A teaching-learning sequence of colour informed by history and philosophy of science

In this work, we present a teaching-learning sequence on colour intended to a pre-service elementary teacher programme informed by History and Philosophy of Science. Working in a socio-constructivist framework, we made an excursion on the history of colour. Our excursion through history of colour, as well as the reported misconception on colour helps us to inform the constructions of the teaching-learning sequence. We apply a questionnaire both before and after each of the two cycles of action-research in order to assess students��� knowledge evolution on colour and to evaluate our teaching-learning sequence. Finally, we present a discussion on the persistence of deep-rooted alternative conceptions.

A didactic sequence of elementary geometric optics Informed by history and philosophy of science

The concepts and instruments required for the teaching and learning of geometric optics are introduced in the didactic processwithout a proper didactic transposition. This claim is secured by the ample evidence of both wide- and deep-rooted alternative concepts on the topic. Didactic transposition is a theory that comes from a reflection on the teaching and learning process in mathematics but has been used in other disciplinary fields. It will be used in this work in order to clear up the main obstacles in the teachinglearning process of geometric optics. We proceed to argue that since Newton���s approach to optics, in his Book I of Opticks, is independent of the corpuscular or undulatory nature of light, it is the most suitable for a constructivist learning environment. However, Newton���s theory must be subject to a proper didactic transposition to help overcome the referred alternative concepts. Then is described our didactic transposition in order to create knowledge to be taught using a dialogical process between students��� previous knowledge, history of optics and the desired outcomes on geometrical optics in an elementary pre-service teacher training course. Finally, we use the scheme-facet structure of knowledge both to analyse and discuss our results as well as to illuminate shortcomings that must be addressed in our next stage of the inquiry.

A study in cross-cultural transmission of natural philosophy: the Kenkon Bensetsu

Disserta����o apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necess��rios �� obten����o do grau de Doutor em Hist��ria dos Descobrimentos e da Expans��o Portuguesa

"Philosophy in the flesh" : being human with Clarice Lispector

According to Lakoff "thought is embodied, that is, the structures used to put together our conceptual systems grow out of our bodily experience and make sense in terms of it; moreover, the core of our conceptual systems is directly grounded in perception, body movement and experience of a physical and social character" (1987). If we read Lispector���s work as an oxymoron, an interplay between the basic magma of life and the metaphysical perplexities it generates, we will find at least three areas of description: devouring and eating, primordial substances and the animals. This paper proposes to show Lispector's use of "philosophy in the flesh" in some of her most representative works like ���Uma Hist��ria de tanto amor���, Uma Aprendizagem ou O Livro dos Prazeres or A Ma���� no Escuro.

O fasc��nio da presen��a: linguagem e discurso na "Logique de la philosophie" de Eric Weil

Eric Weil nasceu em 1904, na Alemanha, e faleceu em 1977, em Nice. Em 1928, defendeu a sua Disserta����o de Licenciatura intitulada Das Pietro Pomponazzi Lehre von dem Menschen und der Welt, sob orienta����o de Emst Cassirer. Oriundo de uma fam��lia judia, �� for��ado a partir para Fran��a em 1932, adoptando a nacionalidade francesa em 1938. Durante a Guerra �� feito prisioneiro e permanece intemado num campo de concentra����o durante cerca de cinco anos, acontecimento que tem decerto o seu peso no optimismo que perpassa a sua filosofia. Profundo conhecedor da obra de Hegel, mas tamb��m das de Kant e de Arist��teles, fez parte do grupo do Semin��rio de Alexandre Koj��ve e fundou, com Georges Bataille, a revista Critique. Professor em Lille, a partir de 1956, e em Nice, desde 1969, foi eleito membro da Acad��mie des Sciences Morales et Polidques em 1976.

Responsible innovation: bringing together technology assessment, applied ethics, and STS research

Paper presented as "key note" at the Doctorate Conference on Technology Assessment in June 2011, at FCT-UNL, Monte de Caparica.

