), or an attunement (Stimmung), i.e., a way of Dasein to be attuned to somebody or to something in the world.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to answer the question: why do we love? We think that we love because, as Dasein, we are constituted by ontological-existential modes, which structure us as disclosedness (Erschlossenheit) to being, to others, and to the world. Our aim is to indicate the Heideggerian concepts of existential analytic which, for us, are fundamental to grounding love as Dasein’s way of being, i.e., as an ontological mode of Dasein as existence and being-in-the-world. Our hypothesis is that love is a modification of the existential of disposedness (Befindlichkeit), or an attunement (Stimmung); i.e., a way of Dasein to be attuned to somebody or to something in the world. In the first part of this paper, we will show why we can accept love as an existential mode; in the second part, we will discuss how we can say that love comes from the existential mode of being-in, of being-with and of the character of for-the-sake-of (Umwillen).

4 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A widely accepted big bang theory on creation of the authors' universe which mentions formation of glowing or light before particle-formation phase, and concept of duality for an atom and light in relation to an infinite-light are discussed.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to introduce the new concept of an infinite-light and infinite-frequency. Research methodology includes literature review, new hypotheses and scientific explanations to support it are stated and clarified, and finally, suggestions are proposed on how to study it. In brief, this paper discusses a widely accepted big bang theory on creation of our universe which mentions formation of glowing or light before particle-formation phase, and concept of duality for an atom and light in relation to an infinite-light. These two notions clearly brought out light as a fundamental subject to discuss. In this manuscript, I hypothesize an existence of an infinite-light which has several peculiar features: 1) infinite-energy, 2) infinite frequency (waveless energy), 3) infinite time (timeless), and 4) infinite-space (infinite-universe). In connection with these features, an infinite-light can be theorized to exist either immediately after the big bang or prior to big bang. Interestingly, its existence can explain creation of the universe in further details. It might be able to unravel what has already existed before the big bang, what drives the isotropic and homogenous universe expansion, why there is cosmological constant and finally it may clarify matters related to consciousness, invisibility, black hole and dark energy. Nonetheless, one must bear in mind that most written in this manuscript are hypothetical and remain to be proven.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: From a societal perspective, regulated universal coverage, as provided in countries such as Japan, is examined as a way to achieve most of the benefits of DPC while avoiding many of the problems.
Abstract: Direct primary care (DPC) is a market based approach to providing medical care. Patients avoid insurance and directly pay a monthly membership type of fee to physicians for unlimited access. DPC practices have been growing throughout the United States by claiming to be better for patients and primary care physicians. This paper looks into the ethical implications of such practices and explores future moral concerns if DPC continues to expand. Finally, from a societal perspective, regulated universal coverage, as provided in countries such as Japan, is examined as a way to achieve most of the benefits of DPC while avoiding many of the problems.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the relation of dominion in which the mind masters the body is not equal, but rather a relationship of dominion between the mind and the body, and that whenever the mind remains in control, man reaches certainly to the goal.
Abstract: The mind-body problem is far to be an old issue because it keeps rising new understanding and perception without ceasing. In the contemporary philosophy of mind, the essence of the question should not be any more whether there is a distinction between mind and body. Rather philosophers should be more focused on the interaction between mind and body. The new interest is how does it happen? This article argues the eminence of the mind over the body. Mind-body interaction is not equal. It is rather the relation of dominion in which the mind masters the body. When the contrary happens, we call that misleading. In that case, the man becomes a slave of passion going here and there without focus. Whenever the mind remains in control, man reaches certainly to the goal.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that African environmental ethics can contribute to sustainable development as well as mitigate the devastating effects of global warming and climate change in Africa, and they extend the moral community beyond anthropocentric concerns by including non-human animals, plants, the unborn, and the supernatural into the moral universe.
