34 research outputs found
Harm: The counterfactual comparative account, the omission and pre-emption problems, and well-being
The concept of âharmâ is ubiquitous in moral theorising, and yet remains poorly defined. Bradley suggests that the counterfactual comparative account of harm is the most plausible account currently available, but also argues that it is fatally flawed, since it falters on the omission and pre-emption problems. Hanna attempts to defend the counterfactual comparative account of harm against both problems. In this paper, I argue that Hannaâs defence fails. I also show how his defence highlights the fact that both the omission and the pre-emption problems have the same root cause â the inability of the counterfactual comparative account of harm to allow for our implicit considerations regarding well-being when assessing harm. While its purported neutrality with regard to substantive theories of well-being is one of the reasons that this account is considered to be the most plausible on offer, I will argue that this neutrality is illusory
Why Peirce matters : the symbol in Deaconâs symbolic species
The original publication is available at htt://www.sciencedirect.comIn ââWhy brains matter: an integrational perspective on The Symbolic Speciesââ Cowley (2002)
[Language Sciences 24, 73â95] suggests that Deacon pictures brains as being able to process words
qua tokens, which he identifies as the theoryâs Achillesâ heel. He goes on to argue that Deaconâs thesis
on the co-evolution of language and mind would benefit from an integrational approach. This paper
argues that Cowleyâs criticism relies on an invalid understanding of Deaconâs use the concept of
ââsymbolic referenceââ, which he appropriates from Peirceâs semiotic. Peirceâs analysis as well as Deaconâs
appropriation will be examined in detail. Consequently it will be argued that an integrationist
reading would add very little to Deaconâs core thesis.Publishers' Versio
Complexity and the self
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis it is argued that the age-old philosophical "Problem of the
Self' can benefit by being approached from the perspective of a relatively
recent science, namely that of Complexity Theory. With this in mind the
conceptual features of this theory is highlighted and summarised.
Furthermore, the argument is made that the predominantly dualistic approach
to the self that is characteristic of the Western Philosophical tradition serves to
hinder, rather than edify, our understanding of the phenomenon. The benefits
posed by approaching the self as an emergent property of a complex system
is elaborated upon, principally with the help of work done by Sigmund Freud,
Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Paul Cilliers. The aim is to develop a
materialistic conception of the self that is plausible in terms of current
empirical information and resists the temptation see the self as one or other
metaphysical entity within the brain, without "reducing" the self to a crude
materialism. The final chapter attempts to formulate a possible foil against the
accusation of crude materialism by emphasising that the self is part of a
greater system that includes the mental apparatus and its environment
(conceived as culture). In accordance with Dawkins's theory the medium of
interaction in this system is conceived of as memes and the self is then
conceived of as a meme-complex, with culture as a medium for memetransference.
The conclusion drawn from this is that the self should be studied
through narrative, which provides an approach to the self that is material
without being crudely physicalistic.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis word daar aangevoer dat die relatiewe jong wetenskap
van Kompleksiteitsteorie 'n nuttige bydra kan lewer tot die eeue-oue filosofiese
"Probleem van die Self'. Met die oog hierop word die konseptueie kenmerke
van hierdie teorie na vore gebring en opgesom. Die argument word gemaak
dat die meerendeels dualistiese benadering van die Westerse filosofiese
tradisie tot die self ons verstaan van die fenomeen belemmer eerder as om dit
te bemiddel. Die voordele van dié nuwe benadering, wat die self sien as 'n
ontluikende (emergent) eienskap van In komplekses sisteem, word bespreek
met verwysing na veral die werke van Sigmund Freud, Richard Dawkins,
Daniel Dennett en Paul Cilliers. Daar word beoog om In verstaan van die self
te ontwikkel wat kontemporĂȘre empiriese insigte in ag neem en wat die
versoeking weerstaan om ongeoorloofde metafisiese eienskappe aan die self
toe te ken. Terselfdetyd word daar gepoog om geensins die uniekheid van die
self te "reduseer" na 'n kru materialisme nie. In die finale hoofstuk word daar
gepoog om 'n teenargument vir die voorsiene beswaar van kru materialisme te
ontwikkel. Dit word gedoen deur te benadruk dat die self gesien word as deel
van 'n groter, komplekse sisteem, wat die masjienerie van denke en die
omgewing (wat as kultuur gekonseptualiseer word) insluit. Insgelyks, in die
teorie van Dawkins word die medium van interaksie in hierdie sisteem gesien
as "memes", waar die self dan n meme-kompleks vorm, en kultuur die
medium van meme-oordrag is. Daar word tot die konklusie gekom dat die self
op 'n narratiewe manier bestudeer behoort te word, wat dan 'n benadering tot
die self voorsien wat materialisties is, sonder om kru fisikalisties te wees
Re-assessing Google as Epistemic Tool in the Age of Personalisation
Google Search is arguably one of the primary epistemic tools in use
today, with the lionâs share of the search-engine market globally. Scholarship on