O contributo de Juli��n Mar��as para uma teoria da filosofia aplicada �� quest��o da felicidade

Tese apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necess��rios �� obten����o do grau de doutor em filosofia

How effective is dog culling in controlling zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis? a critical evaluation of the science, politics and ethics behind this public health policy

INTRODUCTION: Zoonotic kala-azar, a lethal disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania is considered out of control in parts of the world, particularly in Brazil, where transmission has spread to cities throughout most of the territory and mortality presents an increasing trend. Although a highly debatable measure, the Brazilian government regularly culls seropositive dogs to control the disease. Since control is failing, critical analysis concerning the actions focused on the canine reservoir was conducted. METHODS: In a review of the literature, a historical perspective focusing mainly on comparisons between the successful Chinese and Soviet strategies and the Brazilian approach is presented. In addition, analyses of the principal studies regarding the role of dogs as risk factors to humans and of the main intervention studies regarding the efficacy of the dog killing strategy were undertaken. Brazilian political reaction to a recently published systematic review that concluded that the dog culling program lacked efficiency and its effect on public policy were also reviewed. RESULTS: No firm evidence of the risk conferred by the presence of dogs to humans was verified; on the contrary, a lack of scientific support for the policy of killing dogs was confirmed. A bias for distorting scientific data towards maintaining the policy of culling animals was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Since there is no evidence that dog culling diminishes visceral leishmaniasis transmission, it should be abandoned as a control measure. Ethical considerations have been raised regarding distorting scientific results and the killing of animals despite minimal or absent scientific evidence

Appreciating the power of words and imaginative organizing: A triadic model of ethics practiced in everyday conversations

This thesis provides an alternative framework to analyze power and ethics practiced in everyday conversations, which constitute processes of organizing. Drawing upon narrative frameworks, the analyses of messages posted on an online message board demonstrate people���s imaginative capacity to create relevant stories, in respect of their precise grasp of factual understandings, contextual relevance and evaluative/moral appropriateness, by appropriating others��� words. Based on the empirical analyses, the thesis indicates that studies on power and ethics in organizations can be re-oriented towards appreciating irremediable power imbalances by offering alternative ways of member���s denoting experiences of power.

Transplants: bioethics and justice

Bioethics, as a branch of philosophy that focuses on questions relative to health and human life, is closely tied to the idea of justice and equality. As such, in understanding the concept of equality in its original sense, that is, in associating it to the idea to treat "unequals" (those who are unequal or different, in terms of conditions or circumstances) unequally (differentially), in proportion to their inequalities (differences), we see that the so-called "one-and-only waiting list" for transplants established in law no. 9.434/97, ends up not addressing the concept of equality and justice, bearing upon bioethics, even when considering the objective criteria of precedence established in regulation no. 9.4347/98, Thus, the organizing of transplants on a one-and-only waiting list, with a few exceptions that are weakly applicable, without a case by case technical and grounded analysis, according to each particular necessity, ends up institutionalizing inequalities, condemning patients to happenstance and, consequently, departs from the ratio legis, which aims at seeking the greatest application of justice in regards to organ transplants. We conclude, therefore, that from an analysis of the legislation and of the principles of bioethics and justice, there is a need for the creation of a collegiate of medical experts, that, based on medical criteria and done in a well established manner, can analyze each case to be included on the waiting list, deferentially and according to the necessity; thus, precluding that people in special circumstances be treated equal to people in normal circumstances.

