Leo Strauss's Recovery of the Political: The City and Man as a reply to Carl Schmitt's The Concept of the Political

This dissertation demonstrates that Leo Strauss, in The City and Man, continues his response to Carl Schmitt�s arguments concerning the affirmation of the political, as outlined by Strauss in his 1932 article on Schmitt�s The Concept of the Political. In affirming the political, Strauss spoke of the 'theologico-political problem', or the question regarding who, or what, should rule society. Strauss outlines six criteria in his 1932 'Comments', which he argues can be found in Schmitt�s The Concept of the Political, as essential for the recovery of the political. In raising the question of the political, both Schmitt and Strauss return to the fundamental question regarding how one should live. In so doing, Strauss rejects Schmitt�s reliance on conflicting faiths and returns to the Socratic description of the best regime (politeia), understood as the best way of life, that is devoted to contemplation, peace and justice. In his argument in The City and Man, Strauss satisfies the six criteria outlined in his 'Comments': (1) the acceptance of moral evil within human nature; (2) the problem of opposition among groups; (3) the possibility of a non-neutral, transprivate obligation; (4) the need for a content that determines the distinction between friend and enemy; (5) a content that leads to a quarrel over the question of 'what is Right?' and (6) that the political must address 'the order of human things from a pure and whole knowledge'. This thesis demonstrates that Strauss�s 1964 book, The City and Man, indirectly addresses Schmitt�s general criteria, using an interpretation of Thucydides�s, Aristotle�s and Plato�s best regime � which is linked to the pursuit of wisdom, or the philosophic life � to provide a transpolitical standard that opposes Schmitt�s insistence on 'concrete' experience, that relies on historical destiny, and faith, as the guide to political life

The Artist-Shaman and the \"Gift of Sight\"

Throughout the history of art the role of the artist has been compared to the role of the shaman. This is because the artist’s role has always been one of mediator, transformer and most prominently visionary. The role of both the artist and shaman has always been to stand between two worlds: that of the visible and the invisible. The viewers, or the community in the case of the shaman, entrust the artist to go forth into the realm of the invisible and return with a gift: the invisible transformed into the visible. Traditionally, many artists associated with shamanism such as Joseph Beuys, Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington and later Matthew Barney, have been leaders, idealists, heroes of mythic proportions, artists who return with this gift: a vision or sight to follow. But a different breed of artist associated with shamanism also exists: an ambivalent artist-shaman, a shifty and unreliable character of dubious motivations, who appears to offer the viewer a vision or sight and then throws it back in their face, makes them decide. This is the role that Hany Armanious, John Bock, Carla Cescon, Marcus Coates, Mikala Dwyer, Steinar Haga Kristensen, Jonathan Meese, Paul Thek, Justene Williams and myself have taken. And we take it so as to return to the viewer the very power that is invested in the artist, that of creating a vision: what Rex Butler refers to in relation to Hany Armanious as the “gift of sight.” (Butler 2000). These artists and myself offer the “gift of sight” by reflecting the act of perception and by engaging the viewer in the same process that the artist goes through. The way we do this is by setting up complex, multi-positional, process-based systems that are highly informed and engaging but do not lead to an end position. Because the artist does not presume to idealise this end position, the result is inevitably confusing, slippery, uncertain, and ambivalent, as if the artist has no position or avoids commitment. This thesis sets out to inves! tigate t his ambivalent position taken by the artist-shaman and to show how and why it is taken. It does this in two ways. Firstly it provides a studio component as a practical example of the practice of an artist-shaman who offers the “gift of sight.” Secondly, the written dissertation provides a theory and understanding of the artist-shaman who offers the “gift of sight.” This may then be applied to the practical component, offering a historical and philosophical context with which to frame it

Clinical trials: Randomization, completeness of data and restoration longevity.

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Does incomplete caries removal increase restoration failure? Response.

