Koers (E-Journal)
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Fritjof Capra’s holism and the structures of philosophical conceptualisation: The logosemantics of complexity
Get PDFThis article explores a field of study that I call logosemantics: the theory of conceptual structures that determine philosophical expressions of ultimate insight. The kind of structures that logosemantics postulates are described with reference to the holistic philosophy of Capra. In particular the conceptualisation of holistic complexity in relation to reductionistic simplicity is thematised. In the course of this analysis the logosemantic place of complexity in the conceptual structure of philosophically foundational expressions is identified, with reference not only to Capra, but also to various philosophical "languages" in the history of Western thought, from Greek metaphysics to systems philosophy and post-structuralism. Attention is also given to some Eastern philosophies. After a purely descriptive analysis of logosemantic form, the possibility of logosemantic criticism is considered. The relation of simplicity and complexity is reviewed again, and an alternative interpretation to the one seemingly favoured by Capra is suggested
Strategy and skills for moral decision-making in business
Get PDFBusiness Ethics is a truly interdisciplinary field of study. The specific issue of moral decision-making within the field of business ethics testifies to this. Recently some have made important contributions in this regard - contributions in which they emphasised that moral theory is not sufficient for moral decision-making. What is needed besides moral theory is problem-solving ability. In this article the same point is argued, but from a philosophical perspective. It is further indicated that problem-solving ability entails more than merely a strategy fo r making moral decisions. It should also include the development of the thinking skills which are demanded by the strategy chosen fo r problem resolution
Federalisme as ’n proses: ’n evaluering van die federalistiese momente in die 1996-grondwet
Get PDFFederalism as a process: An evaluation of federalist moments in South Africa’s final Constitution of 1996In this article the federalist elements in South Africa\u27s final Constitution of 1996 are assessed. It is shown that due to historical forces the fullest possible (or “ideal") form of federalism has hardly been attainable in South Africa. This did not, however, result in a total exclusion of everything federalist in the final Constitution. Federalist structures are relatively weakly defined but provision is made fo r procedures which could give wings to centrifugal forces determining the relationship between central government and the newly-created geographical components of the state (i.e. the nine provinces). These centrifugal forces are subject to centripetal checks and balances which do not, however, totally exclude the attainment of a relatively clearly pronounced federal state. Much will depend on how procedures and conflict resolution mechanisms provided fo r in the Constitution will be used. The federalist characteristics of the new South African state were not finally decreed by those negotiating the contents and "direction ” of decentralist elements in the final Constitution. It is thus difficult to define South Africa as either a federation or a union. It is probably best described as an essentially unitary state divided into geographical units which could, in the course o f time, differentiate into more pronounced components of a federal state in the classical sense
Filosofie op die rand
Get PDFPhilosophy on the edgeThe modem idea of the university initially assigned Philosophy to the heart of this institution. But the combination of this idea and an idealist philosophy soon got the better of both - the process o f modernisation fragmented the university into a disparate collection of discourses and interest groups, each struggling for control of whatever resources could be claimed. The process of modernisation, spawned by the very same Enlightenment philosophy, marginalised Philosophy within the university itself, and in society at large. What, then, does the future hold for Philosophy as an academic and a cultural endeavour? A typology of four options, reconstructed from the (albeit recent) history of Philosophy, especially since the Enlightenment, is investigated. After their merits and demerits have been outlined, proposals are made for a postmodern rehabilitation of Philosophy. These proposals centre in Philosophy as trustee of cultural literacy, multidimensional creativity, taking care of thinking itself, and, finally, Philosophy as caretaker of the otherwise)
Politieke koersaanduiding in Koers, 1933-1961
Get PDFThe political direction of Koers, 1933-1961The journal Koers was founded in 1933 by Afrikaner Calvinists of the Potchefstroom University College for Christian Higher Education. This journal was their main voice for views on political affairs during the period before 1961. This article examines the views of contributors to Koers regarding, inter alia, the political future o f South Africa, the relations between the main racial and cultural groups in the country and international political developments. It is concluded that these views mainly reflect strong nationalist sentiments. Although it was the aim of Koers to point out a Calvinist approach to political issuses, this aim was realised to a very limited extent only. The viewpoints o f Koers differed little from those of Afrikaner nationalists in general. In the years before the Second World War Koers had a stronger republican stance than the political parties to which most Afrikaners belonged. During and after the War L.J. du Plessis and other influential writers in Koers supported the Ossewa-Brandwag, an organization which resembled Fascist political movements in Europe and which, after 1942, opposed the National Party. The failure to distinguish clearly between the aims o f Afrikaner nationalism and Calvinist principles, obstructed Koers in forming its attempt at a Christian perspective on political affairs