Abstract: In this paper, I argue that African environmental ethics can contribute to sustainable development as well as mitigate the devastating effects of global warming and climate change in Africa. Although Africa bears the least onus of responsibility for global warming and climate change, she suffers the greatest burden of the adverse effects of global climate change and environmental crisis. While industrialized countries, nations which are largely responsible for the greatest amount of greenhouse emissions are laggard and reticent in implementing international agreements aimed at palliating the untoward effects of climate change, there is an urgent need to seek indigenous solutions to environmental crisis in Africa without compromising the much needed development in the continent. African environmental ethics extends the moral community beyond anthropocentric concerns by including non-human animals, plants, the unborn, and the supernatural into the moral universe. I use Kom environmental ethics to show how indigenous African societies employed different values and customs to make their environment physically and spiritually sustainable. There were taboos, values, and norms which prescribed correct behavior towards nature. But as a result of the colonial encounter, Africans were forced to abandon some of these indigenous environmental values and sustainable practices for an anthropocentric approach. With this outlook where humans have moral responsibility only towards humans, development meant the complete disregard for traditional African holistic values and customs. This disregard, in conjunction with weak or absence of institutional framework regarding environmental protection and corruption in the management of natural resources, has led to unsustainable exploitation of the natural environment in Africa.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used the concept of hyperreality to compare the so-called ideal state described by ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi with the world of The Truman Show and gave a hyperrealist interpretation of the former, which will be only hypothetical, without intending to substitute any other existing interpretations.
Abstract: This paper will use the concept of hyperreality to compare the so-called ideal state described by ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi with the world of The Truman Show. The concept of hyperreality is defined by Jean Baudrillard as the generation by models of a real without origin or reality. A hyperreal world is a simulation, or kind of a copy without its original. It is generally accepted, and confirmed by Baudrillard himself, that the world of The Truman Show is hyperreal. In order to compare Laozi’s ideal state with the world of the film, this paper will give a hyperrealist interpretation of the former, which will be only hypothetical, without intending to substitute any other existing interpretations. Laozi imagines that people live simple lives, with few desires and without traveling to other places. If we accept that the ideal state is a hyperreal world, we can make comparison between the two worlds; find out their similarities, as well as differences.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss and analyze Krapiec's doctrine of the cognitive "I" within the context of his philosophical anthropology, showing the uniqueness of his anthropological study of man using metaphysics principles as the background of studies and the relevance of this new study in the contemporary discussion.
Abstract: Understanding the concept of man has led to explosive debates among scholars of various disciplines for centuries. The discussion becomes particularly acute when it comes to such problems as “what is man?”, “what constitutes his nature?”, and “where lies his essential feature?” Over the last decade, new studies in philosophical anthropology on the platform of metaphysics began to gain waves among some scholars. One strong pillar to this conviction is Mieczyslaw Albert Krapiec. The paper aims to discuss and analyze Krapiec’s doctrine of the cognitive “I” within the context of his philosophical anthropology. The analysis of Krapiec’s doctrine is to show the uniqueness of his anthropological study of man using metaphysical principles as the background of studies and the relevance of this new study in the contemporary discussion.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a model of the universe is proposed in which three-dimensional space consists of positive and negative charges which are exactly equal and opposite, and the charges are separated by a distance d, which is a random variable of the order of 0.1 nm.
Abstract: A model of the Universe is proposed in which three-dimensional space consists of positive and negative charges which are exactly equal and opposite. The charges are separated by a distance d, which is a random variable of the order of 0.1 nm. The charges are produce by continuous creation from nothing and the Universe doubles in volume every 2 to 3 billion years. Vast tracts of space move relative to each other and they meet whirlpools that are produced in which the charges are forced together producing protons and neutrons. Each proton and each neutron consume a pair of charges every 917 seconds and this creates the force of gravity in which space physically contracts around large objects. This concept of gravity is consistent with Newton’s and Einstein’s equations and allows one to visualize curved space and space-time. Focal areas in which the charges are ordered create information and energy. Electromagnetic radiation is a wave of energy in which order forms at the front and dissolves at the rear. Large objects move in a straight line because their electrons order adjacent space and the object moves with a surrounding wave. The quantum world and the world of large objects are not dissimilar and we can construct physical models of the Universe that all intelligent humans can understand. This includes a physical understanding of Schrodinger’s equation and its parameters. Everything in the Universe is composed ultimately of positive and negative charges, which can be combined in an infinite number of ways. This applies to abstract concepts as well as concrete objects. The only difference is that the former is four dimensional and involves complex information flow. Thus human consciousness, behavior, religious beliefs and spiritual experience are just as real and susceptible to scientific study as are anatomy and physiology.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how democracy fit itself to the tremendous changes occurred in the world toward the 21st century and suggested some techniques and models for assisting nations to carry out the initiative of revising and enhancing their running systems.
