Entre ciência e magia: o caso de Schopenhauer

A philosophical reflection about the phenomenology represented by magic and extraordinary mental powers should involve a consideration about the history of philosophy, in particular of those philosophers who were acquainted with the paranormal and investigated into it. The present paper proposes a reading of Schopenhauer’s investigation into paranormal phenomena which involves three aspects: an analysis of the argumentative strategies proposed by Schopenhauer; a contextualization of Schopenhauer’s treatment of magic and spiritism; a tentative interpretation of that treatment as a link between the traditional interpretation of the paranormal and the new scientific approach by the psychic research of the late 19th century.Uma reflexão filosófica sobre a fenomenologia representada pela magia e pelos poderes mentais extraordinários deveria envolver uma consideração sobre a história da filosofia, em particular sobre os filósofos que estavam familiarizados com o paranormal e que investigaram sobre ele. O presente trabalho propõe uma leitura sobre a investigação de Schopenhauer acerca dos fenômenos paranormais a qual envolve três aspectos: uma análise das estratégias argumentativas propostas por Schopenhauer; uma contextualização do tratamento dado por Schopenhauer à magia e ao espiritismo; uma tentativa de interpretação desse tratamento como um vínculo entre a interpretação tradicional do paranormal e a nova abordagem científica através da pesquisa psíquica do final do século XIX

Alfred Wegener et la dérive des continents

Avec son article fondateur sur « la dérive des continents » (1912), Wegener s’attaquait à la théorie de la « contraction » (la croûte terrestre se serait plissée par refroidissement – ce qui aurait créé les montagnes). Surtout, il assemblait sur tapis vert un certain nombre de faits éparpillés dans diverses branches scientifiques (géologie, paléontologie, climatologie notamment). Il constate l’existence de deux niveaux principaux de la surface terrestre : la croûte continentale à +100m au-dessus du niveau de la mer, et la croûte océanique, à -4700m. Il mentionne des biogéographes qui ont postulé la possibilité « d’échanges de formes de vie » entre l’Amérique du Sud et l’Afrique, au Mésozoïque (-250 à -60 Ma) ; il mentionne les âges glaciaires communs à ces deux continents, au cours des ères permo-carbonifère (-350 à -250 Ma), et les fossiles glaciaires communs effectivement découverts. Il postule, en outre, la permanence du mouvement de dérive des continents, dont la place n’est pas fixée de manière permanente. Sa théorie de dérive des continents mettra du temps à être acceptée, notamment en raison de l’absence d’une idée de forces géophysiques sous-jacentes pouvant expliquer cette dérive. À partir des années 1960, la théorie de la tectonique des plaques viendra combler cette lacune et confirmer l’hypothèse de Wegener. Les plaques continentales s’éloignent à partir des rifts (amincissements des croûtes) – Wegener avait émis l’idée de cette dérive à partir des rifts. Elles se heurtent (dans les zones de subduction), provoquant la formation des montagnes, les tremblements de terre ou le volcanisme. De nos jours, la dérive des continents est aussi mesurée expérimentalement par les satellites GPS : ainsi le Groenland et l’Amérique du Nord s’éloignent-ils vers l’Ouest, et l’Europe vers l’Est.Marco Segala est professeur d’histoire de la philosophie au Département de sciences humaines de l’Université de L’Aquila (Italie). Ancien élève de la Scuola Normale Superiore de Pise, docteur en philosophie de l’Université de Florence. Il a été boursier Humboldt à Francfort, boursier CNRS au Centre de recherche en histoire des sciences et des techniques (Paris, Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie), boursier « Marie Curie » à l’Institut des Textes et Manuscrits (CNRS-ENS, Paris). Ses domaines de recherche sont : histoire et philosophie des sciences (XIXe et XXe siècle) ; histoire de la philosophie allemande au XIXe siècle ; relations entre philosophie et sciences (France, Allemagne, Italie, XIXe et XXe siècles) ; philosophie et musique (Allemagne, XIXe siècle) ; humanités numériques (projets de numérisation de textes et manuscrits de Schopenhauer et d’Ampère)

Filosofar sem metafísica? Dos "Suplementos" aos "Parerga"