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Risk Factors for Dental Restoration Survival: A Practice-Based Study

To improve patient dental care, it is necessary to identify possible risk factors for the failing of restorations. This practice-based cohort study investigated the performance and influence of possible risk factors at the level of the practice, patient, tooth, and restoration on survival of direct class II restorations. Electronic patient files from 11 Dutch general practices were collected, and 31,472 restorations placed between January 2015 and October 2017 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier statistics were performed; annual failure rates (AFRs) were calculated; and variables were assessed by multivariable Cox regression analysis. The observation time of restorations varied from 0 to 2.7 y, resulting in a mean AFR of 7.8% at 2 y. However, wide variation in AFRs existed among the operators, varying between 3.6% and 11.4%. A wide range of patient-related variables is related to a high risk for reintervention: patient age (elderly: hazard ratio [HR], 1.372), general health (medically compromised: HR, 1.478), periodontal status (periodontal problems: HR, 1.207), caries risk and risk for parafunctional habits (high: HR, 1.687), restorations in molar teeth (HR, 1.383), restorations placed in endodontically treated teeth (HR, 1.890), and multisurface restorations (>/=4 surfaces: HR, 1.345). Restorations placed due to fracture were more prone to fail than restorations placed due to caries. When patient-related risk factors were excluded, remaining risk factors considerably changed in their effect and significance: the effect of operator, age of the patient, and endodontic treatment increased; the effect of the diagnosis decreased; and the socioeconomic status became significant (high: HR, 0.873). This study demonstrated that a wide variation of risk factors on the practice, patient, and tooth levels influences the survival of class II restorations. To provide personalized dental care, it is important to identify and record potential risk factors. Therefore, we recommend further clinical studies to include these patient risk factors in data collection and analysis

Effect of thickness of bonded composite resin on compressive strength

Contains fulltext : 137888.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the compressive strength of composites with different physical properties bonded as a restoration to dentin in layers of varying thicknesses. METHODS: Four types of direct composite materials: a midway-filled (Tetric EvoCeram); a compact-filled (Clearfil AP-X); a nano-filled (Filtek Supreme); and a micro-filled material (Heliomolar) were bonded in 0.5-3.0mm thick layers onto bovine dentin. Each material group contained 25 samples, which were loaded until fracture. RESULTS: The nano-filled and the compact filled material showed a significant association between layer thickness and compressive strength. The midway-filled composite was the most consistent material showing similar failure load over the complete thickness range. CONCLUSION: A clear influence of layer thickness on compressive strength was found in some composite resin materials. When restorations are placed that are heavily loaded, such as in patients with severe wear due to bruxism it may be advisable to choose a material that is adequately strong in all thicknesses

Longevity of posterior composite restorations: not only a matter of materials

Item does not contain fulltextResin composites have become the first choice for direct posterior restorations and are increasingly popular among clinicians and patients. Meanwhile, a number of clinical reports in the literature have discussed the durability of these restorations over long periods. In this review, we have searched the dental literature looking for clinical trials investigating posterior composite restorations over periods of at least 5 years of follow-up published between 1996 and 2011. The search resulted in 34 selected studies. 90% of the clinical studies indicated that annual failure rates between 1% and 3% can be achieved with Class I and II posterior composite restorations depending on several factors such as tooth type and location, operator, and socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral elements. The material properties showed a minor effect on longevity. The main reasons for failure in the long term are secondary caries, related to the individual caries risk, and fracture, related to the presence of a lining or the strength of the material used as well as patient factors such as bruxism. Repair is a viable alternative to replacement, and it can increase significantly the lifetime of restorations. As observed in the literature reviewed, a long survival rate for posterior composite restorations can be expected provided that patient, operator and materials factors are taken into account when the restorations are performed

