This paper discusses two claims that Wigner makes in regard to the un- reasonable effectiveness of mathematics and it considers a more general claim that might follow from Wigner’s. I explain...Show moreThis paper discusses two claims that Wigner makes in regard to the un- reasonable effectiveness of mathematics and it considers a more general claim that might follow from Wigner’s. I explain McAllister’s argumen- tation for a polymorphous world and use this to argue against the three preceding claims. Lastly I discuss an objection to my arguments.Show less
The striking similarities between Adorno’s ideal of philosophical writing — the so-called constellation — and his ideal of musical structure makes Adorno prone to the allegation that his...Show moreThe striking similarities between Adorno’s ideal of philosophical writing — the so-called constellation — and his ideal of musical structure makes Adorno prone to the allegation that his philosophical writing is an illegal trespassing from the domain of philosophy to that of art. This thesis researches whether this allegation is founded or not. It therefore presents Adorno’s philosophy of negative dialectics and his theory of constellation in order to look at their interconnection and refutes the arguments for the beforementioned allegation. The thesis claims that Adorno’s constellation is not aesthetically, but philosophically motivated, more specifically ethically, because Adorno’s philosophy in its entirety is an ethically motivated theory of concepts. It further claims, that his constellation is grounded in the old philosophical tradition of performativity and the young tradition of performative writing; and that his philosophy as a whole, as a ethically motivated theory of concepts, as well the ethical motivation of the performativity of his writing, is grounded in what Brandom calls Kant’s ‘normative turn’.Show less
This thesis will argue that it is possible for a theory of European justice to escape Hayek’s trap. I will demonstrate this by combining Van Parijs’ theory of European justice with Sangiovanni’s...Show moreThis thesis will argue that it is possible for a theory of European justice to escape Hayek’s trap. I will demonstrate this by combining Van Parijs’ theory of European justice with Sangiovanni’s account of European solidarity. I will show that a theory of European justice is the most plausible when grounded in (European) solidarity. Specifically, I will argue that the most plausible and desirable way of understanding European solidarity – from a liberal egalitarian perspective – is represented by Sangiovanni’s account of European solidarity. Sangiovanni’s account supports the political aspect of the argument made by Van Parijs and demonstrates that his interpretation of a theory of European justice can escape Hayek’s trap.Show less
This thesis constitutes an inquiry into the foundations and implications of Neoplatonic metaphysics in and between Proclus (fl. AD 412-485) and the pseudonymous ‘Dionysius the Areopagite’ (fl. c....Show moreThis thesis constitutes an inquiry into the foundations and implications of Neoplatonic metaphysics in and between Proclus (fl. AD 412-485) and the pseudonymous ‘Dionysius the Areopagite’ (fl. c. AD 485-528). I propose that the systematic coherence of either of these philosophers depends upon a logic originating in and dependent upon a theological grammar revealed by a First Principle beyond Being. This is accomplished by first establishing the Parmenidean identification of logic and Being with its various implications as necessitating a First Principle beyond Being. From this foundation, I reconstruct Proclus’ and Dionysius’ deductive account of the declension of Being from this Principle. I show that in both cases an aporia arises with respect to reconciling the absolute unity of the One and the multiplicity of Being. This, I argue, can only be resolved through recognizing the common revelatory source of logic and a theological grammar that permits speech about a multiplicity beyond Being. In doing this, I outline the differing forms this takes for the Hellenic Pagan Proclus and the Christian Dionysius as well as the implications that this bears for the relation between philosophical reason, revelation, and theurgic activity.Show less
De opkomst van kunstmatige intelligentie (KI) heeft geleid tot een toename van het gebruik van KI-systemen in verschillende domeinen, zoals gezondheidszorg, financiën en transport. Het vertrouwen...Show moreDe opkomst van kunstmatige intelligentie (KI) heeft geleid tot een toename van het gebruik van KI-systemen in verschillende domeinen, zoals gezondheidszorg, financiën en transport. Het vertrouwen van gebruikers in deze systemen is van cruciaal belang voor het succesvolle gebruik ervan. Het ontwerp van deze systemen speelt een belangrijke rol bij het creëren van vertrouwen bij gebruikers. Deze scriptie onderzoekt hoe ons begrip van vertrouwen tegenover intelligente systemen ervoor beter op kan worden. De opkomst van kunstmatige intelligentie (AI) heeft geleid tot een toename van het gebruik van AI-systemen in verschillende domeinen, zoals gezondheidszorg, financiën en transport. Het vertrouwen van gebruikers in deze systemen is van cruciaal belang voor het succesvolle gebruik ervan. Het ontwerp van deze systemen speelt een belangrijke rol bij het creëren van vertrouwen bij gebruikers. Deze scriptie onderzoekt hoe ons begrip van vertrouwen tegenover intelligente systemen ervoor beter op kan worden.Show less
This thesis explores a hermeneutical method of Indo-Tibetan Madhyamaka of using the negative Catuṣkoṭi as the key conceptual pivot. Developed by the Sakya school of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and...Show moreThis thesis explores a hermeneutical method of Indo-Tibetan Madhyamaka of using the negative Catuṣkoṭi as the key conceptual pivot. Developed by the Sakya school of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and systematized by Gorampa Senge, this method, "freedom from extremes," clarifies emptiness and ultimate truth. The study investigates how the negative phenomenology of Madhyamaka is implicitly enunciated through its logic, emphasizing the collapse of intentionality, the mind, and phenomena before the mind. A middle way between transcendent and semantical interpretations is proposed, with the Prajñāpāramitāsūtras playing a crucial role. The thesis establishes a framework based on the negative Catuṣkoṭi's logic, examines its structure, and explores its final negation following Gorampa's resolute reading. The phenomenological exploration delves into the intentional dimension of the negative Catuṣkoṭi's grammar, drawing upon principles of Buddhist phenomenology.Show less
After Thomas Nagel publicised Mind and Cosmos in 2012, the response was overwhelmingly negative. Nagel criticises the Neo-Darwinian conception of nature and its apparent materialist naturalist...Show moreAfter Thomas Nagel publicised Mind and Cosmos in 2012, the response was overwhelmingly negative. Nagel criticises the Neo-Darwinian conception of nature and its apparent materialist naturalist orthodoxy in this book. I respond to James DiFrisco’s criticism of Nagel’s Mind and Cosmos in this thesis. I defend Mind and Cosmos against the two core criticisms put forward by DiFrisco. In the first chapter, I will explain Nagel’s criticism of physicalism in the philosophy of mind, the physical sciences and NeoDarwinist evolutionary theory in particular. In chapter two, I will elaborate on DiFrisco’s two core criticisms. These are Nagel's alleged confusion of Neo-Darwinist evolutionary theory as a theory of everything and an accusation that Nagel paints a false opponent in biology. I will refute DiFrisco’s two core criticisms in the third and final chapter.Show less
Truth as correspondence to reality does not seem to play a role within Merleau-Ponty’s hermeneutical ontology. I will argue that truth however still has a place in this ontology. Through a reading...Show moreTruth as correspondence to reality does not seem to play a role within Merleau-Ponty’s hermeneutical ontology. I will argue that truth however still has a place in this ontology. Through a reading of several of Merleau-Ponty’s texts on the philosophy of expression, I will show that truth plays a vital role in expression. I will argue that within expression, truth does have a role in establishing meaning as a style, creating the depth in which meaning can appear.Show less
