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Synthetic Biology and Morality: Artificial Life and the Bounds of Nature
by Gregory E. Kaebnick Thomas H. MurraySynthetic biology, which aims to design and build organisms that serve human needs, has potential applications that range from producing biofuels to programming human behavior. The emergence of this new form of biotechnology, however, raises a variety of ethical questions -- first and foremost, whether synthetic biology is intrinsically troubling in moral terms. Is it an egregious example of scientists "playing God"? "Synthetic Biology and Morality" takes on this threshold ethical question, as well as others that follow, offering a range of philosophical and political perspectives on the power of synthetic biology. The contributors consider the basic question of the ethics of making new organisms, with essays that lay out the conceptual terrain and offer opposing views of the intrinsic moral concerns; discuss the possibility that synthetic organisms are inherently valuable; and address whether, and how, moral objections to synthetic biology could be relevant to policy making and political discourse. Variations of these questions have been raised before, in debates over other biotechnologies, but, as this book shows, they take on novel and illuminating form when considered in the context of synthetic biology. ContributorsJohn Basl, Mark A. Bedau, Joachim Boldt, John H. Evans, Bruce Jennings, Gregory E. Kaebnick, Ben Larson, Andrew Lustig, Jon Mandle, Thomas H. Murray, Christopher J. Preston, Ronald Sandler
Synthetic Biology and Morality: Artificial Life and the Bounds of Nature (Basic Bioethics)
by Gregory E. Kaebnick Thomas H. MurrayA range of views on the morality of synthetic biology and its place in public policy and political discourse.Synthetic biology, which aims to design and build organisms that serve human needs, has potential applications that range from producing biofuels to programming human behavior. The emergence of this new form of biotechnology, however, raises a variety of ethical questions—first and foremost, whether synthetic biology is intrinsically troubling in moral terms. Is it an egregious example of scientists “playing God”? Synthetic Biology and Morality takes on this threshold ethical question, as well as others that follow, offering a range of philosophical and political perspectives on the power of synthetic biology.The contributors consider the basic question of the ethics of making new organisms, with essays that lay out the conceptual terrain and offer opposing views of the intrinsic moral concerns; discuss the possibility that synthetic organisms are inherently valuable; and address whether, and how, moral objections to synthetic biology could be relevant to policy making and political discourse. Variations of these questions have been raised before, in debates over other biotechnologies, but, as this book shows, they take on novel and illuminating form when considered in the context of synthetic biology.ContributorsJohn Basl, Mark A. Bedau, Joachim Boldt, John H. Evans, Bruce Jennings, Gregory E. Kaebnick, Ben Larson, Andrew Lustig, Jon Mandle, Thomas H. Murray, Christopher J. Preston, Ronald Sandler
Synthetic Biology and the Question of Public Participation: Governance and Ethics in Dealing with Emerging Technologies (SpringerBriefs in Philosophy)
by Matthias Braun Peter Dabrock Stephanie Siewert Katharina KieslichThe book considers the relationship between governance and participation, and the ways participation has been understood, framed and applied in the context of synthetic biology (SB) governance approaches. Based on fundamental questions about the scope, purpose, and responsibilities assigned to public participation activities, the authors conducted an literature review of policy reports and articles on SB governance. The authors identify key characteristics of synthetic biology, such as the complex interplay of research, engineering and IT expertise in the field, as well as the challenges these characteristics pose in designing governance frameworks. Drawing on insights from a literature review, the authors contest calls for “earlier” and “more” participation on the basis that such calls fail to consider the necessary structural adjustments and resources needed for such endeavors. The brief addresses ethical questions arising in synthetic biology that could be used for developing frameworks of governance in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the consequent innovations in vaccine research.
Synthetic Friends: A Philosophy of Human-Machine Friendship
by Hendrik KemptThis book explores the notion of whether we can be friends with machines in a philosophically meaningful way. Depending on our concept of friendship, we may be inclined to answer differently. Since social technology has made new forms of friendships possible between people across the globe, the author argues that the philosophical concept of friendship, forged thousands of years ago, should be re-examined. The author proposes a new approach to the debate that reflects the unique relationship we can build with machines as our synthetic friends.
