Search results for "Metaphysics"
showing 10 items of 212 documents
Constrained consistency enforcement in AHP
2020
Abstract Decision-making in the presence of intangible elements must be based on a robust, but subtle, balance between expert know-how and judgment consistency when eliciting that know-how. This balance is frequently achieved as a trade-off reached after a feedback process softens the tension frequently found between one force steadily pulling towards (full) consistency, and another force driven by expert feeling and opinion. The linearization method, developed by the authors in the framework of the analytic hierarchy process, is a pull-towards-consistency mechanism that shows the path from an inconsistent body of judgment elicited from an expert towards consistency, by suggesting optimal c…
Intervention and peace*
2018
Abstract Intervention often does not lead to peace, but rather to prolonged conflict. Indeed, we document that it is an important source of prolonged conflicts. We introduce a theoretical model of the balance of power to explain why this should be the case and to analyse how peace can be achieved: either a hot peace between hostile neighbours or the peace of the strong dominating the weak. Non-intervention generally leads to peace after defeat of the weak. Hot peace can be achieved with sufficiently strong outside intervention. The latter is thus optimal if the goal of policy is to prevent the strong from dominating the weak.
Conditions of a Philosophical Discussion
2020
As its method, philosophy uses argumentative discussion. Philosophy does not often appeal directly to observations or experiences, although they have a place in argumentation as well. Because philosophy is discursive, it delves in the realms of language and the use of language. Defining concepts is a central theme. The rules and argumentation principles of rational discussion are another cornerstone of philosophy. I defend two things that are seen to be conflicting: philosophical relativity and common core rationality. Both are necessary in order to balance each other out. I argue that a certain intuitive and common conception of truth and reality is necessary in order to conduct philosophi…
Taxonomic categorisation of motivic patterns
2009
The issue of pattern description in computational models for motivic analysis is closely related to the cognitive debate on categorisation, in which are traditionally opposed “well-defined” and “ill-defined” categorisations. The ill-defined conceptualisation has been considered as a suitable framework for the formalisation of musical categorisation as it takes into account motivic variations. It seems that computational models rely rather on well-defined categorisation, due to its better controllability. The computational model we previously presented (Lartillot & Toiviainen, 2007) strikes a balance by developing a new flexible framework allowing the taking into account of unrestricted…
Presumption of Innocence and Deterrence
2018
This paper deals with the presumption of innocence and the law enforcer's incentives to exert investigative effort. Our main result is that, even if the presumption of guilt maximizes deterrence for a given effort by the law enforcer, divergent objectives between the law enforcer (who maximizes the probability of a conviction weighted by the magnitude of the sanction and the type of the citizen) and the public decision-maker (who minimizes social costs) may lead the latter to prefer the presumption of innocence. Indeed, the presumption of innocence may induce the law enforcer to increase investigative efforts thereby improving deterrence. As a consequence, if the law enforcer's effort is re…
The Other J.M.: John Maurice Clark and the Keynesian Revolution
2009
This paper suggests that Clark's views regarding the Keynesian Revolution illuminate some of the limitations of the Keynesian orthodoxy that developed after the war, bringing more institutional detail and a greater preoccupation with dynamic analysis. Clark developed the multiplier in dynamic terms and coupled it with the accelerator to provide the framework for business cycle theory. His analysis was not formalized and emphasized time lags and non-linearities, similar to Harrod. In addition, Clark was concerned with the inflationary consequences of Keynesian policies and he was dissatisfied with those mechanical interpretations of the income flow analysis, which came to be known as hydraul…
Balance as Symbol and Object of Art
2014
The symbolic use of the balance is reviewed, covering mythology and religion, icons and arts, its use in astronomy and astrology as well as in literature and music. In Old Egypt many paintings show men’s height balances symbolically used for soul weighing. In Greece the fate balance was known. In the Roman Empire the symbolic use changed to justice fairness, and legitimacy of coins and this holds until modern time. In the Bible and the Koran fair weighing in trade are demanded. In the Book of Revelation the balance is symbol for misery. Michael archangel became guide of the deceased to the last judgement and weighed the poor sinner against his good deeds. In the witch balance the mass of th…
La riunificazione familiare dello straniero nei trattati sui diritti umani
2010
Family reunification contributes to the integration of aliens in the countries of destination and the development of their personality as well, but it entails the increase in the demand for social facilities. As a consequence States tend to reduce the opportunities for family reunification. The study analyses the activity of the organs of control set up by the international conventions on human rights and aims at identifying the obligations on States’ sovereignty stemming from the rules of these conventions protecting family life or disciplining family reunification. In assessing the lawfulness of States’ rules on family reunification or decisions on individual cases these organs verify whe…
La construcción de los límites a la libertad de expresión en las redes sociales
2016
La generalización de las comunicaciones electrónicas, junto a otras muchas transformaciones, ha facilitado enormemente tanto la comunicación interpersonal como la participación en el debate público a cualquier ciudadano. Como resultado, el pluralismo se ha visto indudablemente enriquecido, así como las posibilidades de recibir información y ser miembro activo de la comunidad política. Otras consecuencias de esta transformación, sin embargo, presentan algunas aristas. Así, esta ampliación del espacio público ha limitado también los espacios de estricta privacidad, incluyendo aquellos ámbitos donde históricamente la expresión de todo tipo de ideas y opiniones quedaban en la intimidad, que cad…
The legal balance between liberty and equality
2021
The paper explores the specific legal balance between liberty and equality, distinguishing it from political theories and constitutional settings, where they are often considered in opposition. In order to find the specific legal balance between liberty and equality, and after identifying some of their relevant meanings for the purpose, it becomes necessary to focus on the rule of law, and to examine the relationship between liberty and equality in its different versions. Once the core meaning of the rule of law in terms of liberty and equality is enucleated, it is possible to consider extending it to the international field.