countering the current scourge of misinformation often recommends âdigital lit-
eracyâ where internet users, especially those who get their information from so-
cial media, are encouraged to fact-check such information using reputable
sources. Given our current internet-based epistemic landscape, and Googleâs
dominance of the internet, it is very likely that such acts of epistemic hygiene
will take place via Google Search. The question arises whether Google Search is
fit for purpose, given the apparent misalignment the general epistemic goal of
promoting true beliefs and the greater online commercial ecosystem in which it
is embedded. I argue that Google Search is epistemically problematic as it stands,
mainly due to the opacity related to the parameters it uses for personalising search
results. I further argue that in as far as an ordinary internet user is legitimately
ignorant of Googleâs workings, uses it in an âordinary mannerâ, and is generally
unable to avoid using it in the current information environment, they are not ep-
istemically blameworthy for any false beliefs that they acquire via it. I conclude
that too much emphasis is currently placed on individual epistemic practices and
not enough on our information environment and epistemic tools when it comes
to countering misinformatio
Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education in South Africa: Some Ethical Considerations
There are calls from various sectors, including the popular press, industry, and academia, to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies in general, and large language models (LLMs) (such as ChatGPT and Gemini) in particular, into various spheres of the South African higher education sector. Nonetheless, the implementation of such technologies is not without ethical risks, notably those related to bias, unfairness, privacy violations, misinformation, lack of transparency, and threats to autonomy. This paper gives an overview of the more pertinent ethical concerns that may result from the deployment of various current AI technologies in the South African higher education context. It provides a broad overview of the relevant AI ethics literature and distills a few general AI-ethics principles that can serve as guidelines for the ethical development, adoption, and use of AI systems. Suggestions are made as to how these might be applied to mitigate the ethical concerns in the South African higher education context. Overall, it is argued that AI technologies should only be adopted if they offer demonstrable benefits to stakeholders affected by them and that care should be taken to ensure that any potential harms are adequately addressed
Narrating the self: Freud, Dennett and complexity theory
The original publication is available at http://ajol.info/index.php/Adopting a materialist approach to the mind has far reaching implications for many presuppositions regarding the properties of the brain, including those that have traditionally been consigned to âthe mentalâ aspect of human being. One such presupposition is the conception of the disembodied self. In this article we aim to account for the self as a material entity, in that it is wholly the result of the physiological functioning of the embodied brain. Furthermore, we attempt to account for the structure of the self by invoking the logic of the narrative. While our conception of narrative selfhood incorporates the work of both Freud and Dennett, we offer a critique of these two theorists and then proceed to amend their theories by means of complexity theory. We argue that the self can be characterised as a complex system, which allows us to account for the structure of the wholly material self.Publishers' Versio
Ecodomy - Life in its fullness
This book provides a coherent and conceptual portrayal of aspects of the theological research theme, entitled Ecodomy (literally meaning to âbuild a houseâ). In its figurative meaning the term Ecodomy addresses the theme, âlife in its fullnessâ. This fullness of life entails a polarity which is inherently part of life, namely its brokenness and its wholeness. From various theological disciplines, namely Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Systematic Theology, Church History and Practical Theology, both the brokenness and wholeness are addressed theologically. Every chapter focuses on a specific theological discipline, while the combination of theological disciplines, addresses the brokenness and wholeness of life as coherent concept. One pole does not exclude the other. Brokenness is visible in current or recent very relevant societal challenges, such as racism and xenophobia, apartheid, foreignness and exclusivism, leadership crises and violence. In contrast, wholeness is embedded in themes such as the African concept of ubuntu, a life of faith and wisdom, reconciling leadership, or transforming space and community. Ultimately, a Greek term áŒÎœÎ±ÎŻÎŽÎ”Îčα (persistence) is connected to the meaning of Ecodomy and âlife in its fullnessâ. Several methodologies have been used in the different contributions of the book. Every theological discipline applies a different methodology for the purpose of exposing a specific topic or research theme. In general, the contributions in this book follow a combination of a literature study with the further application of diachronic and synchronic exegetical methods. In addition, single contributions follow an own hermeneutical approach. Not one single contribution, but a combination of different theological