Un’interpretazione diffusa tra gli studiosi è che, nelle opere della maturità (Supplementi e Parerga), Schopenhauer abbia ridotto il suo impegno a sostenere il sistema metafisico, così come esposto nel Mondo come volontà e rappresentazione, in favore di una filosofia rivolta principalmente alla fenomenicità. Ne sarebbe derivata una filosofia meno aporetica e più attraente per i lettori non accademici, che infatti premiarono con il successo la sua opera più matura (Parerga e Paralipomena). Il presente saggio, invece, intende mostrare come il tema metafisico e l’approccio sistematico non vengano mai meno in Schopenhauer. Non si tratta di un filosofare senza metafisica ma di una riflessione sempre più attenta sia alla complessità del mondo (naturale e umano) sia alla crescente importanza e autonomia della conoscenza scientifica in relazione all’indagine filosofica. Proprio il sempre più stretto dialogo con le scienze, infatti, indusse Schopenhauer a rimodulare il sistema e il discorso metafisico in un filosofare innovativo, rispetto alla tradizione classica postkantiana e alla sua propria impostazione del 1819, capace di attrarre intere generazioni di lettori.Uma interpretação disseminada entre os estudiosos afirma que nas obras de maturidade (Suplementos e Parerga) Schopenhauer teria reduzido seu empenho em sustentar o sistema metafísico, tal como exposto em O mundo como vontade e representação, em favor de uma filosofia voltada principalmente à fenomenalidade. Isso resultaria em uma filosofia menos aporética e mais atraente para os leitores não acadêmicos, que, de fato, premiaram com o sucesso a sua obra madura (Parerga e Paralipomena). O presente ensaio procura mostrar que, pelo contrário, o tema metafísico e a abordagem sistemática jamais são diminuídos em Schopenhauer. Não se trata de um filosofar sem metafísica, mas de uma reflexão cada vez mais atenta seja à complexidade do mundo (natural e humano) seja à crescente importância e autonomia do conhecimento científico em relação à investigação filosófica. E justamente o diálogo cada vez mais estreito com as ciências leva Schopenhauer a remodelar o sistema e o discurso metafísicos, em um filosofar inovador em relação à tradição clássica pós-kantiana e ao seu próprio posicionamento de 1819, capaz de atrair inteiras gerações de leitores

La genèse de la troisième édition de l’Exposition du système du monde

L’Exposition du système du monde, publié par Laplace en 1796, est l’un des ouvrages scientifiques les plus célèbres dans l’histoire des sciences. Il connaîtra cinq éditions et la troisième (1808), dont le manuscrit est conservé à l’Observatoire de Paris, introduit des nouveautés intéressantes, qui font l’objet d’une double analyse, historique et génétique. L’investigation génétique du manuscrit, avec ses pages riches de ratures et réécritures, permet de reconstruire le processus créatif qui a permis à Laplace de faire évoluer son ouvrage pendant les années qui suivent et d’en affirmer la nature de grand classique. L’approche génétique à la lecture de ce texte ouvre des perspectives nouvelles et enrichit les études menées par l’histoire des sciences.The Exposition du système du monde published by Laplace in 1796 is one of the most famous scientific works in the history of science. It was published five times and the third publication (in 1808), the manuscript of which is preserved in the Paris Observatory, introduces interesting new elements which will be the subject here of a twofold analysis, historic and genetic. The genetic investigation of this manuscript with its pages filled with deletions and rewritings, makes it possible to reconstruct the creative process which allowed Laplace to develop his work throughout the years and consolidate its quality as a great classic. The genetic approach in reading this text opens up new perspectives and enriches the studies performed by the history of science.La Exposición del sistema del mundo, que fue publicado por Laplace en 1796, es una de las obras científicas más célebres en la historia de las ciencias. Contó con cinco ediciones; la tercera (1808), cuyo manuscrito está depositado en el Observatorio de París, introduce novedades interesantes, que serán objeto de un doble análisis, histórico y genético. El estudio genético del manuscrito, con sus páginas plenas de tachaduras y reescrituras, permite reconstruir el proceso creativo que le permitió a Laplace hacer evolucionar su obra durante años, consolidando su naturaleza de gran clásico.L’Exposition du système du monde, pubblicata da Laplace nel 1796, è una delle opere scientifiche più celebri nella storia della scienza. Conoscerà cinque edizioni et la terza (1808), il cui manoscritto è conservato all’Observatoire di Parigi, introduce novità interessanti, che sono qui oggetto di una doppia analisi, storica e genetica. La ricerca genetica sul manoscritto, con le sue pagine ricche di cancellature e riscritture, permette di ricostruire il processo creativo che permise a Laplace di far evolvere la sua opera nel corso degli anni e di consolidarne la natura di grande classico. L’approccio genetico alla lettura di questo testo apre nuove prospettive e amplia la comprensione offerta dagli studi di storia della scienza.A Exposition du système du monde, publicada por Laplace em 1796, é um das obras científicas mais famosas na história da ciência. Das suas cinco edições, a terceira (1808) introduz novidades interessantes; o seu manuscrito, conservado no Observatório de Paris, é objecto de uma dupla análise, histórica e genética. A investigação genética consegue reconstruir, a partir de páginas ricas de supressões e reescritas, o processo criativo que permitiu a Laplace fazer evoluir a sua obra e consolidar a sua natureza de grande clássico. A abordagem genética abre perspectivas novas à leitura deste texto e enriquece os estudos de história da ciência

Proteasome system dysregulation and treatment resistance mechanisms in major depressive disorder