Syria: Revolution From Above (The Contemporary Middle East)
by Raymond HinnebuschThis study examines the development of the Syrian state as it has emerged under thirty-five years of military-Ba'thist rule and, particularly, under President Hafiz al-Asad. It analyzes the way in which the fragility of the post-independence state, unable to contain rising nationalist struggle and class conflict, opened the way to the Ba'th party's rise to power and examines how the Ba'th's 'revolution from above' transformed Syria's socio-political terrain.
System and Freedom in Kant and Fichte (Routledge Studies in Eighteenth-Century Philosophy)
by Ansgar Lyssy Giovanni Pietro BasileThis book investigates various aspects of freedom as developed in the philosophical systems of Kant and Fichte. Freedom, both Kant and Fichte insist, does not mean that we can choose or think independently from all rules or necessity, but rather that we willingly accept a certain kind of submission under these rules. Therefore, the conditions of our knowledge affect and inform our self-understanding, our willing, and the ways we justify our practical choices. The essays in this volume explore both philosophers’ conceptions of human freedom as they relate to art, history, politics, and religion. They reveal how integrating freedom into a system of thought is crucial for our understanding of modern philosophy. System and Freedom in Kant and Fichte will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working on Kant, modern philosophy, and German Studies.
System and Freedom in Kant and Fichte (Routledge Studies in Eighteenth-Century Philosophy)
by Ansgar Lyssy Giovanni Pietro BasileThis book investigates various aspects of freedom as developed in the philosophical systems of Kant and Fichte.Freedom, both Kant and Fichte insist, does not mean that we can choose or think independently from all rules or necessity, but rather that we willingly accept a certain kind of submission under these rules. Therefore, the conditions of our knowledge affect and inform our self-understanding, our willing, and the ways we justify our practical choices. The essays in this volume explore both philosophers’ conceptions of human freedom as they relate to art, history, politics, and religion. They reveal how integrating freedom into a system of thought is crucial for our understanding of modern philosophy.System and Freedom in Kant and Fichte will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working on Kant, modern philosophy, and German Studies.
System, Structure and Experience: Toward a Scientific Theory of Mind (Routledge Revivals)
by Ervin LaszloFirst Published in 1969, System, Structure and Experience offers a basic information-flow design capable of accounting for the complex operations of a culturally cognizant and purposive mind consistently with the general relationship of the human organism and its environment. By means of the isomorphy of a hierarchically ordered series of circuits, a way is opened for resolving the traditional ‘mind- body’ or ‘psycho-physical’ problems. The work outlines the design of a self-stabilizing and self-organizing system, shows that it applies to artificial, biological as well as cognitive structures, and then undertakes to analyze the diverse facets of perpetual, scientific, aesthetic, and religious experience in its terms. The interrelation of the two or more such multi-level cognitive systems offers insights into the problems of human communication.The book is a contribution to the scientific analysis of cognitive experience and promotes the transfer of the traditional domain of an introspectively founded philosophy of mind into the realm of modern system research.
Systematic Aesthetics (Routledge Revivals)
by Richard WinfieldFirst published in 1995, this book aims at rehabilitating systematic aesthetics. To this end, it attempts to show how metaphysical, transcendental, and systematic aesthetics comprise the fundamental options for the philosophy of art, how metaphysical and transcendental aesthetics internally undermine themselves, and, finally, how their dilemmas are overcome by systematic aestheticsIt discusses themes like critique of metaphysical aesthetics; impasse of transcendental aesthetics; individuality of beauty; the existence of beauty in the work of art; the extreme reality of the work of art and the reception of art. This is a must read for scholars and researchers of philosophy of art and philosophy in general.
Systematic Approaches to Argument by Analogy
by Henrique Jales RibeiroThe present volume assembles a relevant set of studies of argument by analogy, which address this topic in a systematic fashion, either from an essentially theoretical perspective or from the perspective of it being applied to different fields like politics, linguistics, literature, law, medicine, science in general and philosophy. All result from original research conducted by their authors for this publication. Thus, broadly speaking, this is an exception which we find worthy of occupying a special place in the sphere of the bibliography on the argument by analogy. In effect, most of the contexts of the publications on this topic focus on specific areas, for example everyday discourse, science or law theory, while underestimating or sometimes even ignoring other interdisciplinary scopes, as is the case of literature, medicine or philosophy. The idiosyncrasy of this volume is that the reader and the researcher may follow the development of different theoretical outlooks on argument by analogy, while measuring the scope of its (greater or lesser) application to the aforementioned areas as a whole.
