scholarly journals From an Outsider's Point of View: Lorenzo Valla on the Soul

Vivarium ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-391
Author(s):  
Lodi Nauta

AbstractIn his Repastinatio. . . Lorenzo Valla launched a heavy attack on Aristotelian-scholastic thought. While most of this book is devoted to metaphysics, language and argumentation, Valla also incorporates chapters on the soul and natural philosophy. Using as criteria good Latin, common sense and common observation, he rejected much of standard Aristotelian teaching on the soul, replacing the hylopmorphic account of the scholastics by an Augustinian one. In this article his arguments on the soul's autonomy, nobility and independency from the body are studied and analysed. His critique of Aristotle's opinions on natural phenomena as being untrue to what we observe will also be briefly studied. His arguments do not show him always to be deep or consistent thinker, but the critical review of Aristotelian philosophy proceeds from some philosophically interesting assumptions. Moreover, from a broader historical perspective his undermining of Aristotle's authority may be regarded as a contribution to the final demise of the Aristotelian paradigm, even though the humanist critique was just one factor in this process.

Author(s):  
Ilya G. Guryanov

Most of the studies on the history of medicine, pay special attention to how the plague epidemics in 14th–16th centuries had changed the medical theory and practice. In the medical discourse, those epidemics helped to shape the “epistemology of particulars (particularia)” which contrast with the scholastic epistemology dealing with the search of universal causes. Marsilio Ficino, one of the most influential natural philosophers of the Renaissance, combines scholastic medicine and philosophy of ancient authors in order to develop his theory of epidemics in the treatises Consilio contra la pestilentia and De vita. He identifies the external and internal causes of plague and describes ways to combat the disease. The external cause is the constellations of planets which cause putrid exhalation in certain territories that is an example of conventional scholastic epistemology dealing with mass diseases. The internal cause is identified with the inability of the body to resist the disease “from within”. The main focus of my paper is the argument that, according to Ficino, philosophers have a special ability to resist disease “from within”. The figure of Socrates and his ability to withstand the Plague of Athens allows Ficino to formulate a new take on epidemics which falls within the scope of “epistemology of particulars”. From the historical point of view, the novelty of my approach comes from the fact that I trace the source of Ficino’s knowledge about Socrates’ disease resistance ability to Noct. Att. 2.1. of Aulus Gellius. Ficino’s natural philosophy suggests that a philosopher from their very birth is “by nature” predisposed to philosophical contemplation, therefore the realization of their vital destination through multiple sympathetic connections affects all levels of the universe. Ficino’s doctrine has a social and political dimension since a philosopher (i.e. a platonist), attracting positive astral influences, levels the effect of negative “heavenly” causes of mass diseases and thus benefits all people around him. Thus, the practice of philosophy (i.e. Platonism in Ficino’s interpretation) during epidemics is not simply a form of leisure time or private activity for a philosopher but a form of concern for public health. The paper also offers a commented Russian translation of chapters 1–2, with the Proem, of Ficino’s treatise Consilio contra la pestilentia.


Author(s):  
Luna Dolezal

The notion that the body can be changed at will in order to meet the desires and designs of its ‘owner’ is one that has captured the popular imagination and underpins contemporary medical practices such as cosmetic surgery and gender reassignment. In fact, describing the body as ‘malleable’ or ‘plastic’ has entered common parlance and dictates common-sense ideas of how we understand the human body in late-capitalist consumer societies in the wake of commercial biotechnologies that work to modify the body aesthetically and otherwise. If we are not satisfied with some aspect of our physicality – in terms of health, function or aesthetics – we can engage with a whole variety of self-care body practices – fashion, diet, exercise, cosmetics, medicine, surgery, laser – in order to ‘correct’, reshape or restyle the body. In addition, as technology has advanced and elective cosmetic surgery has unapologetically entered the mainstream, the notion of the malleable body has become intrinsically linked to the practices and discourses of biomedicine and, furthermore, has become a significant means to assert and affirm identity.


