An Internal Limit of the Structural Analysis of Causation

Structural models of systems of causal connections have become a common tool in the analysis of the concept of causation. In the present paper I offer a general argument to show that one of the most powerful definitions of the concept of actual cause, provided within the structural models framework, is not sufficient to grant a full account of our intuitive judgements about actual causation, so that we are still waiting for a comprehensive definition. This is done not simply by focusing on a set of case studies, but by arguing that our intuitions about two different kinds of causal patterns, i.e., overdetermination and counterdetermination, cannot be addressed using that definition.     

Lateral specialization in unilateral spatial neglect: a cognitive robotics model

In this paper, we present the experimental results of an embodied cognitive robotic approach for modelling the human cognitive deficit known as unilateral spatial neglect (USN). To this end, we introduce an artificial neural network architecture designed and trained to control the spatial attentional focus of the iCub robotic platform. Like the human brain, the architecture is divided into two hemispheres and it incorporates bio-inspired plasticity mechanisms, which allow the development of the phenomenon of the specialization of the right hemisphere for spatial attention. In this study, we validate the model by replicating a previous experiment with human patients affected by the USN and numerical results show that the robot mimics the behaviours previously exhibited by humans. We also simulated recovery after the damage to compare the performance of each of the two hemispheres as additional validation of the model. Finally, we highlight some possible advantages of modelling cognitive dysfunctions of the human brain by means of robotic platforms, which can supplement traditional approaches for studying spatial impairments in humans.     

The impact of gratitude on depression and anxiety: the mediating role of criticizing,attacking, and reassuring the self

Gratitude significantly predicts less depression and anxiety symptoms in general population. Three types of self-relating processes as possible mediators of this relationship were evaluated. Trait gratitude, depression, anxiety, and three forms of self-relating (criticizing, attacking, and reassuring the self) were assessed in 410 Italian participants. Gratitude predicted less depression and anxiety symptoms, and the three forms of self-relating partially mediated the impact of gratitude on both depression and anxiety. Self-reassuring had a stronger mediation power than self-attacking in the prediction of anxiety symptoms. Gratitude is a protective factor against psychopathology not only due to its association with improved relationships with others, but also because it is connected to a less critical, less punishing, and more compassionate relationship with the self.     

Protective factors for depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood

Emerging adulthood is characterized by pervasive changes in identity and relationships. These challenges can entail problems for subjective well-being, leading to depressive symptoms. The development of an autonomous-related self is considered crucial for emerging adults’ personal growth and psychological well-being. Autonomous-related self is linked to self-esteem and secure attachment style, which are also protective factors for depression. The current research sought to investigate the relation between autonomous-related self and depressive symptoms, as well as the role of secure attachment style and self-esteem, in a sample of 356 Italian emerging adults. Gender differences were taken into account in preliminary analyses. Gender differences emerged for autonomous-related self and self-esteem, while secure attachment and depression levels were similar across gender. Our results suggest that autonomous-related self, mediated by self-esteem and secure attachment style, is a protective factor for emotional states of depression, controlling for social desirability. These findings emphasize the importance of taking autonomy and relatedness into account in emerging adulthood and represent a starting point for future studies.     

Viewing-as explanations and ontic dependence

Philosophical Studies - According to a widespread view in metaphysics and philosophy of science (the “Dependence Thesis”), all explanations involve relations of ontic dependence between...     

Free Will,Values, and Narrative Selfhood

Philosophia - Robert Kane’s libertarian theory of freedom is frequently attacked in the free will literature by the “luck objection”. Alfred Mele’s articulation of the...     

最佳状态的政治:推动想象的诸理由

1968年常被说成改变了我们对什么是政治的感觉.对于巴黎和西方数不清的其它城市里成千上万的年轻示威者来说,政治突然从马克斯·韦伯所喜爱的那种比喻,即在硬木板上缓慢地打孔,变成了像对这样一种能力的再投资,即使人的生命可与感知现实的束缚相抗争:"成为现实主义者,就是要求不可能之物",这是另一个流行的口号.从那时起直至现在40年间,总的来说,也许除了1989年11月的柏林墙倒塌以外,政治往往是在缓慢地打孔,而不是处在想象的潮起浪涌之中.然而,尽管政治的确是一个不断出现在我们话语当中的对象,我们却很少稍事停留,对它加以定义.这正是我在这篇文章里想做的事:在对社会性(the social)的某种理解的基础上,我将首先尝试尽力完成为政治提供一个定义这项任务.然后,我将按照四种能够使其得以阐明的哲学范式,即商谈(dis-course)、判断(judgmerit)、承认(recognition)和赠予(gift),对政治的某些构成性要素(constitutive moment)进行观察.最后,我将回到政治对想象的关系这个问题上来,把它从作为1968年的一个起点的那种直接的简化(short-circuit),重新塑造为一种反思性的结构关系.