Marcos Silva

Despite Charles Darwin's theoretical and empirical works on adaptation, and despite the adaptationist research program that began in the 19th century, its consolidation took place only in the 1960s. The general issue guiding this paper concerns which elements held back the consolidation of the adaptationist program and which needed to be triggered to trigger this consolidation. The hypothesis we present departs from i) the historical orientation given by Caponi (2011) and ii) the philosophical concept of scientific disciplines by Lenoi (2003), that is, that adaptationism was only consolidated when it obtained its institutionalisation as a scientific discipline.

This article develops a skeptical and materialist critique of the contemporary literature on deep disagreements, arguing that it fails to capture the actual dynamics of persuasion in persistent ethical and political conflicts. We argue, first, that even in Fogelin (1985/2005) persuasion appears as an under-theorized residue of the failure of rational argumentation, abstracted from relations of power, affect, and the material conditions that structure language games. Second, we defend a normative turn in the analysis of deep disagreements: such disagreements are not primarily about the truth of beliefs, but about disputes over criteria, procedures, and norms that determine what counts as fact, reasonable, legitimate, or true. This criterial dispute leads to a normative reading of the Agrippan trilemma, in which the regress is not one of beliefs but of criteria, and is stabilized at the level of hinge certainties. Third, we argue that these hinge certainties function as metacriteria for action and that, in contexts of structural injustice, they can and should be made explicit, contested, and transformed. An analysis of several scenarios drawn from the imaginary dialogue between Moore and the king in Wittgenstein’s On Certainty (1969) shows that persuasion, when it occurs, is always mediated by institutions, affects, and power. On this basis, we defend the possibility of collective normative intervention in conceptual practices, which we characterize as grammatical sovereignty, as a practical condition for the transformation of unjust language games.

This article proposes a critical reformulation of semantic inferentialism and logical expressivism from a peripheral perspective. It argues that, for groups subjected to regimes of racial, colonial, and gender domination, language should be conceived neither as a mirror of reality nor merely as a lamp that makes explicit norms already operative in language games. Such regimes of domination are analyzed as forms of grammatical violence, understood as the imposition of networks of material inferences that not only fix the meaning of the concepts operative in our language games but also prey upon the grammar of an autochthonous form of life, insofar as they redistribute authority, value, recognition, and exclusion. Concepts such as “race” and “gender” function as conceptual axes with high inferential density that naturalize hierarchies under the appearance of normative neutrality. A distinction is thus drawn between inferential bootstrapping and grammatical levers. The former designates the process of making rules explicit while participating in the practices that confer meaning upon them. Grammatical levers name situated interventions that identify conceptual fulcrums within these inferential networks and, beyond making them explicit, mobilize collective action to shift them. The paper also discusses normative “aquilombamento” as a historical form of collective consolidation of alternative grammars. Examples such as the Quilombo dos Palmares, the activism of Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers are analyzed as struggles for grammatical sovereignty and normative self-determination by minoritized groups within supremacist language games, rather than as demands for mere assimilation, integration, or expansion of civil rights.

A eficiência reprodutiva dos bovinos leiteiros é fundamental para a sustentabilidade da pecuária no semiárido, especialmente em Minas Gerais e Bahia, onde altas temperaturas e escassez de chuvas afetam a fertilidade e a rentabilidade. O estresse térmico é um dos principais fatores que comprometem a reprodução, pois altera o equilíbrio hormonal e reduz a manifestação de cio. O Índice de Temperatura e Umidade (ITU) é utilizado para avaliar o nível de desconforto térmico, sendo valores acima de 74 considerados críticos. Estratégias como sombreamento, oferta de água fresca, ventilação adequada e sistemas de resfriamento ajudam a manter o conforto térmico e melhorar o desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo. Além disso, o uso de vacas mestiças, como o Girolando, mostra-se vantajoso por sua adaptação ao calor. Assim, o manejo adequado aliado à genética adaptada é essencial para garantir produtividade e sustentabilidade da pecuária leiteira no semiárido. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: eficiência reprodutiva; bovinos leiteiros; estresse térmico; conforto térmico; semiárido; manejo; sustentabilidade.

