Epistemiese waardes in die rasionaliteitsmodel van Wentzel van Huyssteen

In his dialogue with the current state of the debate on philosophy of debate, Wentzel van Huyssteen develops what he calls a postfoundationalist model of rationality as opposed to the discredited foundationalist model and the, for him equally unacceptable, antifoundationalist model of rationality. In this article it is argued that the two basic epistemic values of Van Huyssteen's model, viz. the pursuit of intelligibility and the concept of critical realism, tie in with his opposition to foundationalism and antifoundationalism. He uses the concept of intelligibility to distance himself from a foundationalist approach, and then he utilizes the concept of critical realism to safeguard himself from antifoundationalism. The factor which ties these two values together is the notion of progress in science. In this article it is argued that Van Huyssteen’s model does not really succeed in transcending the foundationalism-antifoundationalism tension with a radically new alternative, the main reason for this being that a pragmatic idea of progress in science cannot succeed in integrally connecting the epistemic values of intelligibility and realism

Radical Orthodoxy - Panel discussion between Profs Graham Ward, John Milbank, Danie Goosen and Dr Jaco Kruger

No Abstrac

Hoe meer kompleks, hoe meer wetenskap? ’n Interaksie met “The complexity of science” deur X

Does more complexity imply more science?Reflection on the article by X allows for appreciative as well as critical remarks. The main gist of the re(inter)action may be formulated as follows: yes, science is a complex phenomenon and as such may follow the behaviour of complex systems in general. But in what way does the complexity of science distinguish it from other equally complex human activities? The underlying problem is one of setting boundaries. We have reservations that the boundaries of science may in one sense be defined too narrowly, and in another sense again be made too encompassing. By making complexity the identifying characteristic of science, we lose sight of other important aspects contributing to the identity of science such as the presence of appropriate method, and a critical/responsible thought altitude. In that sense it is too narrow a definition of science. On the other hand science as (a selforganising rational) complex system is m danger of being regarded as autonomous, thereby stretching its boundaries too far. With regard to that we emphasize that science is continually m interaction with intra- and extra-scientific "systems”. Furthermore, science does not exist solely for its own sake. Guided by the principles of caritas and sapientia, it ought to further the establishment of shalom in society

Singing Psalms with owls: a Venda twentieth century musical history

World historiography of the second half of the twentieth century has been marked by the expansion of historical subject matter. Bundy (1991:94-95) notes of American historiography that “new methodologies, new sources of evidence, new themes and concepts have not only transformed existing specialist fields of enquiry but also called into being entirely new genres and sub-disciplinesâ€. South African historiography has lagged behind in this respect, and it is only in recent years that themes in social history have emerged. These include demography, the family, youth, old age, death, crime, leisure, health, education and law (Bundy 1991:100). Bundy (1991:99-100) furthermore notes that the study of these themes has not yet been taken far, while “entire areas of the past remain blankâ€. While artistic cultural forms like literature, orature, graphic and plastic art, theatre, dance and music are receiving increasing historical attention, they too still have to enter mainstream historiography. Furthermore, within the domain of these artistic forms, musical perspectives in particular are inadequately represented in historical reconstruction

Singing Psalms with owls: A Venda 20th century musical history part two: tshikona, beer songs and personal songs

The three categories of Venda music discussed here are tshikona (the bamboo pipe dance), beer songs (malende, jive) and personal songs. As I indicate in part One of this essay, tshikona is useful for the construction of a musical history because its performance is intimately associated with traditional politics. By contrast, beer songs do not feature directly in politics. However, they not only comprise the largest category of adult music, they also have more elaborate texts than Venda music forms such as tshikona or tshigombela

A cultural analysis of Venda guitar songs

This thesis focuses on the articulation in music of human worldviews, and the social contexts in which they emerge. It suggests that people project various forms of social reality through symbolic systems which operate dynamically to maintain and recreate cultural patterns. The symbolic system investigated in support of this suggestion is that constituted by Venda guitar songs. In the performance of these songs, social reality emerges in a combination of symbolic forms: verbal, musical and somatic. The combination of these symbolic forms serves as a medium for individual self-awareness basic to the establishment of social reality and identity, and the drive for social power and legitimacy. A study of these symbolic forms and their performance indicates that musicians invoke the potential of communal music to increase social support for certain principles on which survival strategies in a turbulently changing society might be based. The discourse of Venda guitar songs incorporates modes of popular expression and consciousness, and thus attempts to invoke states of intensified emotion to promote these survival strategies. Performance occasions emerge as a focus for community orientation and the exploration of social networks. They promote stabilizing social and economic interaction, and serve as a basis for moral and cooperative action. Social reality also emerges in musical style, which is treated as the audible articulation of human thought and emotion. Stylistic choices are treated as integral to the conceptualization of contemporary existence. A study of these choices reveals varying degrees of cultural resistance and assimilation, ranging from musical styles which are essentially rooted in traditional social patterns, to styles which integrate traditional and adopted musical elements as articulations of changing self-perceptions, social aspirations, and quests for new social identity

