Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The article deals with Kant´s concept of logic on the background of the historical developments of logic taking into account particularly Leibniz´s influence. A special attention is paid to its formality emphasized by Kant and inspired by... more
The article deals with Kant´s concept of logic on the background of the historical developments of logic taking into account particularly Leibniz´s influence. A special attention is paid to its formality emphasized by Kant and inspired by Leibniz. It is the form that is determining the possibility of logic´s development. Although Kant later broke with neo-Leibnizian-Wolffian metaphysics, some of Leibnizian traces are still identifiable in his logic (formality quantification, the subject of logic).
Research Interests:
Kant and the Issue of Extraterrestrial Intelligence. The paper focuses on the issue of extraterrestrial life and extraterrestrial intelligence in Kant's work. The first part of the paper is dedicated to Kant's contribution to the debate... more
Kant and the Issue of Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
The paper focuses on the issue of extraterrestrial life and extraterrestrial intelligence in Kant's work. The first part of the paper is dedicated to Kant's contribution to the debate on the possibility and form of extraterrestrial beings in his era. It is an explication of Kant's views both in the pre-critical and the critical periods of his philosophy, in relation to his astrophysical and philosophical investigations. The second part explains the possible consequences of Kant's ethical theory (especially its universalistic and planetary character) for the philosophical investigation of questions of extraterrestrial intelligence. An interesting challenge is the extrapolation of Kant's understanding of the concept of rational beings in the cognitive and ethical sense of the word.
The paper focuses on the issue of extraterrestrial life and extraterrestrial intelligence in Kant's work. The first part of the paper is dedicated to Kant's contribution to the debate on the possibility and form of extraterrestrial beings in his era. It is an explication of Kant's views both in the pre-critical and the critical periods of his philosophy, in relation to his astrophysical and philosophical investigations. The second part explains the possible consequences of Kant's ethical theory (especially its universalistic and planetary character) for the philosophical investigation of questions of extraterrestrial intelligence. An interesting challenge is the extrapolation of Kant's understanding of the concept of rational beings in the cognitive and ethical sense of the word.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Kant’s Critique of Rhetoric and Its Philosophical Implications
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Kant’s Understanding of Genius in the Philosophy of Sport. This paper contains an extension of the Kantian conception of genius (in The Critique of the Power of Judgment). Kant's considerations of the relationship between genius and... more
Kant’s Understanding of Genius in the Philosophy of Sport.
This paper contains an extension of the Kantian conception of genius (in The Critique of the Power of Judgment). Kant's considerations of the relationship between genius and artwork are suitable for expanding outside the realm of art. Special attention is devoted to the place of the notion of genius in the context of the philosophy of sport.
This paper contains an extension of the Kantian conception of genius (in The Critique of the Power of Judgment). Kant's considerations of the relationship between genius and artwork are suitable for expanding outside the realm of art. Special attention is devoted to the place of the notion of genius in the context of the philosophy of sport.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The paper starts with the analysis of analytic philosophy and its inner difference. Then it moves to meta-philosophical reflection of analytic philosophy and to the particular changes in the proper research on Kant within the contemporary... more
The paper starts with the analysis of analytic philosophy and its inner difference. Then it moves to meta-philosophical reflection of analytic philosophy and to the particular changes in the proper research on Kant within the contemporary forms of philosophizing. In particular, the paper analyzes following representatives of analytic philosophy in confrontation with Kant s teachings, starting with Frege, Moore, Russell, and Wittgenstein, following with Quine, Popper, Strawson, and Putnam, to finish the analysis with philosophical conceptions of Brook, Davidson, Feigl, Brandom and Rescher.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The paper deals with the reflections on Immanuel Kant in the work of analytic philosophers. It descibes the transformation of attitude toward Kant's philosophy. Special attention was paid to critical estimation of the Kant's heritage in... more
The paper deals with the reflections on Immanuel Kant in the work of analytic philosophers. It descibes the transformation of attitude toward Kant's philosophy. Special attention was paid to critical estimation of the Kant's heritage in analytic tradition in its early period (G. Frege, B. Russell, G.E. Moore). The paper explores basic conceptual connections between Kant's transcendental philosophy and the philosophy of L. Wittgenstein. It is claimed that better understanding of Kant is tied up with better understanding of analytic philosophy as such. It was above all P. Strawson who initiated new interest in "kantological" studies among analytic philosophers. It is argued that Kant's presence in the analytic philosophical tradition has two basic forms: as a subject of inquiry and as a source of inspiration as well.
