108 research outputs found
Plotinus on Freedom, Creativity and the One
In this paper I want to show the import and the centrality of Freedom as Creativity in the philosophy of Plotinus. I will only say a little about Freedom\u27s cardinal role and centrality in his thought, as I defend that position at length in my forthcoming book on the topic (and on Enneads 6.8). Instead, I will show the link between Freedom and Creativity in Section 1, then speak of Creativity as a human good and ideal when understood in the Plotinian sense, touching also upon the light it sheds on general problem of philosophy (Section 2); and finally, of cosmic creativity and the parallels between Plotinus’ thought on the topic and some areas of the new physics (Section 3).
Plotinus speaks of Freedom primarily in Enneads 6.8. the treatise on Free Will of the One. According to the Plotinian Concordance, there are only another few passages, throughout the Enneads. where Plotinus discusses freedom directly. None of these other instances contradicts the main doctrine outlined in 6.8, and the latter is perfectly consistent with the rest of the Enneads as a whole. It is clear that I can only affirm this at this time, and not defend my contention as I have done elsewhere, with copious textual evidence. At any rate, the importance of this treatise (i.e. Enneads 6.8.) cannot be overemphasized. I have also learned a great deal about Plotinus’ thought in this regard from the late Fr. Vincenzo Cilento. particularly from some of the articles in the collected papers, titled Saggi su Plotino
Collective Human Rights: Public Health V. Structural And Ecological Violence (The Example Of Ecuador V. Colombia)
Public health and safety are not simply the aggregate of each individual\u27s interest in health and safety .... Public health and safety are community or group interests
Public health in the face of global ecological and climate change
Research undertaken by members of the International Association of Ecology and Health (IAEH) makes critical linkages between population health and the dynamics of ecosystem damage and climate change. The preservation of human health is indissolubly linked to the health of the environment. The International Ecohealth Forum (2008) helped position the field of ecohealth as a key international advocate for this idea. This book chapter is a call for action from the Forum’s deliberations, advocating global adoption of the ecohealth movement
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Challenges in quantifying changes in the global water cycle
Human influences have likely already impacted the large-scale water cycle but natural variability and observational uncertainty are substantial. It is essential to maintain and improve observational capabilities to better characterize changes. Understanding observed changes to the global water cycle is key to predicting future climate changes and their impacts. While many datasets document crucial variables such as precipitation, ocean salinity, runoff, and humidity, most are uncertain for determining long-term changes. In situ networks provide long time-series over land but are sparse in many regions, particularly the tropics. Satellite and reanalysis datasets provide global coverage, but their long-term stability is lacking. However, comparisons of changes among related variables can give insights into the robustness of observed changes. For example, ocean salinity, interpreted with an understanding of ocean processes, can help cross-validate precipitation. Observational evidence for human influences on the water cycle is emerging, but uncertainties resulting from internal variability and observational errors are too large to determine whether the observed and simulated changes are consistent. Improvements to the in situ and satellite observing networks that monitor the changing water cycle are required, yet continued data coverage is threatened by funding reductions. Uncertainty both in the role of anthropogenic aerosols, and due to large climate variability presently limits confidence in attribution of observed changes
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