Abstract: The author examines how does Democracy, the leading form of government in the world, fit itself to the tremendous changes occurred in the world toward the 21st Century. Technology causes many changes that frequently occur before people and their organizations are able and competent to digest them. The author suggests some techniques and models for assisting nations to carry out the initiative of revising and enhancing their running systems. The article uses for the analysis of a two-aspect technique, constructed of Philosophical and Psychological methods for promoting understanding. Thus, the Philosophical aspect represents the Brain—the Rational way of thinking while the Psychological approach represents the inner-self feelings—the Emotional tactic toward actual occurrences. By using these two complimentary approaches, the picture accepted and the knowledge accumulated are much more completed and relevant.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors defend the existence of a thought and language independent world and argue that many sentences expressed by common sense are true, provided that truth is not considered as direct correspondence.
Abstract: Ontology is the name of the philosophical discipline that provides answers about what there is. The view laid out in the paper, i.e. austere realism, is realistic in that it defends the existence of a thought and language independent world. It is also inclined towards austerity in that it does not take this world to be as richly ontologically populated with entities as common sense initially presupposes. Yet it is a view that results from common sense taking a reflexive attitude about its ontological commitments. Despite its austere consequences, according to this view, many thoughts and sentences expressed by common sense are true, provided that truth is not considered as direct correspondence, i.e. not as the ultimate ontological correspondence to the world. This is enabled by the construal of truth as indirect correspondence that merges the world and contextually operative semantic standards. Such a combined ontological cum semantic view seems a plausible and a well defendable position.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a framework is developed for understanding what is taken for granted both in philosophy and in life, which may serve to orient philosophical inquiry and make it more effective, and evaluate seven philosophical issues concerned with such topics as solipsism, sense data as the route to knowledge, the possible reduction of geometry to logic, and the existence and status of human rights.
Abstract: A framework is developed for understanding what is “taken for granted” both in philosophy and in life generally, which may serve to orient philosophical inquiry and make it more effective. The framework takes in language and its development, as well as mathematics, logic, and the empirical sphere with particular reference to the exigencies of life. It is evaluated through consideration of seven philosophical issues concerned with such topics as solipsism, sense data as the route to knowledge, the possible reduction of geometry to logic, and the existence and status of human rights. Various dichotomies and the notion of continuity are evidently highly strategic.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The article argues that if patients were normally willing to defer to a standard expert concept of disease, it would be reasonable to assume that the concept of disease is this concept, and that the overall conceptual analysis of disease and other lay health concepts should be pluralistic.
Abstract: The article uses a producer-consumer theory from philosophy of mind and language to analyse the meaning of basic health concepts like disease, illness and sickness. The core idea of the producer-consumer perspective is that a person who has an incomplete understanding of a term can associate it with the same concept as a linguistic expert, if both of them are willing to defer to the same contextual or general norms of meaning. Using “disease” as an example, the article argues that the producer-consumer theory implies that if patients were normally willing to defer to a standard expert concept of disease, it would be reasonable to assume that the concept of disease is this concept. However, it is empirically well documented that many patients are not willing to defer to health workers’ understanding of lay health concepts like “disease”. This means that the overall conceptual analysis of disease and other lay health concepts should be pluralistic—the concepts belong within what Wittgenstein calls different language-games. This conceptual pluralism is inconsistent with assumptions many theorists have made when attempting to develop general definitions of basic concepts of ill health. Furthermore, the pluralistic analysis has striking implications for how conceptions of meaning should be accepted as sound; participants in health discourses are entitled to use basic health terms like “health” and “illness” in accordance with their own language-games, and health workers should therefore acknowledge a diversity of meaning in patient communication. Nevertheless, health professionals can often secure a communicative platform of shared concepts by understanding patients’ language games, and by achieving contextual aims of agreement about meaning.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a brief analysis of how the value of scientific knowledge is changing in contemporary society and describe future developments linked to the new concept of trans-humanism.