Bursaphelenchus suri n. sp. : a second Bursaphelenchus syconial parasite of figs supports adaptive radiation among section Sycomorus figs

The nematode genus Bursaphelenchus is a highly divergent group. This genus mainly consists of mycophagous entomophilic species, but some species have specialized as obligate or facultative plant parasites, facultative insect parasites, or exhibit feeding dimorphism (phenotypic plasticity) leading to mycophagous and predatory forms. In the present study, a new Bursaphelenchus species, B. suri n. sp. was isolated from fresh syconia (figs) of Ficus sur and is described and illustrated based on its typological characters and molecular phylogenetic status. The new species is characterized by its highly derived feeding structures found in obligate plant parasites, lip possessing a labial disc and a long and thick stylet with a long conus and extremely well-developed basal swellings. In addition, slender body of both sexes is characteristic of the species. The new species is phylogenetically and typologically closely related to B. sycophilus, i.e., these two species share the characteristic feeding structures and form a well-supported clade within the B. fungivorus group in the genus. Biologically, these two species are both isolated from fresh figs of the section Sycomorus. However, the new species differs from B. sycophilus by the length of the female post-uterine sac and the shape of the male spicule, i.e., the new species has a long post-uterine sac and spicule condylus without dorsal recurvature. Thus, the new species is the second obligate fig parasite of the genus, and the evolutionary relationship between the B. suri n. sp. and B. sycophilus clade and section Sycomorus figs is hypothesized as an example of adaptive radiation with more species to be discovered.SUPPORTING INFORMATION : S1 Text. Typological description of Bursaphelenchus suri n. sp. in traditional telegraphic style.The National Research Foundation of South Africa and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.http://www.plosone.orgdm2022BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog

Molecular diversity and relationships of fig associated nematodes from South Africa

Nematodes of figs and fig wasps have received limited attention in Africa since their discovery in 1973. Sixteen of the 25 species of native South African figs were sampled for nematode associates using molecular barcoding with three loci (SSU, LSU D2-D3 and mtCOI) and fourteen (93%) were positive for at least one nematode species. Thirty-three putative species of nematodes were identified and classified according to the loci that were amplified and successfully sequenced. Fourteen putative nematode species were classified as Aphelenchoididae, of which nine were identified as Ficophagus from four species of Ficus from the section Galoglychia (i.e., five ex F. burkei including one shared with F. natalensis, one ex F. glumosa, one ex F. lutea, and one ex F. stuhlmannii) and one species ex F. sur from the section Sycomorus. In addition, there were four nematode species classified as Schistonchus s.s. from section Galoglychia figs (i.e., one ex F. burkei, two ex F. trichopoda, and one ex F. glumosa). There was also one species of Bursaphelenchus nematode recovered from F. sur from the section Sycomorus. Sixteen putative nematode species were classified as Diplogastridae, of which eight occurred in two clades of what is currently called Parasitodiplogaster with one (P. salicifoliae) being recovered from two Ficus species in the section Urostigma (F. salicifolia and F. ingens) and seven diplogastrids being associated with six species of Ficus from the section Galoglychia (i.e., two ex F. burkei including P. sycophilon, one ex F. stuhlmannii, one ex F. burtt-davyi, one ex F. trichopoda, one ex F. abutilifolia and one ex F. sansibarica). Three Acrostichus spp., a Teratodiplogaster and a Pristionchus species were recovered from F. sur and two Teratodiplogaster spp. and Pristionchus sycomori were recovered from F. sycomorus with both Ficus species belonging to the subgenus and section Sycomorus. The identities of the previously described T. martini and Parasitodiplogaster doliostoma (= Pristionchus sp. 35) are discussed. Lastly, there was a panagrolaimid identified from F. petersii.The National Research Foundation of South Africa and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.http://www.plosone.orgpm2022BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog

Christian hermeneutics in South Africa

Hermeneutics remains a divisive and polarizing topic within scholarly and ecclesiastical communities in South Africa. These tensions are not limited to theoretical differences but often crystallize on a grassroots level when local churches and church assemblies have to make important decisions on controversial ethical topics such as ordaining women in church offices, assessing the ethics of gay marriages, and taking a stance on the land debate in South Africa. This book makes a unique contribution in two ways: firstly, it focuses on the uniquely South African hermeneutical landscape; secondly, it relates theories to practical ethical application. The unique scholarly contribution of this consists in it relating hermeneutics to ethics within the South African landscape. A diverse group of scholars have been invited to partake in the project and the views expressed are often quite diverse. This allows readers to develop an understanding and sensitivity of the various angles employed and the interests at stake in addressing difficult societal problems