Since its inception in 1989, the private water sector of England and Wales has been enlisted as a centrepiece in debates concerning the merits of privatisation. Advocates point to increased environmental performance and increased investment. Critics note a significant retraction of the early free market aspirations and increasingly prescriptive regulation. However, market mechanisms and liberalisation are once again being emphasised in policy, reigniting the debate surrounding the commoditisation of water. This thesis engages directly and critically with Karen Bakker's 'Uncooperative Commodity' approach to the 'reregulation' of the industry, arguing its tenants must be adapted to accommodate these recent developments. While Bakker's earlier accounts of the reregulation of the water industry placed a great emphasis on the geography and biophysical properties of water, later work by both her and her contemporaries have developed more refined and socialised models of how water and society interact to produce temporary regularities in the material world. This thesis argues that an appropriate means of developing Bakker's original thesis would be a greater focus on socio-historical context when exploring the materiality of water, and hence the degree to which water may be transformed into a private commodity. Bob Jessop's Strategic Relational Approach (Jessop 2008) is deployed as a means of describing and relating: (1) the degree to which research can identify underlying mechanisms which govern the outcomes of attempts to commoditise water under capitalist modes of production, (2) the role of the state and politics in flanking or supporting the commoditisation of water and (3) the role of existing discursive-institutional structures in introducing path-dependencies and uneven power geometries which in turn effect the outcomes of collective action towards the commoditisation of water. The thesis documents historical developments in English and Welsh resource planning, regulation, and policy from 1945 to 2012 in order to explain the current structure of the industry, its response to water scarcity, and the origins of the current reform programme. It then focuses on the conflicts and tensions between actors in the industry generated by the current reform programme and their role in affecting the degree of success of the programme itself.

Richard Rorty's main thesis in his work Philosphy and the Mirror of Nature centers on a critique of representationalism in a fundamentally relativistic way. The aim of this disseration is to grasp Rorty's ideas in broader sense as a critique of inadequate interpretation of knowing- that and shift the attention to knowing-how as a key to new understanding the success of natural sciences. The fact that something is reproducibly possible for us to make in the surrounding world is not relative, and it is precisely in this way that technology (knowing- how) spreads so successfully even at multi-cultural level. In contrast, the explanatory function (knowing-that) of the natural sciences is relative, making sense only in the context of what is already known and accepted. Natural sciences are so successful because their experiments and only then take agreement of hypothesis with experimental practice (knowing-how) as the criterion of its acceptability. This dissertation offers, as a way out of Rortian relativism, the concept of "open authority" and proposes a new development in philosophic pragmatism based on it.

Cette thèse est une étude des travaux d’Ervin Laszlo sur cinquante ans. Elle met en valeur ses idées les plus importantes, les événements et les moments charnières de l’évolution de sa pensée qui l’ont conduit à sa position philosophique actuelle ; elle passe en revue les étapes du voyage philosophique de Laszlo à la découverte et vers la compréhension de « la manière dont les choses sont » et de « la manière dont les choses deviennent » en termes d’évolution des systèmes complexes, ainsi que du but et de la signification de la vie humaine. / A study of fifty years of philosophical work by Ervin Laszlo, highlighting the most important ideas, events and turning points in the thinking that led to his present-day philosophical position. This thesis reviews Laszlo’s philosophical voyage towards his uncovering and understanding of how things are and how things are becoming in terms of the evolution of complex systems as well as the purpose and meaning of human life.