Systematic Atheology: Atheism’s Reasoning with Theology (Routledge Studies in the Philosophy of Religion)
by John R. ShookAtheology is the intellectual effort to understand atheism, defend the reasonableness of unbelief, and support nonbelievers in their encounters with religion. This book presents a historical overview of the development of atheology from ancient thought to the present day. It offers in-depth examinations of four distinctive schools of atheological thought: rationalist atheology, scientific atheology, moral atheology, and civic atheology. John R. Shook shows how a familiarity with atheology’s complex histories, forms, and strategies illuminates the contentious features of today’s atheist and secularist movements, which are just as capable of contesting each other as opposing religion. The result is a book that provides a disciplined and philosophically rigorous examination of atheism’s intellectual strategies for reasoning with theology. Systematic Atheology is an important contribution to the philosophy of religion, religious studies, secular studies, and the sociology and psychology of nonreligion.
Systematic Philosophical Theology, Volume 1: Prolegomena, On Scripture, On Faith
by William Lane Craig“the culmination of an impressive career in philosophy and theology. … Craig’s work will be highly valued and a great achievement, meriting significant attention.” —Charles Taliaferro, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, St. Olaf College “William Lane Craig’s landmark treatise on systematic philosophical theology is a major contribution to our understanding of the relation of philosophy and Christian doctrine and will be an essential reference point for future discussions. —Alister McGrath, Emeritus Idreos Professor of Science and Religion, Oxford University A transformative journey through Christian doctrine, Volume I: On Scripture, On Faith William Lane Craig’s Systematic Philosophical Theology is a multi-volume explication of Christian doctrine in the classic Protestant tradition of the loci communes as seen through the lens of contemporary analytic philosophy. Uniquely blending the disciplines of biblical theology, historical theology, and analytic theology, these volumes aim to provide readers with a biblical and philosophically coherent articulation of a wide range of Christian doctrines. In the first volume of the series, Prolegomena, On Scripture, On Faith, Craig begins by introducing his conception of systematic philosophical theology, describing how it relates to biblical theology, dogmatics, fundamental theology, apologetics, and especially philosophy of religion. The chapters that follow defend the divine authority of Scripture, address the nature of faith, and discuss the rational justification for Christian faith. Throughout the text, Craig tackles cutting edge philosophical questions that arise naturally from Christian doctrine, such as the compatibility of biblical inspiration and human freedom and whether faith implies belief.
Systematic Philosophical Theology, Volume 2a: On God - Attributes of God
by William Lane Craig“These volumes are chock full of arguments in a way that stands out in this field. . . . This is a remarkable, generational work that will become the resource in philosophical theology.” —J.P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Biola University “An enormous undertaking. However, Craig’s past record indicates that he can and will carry it through to completion. Furthermore, his established reputation. . . guarantees that the work will attract wide interest and will have a ready readership.” —William Hasker, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Huntington University A transformative journey through Christian doctrine, Volume IIa. On God: Attributes of God William Lane Craig’s Systematic Philosophical Theology is a multi-volume explication of Christian doctrine in the classic Protestant tradition of the loci communes as seen through the lens of contemporary analytic philosophy. Uniquely blending the disciplines of biblical theology, historical theology, and analytic theology, these volumes aim to provide readers with a biblical and philosophically coherent articulation of a wide range of Christian doctrines. Volume II treats the locus On God in two parts. The first part, Volume IIa. Attributes of God, explores the coherence of theism. Conceiving of God as an infinite and personal being of maximal greatness, Craig carefully defines and explicates the divine attributes of incorporeality, necessity, aseity, simplicity, eternality, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, and goodness. In the second part, Volume IIb. Excursus on Natural theology, The Trinity, Craig examines six arguments for God’s existence, including the argument from contingency, the kalām cosmological argument, the argument from the applicability of mathematics, the argument from cosmic fine-tuning, the moral argument, and the ontological argument, along with the problem of evil. Following the excursus, he transitions to an articulation and defence of Christian theism, formulating a biblical doctrine of the Trinity and offering a model of God as a tripersonal soul.