Tegnologiese determinisme: kontoere van ’n konsep
Get PDFTechnological determinism: contours of a conceptTechnological determinism, which in essence is the concept meaning that ‘technology determines history’, has its roots in eighteenth-century Enlightenment. It has manifested itself against various political backgrounds as the idea of the development of human power in overcoming nature and anti-revolutionary forces, as well as a view of technology as a method of political salvation. The approaches of various thinkers are categorized by Bimber as being either normative (corresponding to a soft determinism), nomological or one of unforseen consequences. During the twentieth century a number of writers (among them Ellul) have expounded pessimistic and even fatalistic views on the effects of technology. Ironically, they have thus done much to enhance the image of technology as a force in society. Both those who view technology positively and those who are intensely sceptical about its influence accord it an active, even autonomous role in the development of society. However, a third view is both possible and imperative, namely that technology and its development are part of both our freedom and our responsibility, and that it must therefore be controlled and utilized as part of our stewardship of God\u27s creation
Towards a sustainable society: a profile of social accents
Get PDFAgainst the background of the pending global environmental crisis, this article argues that the solutions to the crisis are as much part of the sociopolitical field as they are of the technological and scientific fields. Consequently a number of social accents that should be addressed in the attempt to achieve a sustainable society are elucidated. These accents include revision of current value systems characterized mainly by economic variables, the curbing of population growth rates, expansion of human rights, alleviation of poverty, universal access to education, health sen’ices and family planning. The redistribution of and access to natural resources, community involvement and the fostering of a political will to address these issues should also be reflected o
Akrasia (swakheid van die wil) en die kontemporêre gesprek oor subjektiwiteit
Get PDFAkrasia (weakness of will) and the contemporary discourse on subjectivityThe issue about akrasia (weakness of the will) concerns the question whether the human will is strong enough to choose and realize actions, or whether a conflict, and a certain type of conflict (i.e. the issue of akrasia), will have the potential to paralyse it. My analysis focuses on ideas of thinkers of the last half of the twentieth century - thinkers like Skinner who practically denies the existence and strength of the se lf and Sartre who postulates a transcendental self with godlike capabilities. I conclude that both leave little room for the idea of akrasia. Akrasia needs a more subtle vision of the power and weakness of the self. To arrive at this conclusion I consider views attempting to reconcile the disempowerment of the se lf by the extra-self with the idea of a self in control of its situation. I argue that these views fail because they assume the akratic conflict to be behi’een the self and extra-self instead of an intra-will conflict. I also deny that the dialectic goal of a fusion o f the self and its situation will give an explanation o f the akratic conflict because dialectics still operate with a centred self which assumes a conflict between the centre and a sub-self periphery. Moreover, this kind of dialectics provides the picture of a permanent victimized self rather than an akratic conflict. I conclude by suggesting the existence of a "dense " self with more subjective capacities than is usually assumed. This, I argue, enhances the scope of, and makes the intra-will conflict more credible
Epistemiese waardes in die rasionaliteitsmodel van Wentzel van Huyssteen
Get PDFIn his dialogue with the current state of the debate on philosophy of debate, Wentzel van Huyssteen develops what he calls a postfoundationalist model of rationality as opposed to the discredited foundationalist model and the, for him equally unacceptable, antifoundationalist model of rationality. In this article it is argued that the two basic epistemic values of Van Huyssteen\u27s model, viz. the pursuit of intelligibility and the concept of critical realism, tie in with his opposition to foundationalism and antifoundationalism. He uses the concept of intelligibility to distance himself from a foundationalist approach, and then he utilizes the concept of critical realism to safeguard himself from antifoundationalism. The factor which ties these two values together is the notion of progress in science. In this article it is argued that Van Huyssteen’s model does not really succeed in transcending the foundationalism-antifoundationalism tension with a radically new alternative, the main reason for this being that a pragmatic idea of progress in science cannot succeed in integrally connecting the epistemic values of intelligibility and realism