Research Interests:
The paper focuses on the problem of the relationship between Kant’s philosophy and modern philosophical opinions on the nature of sport. It turns out that several elements of Kant’s ethics, aesthetics as well as moral... more
The paper focuses on the problem of the relationship between Kant’s philosophy and modern philosophical opinions on the nature of sport. It turns out that several elements of Kant’s ethics, aesthetics as well as moral philosophy can be used in reflections on sports competition, however, not to the same extent.
Research Interests:
The article deals with Kant´s concept of logic on the background of the historical developments of logic taking into account particularly Leibniz´s influence. A special attention is paid to its formality emphasized by Kant and inspired by... more
The article deals with Kant´s concept of logic on the background of the historical developments of logic taking into account particularly Leibniz´s influence. A special attention is paid to its formality emphasized by Kant and inspired by Leibniz. It is the form that is determining the possibility of logic´s development. Although Kant later broke with neo-Leibnizian-Wolffian metaphysics, some of Leibnizian traces are still identifiable in his logic (formality quantification, the subject of logic).
Research Interests:
The paper deals with Kant’s philosophy of religion as related to his theory of practical rationality. The introductory parts explain the foundations and place of the philosophy of religion in Kant’s works. A special attention is paid to... more
The paper deals with Kant’s philosophy of religion as related to his theory of practical rationality. The introductory parts explain the foundations and place of the philosophy of religion in Kant’s works. A special attention is paid to the relationship between religion and morality in Kant’s practical philosophy. The social dimension of religion as conceived by Kant is explained as well. Finally, the paper offers a description of the main features of Kant’s practical rationality.
Research Interests:
There are several difficulties in understanding the concept of modal realism in our philosophical context. The author shows various types of modal realism as a theory. The analyses of the main theories of modal worlds and modal... more
There are several difficulties in understanding the concept of modal realism in our philosophical context. The author shows various types of modal realism as a theory. The analyses of the main theories of modal worlds and modal individuals show the problems of identity and identification as the fundamental questions. One of the key problems is the place of individuals in modals worlds.
Research Interests:
The aim of the paper is to examine various aspects of holism, especially with regard to scientific knowledge and scientific realism. It is concerned with that tradition of holism, which has been largely influenced by W. V. O. Quine, but... more
The aim of the paper is to examine various aspects of holism, especially with regard to scientific knowledge and scientific realism. It is concerned with that tradition of holism, which has been largely influenced by W. V. O. Quine, but in some respects also by T. S. Kuhn. It offers a survey of different versions of holism (metaphysical holism, meaning holism, explanatory holism, confirmation holism, empirical holism, etc.), evaluating at the same time various aspects of the holistic approach. Attention is paid also to anti-holistic critique ant its contribution to understanding the nature and development of scientific knowledge.
Research Interests:
The paper offers an analysis of the forms of the Socratic paradoxes as well as their importance for the epistemological inquiries. In the author's view there are various kinds of paradoxes. A special attention is paid to the Meno paradox... more
The paper offers an analysis of the forms of the Socratic paradoxes as well as their importance for the epistemological inquiries. In the author's view there are various kinds of paradoxes. A special attention is paid to the Meno paradox from Plato's Meno. In dealing with paradoxes there are three possible strategies: their critical overcoming, their demythologization or their acceptation. The author gives the descriptions of all of these strategies, reminding us that each of them put the stress on a specific epistemological problem, whereby they are completing each other.
