Criticism of Society? Notes on Luhmann and Foucault

Der Aufsatz beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, wie (Gesellschafts-)Kritik nach der Entdeckung der Kontingenz normativer Prämissen noch möglich ist. Die Ausgangsbeobachtung rekurriert auf Mannheim und dessen wissenssoziologische Einsicht, dass das jeweilige Denken (und mithin auch das eigene) abhängig ist von bestimmten historisch-sozialen Bedingungen. Damit werden die jeweiligen Geltungs- und letztendlichen Wahrheitsansprüche unterlaufen. Kritikkonzepte, die nicht hinter diese Einsicht zurückfallen wollen, müssen dem entsprechend die Kontingenz des eigenen Denkens einrechnen. Zwei Möglichkeiten einer solchen Kritik werden anhand der Konzeptualisierungen von Niklas Luhmann und Michel Foucault ausgeführt. Vor dem Hintergrund der jeweiligen Fassung von Aufklärung - an der beide als Konzept festhalten - wird gezeigt, dass Kritik bei Luhmann nicht mehr als Suche nach der anderen Gesellschaft, sondern - als Voraussetzung für eine 'abgeklärte Aufklärung' - als Aufmerksamkeitsverschiebung innerhalb der Gesellschaft gedacht ist. Bei Foucault dagegen wird Kritik - als Vollzug seines aufklärerischen Programms - als permanente experimentelle Alternierung von Denkmöglichkeiten konzipiert. Bei beiden zeigt sich als Konsequenz der Theorieanlage, welche die Einsicht in die Kontingenz des eigenen Denkens einrechnet, dass (kritische) Theorien nicht mehr über sich selbst entscheiden.The aim of this essay is to discuss in what way criticism (of society) is possible after the discovery of the contingency of normative premises. Its point of departure is the insight of Mannheim's Sociology of Knowledge that all thought (each author's own included) depends on specific historical and social conditions. In this respect all claims of validity and truth are undermined. Accordingly, if concepts of criticism are not to fall back behind this insight, they have to be considered under the aspect of their own contingency. Two possibilities of such criticism are discussed on the base of conceptualizations of Niklas Luhmann and of Michel Foucault. Against the background of these two versions of enlightenment, a concept which they both accept, it is shown that for Luhmann criticism no longer means a search for the other society but - as a precondition for "abgeklärte Aufklärung" ["clarified enlightenment"] - is conceived of as a shift of attention within society. In contrast, Foucault's criticism - as the performance of his program of enlightenment - is conceptualized as a permanently experimental alteration of possibilities of thinking. As a consequence of both theoretical conditions, which integrate contingency in their concepts, it becomes obvious that (critical) theories can no longer about themselves

Six-Dimensional Quantum Dynamics of Adsorption and Desorption of H_2 at Pd(100): No Need for a Molecular Precursor Adsorption State

We report six-dimensional quantum dynamical calculations of dissociative adsorption and associative desorption of the system H_2/Pd(100) using an ab-initio potential energy surface. We focus on rotational effects in the steering mechanism, which is responsible for the initial decrease of the sticking probability with kinetic energy. In addition, steric effects are briefly discussed.Comment: RevTeX, 11 pages, 4 figure

Biological Reconstruction of Localized Full-Thickness Cartilage Defects of the Knee: A Systematic Review of Level 1 Studies with a Minimum Follow-Up of 5 Years

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the best available mid- to long-term evidence of surgical procedures for the treatment of localized full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee. Design Systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines of Level 1 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), meta-analyses of RCTs and systematic reviews with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Data extracted included patient demographics, defect characteristics, clinical and radiological outcomes, as well as treatment failures. Results Six RCTs and 3 Level 1 systematic reviews were included. Two RCTs compared microfracture (MFx) to periosteum-covered autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI-P), 1 to matrix-associated ACI (M-ACI) and 2 to osteochondral autograft transplantation (OAT). One study compared OAT to collagen membrane covered ACI (ACI-C). The 3 Level 1 systematic reviews/meta-analyses assessed the outcome of MFx, OAT, and various ACI methods in RCTs. OAT showed significantly better outcomes compared with MFx. In the 2 RCTs comparing ACI-P and MFx, no significant differences in clinical outcomes were seen, whereas significantly better outcomes were reported for M-ACI versus MFx in 1 study including patients with larger defects (5 cm2), and for ACI-C versus OAT in terms of Cincinnati Score. Higher failure rates were reported for MFx compared with OAT and for OAT compared with ACI-C, while no significant differences in failure rates were observed for ACI-P compared to MFx. Conclusion Restorative cartilage procedures (ACI-C or M-ACI and OAT) are associated with better long-term clinical outcomes including lower complication and failure rates when compared with reparative techniques (MFx). Among the restorative procedures, OAT seems to be inferior to ACI especially in larger defects after longer follow-up periods. Level of evidence: Level I: Systematic review of Level I studie