Durant ces dernières décennies, la communauté informatique a montré un intérêt grandissant pour les modèles de calcul non-standard, inspirés par des phénomènes physiques, biologiques ou chimiques. Les propriétés exactes de ces modèles ont parfois été l'objet de controverses: que calculent-ils? Et à quelle vitesse? Les enjeux de ces questions sont renforcés par la possibilité que certains de ces modèles pourraient transgresser les limites acceptées du calcul, en violant soit la thèse de Church-Turing soit la thèse de Church-Turing étendue. La possibilité de réaliser physiquement ces modèles a notamment été au coeur des débats. Ainsi, des considérations empiriques semblent introduites dans les fondements même de la calculabilité et de la complexité computationnelle, deux théories qui auraient été précédemment considérées comme des parties purement a priori de la logique et de l'informatique. Par conséquent, ce travail est consacré à la question suivante : les limites du calcul reposent-elles sur des fondements empiriques? Et si oui, quels sont-ils? Pour ce faire, nous examinons tout d'abord la signification précise des limites du calcul, et articulons une conception épistémique du calcul, permettant la comparaison des modèles les plus variés. Nous répondrons à la première question par l'affirmative, grâce à un examen détaillé des débats entourant la faisabilité des modèles non-standard. Enfin, nous montrerons les incertitudes entourant la deuxième question dans l'état actuel de la recherche, en montrant les difficultés de la traduction des concepts computationnels en limites physiques. / Recent years have seen a surge in the interest for non-standard computational models, inspired by physical, biological or chemical phenomena. The exact properties of some of these models have been a topic of somewhat heated discussion: what do they compute? And how fast do they compute? The stakes of these questions were heightened by the claim that these models would violate the accepted limits of computation, by violating the Church-Turing Thesis or the Extended Church-Turing Thesis. To answer these questions, the physical realizability of some of those models - or lack thereof - has often been put at the center of the argument. It thus seems that empirical considerations have been introduced into the very foundations of computability and computational complexity theory, both subjects that would have been previously considered purely a priori parts of logic and computer science. Consequently, this dissertation is dedicated to the following question: do computability and computational complexity theory rest on empirical foundations? If yes, what are these foundations? We will first examine the precise meaning of those limits of computation, and articulate a philosophical conception of computation able to make sense of this variety of models. We then answer the first question by the affirmative, through a careful examination of current debates around non-standard models. We show the various difficulties surrounding the second question, and study how they stem from the complex translation of computational concepts into physical limitations.

[pt] Esta dissertação busca analisar a proposta filosófica de Larry Laudan para a superação dos impasses epistemológicos gerados no debate entre a concepção fundacionista de ciência dos positivistas lógicos e a crítica relativista que foi promovida pelos epistemólogos da virada histórica. Aqui serão discutidas as principais questões levantadas neste confronto no tocante à metodologia da ciência. Para tal, nos deteremos sobre a gênese e sobre colapso do naturalismo lingüístico-descritivo do Círculo de Viena, mostrando o enfraquecimento de suas teses centrais ora pela análise de suas contradições internas, ora pela abordagem das críticas que lhe foram dirigidas por outras escolas de pensamento, em especial, a crítica histórica. Por fim, nos deteremos sobre o modelo metametodológico de Laudan e sua perspectiva naturalista de metodologia científica baseada em regras normativas. / [en] This essay seeks to analyze Larry Laudan`s philosophical proposal to overcome the epistemological predicaments raised in the discussion between positivists and historical turn`s relativists. Here, we will discuss the main questions raised in this confrontation about the scientific methodology. In such case, we will detain over the origin and breakdown of the linguistic-descriptive naturalism created by logical positivism. We will present the feebleness of the positivist`s central thesis, unveiling the internal contradictions of the proposal and the critiques from others schools of thought, in special, the criticism from historical turn`s point of view. At last, we will focus Laudan`s metamethodological model of science`s philosophy and its naturalist perspective based in normative rules.