In the article the analysis of nonsense, absurdity and paradox from the standpoint of linguistics is giv-en. Different points of view on these categories in relation to the meaning are considered. An attempt is made to reveal the commonality and specificity of nonsense, absurdity and paradox. Some researchers consider nonsense and paradox as a kind of absurdity. There is a dichotomous point of view on nonsense as one of the components of absurdity. However, there are works where these categories are differentiat-ed, for example, absurdity is understood as an ontological category, and nonsense as an epistemological category. There is a view of these categories through the allocation of "non-sense", "out-sense" and 136 "counter-sense" there is also a view that in the case of nonsense we are talking about the incompatibility of representations, and in the case of absurdity-the incompatibility of objects. If there are criteria that allow us to consider the presence of this phenomenon as natural, absurdity ceases to exist. Consequently, the view is expressed that nonsense, absurdity and paradox are different categories of thinking. Paradox is a contradiction arising from the presence of two or more common sense. The absurdity can be seen as a" counter-sense» opposing common sense and putting forward the concept of active impossibility of the latter's existence. As for nonsense, it is the meaning of metaphysical level – a meaning that goes beyond the ordinary meaning and creates new meanings. It is concluded that nonsense, absurdity and paradox are independent categories of human thinking, which is a manifestation of the cognitive function of hu-man consciousness.


Author(s):  
Evi Zohar

Continuing the workshop I've given in the WPC Paris (2017), this article elaborates my discussion of the way I interlace Focusing with Differentiation Based Couples Therapy (Megged, 2017) under the systemic view, in order to facilitate processes of change and healing in working with intimate couples. This article presents the theory and rationale of integrating Differentiation (Bowen, 1978; Schnarch, 2009; Megged, 2017) and Focusing (Gendlin, 1981) approaches, and its therapeutic potential in couple's therapy. It is written from the point of view of a practicing professional in order to illustrate the experiential nature and dynamics of the suggested therapeutic path. Differentiation is a key to mutuality. It offers a solution to the central struggle of any long term intimate relationship: balancing two basic life forces - the drive for individuality and the drive for togetherness (Schnarch, 2009). Focusing is a body-oriented process of self-awareness and emotional healing, in which one learns to pay attention to the body and the ‘Felt Sense’, in order to unfold the implicit, keep it in motion at the precise pace it needs for carrying the next step forward (Gendlin, 1996). Combining Focusing and Differentiation perspectives can cultivate the kind of relationship where a conflict can be constructively and successfully held in the inner world of each partner, while taking into consideration the others' well-being. This creates the possibility for two people to build a mutual emotional field, open to changes, permeable and resilient.


Author(s):  
Sandip R. Baheti ◽  
Deepa Sharma ◽  
Saroj Devi ◽  
Amit Rai

Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath may be simply termed as Shwasa (Asthma), As per Ayurveda, Shwasa is mainly caused by the Vata and Kapha Doshas. Shwasa is broadly classified into five types in Maha Shwasa (Dyspnoea major), Urdhawa Shwasa (Expiratory Dyspnoea), Chinna Shwasa (Chyne-stroke respiration), Kshudra Shwasa (Dyspnoea minor), Tamaka Shwasa (Bronchial Asthma). In modern science Tamaka Shwasa can be correlated with Asthma, Asthma which is a chronic inflammatory disease of airway. In modern medicine there is no cure for Asthma, symptoms can typically be improved. In Ayurveda, Asthma can be effectively and safely manage the condition without inducing any drug dependency where Pachakarma procedures and use of internal medication detoxifies the body, provides nutrition and increases the elasticity of lung tissue it also develops natural immunity of the body thus decreasing episodic recurrence of the disease.


Author(s):  
Dr. Rishu Sharma ◽  
Dr. Gyanendra Datta Shukla ◽  
Dr. Alok Kumar Srivastava

Panchakarma therapy is one of the vital branch of Ayurveda, which deals mainly with purification of the provoked Doshas from the body. Basti Chikitsa is regarded as the prime treatment modality among the Panchakarma. It is having not only curative action but also preventive and promotive actions. It is considered as best treatment for Vata Dosha. Yapana Basti is a subtype of Asthapana Basti, which is having the property to support life and promote longevity and widely used in various disorders. Rajayapana Basti is superior amongst all the Yapana Bastis described by Acharya Charaka as it is the king of Yapana. This Rasayana Yapana Basti performs dual function of both Anuvasana and Niruha; hence this is Srotoshodhaka and Brimhana at the sametime. That’s why there is no need to administer separate Anuvasana while giving Yapana Basti. There is an urgent need of standardizing the classical Panchakarma procedures in consideration of the need of today. The dosage schedule, exact procedures, medicaments, effects, and side effects are to be standardized so that uniform procedure of practice should be followed all over nation. Standardization is the need of hour for physicians, to prevent Atiyoga (over activity), Ayoga (less or no activity) and to get adequate effects in a systematic and sophisticated manner within desired time period.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Redacción CEIICH