Systematic Politics: Elementa Politica and Sociologica
by George E. Gordon CatlinProfessor Catlin in the course of his career has contributed a number of major works in the fields of politics: The Science and Method of Politics (1926), Principles of Politics (1930), History of the Political Philosophers (1938). These books were considered "refreshing," "brilliant," "eminently stimulating," "genuinely constructive." The trail blazed by their author some thirty years ago through the forest of "unscientific" political thinking has since been followed by many others and has widened into one of the main highways of twentieth-century political though.The new approach of Professor Catlin was notable because it distinguished between political philosophy, with its values and ends, and the scientific study of means; it broke away from older studies and broadened the concept of Politics, in an Aristotelian sense; it bridged the divorce between Politics and Sociology; it stressed the quantitative method; it pioneered in the "power theory of politics," as a key hypothesis in building; and it developed the theories of equilibrium and of the political market, with its pressure groups. No political science can be formulated today which ignores his arguments on these topics.In this new work, Professor Catlin goes back to cover the developments of thirty years, integrating the work of his contemporary colleagues and relating it to the broad tradition of Western philosophy. The range of the book over time and topics is exhilaratingly wide; its content is often intellectually intoxicating. Many will appreciate the clear insight and understanding that the book lends of so much in life–not just in the fields traditionally assigned to political thinkers; others may be provoked by the author's strong argumentative sense. No one will deny the vigour and relevance of the discussion. This summational work is important and practical at a time when the political endeavours of man are more than ever in need of thoroughly rigorous logical analysis.
Systematic Politics: Elementa Politica et Sociologica (Routledge Revivals)
by George E. CatlinFirst published in 1962, Systematic Politics presents Catlin’s political theories and reviews the work of contemporaries within the field. Divided into two parts, Part One is focused on political science and explores areas such as definitions and functions, the theory of politics as hypothesis, freedom and authority, and different forms of government. Part Two centres on political philosophy, discussing topics such as community, society and the individual, and law and sovereignty. Systematic Politics will appeal to those with an interest in the history of political thought, political theory, and political philosophy.
Systematic Theology
by Louis BerkhofLouis Berkhof's loyalty to the well-defined lines of the Reformed faith, his concise and compact style and his up-to date treatment have made this work the most important twentieth century compendium of Reformed theology. 'The work seemed particularly important to me', writes the author, 'in view of the widespread doctrinal indifference of the present day, of the resulting superficiality and confusion in the minds of many professing Christians, of the insidious errors that are zealously propagated even from the pulpits, and of the alarming increase of all kinds of sects. If there ever was a time when the church ought to guard her precious heritage, the deposit of the truth that was entrusted to her care, that time is now'. This expanded edition contains Berkhof's Introductory Volume, which was designed to be read together with the Systematic Theology itself.
Systematic Theology
by Paul Tillich&“A great voyage of discovery into a rich and deep, and inclusive...vision and understanding of human life in the presence of the mystery of God.&” -- H. Richard Niebuhr, author of Christ and Culture This is the first part of Paul Tillich's three-volume Systematic Theology, one of the most profound statements of the Christian message ever composed and the summation and definitive presentation of the theology of the most influential and creative American theologian of the twentieth century. In this path-breaking volume Tillich presents the basic method and statement of his system—his famous &“correlation&” of man's deepest questions with theological answers. Here the focus is on the concepts of being and reason. Tillich shows how the quest for revelation is integral to reason itself. In the same way a description of the inner tensions of being leads to the recognition that the quest for God is implied in finite being. Here also Tillich defines his thought in relation to philosophy and the Bible and sets forth his famous doctrine of God as the &“Ground of Being.&” Thus God is understood not as a being existing beside other beings, but as being-itself or the power of being in everything. God cannot be made into an object; religious knowledge is, therefore, necessarily symbolic. &“Beyond doubt the richest, most suggestive, and most challenging philosophical theology our day has produced.&” --John Herman Randall Jr., author of The Making of the Modern Mind
Systematic Theology: Volume Two
by Paul TillichThe second volume of the eminent Christian philosopher’s magnum opus, in which he explores humanity’s quest for Christ.Paul Tillich’s Systemic Philosophy is the most comprehensive and definitive presentation of his groundbreaking theological message: his “method of correlation”, which finds the answers to humanity’s most urgent existential dilemmas in the principles of Christian revelation. In volume two of this three-volume work, Tillich comes to grips with the central idea of his system—the doctrine of the Christ. Here, Tillich describes the human predicament as the state of “estrangement” from ourselves, from our world, and from the divine Ground of Being. This situation drives us to the quest for a new state of things, in which reconciliation and reunion conquer estrangement. This is the quest for the Christ.
