OAR@UM Collection:https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/336202024-03-28T23:38:45Z2024-03-28T23:38:45ZMaterialsm and the mind and body problem : a critical analysishttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/209372018-04-17T12:42:00Z2015-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Materialsm and the mind and body problem : a critical analysis
Abstract: The philosophy of mind has become dominated by the mind and
body problem: the relation between the physical (the body) and the
mental (the mind). Substance dualism had traditionally been the
method for accounting for this problem. Substance dualism though,
as we shall see, has been very ineffective in accounting for all
problems. A consequence of this failure has been the rise of
materialism in the forms of behaviorism, identity theory (also
known as physicalism) and functionalism. Many tend to believe that
materialism may provide us with the solution to the mind and body
problem; however, in this essay I will argue that the materialist
perspective, like the substance dualist tradition, is flawed. It can
only account for the quantitative and objective aspects of the mind
and not the qualitative and personal ones.2015-01-01T00:00:00ZCritique as therapy : reflections on Foucault and DerridaBorg, Kurthttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/209362022-01-12T13:28:41Z2015-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Critique as therapy : reflections on Foucault and Derrida
Authors: Borg, Kurt
Abstract: Perhaps one of the most crucial philosophical questions to ask is
"what is philosophy?" But, perhaps too, the possibility of asking that
question points towards the fragmented nature of the enterprise.
Through the shadows of Foucault and Derrida, I will try to show
how this question is important since it continually expands the
definition of philosophy, blurring its territorial boundaries in such a
way that enables an otherwise-thought world, preventing
philosophy from being another disciplinary regime. Since antiquity,
philosophy's reliance on a notion of truth provided it with analytical
leverage. Hence, by placing the currency of truth itself under
scrutiny, it is claimed that thinkers like Foucault and Derrida risk
undermining philosophical inquiry tout court, reducing philosophy
to rhetoric or fiction, with no critical function whatsoever. What's
more, because of this, no normative grounding can be extrapolated
from their ideas, no emancipatory aim can be sought and no ethical
framework can be pursued. Both FoucauIt and Derrida were often
criticized along these lines (Habermas, 1987).2015-01-01T00:00:00ZThe capacity to begin : Arendt's concept of 'Natality' (a humble tribute on the 40th anniversary of her death)https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/209352017-08-03T01:19:00Z2015-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The capacity to begin : Arendt's concept of 'Natality' (a humble tribute on the 40th anniversary of her death)
Abstract: In this short essay I intend to refer to Arendt's concept of
'natality', which she expounds in her book The Human Condition,
to argue against the distinction which Peter Singer makes between
a human person and human non-person; with reference to his book
Practical Ethics (1993) as being representative of preference-utilitarianism
and consequentialism.2015-01-01T00:00:00ZThe artist behind the art : an interview with Adrian Abelahttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/209332020-05-19T12:08:52Z2015-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The artist behind the art : an interview with Adrian Abela
Abstract: Interview with Adrian Abela about his art and his latest piece inspired by architect Adolf Loos.2015-01-01T00:00:00Z