This article proposes the concept of grammatical leverage as a neopragmatist and anticolonial model of normative, conceptual, and affective transformation within forms of life marked by domination and exploitation. Drawing on Wittgenstein (1953, 1969) and Brandom (1994, 2000), in dialogue with peripheral and quilombola perspectives (Nascimento 2021), we argue that reversing unjust language-games requires not only conceptual reconstruction but also affective reorientation-such as the conversion of shame into collective pride among oppressed groups. Inspired by Wittgenstein’s hinge epistemology, we understand grammar as a system of normative hinges, that is, fulcrums of meaning and value that sustain forms of life. To leverage grammar is to redirect these fulcrums, shifting tacit certainties that naturalize racial, patriarchal, and colonial hierarchies. We critically reinterpret Brandom’s semantic inferentialism and logical expressivism to include the affective and embodied dimensions of normativity, conceiving meaning as part of a shared inferential landscape. We propose five levels of normative resistance-from semantic awareness to grammatical sovereignty-and three modalities of leverage: interfixal (conceptual redefinition), inter-resistant (community creation), and inter-potent (affective reversal). Thus, to leverage grammar is to move the world: language ceases to be a site of captivity and becomes a territory of resistance, authorship, and collective self-determination.

This essay examines the polysemy of ‘spielen’ in order to redirect the metaphorical talk of games as a critical tool against individualism, intellectualism, internalism, and representationalism in Modern philosophy. First, we revisit how neopragmatists have used chess to explain the public dimension of meaning. Though fruitful, we argue that this metaphor still bears intellectualist, elitists, and, more pressingly, overly mentalist assumptions. In the second section, we thus suggest football as a more accurate game-metaphor to express human know-how. For us, football better exhibits an enactive approach to cognition: rules acquire meaning by embodied acts, favouring improvisation and collective dynamics. Football thus shows ‘spielen’ as a self-regulated activity that emerges out of interaction with other embodied agents, institutions, and a rich environment. The third section draws on our metaphor to explore a threefold normative dimension of ‘spielen’ (biological, social, and moral), thus arguing for its better suitability to exemplify the organic, collective, and embedded realms that constitute embodied cognition.

Embora Negritude sem Identidade, de Érico Andrade, apresente uma crítica instigante à modernidade e uma valorização da singularidade da experiência negra, a obra levanta sérias questões teóricas e políticas. O uso ambíguo e indefinido do conceito de “identidade” compromete a clareza argumentativa, especialmente quando Andrade propõe a renúncia à identidade como estratégia de resistência. Tal proposta ignora o papel central que a identidade desempenha na coesão política, jurídica e histórica de grupos minorizados. Ao abrir mão desse conceito por falta de fundamento ontológico, corre-se o risco de desarmar pragmaticamente tais grupos na luta por direitos, reconhecimento e proteção legal. Além disso, a obra negligencia a inter-relação entre racismo e especismo, ignorando como ambos compartilham a mesma lógica excludente da modernidade. A crítica de Andrade ao racismo moderno não se estende ao seu antropocentrismo, reforçando, mesmo que involuntariamente, um paradigma que desqualifica outros seres com base em critérios arbitrários de racionalidade. Por fim, ao enfatizar o corpo e a performatividade como núcleo da experiência negra, o autor pode incorrer no mesmo erro que critica: o achatamento da singularidade, reproduzindo estereótipos que associam a negritude exclusivamente à corporeidade, em detrimento da diversidade intelectual e existencial de pessoas negras.

