María Luisa

Quantum logic represents a singular point in the class of non-classical logics. Created in the Thirties by Birkhoff and von Neumann 1936 in strict connection with the mathematical formalism of quantum theory, it has been considered for a long time as a kind of ‘fictious logic’, a mere extrapolation from the algebraic structure of the set of all closed subspaces in a Hilbert space, devoided of any independent logical significance. However, such a view has been largely overcome in recent years: today it is very clear that quantum logic is a ‘real logic’, at least in the sense that it possesses a logical status completely similar to that of other well-accepted logics, which are weaker than classical logic (like, for instance, intuitionistic logic).

This chapter discusses the issues of paternalism and beneficence as seen in the film _Dark Victory_ (1939). The film tells the story of Judith (Bette Davis), a wealthy young lady and her neurosurgeon, Doctor Steel (George Brent). Judith's recurrent headaches leads to a diagnosis of malignant glioma, which her doctors decide to hide from her. Ultimately, Steel and Judith fall in love and wed. Dr. Steele is the strongest of paternalists who withholds information, intentionally lies, and falls in love with his patient, thereby finding justification for his behaviors. He never considers Judith's capacity for free will and autonomy. He also deceives himself by believing that he is acting in her behalf and in their “best interests.” A truly virtuous doctor would respect a patient's wishes, analyze the situation within the cultural context, reflect on what is right according to the patient's accounts, and act accordingly.

This book provides an interdisciplinary perspective on one of the most fascinating and important open questions in science: What is quantum mechanics talking about? Quantum theory is perhaps our best confirmed physical theory. However, despite its great empirical effectiveness and the subsequent technological developments that it gave rise to in the 20th century, from the interpretation of the periodic table of elements to CD players, holograms and quantum state teleportation, it stands even today without a universally accepted interpretation. The novelty of the book comes from the multiple viewpoints and subjects investigated by a group of researchers from Europe and North and South America.

This study is concerned with the use of epistemic legitimising strategies in online newspaper articles dealing with the Scottish referendum. In this sense, we seek to explore cases of epistemic stance that indicate epistemological positioning and persuade readers of the veracity of propositions. Our study covers Scottish journal articles published online within 5 days prior to results day. In this article, we are interested in the way the Scottish newspapers deal with the topic of the independence referendum and the degree of commitment in journalists’ choice of linguistic strategies. We analysed the newspaper articles manually but corpus tools were also used in order to verify initial findings and for statistical purposes. The results of the use of epistemic stance devices in the different categories were contrasted and our conclusions showed the preferred legitimising strategies used by journalists in the Scottish newspapers.

Enrique Leff holds that the profound causes of the environmental crisis are founded in dominant ways of knowing; that is to say, the crisis is rooted in the epistemological bases of modernity. Leff has systematically dedicated himself to proposing and constructing concepts that deconstruct modern suppositions, and at the same time, enable new ways of understanding and apprehending the world. His extensive work has succeeded in transcending and forging space for environmental thought, not only in education and environmental philosophy, but also in the areas of economics, sociology, and development. His central argument is that these problems are the result of a crisis of civilization, and he urges all of us to rethink the foundations of modern rationality underlying contemporary global society.