Research Interests:
Hynek Bartoš Hippocratic Dietetics and Philosophical Care of the Soul Summary: The aim of my essay is to discuss Hippocratic dietetics as a model for construing philosophical ethics in the Classical Era of ancient Greece. I shall... more
Hynek Bartoš
Hippocratic Dietetics and Philosophical Care of the Soul
Summary:
The aim of my essay is to discuss Hippocratic dietetics as a model for construing philosophical ethics in the Classical Era of ancient Greece. I shall demonstrate how the author of De victu and other Hippocratic authors presented medicine (or more specifically dietetics) as a therapeutic technique aiming at independence from the traditional religious beliefs and practices, from the role of chance in our lives, from disadvantages of our particular natural conditions and predispositions, and even from the need of professional medical care. I will also try to distinguish the object of the dietetic health care from the object of the philosophical “care of soul” advocated by Socrates, his contemporaries and followers.
Ulrich Wollner
The Care of the Self in Xenophon’s Memorabilia
Summary: The paper deals with Socrates’ conception of the care of the self in Xenophon’s work Memorabilia. The first part is intended to analyze the relationship between human body and soul. It shows that the main task of the soul is to rule over the body. Accordingly, the man has to know himself, and the self-knowledge is one of the preconditions of the self-care. The second precondition of the care of the self is the continence. Its aim is to dominate the physical needs and pleasures. They play the role of obstacles that the man has to fight against. To be able to defeat one own’s weaknesses, the wise man needs the lifelong training both of his body and soul. Finally, I discuss the self-sufficiency as the main objective of the human endeavour.
Jakub Jirsa
Plato: self-knowledge as care of oneself
Summary:
My text presents some main features of Plato’s ethics connected with the care of one’s soul, namely his moral psychology situated within the framework of the teleological cosmos. First, I discuss the identification between the self and the soul in the Alcibiades I; further I explain the complexity of the soul and its ethical relevance in the Republic. The final section discusses Plato’s ethical maxim “becoming like god” as presented in the Theaetetus, Republic and Timaeus. In this sense, I believe, one can explain why in the Phaedrus Plato’s Socrates situates his own self on the scale with two limits: a cultivated being with a share in divine on the one hand and the mythical furious beast Typhon on the other (229e-230a). The self (soul) moves on this scale in dependence on the amount of care, which Plato presents in very intellectualistic terms.
Vladislav Suvák
Antisthenes: logos as ēthos
Summary:
The paper deals with Antisthenes' account of language (logos) as well as with the role the logical paradoxes played in Antisthenes' ethical thought (ēthos). The author doesn't see An¬tisthenes' logical investigations as a part of the early "Sophistic" writings. Rather he tries to show the connection between Antisthenes' using of the logic and Socratic ethics of taking care of the self. Socratic thought in Antisthenes' fragments is neither skeptical nor dialectical. Contrary to both of these "intellectualistic" tendencies An¬tisthenes underlines the continual ethical activity of the wise. Antisthenes' using of logical paradoxes (mainly ouk estin antilegein) should have probably served as a de-monstration of an anti-Platonic conviction: Ethics is always prior to metaphysics and logic.
Keywords: Antisthenes – Plato – Cynicism – Language – Logical paradoxes – Ethics of taking care of the self.
Pavol Sucharek
Knowledge as a care for the other or „How to get ahead of Socrates?“
Summary:
This study will analyze the different nature of dialogue as reflected by Socrates and Levinas. The purpose is to show the possibility of non-epistemological speaking of that kind of knowledge, which mediates the dialogue as a conversation of two. In a certain sense it can be said that we replace the maieutics of Socrates by the dialectics of Plato. This dialectics points to how an ordinary dialogue is being transformed into a relationship of a higher order, or a relationship through which the very meaning of what belongs to the higher or divine order shines through. “To get ahead of Socrates” means in the levinasian perspective to accept “the idea of the infinite” – the infinite demand of the impracticable Good. Therefore a dialogue can be perceived, in this sense, as the starting point of every speculation about ethical knowledge in the primary sense as “a care for the other.”
Eugen Andreanský
Donald Davidson and the modern understanding of akratic action
Summary: The paper deals with the nature of akrasia (weakness of will, incontinency). In the first section the emphasis is put on the action theory of Donald Davidson. Davidson’s treatment of incontinent action is a brilliant example of modern approach to old philosophical and ethical issues. The second section introduces a few critical notes to the theory presented by Davidson. The paper also draws attention to the interconnection between akrasia and the problem of irrationality as well as the problem of internalism in action theory.