Economics plays a significant role in decision-making in contemporary western societies, but its role is increasingly questioned. A recurring topic among the challenges raised by critics is that economics as a discipline lacks sufficient pluralism. That is, it fails to enable, encourage, and respect the use of different ontologies, methodologies, theories, and/or schools of thought to study economic reality. Has this been a productive critique? Does talk about pluralism help identify genuine problems in the discipline? Pluralism in economics could draw support from the current consensus in philosophy that pluralism in science is a good thing. I argue, however, that the claim that economic research is insufficiently pluralist is unlikely to convince economists who believe economics is already pluralist enough and that it does not offer unambiguous recommendations for change. This is because there are too many legitimate ways to interpret how pluralism maps to practice. There are numerous variables that pluralist ideals might focus on-the things that they seek multiple rather than one of-and different interpretations of how many of those variables economics has in practice. Yet, as I go on to argue, this does not mean that talk of pluralism is entirely beside the point, since the reasons pluralists offer for their ideals do help to identify genuine problems in economics. The social epistemic strategies that arguments for pluralism recommend point us to three concrete issues in the way economic research is organised: gender imbalances, a steep internal hierarchy, and a dismissive attitude to outsiders. I show that economic research could be more progressive, representative of the interests of those in society, accepted, and legitimate and less likely to fall into bias if the discipline alleviated its gender imbalances, if it were less hierarchical, and if it had a healthier relationship with outsiders. In chapter 1, I outline the debate about pluralism in economics and explain how my thesis utilises a novel approach to social epistemology to offer a way out of the impasse in which that the debate presently resides. In chapter 2, I explain the different philosophical arguments for pluralism in science and categorise them using the variables they focus on and the reasons they give for pluralism. In chapter 3, I argue that interpreting pluralism as a particular arrangement of variables for economics to attain does not lead to unambiguous recommendations for change because it leaves too much open. Yet, I go on to argue, in chapter 4, that drawing on the reasons for pluralism can provide a set of heuristics for piecemeal evaluations of the social epistemic practices in economics. In chapters 5, 6, and 7, I apply these heuristics to economics. I provide evidence that [a] women are outnumbered in economics and face an adverse environment in the discipline, that [b] economics is steeply hierarchical, and that [c] economists form an in-group that assumes superiority and frequently dismisses outside voices. I argue that these three features of economic research block avenues for productive forms of feedback (mechanisms that help to challenge, justify, and refine scientific knowledge), block the interests of certain perspectives being heard, and block public scrutiny of the decisions made by economists.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T17:27:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JAIRO DE SOUSA MELO.pdf: 52195 bytes, checksum: fa611b6f5aac9f7b6b06a3f55339ee20 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-23 / Basically, this work is about the origins of the Theory of Relativity. However, most importantly, it intends to interpret how and in which ways the Michelson´s experiment may have contributed or not to ideas that led Einstein in developing his seminal theory. Most specifically, this work leans over a text of 1949, by philosopher Gaston Bachelard in which he, in according with common sense of his age, declare that the experiment made by Michelson in 1881 is the starting point of the development of Theory of Relativity. At last, this paper made a comparative analysis of Einstein s own statements and a demonstration that, although the experiment had been crucial to resolve the ether problem, it, that is, its result, doesn t bear any significant value in the theories developed by the physicist, and, beyond that, contrary to what was postulated, the theory explains the failure of the experiment, its null result; and this result didn t lead, in its age, to any postulation about the subjacent principle to Theory of Relativity / Basicamente este trabalho versa sobre as origens da Teoria da relatividade. Mas, sobretudo, busca interpretar como e de que forma o experimento de Michelson pode ter contribuído ou não para as idéias que conduziram Einstein no desenvolvimento de sua teoria seminal. Mais especificamente, o trabalho debruça-se sobre um texto de 1949, do filósofo Gaston Bachelard no qual o mesmo, em concordância com o senso comum de sua época, afirma ter sido o experimento realizado por Michelson em 1881 o ponto de partida para o desenvolvimento da Relatividade. Finaliza este trabalho, uma analise comparativa das declarações do próprio Einstein e uma demonstração de que, embora o experimento tenha sido crucial para o fechamento do problema do éter, ele, ou melhor, seu resultado não tem peso significativo nas teorias desenvolvidas pelo físico, e, muito mais, ao contrário do que se postulava, a teoria explica o insucesso do experimento, seu resultado nulo; e o resultado nulo do experimento não remeteu, em sua época, a nenhuma postulação sobre os princípios subjacentes à Teoria da Relatividade

Den projektbaserade arbetsformen blir allt mer vanligt förekommande inom alla nivåer i samhället. Projekt kräver planering, bland annat tid- och resursplanering. Tid är en av de viktigaste beståndsdelarna i projekt, och tidsaspekten är av avgörande betydelse om projektet kommer att lyckas i sin helhet. Resurser är en annan viktig beståndsdel som också har en avgörande betydelse om projekt kommer att nå målen. Samtidigt som projektet som arbetssätt tilltar, tenderar projekten att växa i storlek. Statistiken gör gällande att stora projekt ofta misslyckas ett problem som inte har minskat, trots mångåriga erfarenheter från projekt. Även om utbudet av metoder, tekniker och programverktyg är tämligen omfattande idag, kvarstår problemet med misslyckade projekt, trots mer erfarenhet och fler verktyg. Det råder ett generellt problem med att projekttiden minskar, i kombination av att komplexiteten ökar i alla former av projekt. Omständigheter som medfört större krav på projektplanering, särskilt tid- och resursplanering. Det kan antas att det finns ett behov av datoriserade projektplaneringsprogram, och antagandet att det är svårt att tid- och resursplanera utan stöd av olika metoder, tekniker och datorverktyg.Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur projektplanering i allmänhet och tid- och resursplanering i synnerhet bedrivs idag, och hur de olika metoderna, teknikerna och programverktygen kan förbättra, och underlätta projektplaneringen.

