The role of transcendental reflection in realization of the power of judgment

This article analyzes the peculiarities of functionality of transcendental reflection among judges in the context of realization of the power of judgment. An attempt is made to answer the questions on how the judges exercise their power of judgment in decision-making, problems they are facing and ways for their solution. Attention is focused on the peculiarities of ensuring unity of self-consciousness of the judge in carrying out professional activity, as well as on the flaws of the determining and reflective power of judgment, which serve as the grounds for vacation of decisions of the courts of primary jurisdiction through appellation. The author also reviews the prospects for the implementation of artificial intelligence systems into judicial proceedings in light of the questions raised in the article. This work leans on the results of research conducted in 2019–2020 at the intersection of theoretical philosophy, philosophy and sociology of law, theory of state and law. Within the framework of this study, the question of decision-making by judges is viewed through the prism of philosophical system of I. Kant, namely through his concept of the power of judgment. The research is carried out in three directions: transcendental, formal-legal, and sociological. The results consist in formulation of practical recommendations that would improve the effectiveness of realization of the power of judgment, and thus the overall efficiency of judicial proceedings in Russia.

Examining the Diffuse Reflectance Spectra and the Radiation Stability for the Mixtures of BaSO4 Micropowders and SiO2 Nanopowders with Various Specific Surface Area

The paper is devoted to studying the effect of the specific surface area (SSA) of SiO2nanopowders (3 wt.%) added to BaSO4powders of a micron size on grain size distribution and diffuse reflectance spectra (ρλ) within the UV, visible, and near IR regions. Additionally, the authors have examined the spectra alteration (Δρλ) after irradiating with electrons (E=30 KeV). It has been established that mere mixing of the powders at a low concentration of nanoparticles leads to the post-irradiation decrease in the reflective power and to the subsequent increase in the reflectance coefficient stability.

Für eine Feministische Politische Ökologie des Klimawandels

Social science climate research falls significantly short of the reflective power of feminist thought when it comes to the role of gender and its intersection with other categories of social difference and hierarchy in adaptation to climate change. This article seeks to narrow this gap by broadening the perspectives for an analysis of gender and adaptation to climate change from an intersectional and Political Ecology perspective. It argues for an multi-level framework that considers and relates three analytical levels: the political economic mechanisms of hierarchization, which shape the individual and collective scope of action through their material gender-, and class- or age specific effects, the effects of hegemonic representations and discourses, and the subject level in order to capture the identity political dynamics that contribute to unequal options for climate adaptation among subjects. It provides empirical illustrations from a case study in Mexico/Chiapas.

Is the Categorical Imperative the Highest Principle of Both Pure Practical and Theoretical Reason?

In her new book, Patricia Kitcher supports Onora O'Neill's view that the categorical imperative is the highest principle of both practical and theoretical reason. I claim that neither O'Neill's original interpretation nor Kitcher's additional evidence in favour of it are convincing. At its core, this misconception of Kant's position consists in the identification of self-referential critique of reason with the concept of autonomy. It will be shown that the ‘common principle’ (Kant) of both practical and theoretical reason is not the categorical imperative, but the reflective power of judgement, as Kant claims in the Critique of the Power of Judgement.

Individual E-Portfolios

Electronic portfolios experienced a surge of public interest and funding from 1999 to 2003, but implementation of programs involving the utilization of this tool has been mixed since then. The purpose of this chapter is to identify the current practices related to the use of e-portfolios and to examine some of the latest Web 2.0 tools with the goal of assessing their potential for facilitating possible implementation of e-portfolios. First, we examine the historic concept of portfolios in general and of the e-portfolio in particular within the context of teacher education. Then, we look at the gaps between theory and practice in regard to the utilization of e-portfolios and explore some of the proposed reasons for these gaps. Characteristics of existing e-portfolio tools and emerging Web 2.0 tools are examined for their potential in helping to close these gaps and in facilitating the reflective power of e-portfolios. Finally, we suggest options for students, teachers and administrators in search of sticky and portable e-portfolio solutions.

A corneal surface study in patients after laser keratomilesis

The cornea of the human eye is not only refracts the light, but also acts as a convex mirror, which reflects the surroundings. In ophthalmology, an image reflected by its anterior surface is known as the 1st Purkinje image. Characteristics of this image are determined by the properties of the light source and the state of corneal surface. At the present time, there are many methods in ophthalmology to study various properties of the cornea, but most of them either require expensive equipment or are qualitative and not informative. Meanwhile, a “shining” characteristic of the cornea in general is assessed subjectively and is not properly addressed in the ophthalmic literature. Our work was conducted to study the possibility of applying the method of measuring the reflective ability of the cornea to measure the state of its anterior surface. Our study involved men and women aged 18–45 years after laser-assisted in situ keratomilesis (LASIK). With our new method of measuring the corneal reflectance, we investigated patients before surgery, day 1 post-op and after 1 week. Each study case included a measurement of the reflectivity of the cornea after blinking, and after 15 sec. We found that on the day 1 after surgery corneal reflectivity increases, at the same time, 15 sec after blinking it is reduced to normal. This suggests a reduction of the tear film stability and that the patients had some symptoms of corneal syndrome, and as a consequence, increased tear production. One week after surgery, we observed a different picture: the reflective power of the cornea decreased. We consider this to be a sign of corneal nerves damage and decreased tear production.