Several studies have demonstrated that allelic variants related to inflammation and the immune system may increase the risk for major depressive disorder (MDD) and reduce patient responsiveness to antidepressant treatment. Proteasomes are fundamental complexes that contribute to the regulation of T-cell function. Only one study has shown a putative role of proteasomal PSMA7, PSMD9 and PSMD13 genes in the susceptibility to an antidepressant response, and sparse data are available regarding the potential alterations in proteasome expression in psychiatric disorders such as MDD. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of these genes in the mechanisms underlying the response/resistance to MDD treatment. We performed a case-control association study on 621 MDD patients, of whom 390 were classified as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and we collected peripheral blood cells and fibroblasts for mRNA expression analyses. The analyses showed that subjects carrying the homozygous GG genotype of PSMD13 rs3817629 had a twofold greater risk of developing TRD and exhibited a lower PSMD13 mRNA level in fibroblasts than subjects carrying the A allele. In addition, we found a positive association between PSMD9 rs1043307 and the presence of anxiety disorders in comorbidity with MDD, although this result was not significant following correction for multiple comparisons. In conclusion, by confirming the involvement of PSMD13 in the MDD treatment response, our data corroborate the hypothesis that the dysregulation of the complex responsible for the degradation of intracellular proteins and potentially controlling autoimmunity- and immune tolerance–related processes may be involved in several phenotypes, including the TRD

Advanced liver disease outcomes after hepatitis C eradication by human immunodeficiency virus infection in PITER cohort

Liver disease progression after Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) eradication following direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in the real-life setting according to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) coinfection was evaluated

Performance of CMS muon reconstruction in pp collision events at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

The performance of muon reconstruction, identification, and triggering in CMS has been studied using 40 inverse picobarns of data collected in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV at the LHC in 2010. A few benchmark sets of selection criteria covering a wide range of physics analysis needs have been examined. For all considered selections, the efficiency to reconstruct and identify a muon with a transverse momentum pT larger than a few GeV is above 95% over the whole region of pseudorapidity covered by the CMS muon system, abs(eta) < 2.4, while the probability to misidentify a hadron as a muon is well below 1%. The efficiency to trigger on single muons with pT above a few GeV is higher than 90% over the full eta range, and typically substantially better. The overall momentum scale is measured to a precision of 0.2% with muons from Z decays. The transverse momentum resolution varies from 1% to 6% depending on pseudorapidity for muons with pT below 100 GeV and, using cosmic rays, it is shown to be better than 10% in the central region up to pT = 1 TeV. Observed distributions of all quantities are well reproduced by the Monte Carlo simulation.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Performance of CMS muon reconstruction in pp collision events at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

The performance of muon reconstruction, identification, and triggering in CMS has been studied using 40 inverse picobarns of data collected in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV at the LHC in 2010. A few benchmark sets of selection criteria covering a wide range of physics analysis needs have been examined. For all considered selections, the efficiency to reconstruct and identify a muon with a transverse momentum pT larger than a few GeV is above 95% over the whole region of pseudorapidity covered by the CMS muon system, abs(eta) < 2.4, while the probability to misidentify a hadron as a muon is well below 1%. The efficiency to trigger on single muons with pT above a few GeV is higher than 90% over the full eta range, and typically substantially better. The overall momentum scale is measured to a precision of 0.2% with muons from Z decays. The transverse momentum resolution varies from 1% to 6% depending on pseudorapidity for muons with pT below 100 GeV and, using cosmic rays, it is shown to be better than 10% in the central region up to pT = 1 TeV. Observed distributions of all quantities are well reproduced by the Monte Carlo simulation.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

X-ray emission from the Sombrero galaxy: discrete sources

We present a study of discrete X-ray sources in and around the bulge-dominated, massive Sa galaxy, Sombrero (M104), based on new and archival Chandra observations with a total exposure of ~200 ks. With a detection limit of L_X = 1E37 erg/s and a field of view covering a galactocentric radius of ~30 kpc (11.5 arcminute), 383 sources are detected. Cross-correlation with Spitler et al.'s catalogue of Sombrero globular clusters (GCs) identified from HST/ACS observations reveals 41 X-rays sources in GCs, presumably low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). We quantify the differential luminosity functions (LFs) for both the detected GC and field LMXBs, whose power-low indices (~1.1 for the GC-LF and ~1.6 for field-LF) are consistent with previous studies for elliptical galaxies. With precise sky positions of the GCs without a detected X-ray source, we further quantify, through a fluctuation analysis, the GC LF at fainter luminosities down to 1E35 erg/s. The derived index rules out a faint-end slope flatter than 1.1 at a 2 sigma significance, contrary to recent findings in several elliptical galaxies and the bulge of M31. On the other hand, the 2-6 keV unresolved emission places a tight constraint on the field LF, implying a flattened index of ~1.0 below 1E37 erg/s. We also detect 101 sources in the halo of Sombrero. The presence of these sources cannot be interpreted as galactic LMXBs whose spatial distribution empirically follows the starlight. Their number is also higher than the expected number of cosmic AGNs (52+/-11 [1 sigma]) whose surface density is constrained by deep X-ray surveys. We suggest that either the cosmic X-ray background is unusually high in the direction of Sombrero, or a distinct population of X-ray sources is present in the halo of Sombrero.Comment: 11 figures, 5 tables, ApJ in pres