A análise do distanciamento entre as orientações teóricas das instâncias decisórias (ID) sobre a inclusão da abordagem dos aspectos da História e Filosofia da Ciência no Ensino de Ciências Naturais (HFCECN) constitui o nosso objetivo de investigação, cujo problema foi identificar as ID e saber em que elas se distanciavam entre si em relação à HFCECN. Para tal, delimitamos o estudo de caso único qualitativo, tendo o Brasil como unidade caso sob o aspecto da HFCECN, cujas múltiplas unidades de análise foram as ID. Para coleta e análise de dados utilizamos a entrevista semiestruturada com especialistas, a análise de conteúdo e a análise documental. Da investigação resultou a identificação de quatro ID em relação à HFCECN, das quais três foram analisadas e identificamos que elas apresentam desconexão/discrepância metodológica e epistemológica de perspectivas diferentes, portanto, a convergência entre as ID está longe de ocorrer na realidade material do sistema educacional, o que pode inviabilizar a efetiva HFCECN. Os regulamentos oficiais apontam para a contextualização externa (sociocultural) e as pesquisas parecem assumir a HFC como conteúdo no ensino de ciências naturais, porém, dos 72 trabalhos de pesquisa analisados, 34 apontam para contextualização interna; 16, criticidade; 9, motivação; 8, contextualização externa. Na formação docente, a maioria das disciplinas aponta para contextualização interna (7); as percepções dos docentes formadores apontam para instrumentação didática e criticidade e uma abordagem da HFC enquanto perspectiva de reflexão crítica. As três ID constituem seus próprios cenários ontológico, político e decisório, formam uma constelação bicondicional com rupturas de sequência comunicativa e tomada de decisões. A realidade escolar não tem sido considerada enquanto instância decisória e nem consultada o suficiente para tomada de decisões e prescrições das três ID. Finalmente, apresentamos algumas reflexões e perspectivas propositivas sobre o tema. / Our research goal is to analyze the detachment of the theoretical orientations from the decision-making institutions (DMIs) with regards to the inclusion of aspects of the approach of History and Philosophy of Science in the Teaching of Natural Sciences (HPSTNS), in order to identify the decision-making institutions and learn where they distanced themselves from each other regarding HPSTNS. Thus, a single qualitative case was delimited, using Brazil as a study unit under the HPSTNS aspect and the DMIs as multiple analyses units. To collect and examine the data, semi-structured interviews with experts, content and documentation analysis were used. The outcome of the research was the identification of four decision makers related to HPSTNS, of which three were analyzed. We concluded that they exhibit methodological and epistemological disconnection/discrepancy with different perspectives, therefore, the convergence between the DMIs is far from occurring in the educational systems actual material, rendering unfeasible the effective HPSTNS. The official rules point to an external contextualization (social-cultural) and the research appears to assume the HPS as the natural science teaching content. However from the 72 research papers analyzed: 34 showed internal contextualization; 16, criticisms; 9, motivations; and 8, external contextualization. In teacher education, most of the courses point to the internal context (7), the teachers perceptions indicate didactic instrumentation, and criticism is an HPS approach as a perspective of critical reflection. The three DMIs constitute their own ontological, political and decision-making scenario, they form a bi-conditional constellation with communicative sequence and decision making disruptions. The school reality has not been considered as a Decision-Making Institution nor sufficiently consulted for the recommendations of decisions and directives of those three (DMIs). Finally, we offer some reflections and proactive perspectives on the subject.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-08-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:01:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rodrigues_gtm_dr_mar.pdf: 1990070 bytes, checksum: 2b9a38eef2efa194166a8fb33cae6826 (MD5) / Nos últimos anos tem sido notado no campo do direito um significativo aumento do interesse pelo referencial teórico e metodológico fornecido pela antropologia. No entanto, e apesar de algumas relevantes contribuições direcionadas a uma aproximação entre a antropologia e o direito, o fato é que a antropologia jurídica, ao menos no cenário acadêmico nacional, ainda ressente de uma maior reflexão sobre o seu espaço epistemológico e possibilidades práticas. Nesse âmbito de análise, e partindo do pressuposto de que o conhecimento reivindicado de forma autônoma pelo direito e pela antropologia representam, sobretudo, domínios de saber que se expressam como discursos históricos, o presente estudo apresenta duas finalidades: primeiramente, identificar os fundamentos e as possibilidades de análise do discurso jurídico-antropológico através de uma leitura dos seus principais referenciais epistemológicos; e, num segundo momento, desenvolver uma etnografia do discurso jurídico no campo cultural da execução penal sob a proposta de uma antropologia do conhecimento / In recent years it has been noticed in the field of law a significant increase in interest in the theoretical and methodological framework provided by anthropology. However, despite some outstanding contributions aimed at a rapprochement between anthropology and law, the fact is that anthropology of law, at least in the national academic scene, still lacks a major reflection on your epistemological space and practical possibilities. Within this framework of analysis, and assuming that the knowledge claimed autonomously by law and anthropology especially represent areas of knowledge that are expressed as historical discourses, this study has two purposes: first, identify the reasons and possibilities of discourse analysis, legal and anthropological frames; and, second, to develop an ethnography of legal discourse in the cultural field of criminal enforcement under the proposal for an anthropology of knowledge