Hippocratic Dietetics and Philosophical Care of the Soul
Summary:
The aim of my essay is to discuss Hippocratic dietetics as a model for construing philosophical ethics in the Classical Era of ancient Greece. I shall demonstrate how the author of De victu and other Hippocratic authors presented medicine (or more specifically dietetics) as a therapeutic technique aiming at independence from the traditional religious beliefs and practices, from the role of chance in our lives, from disadvantages of our particular natural conditions and predispositions, and even from the need of professional medical care. I will also try to distinguish the object of the dietetic health care from the object of the philosophical “care of soul” advocated by Socrates, his contemporaries and followers.
Ulrich Wollner
The Care of the Self in Xenophon’s Memorabilia
Summary: The paper deals with Socrates’ conception of the care of the self in Xenophon’s work Memorabilia. The first part is intended to analyze the relationship between human body and soul. It shows that the main task of the soul is to rule over the body. Accordingly, the man has to know himself, and the self-knowledge is one of the preconditions of the self-care. The second precondition of the care of the self is the continence. Its aim is to dominate the physical needs and pleasures. They play the role of obstacles that the man has to fight against. To be able to defeat one own’s weaknesses, the wise man needs the lifelong training both of his body and soul. Finally, I discuss the self-sufficiency as the main objective of the human endeavour.
Jakub Jirsa
Plato: self-knowledge as care of oneself
Summary:
My text presents some main features of Plato’s ethics connected with the care of one’s soul, namely his moral psychology situated within the framework of the teleological cosmos. First, I discuss the identification between the self and the soul in the Alcibiades I; further I explain the complexity of the soul and its ethical relevance in the Republic. The final section discusses Plato’s ethical maxim “becoming like god” as presented in the Theaetetus, Republic and Timaeus. In this sense, I believe, one can explain why in the Phaedrus Plato’s Socrates situates his own self on the scale with two limits: a cultivated being with a share in divine on the one hand and the mythical furious beast Typhon on the other (229e-230a). The self (soul) moves on this scale in dependence on the amount of care, which Plato presents in very intellectualistic terms.
Vladislav Suvák
Antisthenes: logos as ēthos
Summary:
The paper deals with Antisthenes' account of language (logos) as well as with the role the logical paradoxes played in Antisthenes' ethical thought (ēthos). The author doesn't see An¬tisthenes' logical investigations as a part of the early "Sophistic" writings. Rather he tries to show the connection between Antisthenes' using of the logic and Socratic ethics of taking care of the self. Socratic thought in Antisthenes' fragments is neither skeptical nor dialectical. Contrary to both of these "intellectualistic" tendencies An¬tisthenes underlines the continual ethical activity of the wise. Antisthenes' using of logical paradoxes (mainly ouk estin antilegein) should have probably served as a de-monstration of an anti-Platonic conviction: Ethics is always prior to metaphysics and logic.
Keywords: Antisthenes – Plato – Cynicism – Language – Logical paradoxes – Ethics of taking care of the self.
Pavol Sucharek
Knowledge as a care for the other or „How to get ahead of Socrates?“
Summary:
This study will analyze the different nature of dialogue as reflected by Socrates and Levinas. The purpose is to show the possibility of non-epistemological speaking of that kind of knowledge, which mediates the dialogue as a conversation of two. In a certain sense it can be said that we replace the maieutics of Socrates by the dialectics of Plato. This dialectics points to how an ordinary dialogue is being transformed into a relationship of a higher order, or a relationship through which the very meaning of what belongs to the higher or divine order shines through. “To get ahead of Socrates” means in the levinasian perspective to accept “the idea of the infinite” – the infinite demand of the impracticable Good. Therefore a dialogue can be perceived, in this sense, as the starting point of every speculation about ethical knowledge in the primary sense as “a care for the other.”