Corruption is not a modern phenomenon but it has always been present in the human history. So, it is not a natural phenomenon but a historical one whosecauses can be attributed to individuals as much as to political and social organizations. There is a great agreement among specialists and non-specialists about the damages and the losses that result of the practice of corruption. A common question among the ones that want to do something in order to get away with such behavior is to find the most effective way of doing it. Would there be these means? In order to give some insight for possible attitudes and plans it was asked to four philosophers, tree Germans and one Italian, if it would be viable an effective combat to corruption and what could be done. From the point of view of the researcher’s common European situation and the cultural difference between two countries, it could be noticed that a solution can only go through the guiding element of the economic-social-political organization that show off corruption and its evils in the forms of privileges, marginalization and extreme poverty. More than affecting individuals, corruption strikes much more and always the collective causing abasement mainly among the least favored.

Inferências não dedutivas não garantem certeza; porém, elas são indispensáveis na ciência (para a indução, raciocínio probabilístico e inferência da melhor explicação). Paul Thagard tentou desenvolver uma noção – a noção de mecanismos – a fim de mostrar que eles, ainda que não garantam certeza, podem atenuar os problemas sugeridos por uma abordagem não dedutiva, ao contribuírem na compreensão das possíveis causas de um fenômeno. Este artigo aborda a noção de mecanismos de Thagard para a inferência da melhor explicação.

Este artigo naturaliza a inferência indutiva, indicando como o conhecimento científico de mecanismos reais proporciona grandes benefícios para essa forma de inferência. Apresento a ideia de que o conhecimento sobre mecanismos contribui para a generalização, para a inferência da melhor explicação, para a inferência causal e para o raciocínio probabilístico. Partindo da ideia de que alguns A são B, uma generalização de que todos A são B se torna mais plausível quando um mecanismo conecta A e B. A inferência da melhor explicação é fortalecida quando as explicações empregam mecanismos e quando as hipóteses explicativas são elas próprias explicadas por meio de mecanismos. As inferências causais na explicação médica, no raciocínio contrafactual e por meio da analogia também se beneficiam de conexões por meio de mecanismos, os quais também auxiliam em problemas relativos à interpretação, disponibilidade e cálculo de probabilidades.

In On Certainty, Wittgenstein suggests that doubting whether he “is a man” may exceed the limits of how our epistemic language-games function (§79). Since the certainty that things like “men” and “women” exist in the world is so deeply embedded in our world-picture (Weltbild) that it cannot be called into question, it might constitute a curious example of what the author calls a “hinge certainty”. However, the fact that our worldview is shaped by gender- related certainties should not be taken as immutable. In this paper, we argue that even if the gender binary can be considered a hinge certainty, this does not prevent it from being challenged and changed. To do so, we first contend that any interpretation of how hinges structure our epistemic language-games must prioritize at least one of the metaphors presented in On Certainty over the others. The selected metaphors would support either an anti-foundationalist or foundationalist epistemological reading. A foundationalist view of hinge certainties, we argue, is responsible for their supposed immutability, including gender- related hinge certainties. We then take the presumed immutability of gender certainties as a specific case study concerning the alleged immutability of hinge certainties. Here, we propose interpreting the gender binary as the foundation of our world-picture, whose “certainty” can be seen as a violent normative constraint. Through our anti-foundationalist reading of Wittgensteinian epistemology, we maintain that hinge certainties must be mutable, given their functional status — that is, their role or function should vary across different contexts. In defense of revising hinge certainties, we argue that our practices can serve as tools to challenge the hinge status of the gender binary.

O Problema da Exclusão das Cores impõe inter alia que a lógica deva olhar para arranjos conceituais no mundo. Isto representa o colapso do que Wittgenstein defendia na explicação tractariana da lógica (cf. 5.473 e 5.551). O tipo de estrutura lógica que nós encontramos dentro das proposições elementares não pode ser expresso em termos de verofuncionalidade, i.e., com produtos e somas lógicas. Além disso, uma vez que proposições elementares não podem ser capturadas adequadamente através da negação de um elemento repetido, o tipo de exclusão dentro de sistemas não pode ser a da contradição. Isto significa a emergência necessária da semântica em um domínio alegadamente sintático. Nós demandamos então novas ferramentas para expressar operadores não-neutros com escopos restritos e exclusões semânticas mais finas. Introduzo aqui, então, a noção de graus de exclusão interna e externa (de segunda ordem) a um sistema. Estes graus de exclusão podem não ser homogêneos, mas devem ser infinitos dependendo do sistema de proposições em que estivermos trabalhando. Ao longo do caminho, defendo que não podemos reduzir um sistema a outro sem distorções e que fazer isto é tampouco necessário.