��l��ments pour une approche de la philosophie orteguienne de la crise

La th��se que nous soutenons et que nous nous proposons de d��montrer dans cet article est que la crise, chez Ortega y Gasset, loin d���instituer une rupture dans le processus de l���histoire, et de menacer ainsi sa continuit��, en est la condition de possibilit��. L���hypoth��se que nous nous proposons de v��rifier est que l���id��e m��me d���un �� sens �� de l���histoire ��� nous reviendrons sur la mani��re bien particuli��re dont le philosophe madril��ne entend cette expression ��� est garantie par la crise. Nous explorerons pour cela tr��s pr��cis��ment la tension qui r��side entre l���affirmation ort��guienne selon laquelle la crise est le moteur de l���histoire d���une part, et la description �� laquelle proc��de le philosophe madril��ne de l���homme en crise comme acteur de l���histoire paralys�� d���autre part.

Conflito e trauma: XVI Col��quio de Outono

It has been the main concern of CEHUM, as a Research Centre within the Humanities which operates in an inter and transdisciplinary structure to listen attentively to the ���noise of the world��� and attempt a global interpretation of the signs of the times issuing from the world around us, as vibrant echoes of many social and cultural pressing issues. Every year each new Col��quio de Outono attempts to give evidence of that concern through the topic chosen for debate, ample enough and challenging enough to trigger a lively multidisciplinary dialogue amongst the diff erent research groups that compose this centre, the participants and our invited guest speakers. Throughout the three days of this 16th Col��quio de Outono we had the privilege to debate the propositions of a vast number of national and international specialists in the manifold fi elds of inquiry here represented, engaging keynote speakers, project advisors, members of research teams and external researchers attached to the various research projects currently running in CEHUM, in the fi elds of literature, linguistics, philosophy, ethics, visual arts, cultural studies, music and performance. Each specifi c fi eld of studies was however never seen isolated, but always embodied in a geo-cultural context and within the scope of a wide variety of critical debates and current theories of knowledge, as a signal of our understanding of the Humanities as a rich and plural territory which engages us all, scholars, researchers, students.

Filososof��a y Ciencia Computacional: Aspectos epistemol��gicos, ontol��gicos y metodol��gicos. Philosophy and Computing Sciencs: Epistemological, Ontological and Methodological Aspects.

Uno de los temas centrales del proyecto concierne la naturaleza de la ciencia de la computaci��n. La reciente aparici��n de esta disciplina sumada a su origen h��brido como ciencia formal y disciplina tecnol��gica hace que su caracterizaci��n a��n no est�� completa y menos a��n acordada entre los cient��ficos del ��rea. En el trabajo Three paradigms of Computer Science de A. Eden, se presentan tres posiciones admitidamente exageradas acerca de como entender tanto el objeto de estudio (ontolog��a) como los m��todos de trabajo (metodolog��a) y la estructura de la teor��a y las justificaciones del conocimiento inform��tico (epistemolog��a): La llamada racionalista, la cual se basa en la idea de que los programas son f��rmulas l��gicas y que la forma de trabajo es deductiva, la tecnocr��tica que presenta a la ciencia computacional como una disciplina ingenieril y la ahi llamada cient��fica, la cual asimilar��a a la computaci��n a las ciencias emp��ricas. Algunos de los problemas de ciencia de la computaci��n est��n relacionados con cuestiones de filosof��a de la matem��tica, en particular la relaci��n entre las entidades abstractas y el mundo. Sin embargo, el car��cter prescriptivo de los axiomas y teoremas de las teor��as de la programaci��n puede permitir interpretaciones alternativas y cuestionar��a fuertemente la posibilidad de pensar a la ciencia de la computaci��n como una ciencia emp��rica, al menos en el sentido tradicional. Por otro lado, es posible que el tipo de an��lisis aplicado a las ciencias de la computaci��n propuesto en este proyecto aporte nuevas ideas para pensar problemas de filosof��a de la matem��tica. Un ejemplo de estos posibles aportes puede verse en el trabajo de Arkoudas Computers, Justi?cation, and Mathematical Knowledge el cual echa nueva luz al problema del significado de las demostraciones matem��ticas.Los objetivos del proyecto son: Caracterizar el campo de las ciencias de la computaci��n.Evaluar los fundamentos ontol��gicos, epistemol��gicos y metodol��gicos de la ciencia de la computaci��n actual.Analizar las relaciones entre las diferentes perspectivas heur��sticas y epist��micas y las practicas de la programaci��n.