<p class="p1">The third number of <span class="s1"><strong>INTER</strong></span><span class="s2"><strong>disciplina </strong></span>underscores this generic reference of <em>Bodies </em>as an approach to a key issue in the understanding of social reality from a humanistic perspective, and to understand, from the social point of view, the contributions of the research in philosophy of the body, cultural history of the anatomy, as well as the approximations queer, feminist theories and the psychoanalytical, and literary studies.</p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-108
Author(s):  
A.F. Jităreanu ◽  
Elena Leonte ◽  
A. Chiran ◽  
Benedicta Drobotă

Abstract Advertising helps to establish a set of assumptions that the consumer will bring to all other aspects of their engagement with a given brand. Advertising provides tangible evidence of the financial credibility and competitive presence of an organization. Persuasion is becoming more important in advertising. In marketing, persuasive advertising acts to establish wants/motivations and beliefs/attitudes by helping to formulate a conception of the brand as being one which people like those in the target audience would or should prefer. Considering the changes in lifestyle and eating habits of a significant part of the population in urban areas in Romania, the paper aims to analyse how brands manage to differentiate themselves from competitors, to reposition themselves on the market and influence consumers, meeting their increasingly varied needs. Food brands on the Romanian market are trying, lately, to identify new methods of differentiation and new benefits for their buyers. Given that more and more consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about what they eat and the products’ health effects, brands struggle to highlight the fact that their products offer real benefits for the body. The advertisements have become more diversified and underline the positive effects, from the health and well - being point of view, that those foods offer (no additives and preservatives, use of natural ingredients, various vitamins and minerals or the fact that they are dietary). Advertising messages’ diversification is obvious on the Romanian market, in the context of an increasing concern of the population for the growing level of information of some major consumer segments.


Nuncius ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-49
Author(s):  
Dario De Santis

AbstractThe scientific debate which developed during the eighteenth century, proposed and diffused new theories on the generation not only within the scientific community. Microscopic investigation and various experimental campaigns fostered daring models attempting to unveil the natural phenomena from which life originates. Besides the famous scientific and philosophical works that marked the age, in the second part of the century two pamphlets appeared that well represent the importance of the querelle about embryological systems defining the concept of generation as a voyage within the human body. Lucina sine concubitu and Juno abortans, respectively published in England and in Germany between 1750 and 1760, narrate the odd and imaginary adventures of two doctors who are trying to interrupt and modify the embryos' journey towards the body of the mother.


The following paper is a study of the surface waves caused by a doublet in a uniform stream, and in particular the variation in the pattern with the velocity of the stream or the depth of the doublet. In most recent work on this subject attention has been directed more to the wave resistance, which can be evaluated with less difficulty than is involved in a detailed study of the waves; in fact, it would seem that it is not necessary for that purpose to know the surface elevation completely, but only certain significant terms at large distances from the disturbance. Recent experimental work has shown con­siderable agreement between theoretical expressions for wave resistance and results for ship models of simple form, and attempts have been made at a similar comparison for the surface elevation in the neighbourhood of the ship. In the latter respect it may be necessary to examine expressions for the surface elevation with more care, as they are not quite determinate; any suitable free disturbance may be superposed upon the forced waves. For instance, it is well known that in a frictionless liquid a possible solution is one which gives waves in advance as well as in the rear of the ship, and the practical solution is obtained by superposing free waves which annul those in advance, or by some equivalent artifice. This process is simple and definite for an ideal point disturbance, but for a body of finite size or a distributed disturbance the complete surface elevation in the neighbourhood of the body requires more careful specification as regards the local part due to each element. It had been intended to consider some expressions specially from this point of view, but as the matter stands at present it would entail a very great amount of numerical calculation, and the present paper is limited to a much simpler problem although also involving considerable computation. A horizontal doublet of given moment is at a depth f below the surface of a stream of velocity c ; the surface effect may be described as a local disturbance symmetrical fore and aft of the doublet together with waves to the rear. Two points are made in the following work.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document