RESUMO A torção uterina é uma complicação séria que ocorre quando o corno uterino gestante se torce sobre o útero, impedindo seu retorno à posição normal. É mais frequente em vacas, sendo uma das principais causas de distocia. Os sinais clínicos dependem da intensidade do problema, mas incluem desconforto abdominal, dificuldade para respirar, batimentos cardíacos acelerados e, em situações extremas, até a morte do tecido uterino. A escolha da melhor conduta terapêutica depende do estágio da gestação, do grau da torção e da condição geral da vaca e do bezerro. Deste modo relata-se o caso de um acompanhamento da técnica de cesariana em uma fêmea com distocia devido à torção uterina. Foi atendida no Hospital Universitário Veterinário (HUV) da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), uma vaca apresentando sinais de distocia. Após exame clínico e palpação transretal constatou-se que o feto se encontrava sem vida. O tratamento consistiu na utilização de anti-inflamatórios, antibióticos e cesariana. Após 48 dias de sua entrada no hospital, o animal obteve alta médica. Diante do exposto, conclui-se que a intervenção cirúrgica imediata, aliada ao tratamento clínico adotado, foi essencial para o sucesso terapêutico. Palavras-Chave: cesariana; distocia; torção uterina. ABSTRACT Uterine torsion is a serious complication that occurs when the pregnant uterine horn twists over the uterus, preventing it from returning to its normal position. It is more common in cows and is one of the main causes of dystocia. Clinical signs depend on the severity of the problem, but include abdominal discomfort, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat and, in extreme cases, even death of uterine tissue. The choice of the best therapeutic approach depends on the stage of pregnancy, the degree of torsion and the general condition of the cow and calf. Thus, we report the case of a follow-up of the cesarean section technique in a female with dystocia due to uterine torsion. A cow presenting signs of dystocia was treated at the Veterinary University Hospital (HUV) of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). After clinical examination and transrectal palpation, it was found that the fetus was dead. Treatment consisted of the use of anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and cesarean section. After 48 days of admission to the hospital, the animal was discharged. Given the above, it is concluded that immediate surgical intervention, combined with the clinical treatment adopted, was essential for therapeutic success. Keywords: cesarean section; dystocia; uterine torsion.

The objective of this study was to evaluate lipid sources, associated with spineless cactus or not, as a strategy for reducing feed costs in goat milk production. Twelve lactating Saanen goats, with an average body weight of 55.0±8.0kg, were distributed in a 4x4 Latin square, with a 2x2 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of two lipid sources (coconut peels - CP; and cottonseed - CT), associated or not with “Orelha de Elefante Mexicana” (OEM) spineless cactus. Goats that consumed diets containing cottonseed as the main source of energy showed higher performance indexes (P<0.05). The CP+OEM treatment presented the lowest cost for 1 kg of dry matter (R$ 1.78). The PC diet demonstrated lower daily feeding costs (R$ 2.54). Total revenue was higher for the CT+OEM diet (R$ 8.17), as was net income (R$ 4.19). Therefore, the association of cottonseed with OEM spineless cactus in the feeding of lactating goats is recommended, due to the reduction in feeding costs, especially with roughage, in addition to superior performance, contributing to greater profitability of the activity. Keywords: economic evaluation, fat feeds, milk production, Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw., small ruminants.