disciplines, which form the concepts of brokenness and wholeness (life in its fullness), which expose the polarity of life, are included in this book. In its exposed interdisciplinary interwovenness, the book provides a tapestry of how different theological disciplines are combined into a single theme and how they contribute together by means of theological analyses and attempted building blocks to build the broken âhousesâ of societal structures or human life. The book contributes to selected aspects of broken life in society and the healing experiences of human life. Several themes touch on recent and relevant challenges which have contributed to the brokenness of life. Not only in South Africa, but globally these are currently relevant themes. They include realities of racism and xenophobia, apartheid, foreignness and exclusivism, leadership crises and violence. With the focus on wholeness, specific attention is given to the African concept of ubuntu, a life of faith and wisdom, reconciling leadership, and transforming space and society. A Greek term áŒÎœÎ±ÎŻÎŽÎ”Îčα (insolence as âin keeping on askingâ â Lk 11:8) illuminates the theme of Ecodomy from the perspective of a parable. The target audience of the book is academic scholars and theologians, who specialise in the different fields of Theology, the Humanities and other Social Sciences. Furthermore, the book is also accessible to scholars of other academic disciplines outside these disciplines. The book contains original research and contributions have not been plagiarised from publications elsewhere
Theology at the University of Pretoria - 100 years: (1917-2017) Past, present and future
In this scholarly book, a centuryâs theology presented by the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria, is celebrated. All authors are academics or research associates of the University of Pretoria. A historical and futuristic overview with perspectives from the past, present and future, are examined. The past is not only portrayed by means of societal and scientific contributions and achievements, but the authors also reflect on malfunctions, ill behaviour and disappointments of church and theology, presented at the University of Pretoria within the South African context over 100 years. The book commences with a chapter in which institutional transformation is discussed, as well as the changes that demonstrate the role of the Faculty of Theology within a secular state university. It includes an explanation of the importance of research impact, research productivity and research reputation. Among various discipline indicators, the category Theology and Religion Studies plays a significant role in the measurement of world university rankings of universities. With regard to scientific and encyclopaedic content, the book focuses on the theological disciplines presented in the academic curricula: first the biblical sciences (Old and New Testament Studies), then the historical disciplines (Systematic Theology, Church History and Church Polity), and finally the practical disciplines (Practical Theology, Science of Religion and Missiology). The role of Religion Studies in a newly established Faculty of Theology and Religion not only enhances the diversity of interreligious tolerance and an atmosphere of dialogue, but it serves as platform to interconnect with the fields of Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences and other academic disciplines. In the conclusive part of the book, contributions highlight the role of the centres in the Faculty (Centre for Contextual Ministry and Centre for Sustainable Communities), as well as the continental and international footprints of the two theological journals whose title ownership is attached to the Faculty of Theology of the University of Pretoria, namely HTS Theological Studies and Verbum et Ecclesia. The methodology comprised in all the chapters amounts to a literature and contextual study. Since the book describes the histories of formal academic departments, these texts are of a descriptive, interpretative and critical character. Reference is made in some chapters to exegetical methods, like the historical critical methods. The target audience of the book is academic scholars and theologians, who specialise in the different fields of Theology, the Humanities and other Social Sciences. The book is also accessible to scholars of other academic disciplines outside these disciplines. The book comprises original research by several authors and is not plagiarised from other scientific publications of this nature
Mind and language : evolution in contemporary theories of cognition
Thesis (DPhil (Philosophy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.This thesis gives an historical overview of some of the issues connecting philosophy
of mind and philosophy of langauge in the twentieth century, especially with regard to the
relevance of both disciplines to theories of cognition. Specifically, the interrelation between
the theories of Peirce,Chomsky, Derrida, and Deacon are discussed. Furthermore, an
overview of twentieth century views on mind in both philosophy and the cognitive sciences is
given. The argument is made that many of the apparently insurmountable issues that plague
theories on mind and cognition today can be traced back to the metaphysical mould into
which the philosophical questions at issue here were cast. Also, despite current resistance to
the idea from many philosophical quarters, a case is made for approaching language and
mind in terms of neo-Darwinist evolutionary theory