Behavior of failed bonded interfaces under in vitro cariogenic challenge

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study aimed to compare dentin wall caries development at different composite-dentin interfaces. METHODS: Dentin samples (10.4mm(2)) were restored with composite resin using two adhesive systems (etch-and-rinse and self-etch techniques). Different composite-dentin interfaces with gaps were produced: (a) failed bonded, which were fractured at interface after being submitted to aging protocols (no aging, mechanical loading or water storage); (b) non-bonded interfaces, both without any adhesive material or with adhesive material applied only on the dentin. Adhesively fractured and non-bonded samples were subjected to a lactic acid gel (pH=5) caries model with a continuous opening/closing movement of the interfacial gap for 10 days. Transverse wavelength-independent microradiographs were taken, and lesion depth and mineral loss were measured. Data were analyzed with linear mixed-effects regression models. RESULTS: Caries development differed among the composite-dentin interfaces (p<0.001). The non-bonded interface with adhesive material on the dentin showed less lesion depth than the failed bonded groups, while the non-bonded interface without adhesive on dentin showed the deepest wall lesions. Difference between the adhesive systems was observed only in the non-bonded groups (p=0.003), with the self-etch adhesive applied on the dentin showing more severe lesions. Samples broken after mechanical loading aging showed deeper lesions than those broken after water storage (p<0.001). SIGNIFICANCE: Composite-dentin interfaces failed after aging presented different demineralization from interfaces that were never bonded, indicating that the restorative treatment changes the tissue in a way relevant to secondary caries development

Failed bonded interfaces submitted to microcosm biofilm caries development

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the dentin wall carious lesion development of different composite-dentin interfaces in the presence of two adhesive bonding materials in the gaps, using a microcosm biofilm model. Methods: Dentin samples were prepared (10.4 mm2) and restored with a composite resin using two adhesive systems (etch-and-rinse and self-etch techniques). Different conditions with respect to composite-dentin interfaces were produced with a 200 μm gap: failed bonded without ageing or after mechanical ageing, or non-bonded with or without the presence of adhesive material on the dentin wall. For cariogenic challenge, specimens were subjected to a biofilm microcosm model for 14 days to create caries-like wall lesions. Before and after caries development, transverse wavelength-independent microradiography images were taken, and lesion depth and mineral loss were measured. Data were analysed with linear regression models (p 0.05). Conclusion: Different composite-dentin interfaces influence wall lesion development in gaps, with the interfaces submitted to ageing showing less carious protection than those interfaces with the presence of adhesive covering the dentin. Clinical significance: The presence of adhesive bonding material in the gaps plays a role on the wall caries lesion development

Crown vs. composite for post-retained restorations: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: This randomized clinical trial compared the survival of composite resin restorations and metal-ceramic crowns on endodontically treated teeth that received a glass fiber post using 2 different cementation methods. METHODS: Forty-seven patients (age 42.5+/-11.5) with fifty-seven endodontically treated teeth with extensive coronal damage but always with one intact surface were randomly allocated according to the type of coronal restoration: metal-ceramic crown or composite resin. In case of crown restoration, a core buildup was performed with microhybrid composite resin. The dentin bonding agent and composite resin used were the same for both direct and indirect restorations. Descriptive analysis was performed using FDI clinical criteria and survival of restorations/teeth analyzed using Kaplan-Meier statistics and log-rank tests. Results : 57 restorations (30 composite resin and 27 crowns) were made in 47 patients. The recall rate was 100% and follow up time ranged between 1 and 5 years. One tooth was extracted 11 months post-restoration due to root fracture (composite group). Eight composite restorations and one crown had reparable failures, all due to secondary caries or restoration fracture. The overall annual failure rate (AFR) was 0.92% after 50 months for success of the restorations, with 1.83% for the composite group and 0.26% for the metal-ceramic crown group. The log-rank test showed no difference for survival according to the type of restoration (p=0.344). However, for success rates, metal-ceramic crowns demonstrated better performance (p=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Indirect restorations provided higher acceptable clinical performance and lower need for re-intervention, but both types of restorations presented good survival rates. (NCT01461239). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: When endodontically treated teeth with at least one intact surface must be restored, composite resin restorations and metal-ceramic crows are acceptable alternatives to achieve good survival and success rates