敬畏与否之争

近一时期笃信“敬畏大自然”的一派人士和认为“无须敬畏大自然”的一派人士互相争执,并各自打出了旗号。前者是“热爱大自然派”,代表人物有唐锡阳先生;后者是“以人为本派”,代表人物有何祚庥先生。他们互相争论,言辞很激烈,并都在有意无意地指责对方是“伪科学”,而自己是代表真正的科学。由于双方都是各自领域的大师,叫人一时不知如何是好。作为一个热爱科学的人,我向两位大师提一下建议:在争论前是不是先弄清概念更有意义一些?就拿“人类需要敬畏大自然”这句话举例来说吧,同意它的人和反对它的人真的就它所引用的概念达成一致了吗?“…     

人类中心主义之争:一个虚假的问题

20世纪中叶以来 ,在日益严峻的环境问题压迫下 ,理论界 (尤其是西方学术界 )围绕人类中心主义展开了热烈的讨论 ,形成了两种对立的观点 :一是现代人类中心主义观点 ,二是非人类中心主义观点。这两种观点孰是孰非 ,目前尚未有明确的论断。笔者以为 ,对于这一讨论的关键点是 ,首先要弄清所讨论的问题的真假。只要是真实的问题 (即不是思辨式的游戏 ) ,就有研究的必要 ;而任何一个真实问题的存在都具有两个条件 :一是要有理论依据 ,二是要有事实根据。因此 ,在这里我们有必要对人类中心主义的论争从历史与逻辑、现实与未来等角度进行考察 ,以判…     

Similarity Arguments in the Genetic Modification Debate

In the ethical debate on genetic modification (GM), it is common to encounter the claim that some anti-GM argument would also apply an established, ethically accepted technology, and that the anti-GM argument is therefore unsuccessful. The paper discusses whether this argumentative strategy, the Similarity Argument, is sound. It presents a logically valid, generic form of the Similarity Argument and then shows that it is subject to three types of objection: (i) It does not respect the difference between pro tanto reasons and all-things-considered judgments; (ii) it relies on the unproblematic transferability of reasons from one case to another; and (iii) it runs the risk of equivocations, especially in cases where the anti-genetic-modification argument relies on gradable features. The paper then shows how these issues play out in three specific Similarity Arguments that can be found in the literature. Finally, the paper discusses what conclusions we can draw from the fact that genetic modification and established technologies are similar for the ethical status of genetic modification.     

Resolving the Confusion in the Spiritual Development Debate

This paper argues that there is a need to make a distinction between 'spiritual development' (educational in intent, relevant for all) and 'developing spirituality' (catechetical in intent and therefore inappropriate for some). Making this distinction resolves much of the confusion in the spiritual development debate that results from (i) problems concerning definition; (ii) co-terminous usage of related but distinct concepts; and (iii) a plurality of competing models of spiritual development. This confusion is illustrated with reference to a variety of authors, particularly Hay, Erricker, Wright, Bradford, Mott-Thornton, Carr and Thatcher. Further, distinguishing between 'spiritual development' and 'developing spirituality' will bring clearer thinking to discussions about spiritual education and will overcome some of the weaknesses in the work of specified authors.     

Fault Lines in the Great EST Debate

Three fault lines traverse inquiries into empirically supported therapies, along which pro and contra positions can be taken. First, failure to distinguish scientific from artistic properties of therapy has lead to neglect of pervasive personological and cultural variables that are implicated in this field of inquiry. Second, scientific anomalies result from focusing more on what ESTs are than on how they effect change. Psyche is portrayed as a humanistic Cartesian place-holder for an encroaching neuro-endocrinological and systemic understanding of human experiencing. Third, the EST movement is seen as a socio-political and business model, confounded with and eroding scientific objectives.     

关于女性主义科学哲学的争论

美国《科学哲学》2003年第一期上刊载了女性主义思想家J.A.考兰妮(Janet A.Kourany)的文章《21世纪的科学哲学》,该文从女性主义立场对以往科学哲学的一些观点进行了批评.     

A Mid-Career Perspective on the Opportunity-Structure/Occupational-Choice Debate

Research into mid-career change lends support to K. Roberts' thesis on the significance of the opportunity structure for initial entry to work and during the early working years. Whether objective or 'socially constructed', it was perceived as a determinant by men who were ensuring that their children should not be constrained as they had been. The study also offers evidence of the subsequent strengthening and implementation of the self-concept and of a consequent change in the significance of the opportunity structure. The conclusions, highlighted in a case-history, tend to support all parties to the opportunity-structure/occupational-choice debate so far. They suggest that in today's turbulent environment there is an urgent need for careers information, guidance and counselling throughout working life.     

Belief and Values in the Nuclear Debate1

A questionnaire was administered to 47 participants attending a workshop on nuclear energy shortly after publication of a report on a proposed nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. Supporters and opponents of the proposed development differed markedly in their estimates of its possible consequences, and of the relative importance of these consequences. They also differed in their endorsement of pro- and anti-nuclear lobbies, and the factors which they felt contributed most to the “quality of life”. Overall, pro-nuclear subjects appear to place emphasis on the economic benefits of nuclear energy, while anti-nuclear subjects appearad more concerned with social and political risks, and regraded alternative energy sources as more viable. It is concluded that an analysis of such attitudinal differences requires a consideration not only of differences in beliefs, but also of differences in belief salience.     

1959年“曹操论战”与儒家伦理史学

儒家伦理与传统史学,首先表现为经与史的关系.历代政治的兴衰是传统史学书写的主要内容,儒家政治与伦理一体,使得史学成为儒家伦理的载体.“经世致用”的特点和“历史审判”的功用也是伦理史学的重要成因.史学的伦理化导致了传统史学中事实判断与价值判断的矛盾,二者相互交融.1959年之“替曹操翻案”运动,使历史评价的标准由“道德评...