Abstract: This paper describes the concept of scientific knowledge in both modern and post-modern society. It presents a brief analysis of how the value of scientific knowledge is changing in contemporary society and describes future developments linked to the new concept of trans-humanism. The term “post-human” refers to a progressive alteration of human characteristics by means of genetic and electronic manipulation that results in an anthropological mutation, which is a prelude to the advent of a new, and post-human species. The term “trans-human” means more than human, beyond human, transcending the limits of the human condition and aspiring to an almost divine superior meaning. This new modified condition of human beings is defined as post-human and the process of change is described within the cultural framework of humanism. Trans-humanism as a term refers to a philosophical doctrine belonging to the family of contemporary progressive ideologies in which trans-humanist intellectuals analyse and promote technologies aimed at overcoming the limits of human nature. Analyzing the trends, the anthropological implications and the cultural impact of such technologies, this new philosophical/scientific doctrine tends to emphasise the positive aspects of scientific development, but without underestimating the potential dangers arising from the misuse of technology. The open ethical challenge of trans-humanism is twofold: 1) the physical improvement of human beings with reference to the new trans-human concept of human nature; 2) the development of a trans-human being that can fulfil humanity’s dream of escaping the bonds of its condition, acquiring a “cybernetic nature” free from pain and suffering.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the multi-dimensional universe and raise questions on intelligent matters, and explore the possibility of material transfers between the three dimensional universe and higher dimensional universe.
Abstract: This paper explores the multi-dimensional universe and raises questions on intelligent matters. It also explores the possibility of material transfers between the three-dimensional universe and higher dimensional universe. The author proposes that the origin of the universe is energy and that the existence of the three-dimensional universe based on matters is a special form of existence in the multi-dimensional universe. The paper also comes with the concept of intelligent matters for which the humankind is part of.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors have addressed the theory of Islamic science and discussed about the foundations of Islamic epistemology and its impact on determining the subject, purpose, and methods of research in the natural sciences in Islamic civilization.
Abstract: Every scientific system relies on a particular civilization and cultural origin. Islamic science is no exception to this rule and is dependent on Islamic civilization and derived from its specific intellectual and epistemological system. This intellectual system that relies on the teachings of the revelation gives rise to an insight into the world as a metaphysical backbone and philosophical presuppositions in science and scientific work. Islamic science, based on Islamic epistemology, is influenced by religious propositions in various aspects. An Islamic scholarly tradition that emerged in the golden age of Islam is an example of this science. In this period of history, a close connection between Islamic worldview and epistemological foundations in all branches of science, especially natural sciences, can be established. Here, we have addressed the theory of Islamic science and discussed about the foundations of Islamic epistemology and its impact on determining the subject, purpose, and methods of research in the natural sciences in Islamic civilization. The present study discerns Islamic science as a science based on Islamic epistemology.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a holistic view of the network unity model is proposed to resolve the problems around unity attribution over time, and a coherent scheme of unity relation can be achieved in such a way that both synchronic and diachronic unities can be subsumed by a single conception.
Abstract: There is hardly a consensus over attribution of unity to consciousness in terms of experience duration. Mainly, there are two major accounts of the unity over the course of time: diachronic and synchronic. However, the main problem with each of these stances is transitivity problem; that is, one cannot stand with one of these accounts without admitting the other. The way that Tye describes his diachronic account of unity is transitive to the synchronic type. Similarly, Bayne’s confinement to mere synchronic unity faces transitivity problem from synchronic to diachronic type. Dainton’s co-consciousness, also, fails to offer a coherent account to include both synchronic and diachronic unities. To resolve the problems around unity attribution over time, a holistic view, here called “network unity” model is proposed. Using the network account, a coherent scheme of unity relation can be achieved in such a way that both synchronic and diachronic unities can be subsumed by a single conception.