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This book analyzes metaphysical consequences of the quantum theory of many particles with respect to the fundamental notions of identity, individuality and discernibility. The main focus is on the proper interpretation of the quantum formalism in relation to the role of permutation invariance and the adequate representation of the properties of individual subsystems. Two main approaches to the issue of the individuation of quantum particles are distinguished and thoroughly discussed. These approaches differ radically with respect to their metaphysical consequences – while one of them implies the complete indiscernibility of quantum particles of the same kind, the other one restores the possibility of discerning individual particles by their properties. We connect the problem of quantum individuation and discernibility with an analysis of the concept of quantum entanglement, and we also discuss identity over time and in counterfactual scenarios.
This book provides a comprehensive investigation into the concept of typicality and its significance for physics and the philosophy of science. It identifies typicality as a fundamental way of reasoning, central to how natural laws explain and are tested against phenomena. The book discusses various applications of typicality to foundational questions in physics and beyond.These include: a unified interpretation of objective probabilities in classical mechanics and quantum mechanics a detailed discussion of Boltzmann's statistical mechanics, entropy, and the second law of thermodynamics a novel account of the asymmetry of causation and the arrow of time Finally, the book turns to the question: "What are laws of nature"? It argues that typicality extends to a powerful way of reasoning in metaphysics that can and should inform our commitments about the fundamental ontology of the world. On this basis, it develops an argument against the Humean best system account, according to which laws of nature are merely an efficient summary of contingent regularities.
Green Eros is a novel about love, philosophy and men. Juniper Johnson is living the good life with his girlfriend in a cottage in northern Lancashire. But when he begins studying philosophy at Greyston University, everything starts to change. Splitting up, leaving his home, falling in love and making strong bonds of friendship with fellow philosophers, Juniper finds a new vision of life and love while in exile. Moving among professors, shamans and Buddhist monks, he learns the wisdom he needs to go home.
People believe in a great many things; and yet most of us know almost nothing about why other people believe what they do, or indeed about how it feels to believe it. This book presents an objective method for understanding and comparing belief systems - irrespective of whether the investigator happens to agree with them.
Beheading is not an uncommon undertaking. As a particularized physical violence, it has been practiced by all societies and civilizations at some point in their history. In fact, for millennia public beheadings around the world were routine. In contemporary international society some states and many non-state actors regularly engage in this undertaking. This begs the obvious question: why put a human being through this unimaginable cruelty? While the idea of execution by decapitation appears visceral and horrific, it has always been grounded in cultural, religious and political contexts. If contemporary history is any proof, the enterprise of beheading a fellow human being appears to be m...
This book synthesizes Jacques Derrida’s hauntology and spectrality with affect theory, in order to create a rhetorical framework analyzing the felt absences and hauntings of written and oral texts. The book opens with a history of hauntology, spectrality, and affect theory and how each of those ideas have been applied. The book then moves into discussing the unique elements of the rhetorical framework known as the rhetorrectional situation. Three case studies taken from the Christian tradition, serve to demonstrate how spectral rhetoric works. The first is fictional, C.S. Lewis ’The Great Divorce. The second is non-fiction, Tim Jennings ’The God Shaped Brain. The final one is taken from homiletics, Bishop Michael Curry’s royal wedding 2018 sermon. After the case studies conclusion offers the reader a summary and ideas future applications for spectral rhetoric.
The fall of communism and subsequent developments have put a renewed spotlight on the potential of the Balkan economies. Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia & Montenegro, Romania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are countries which have attracted low levels of investment and poor political leadership in most of the countries has delayed much needed reforms. However, there are now signs of improvement and this timely book fills a significant gap in the available literature. Demonstrating that these countries must engage as fully as possible with the world economy via EU accession, this book explores the implications of the specific characteristics of these countries which have made the transition process more difficult. This exciting new volume is valuable reading for students, academics and business professionals interested in international development in the Balkans.
This book considers recent advances in household economics, consumer behaviour and economic policy and examines their interrelationship and impact on growth, development, trade and welfare policy in world economies in the 21st century. Researched and written by authorities in these emerging areas from North America, the European Union and Australia/Oceania, the book has the timely advantage of bringing together in one place the development of diverse concepts and important applications in these areas. It is a must-have for academics, and will be used on advanced courses on household economics and production, demand analysis, economic policy, social security and welfare economics. It will also be of interest to trade and welfare policy-makers world-wide.
This book analyses five forms of transnational evils and offers cosmopolitan recommendations for reducing their occurrence. With civilisation in crisis it is crucial, now more than ever, to attempt to mitigate the catastrophes that face us in the decades to come. In a compelling and frightening account of transnational evil, DeArmey identifies and explores in depth the dark side of human behaviour, from genocide, slavery, torture and terrorism, to the greatest disaster of our time: the worldwide destruction of the earth’s biosphere. Building on Kant’s theory of a new world organisation designed to eliminate the evil of war and strengthen the world community, DeArmey develops a biotic and...