Systemic Change Through Praxis and Inquiry
by Arne CollenThis new volume in the distinguished Praxiology series examines the confluence of praxiology, pragmatics, and systemics in the study of systemic change through human inquiry, particularly small group activities, human organizations, and globalizing trends. It covers core concepts indigenous to organizational life. The author presents and subsequently integrates several conceptual schemes relevant to human beings and small groups engaged in human inquiry for systemic change in organizational settings.Each key concept in the volume is covered in a chapter theme that articulates the praxiology and pragmatics of human inquiry. Chapter 1 examines change as a systemic idea from a research methodologist's point of view. Chapter 2 articulates numerous points to distinguish systemic from non-systemic research methods to bring about systemic change. Chapter 3 discusses the prevalence of hierarchy and control. Chapter 4 focuses on "disciplinarity," viewed as one kind of quest for understanding complexity and change. Chapter 5 describes praxiology in inquiry. Chapter 6 elaborates on emergent forms of praxiology. Chapter 7 demonstrates the viability of systemic change through praxiology. Chapter 8 targets the general features of research process that are the means to effectuate systemic change, while Chapter 9 elaborates on these means toward developing systemic inquiry to systemic change. Chapter 10 discusses "complexification" in human inquiry and systemic change.Systemic Change Through Praxis and Inquiry is a pioneering effort to attain a more integrated view of research methodology for human inquiry. It will be of great interest to students of business, management, and organizational studies.Arne Collen is a long-standing member of both the Executive Faculty at Saybrook Graduate School in San Francisco and the Research and Teaching Adjunct Faculty in the California College of Organizational Studies and the California College of Professional Psychology of Alliant International University, San Francisco Bay Campus. He is a research methodologist, who, over the last three decades, has applied systemic and sociocybernetic perspectives to advances in research methodology for human inquiry. With Wojciech W. Gasparski, he is co-editor of Design and Systems, Volume 3 of the Praxiology series.
Systemic Cognition and Education: Empowering Students for Excellence in Life
by Ibrahim A. HallounThis book offers pedagogic and governance foundations and guidelines for systemic education. It provides an overall systems-based picture of what formal education should be about, and of how things should be carried out in practice, in order to empower students – and teachers – for success in life. It transcends traditional disciplinary education, showing how systemic, praxis immersive, convergence education (SPICE) produces graduates who know how to think outside the box and excel in practical real-life situations. Drawing on philosophy, cognition, and the latest developments in neuroscience, the book calls for systemic pedagogical frameworks that allow for different curricula to be coherently and efficiently designed, and consistently and systematically deployed across different disciplines and various grade levels in the context of mind-and-brain based experiential learning ecologies.This volume is a major design and practice reference for school teachers, university professors, graduate students, along with interested educators, educationists, and stakeholders in various sectors of society.
Systemic Corruption: Constitutional Ideas for an Anti-Oligarchic Republic
by Camila VergaraA bold new approach to combatting the inherent corruption of representative democracyThis provocative book reveals how the majority of modern liberal democracies have become increasingly oligarchic, suffering from a form of structural political decay first conceptualized by ancient philosophers. Systemic Corruption argues that the problem cannot be blamed on the actions of corrupt politicians but is built into the very fabric of our representative systems.Camila Vergara provides a compelling and original genealogy of political corruption from ancient to modern thought, and shows how representative democracy was designed to protect the interests of the already rich and powerful to the detriment of the majority. Unable to contain the unrelenting force of oligarchy, especially after experimenting with neoliberal policies, most democracies have been corrupted into oligarchic democracies. Vergara explains how to reverse this corrupting trajectory by establishing a new counterpower strong enough to control the ruling elites. Building on the anti-oligarchic institutional innovations proposed by plebeian philosophers, she rethinks the republic as a mixed order in which popular power is institutionalized to check the power of oligarchy. Vergara demonstrates how a plebeian republic would establish a network of local assemblies with the power to push for reform from the grassroots, independent of political parties and representative government.Drawing on neglected insights from Niccolò Machiavelli, Nicolas de Condorcet, Rosa Luxemburg, and Hannah Arendt, Systemic Corruption proposes to reverse the decay of democracy with the establishment of anti-oligarchic institutions through which common people can collectively resist the domination of the few.