Gaslighting pode ser entendido enquanto um tipo de manipulação na qual a vítima é induzida a pôr em dúvida suas próprias percepções e experiências mais básicas e, portanto, sanidade. Para compreender qual a natureza do tipo de dúvida que surge nas vítimas de casos de gaslighting, Trächtler (2022) busca explicitar como é possível que alguém seja levado ao desespero ao ser manipulado a suscitar autoquestionamentos sistemáticos sobre assuntos tão fundamentais de sua própria vida. Para tanto, a autora apresenta uma conceituação do gaslighting enquanto um tipo de injustiça epistêmica seguindo Fricker (2007). Alinhado a isto, a partir de reflexões epistemológicas inspiradas no Sobre a Certeza (1969), obra póstuma de Wittgenstein, Trächtler fornece também uma discussão detalhada sobre a natureza de nossas práticas de duvidar. Aqui defendemos, como Trächler que os autoquestionamentos presentes na prática de gaslighting de fato violam os limites dos nossos jogos de linguagem cotidianos, mas consideramos incoerente interpretar que o dano causado nessa prática incida prioritariamente sobre ao domínio epistêmico da vítima. Nesse sentido, também inspirados em Wittgenstein (1969), defenderemos aqui que o fenômeno gaslighting deva ser mais adequadamente enquadrado conceitualmente como uma forma de violência gramatical. Gaslighting deveria ser tomado, portanto, como um ataque prioritariamente gramatical, no sentido wittgensteiniano, que propriamente epistemológico. A partir dessa conceitualização, exploramos as implicações do que chamamos aqui de violência gramatical e apontamos uma possível forma de resistir, também, gramaticalmente, ao gaslighting.

Forty lambs with 90 ± 5 days of age; 24 ± 3 kg initial BW; were confined in a feedlotfor 60 days and assigned two different diets, without or with soy lecithin. The animals were slaughtered, and the carcasses were kept in a cold chamber for 24 h, at 2ºC, and were measured for carcass yield, chemical composition of the meat, lipid oxidation and fatty acid profile. The experimental design was completely randomized, data were analyzed using SAS, and compared with the means by the Student Test at 5% probabilities. The use of soy lecithin improve daily weight gain (kg/d, P < 0.05) and reduced hot and cold carcass yield (P > 0.05), but it did not alter other carcass characteristics with pH, temperature, loin area, subcutaneous fat thickness. The moisture, protein, ethereal extract and mineral of meat has not been altered by the soy lecithin (P>0.05). The results was same for lipid oxidation (P > 0.05). In the fatty acid profile, only C17:1c9 and C18:2t acids were altered (P < 0.05). The study indicates that soy lecithin can be used safely in animal feed as it does not negatively affect the quality of the meat and carcass of the animal, ensuring the production of food safety for the consumer.

In order to explain the success of scientific achievements, traditional approaches in philosophy of science employ epistemological criteria; social constructivist approaches, a) also use epistemological criteria, but they do so without the well-known accuracy of traditional approaches, b) when they employ their own social constructivist concepts, lack them the exactness which we find at epistemological criteria, and c) spend a lot more in stories than in conceptual reconstructions. Therefore, we have a methodological difference between traditional approaches and social constructivism. This difference will be the key subject matter of this paper. The core concept that runs through the paper is that, although social constructivist stories sound ways of explaining the success of science, they have some thresholds.

Here I defend that the systems of propositions (Satzsysteme) in the middle period of Wittgenstein's Philosophy represent the development of the tractarian notion of logical space after the Color Exclusion Problem. I aim then to deal with some essential features of these emergent systems, namely: 1. the radicalization of a kind of holism to be found already in the Tractatus; 2. the exclusion by contrariety, which shows the insufficiency of contradiction in capturing finer conceptual exclusions; 3. the asymmetric negation, which allows the explosion of alternatives and overcomes the tractarian bipolarity; and 4. the mandatory exhaustion (completeness) of possibilities, i.e., all possible articulation of conceptual elements must be totally provided in a system.