Eugen Andreanský
Donald Davidson and the modern understanding of akratic action
Summary: The paper deals with the nature of akrasia (weakness of will, incontinency). In the first section the emphasis is put on the action theory of Donald Davidson. Davidson’s treatment of incontinent action is a brilliant example of modern approach to old philosophical and ethical issues. The second section introduces a few critical notes to the theory presented by Davidson. The paper also draws attention to the interconnection between akrasia and the problem of irrationality as well as the problem of internalism in action theory.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The book deals with the demarcation problem (differences between scientific and non-scientific approach), characteristic features of holism and its critics, the problem of realism in science and philosophy, essentialism in scientific... more
The book deals with the demarcation problem (differences between scientific and non-scientific approach), characteristic features of holism and its critics, the problem of realism in science and philosophy, essentialism in scientific exploration and finally the problem of reductionism and the idea of unified science.
Research Interests:
Monografia si kladie za cieľ kriticky zmapovať chápanie pojmu možných svetov. V historicky ladenej prvej kapitole opisuje formovanie sémantiky možných svetov, spolu s naznačením niektorých problémov, ktoré so sebou prináša, a ktoré... more
Monografia si kladie za cieľ kriticky zmapovať chápanie pojmu možných svetov. V historicky ladenej prvej kapitole opisuje formovanie sémantiky možných svetov, spolu s naznačením niektorých problémov, ktoré so sebou prináša, a ktoré prenikavým spôsobom odhaľoval predovšetkým W. V. O. Quine.
V ďalších dvoch kapitolách sa zameriava na modernejšie názory na povahu možných svetov, pričom hlavná pozornosť je venovaná dichotómii medzi posibilistickým a aktualistickým prístupom k otázke modalít, popri ktorom je nevyhnutné posúdiť aj iné rozlíšenia (esencializmus - antiesencializmus, realizmus - redukcionizmus, príp. erzacizmus či fikcionalizmus, naturalizmus - nenaturalizmus a pod.). Zvýšená pozornosť je venovaná koncepciám D. Lewisa, S. Kripkeho, A. Plantingu, R. M. Adamsa, N. Reschera a D. Armstronga.
Neštandardný prístup k problematike možných svetov je zachytený vo štvrtej kapitole. Táto kapitola je predovšetkým venovaná významnej koncepcii J. Hintikku, ktorá pracuje s pojmom epistemických možných svetov a dokumentuje príklon k modifikácii a relativizácii modálneho diskurzu.
V monografii sú objasnené niektoré reprezentatívne koncepcie možných svetov, resp. možných indivíduí a je v nej naznačený celkový postup od posudzovania možných svetov ako ideálnych logických konštruktov, cez ich relativizáciu prostredníctvom oddelených oblastí indivíduí pre jednotlivé svety a ďalej prostredníctvom vzťahu dosiahnuteľnosti až k fikčným, nemožným a neštandardným možným svetom.
V ďalších dvoch kapitolách sa zameriava na modernejšie názory na povahu možných svetov, pričom hlavná pozornosť je venovaná dichotómii medzi posibilistickým a aktualistickým prístupom k otázke modalít, popri ktorom je nevyhnutné posúdiť aj iné rozlíšenia (esencializmus - antiesencializmus, realizmus - redukcionizmus, príp. erzacizmus či fikcionalizmus, naturalizmus - nenaturalizmus a pod.). Zvýšená pozornosť je venovaná koncepciám D. Lewisa, S. Kripkeho, A. Plantingu, R. M. Adamsa, N. Reschera a D. Armstronga.
Neštandardný prístup k problematike možných svetov je zachytený vo štvrtej kapitole. Táto kapitola je predovšetkým venovaná významnej koncepcii J. Hintikku, ktorá pracuje s pojmom epistemických možných svetov a dokumentuje príklon k modifikácii a relativizácii modálneho diskurzu.
V monografii sú objasnené niektoré reprezentatívne koncepcie možných svetov, resp. možných indivíduí a je v nej naznačený celkový postup od posudzovania možných svetov ako ideálnych logických konštruktov, cez ich relativizáciu prostredníctvom oddelených oblastí indivíduí pre jednotlivé svety a ďalej prostredníctvom vzťahu dosiahnuteľnosti až k fikčným, nemožným a neštandardným možným svetom.