Systemic Ethics and Non-Anthropocentric Stewardship
by Janet Mcintyre-MillsThis book makes a case for rights and responsibilities to be expressed through a cosmopolitan praxis based on developing strong cosmopolitan approaches. This developed approach respects a form of cultural or national identity that is not at the expense of others, the environment or future generations. This new stoicism is based on a sense of responsibility for others. The book also explores systemic ethical praxis in response to the vexed challenge of how to bridge the false dualism of pitting the environment versus profit Systemic Ethics and Non-Anthropocentric Stewardship: Implications for Transdisciplinarity and Cosmopolitan Politics is organized into seven chapters. The book begins by providing readers with an understanding of the way in which cosmopolitanism (like all social concepts) is shaped by diverse definitions and applied differently by theorists and those that engage in transformative praxis. It also develops an argument based on considering the empirical consequences of social, economic and environmental decisions on the quality of life of current and future generations. The next chapter critiques anthropocentricism and explores how policy makers develop agreements on what constitutes and supports the wellbeing of the planet rather than the GDP. The book then explores the options for social democracy and ways to enhance an ethical approach to post national governance and argues for participatory democracy and governance to respond to diversity within and across national boundaries. The following chapters reflect upon the author's own participatory action research process and examines the transformations that can arise through critical systemic thinking and practice. Next the book makes the case for systemic ethical governance that is able to manage consumption, before concluding with a final look at the book's approach, based on critical heuristics.
Systemic Racism in South Africa: Humanity Lost
by Rupert TaylorThis book takes a critical macro-level political sociological perspective to understanding South African politics and society. Applying systemic racism theory to South Africa, the author argues that South African society through its exclusionary social mechanisms has assumed a systemically racist form that deeply compromises questions of truth and justice. Constitutive of, and embedded in, the structure of South African society, racism has a reach and a durability that runs deep through the successive stages of segregationism, apartheid, and liberal democracy. Showing the limits of the rule of law in a racist society, the author offers a theoretically-informed interpretation as to why the national liberation struggle has fallen short of its promise to deliver a &“better life for all,&” and as to why truth and justice remain so deeply compromised in South Africa today. The arguments advanced are supported by over thirty semi-structured interviews conducted by the author with high-profile South African politicians, jurists, and intellectuals; as well as by using Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing transcripts – both public and &“top-secret.&” This thought-provoking book is driven by the imperative to offer a compelling and sustained argument for taking a systemic racism approach to interpreting South Africa for scholars and students of sociology, political science, race and ethnic studies, law, and South African history.
Systemic Structure Behind Human Organizations
by Bailey Forrest Yi LinSystemic Structure behind Human Organizations: From Civilizations to Individuals shows how the systemic yoyo model can be successfully employed to study human organizations at three different levels: civilizations, business enterprises, and individuals. This monograph tackles managerial problems from an holistic perspective such as how a business entity grows and dies and how a CEO can manipulate the choices of long- and short-term projects in order to gain more control over the board of directors. By creating a uniform language and logic of reasoning, the book provides examples and convincing results. Additionally the book shows how the same model, thinking logic, and methodology of the systems research can be equally applied to analyze problems and situations considered in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanity areas. Therefore it offers knowledge of a brand new tool to attack organizational problems. By concentrating on difficult, unsettled issues in these varying areas, this monograph thoroughly explains how some laws of nature can be established for the common study of natural and social sciences.
Systems Theory for Pragmatic Schooling: Toward Principles of Democratic Education
by Craig A. CunninghamWriting for educators and education leaders, Cunningham shows that combining a philosophy of pragmatism with thinking about education as systems can illuminate challenges in contemporary schooling and provide practical solutions for creating a democratic education.