Ciudadan��a y bien com��n en el marco de una ��tica p��blica. Citizenship and common good in the frame of a public ethics.

La investigaci��n pretende hacer aportes para la reformulaci��n ��tico-discursiva de las ideas de ciudadan��a y bien com��n, que sea capaz de articular la libertad y la equidad con la corresponsabilidad solidaria en contextos post-neoliberales de globalizaci��n, interculturalidad y exclusi��n. En este sentido, una reconfiguraci��n de la sociedad y de la ciudadan��a implicar�� mostrar en qu�� sentido y de qu�� modo el espacio p��blico tiene que estar abierto no s��lo a la competencia y a los consumidores, sino a ciudadanos ilustrados, aut��nomos y cr��ticos. La investigaci��n parte del supuesto que, desde los presupuestos te��ricos, conceptuales y metodol��gicos de la teor��a del discurso y de la teor��a de la democracia deliberativa es posible reformular un concepto de bien com��n apto para articular la integraci��n social en contextos de interacci��n pluralista y conflictiva, como son las democracias actuales. Puede parecer extra��o, y no sin raz��n, que el concepto de bien com��n pueda ser rehabilitado en el contexto de sociedades pluralistas y democr��ticas, e incorporada convincentemente en la estructura de una nueva ��tica c��vica. La extra��eza puede ser a��n mayor si se piensa que, en la actualidad, la formulaci��n de una nueva ��tica c��vica se ve enfrentada tanto a desaf��os internos, estrictamente ��tico-filos��ficos, como externos, provenientes de problemas y conflictos hist��rico-contextuales y culturales (Michelini, 1998, 2000). Finalmente, es posible que la supuesta extra��eza est�� relacionada tambi��n con el hecho de que el concepto de bien com��n sea empleado no s��lo de modo ambiguo, sino que, adem��s, haya sido utilizado en pr��cticas muy diversas: desde la b��squeda filos��fica de la ciudad perfecta y del Estado ideal -en la que Plat��n manifiesta que "las cosas de los amigos deben ser comunes" (Plat��n, 1974a, V, 424a, 449c; 1974b, 739a-e)-, hasta las m��ltiples instrumentalizaciones hist��ricas en las que el concepto de bien com��n se utiliz�� para articular la religi��n con el patriotismo o la raz��n de Estado. En la historia m��s o menos reciente de muchos pa��ses latinoamericanos encontramos, en este respecto, ejemplos tr��gicos: en nombre de la raz��n de Estado y del bien com��n, no pocas veces se ha pretendido mantener el orden establecido o defender una determinada ideolog��a, incluso vulnerando la legitimidad del Estado de Derecho y lesionando normas ��ticas fundamentales. El objetivo general de la investigaci��n es fundamentar un sustento te��rico coherente para una reelaboraci��n de los conceptos de ciudadan��a y bien com��n en vista de una ��tica p��blica de la corresponsabilidad solidaria en sociedades democr��ticas y en contextos de globalizaci��n, interculturalidad y exclusi��n, e indagar acerca de su aplicabilidad a los campos de la pr��ctica pol��tica y educativa. Los resultados del proyecto tendr��n un impacto no s��lo te��rico, sino tambi��n pr��ctico en el ��mbito de las ciencias humanas, particularmente en el ��mbito de la filosof��a pr��ctica, la ��tica p��blica, la pol��tica y el sistema educativo. Adem��s, se propone elaborar lineamientos de acci��n para las instituciones sociales, educativas y pol��ticas locales, regionales y nacionales, ayudar a esclarecer aspectos centrales de una convivencia democr��tica y pluralista, y contribuir al esclarecimiento de los deberes, de los derechos y de la corresponsabilidad solidaria.