Time series of high resolution photospheric spectra in a quiet region of the Sun. I. Analysis of global and spatial variations of line parameters

A 50 min time series of one-dimensional slit-spectrograms, taken in quiet sun at disk center, observed at the German Vacuum Tower Telescope (Observatorio del Teide), was used to study the global and spatial variations of different line parameters. In order to determine the vertical structure of the photosphere two lines with well separated formation heights have been considered. The data have been filtered of p-modes to isolate the pure convective phenomenon. From our studies of global correlation coefficients and coherence and phase shift analyzes between the several line parameters, the following results can be reported. The convective velocity pattern preserves structures larger than 1.0" up to the highest layers of the photosphere (~ 435 km). However, at these layers, in the intensity pattern only structures larger than 2.0" are still connected with those at the continuum level although showing inverted brightness contrast. This confirms an inversion of temperature that we have found at a height of ~140 km. A possible evidence of gravity waves superimposed to the convective motions is derived from the phase shift analysis. We interpret the behavior of the full width at half maximum and the equivalent width as a function of the distance to the granular borders, as a consequence of enhanced turbulence and/or strong velocity gradients in the intergranular lanes.Comment: 16 pages, 15 figures, 5 tables; Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 408, p.363-378, 200

Ocean bottom pressure variability: Which part can be reliably modeled?

Ocean bottom pressure (OBP) variability serves as a proxy of ocean mass variability. A question how well it can modeled by the present general ocean circulation models on time scales of 1 day and more is addressed. It is shown that the models simulate consistent patterns of bottom pressure variability on monthly and longer scales except for areas with high mesoscale eddy activity, where high resolution is needed. The simulated variability is compared to a new data set from an array of PIES (Pressure-Inverted Echo Sounder) gauges deployed along a transect in the Southern Ocean. We show that while the STD of monthly averaged variability agrees well with observations except for the locations with high eddy activity, models lose a significant part of variability on shorter time scales. Furthermore, despite good agreement in the amplitude of variability, the OBP from the PIES and simulation show almost no correlation. Our findings point to limitations in geophysical background models required for space geodetic applications. We argue that major improvements in OBP modelling require data assimilation in order to increase the coherence between modelled and observed signals

Bioaccumulation in aquatic systems: methodological approaches, monitoring and assessment

Bioaccumulation, the accumulation of a chemical in an organism relative to its level in the ambient medium, is of major environmental concern. Thus, monitoring chemical concentrations in biota are widely and increasingly used for assessing the chemical status of aquatic ecosystems. In this paper, various scientific and regulatory aspects of bioaccumulation in aquatic systems and the relevant critical issues are discussed. Monitoring chemical concentrations in biota can be used for compliance checking with regulatory directives, for identification of chemical sources or event related environmental risk assessment. Assessing bioaccumulation in the field is challenging since many factors have to be considered that can effect the accumulation of a chemical in an organism. Passive sampling can complement biota monitoring since samplers with standardised partition properties can be used over a wide temporal and geographical range. Bioaccumulation is also assessed for regulation of chemicals of environmental concern whereby mainly data from laboratory studies on fish bioaccumulation are used. Field data can, however, provide additional important information for regulators. Strategies for bioaccumulation assessment still need to be harmonised for different regulations and groups of chemicals. To create awareness for critical issues and to mutually benefit from technical expertise and scientific findings, communication between risk assessment and monitoring communities needs to be improved. Scientists can support the establishment of new monitoring programs for bioaccumulation, e.g. in the frame of the amended European Environmental Quality Standard Directive