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Citizen Science: which kind of public participation is epistemologically feasible?
Full text linkProjects concerning the participation of citizens to the scientific research have become very popular in recent years. However, the literature seems not offer much foundational investigations into the epistemological conditions that make citizens’ contribution to science a fruitful and rigorous activity. Research institutions and citizens, understood as entities bearing generally distinct requests, practices and goals, knowledge and skills, are totally misaligned. In order to participate to collaborative research, citizens need an epistemic and methodological literacy to overcome common sense ideas, towards an ever adequate vision of phenomena under investigation. Besides understanding the social advantages introduced by the participatory dimension, it is therefore necessary to analyze the related epistemological problems, to understand to what extent and in what respect to the participation of citizens to research processes might be regarded as truly advantageous from an epistemological perspective
Between objectivism and perspectivism: reasons for a philosophy and science encounter
Full text linkIn this study we explore the encounters emerging from the restructured categorizations of subjectivity in the context of an open system that constantly confronts the structures that create it. On the one hand, science formulates valid propositions through the ratio that ensures and confirms the acquisition of knowledge, but on the other hand, the truth of its propositions is related to those mental processes which seek the truth of deeper values than those discovered on the surface of reality. The question arisen in this case is by what criteria we are able to go back to removing those antinomies (objectivism/perspectivism) in order to develop the interdisciplinary terms between the humanitarian field of science and sciences in a spirit of unification. In this way, we approach the potential of scientific reformulation in terms of the above interpretive perspectives in order to project the overcoming of divisions under the principles of diversity and critical thinking both in the field of philosophy and science as well
Partecipazione, democrazia e politica sostenibile: una prima lettura) (Participation, democracy and sustainable politics: a first reading)
Full text linkSuntoIn questa prima lettura interpretativa, questo lavoro si focalizza, anche attraverso l’uso di numerose fonti reperite, sulla idea-forza della partecipazione attiva dei cittadini nella vita politica della propria comunità quale elemento centrale per la realizzazione compiuta della democrazia e il perseguimento di una politica sostenibile. Esaminando nel dettaglio sia gli strumenti tradizionali sia le metodologie innovative, si tenterà di comprendere come aumentare la partecipazione attiva, in particolare delle nuove generazioni, e, soprattutto spingendola in modo che sia più consapevole, si riuscirà a costruire una società effettivamente democratica, dove le istituzioni politiche sono identificate come attori chiave nel promuovere la partecipazione democratica, malgrado le difficoltà insite nella spigolosità stessa della tematica affrontata.AbstractIn this first interpretative reading, this work focuses, also through the use of numerous sources found, on the idea-strength of the active participation of citizens in the political life of their community as a central element for the complete realization of democracy and the pursuit of a sustainable policy. By examining in detail both the traditional tools and the innovative methodologies, we will try to understand how to increase active participation, in particular of the new generations, and, above all by pushing it so that it is more aware, we will be able to build an effectively democratic society, where political institutions are identified as key actors in promoting democratic participation, despite the difficulties inherent in the very angularity of the topic addressed.
Il latino della scienza Galilei e i fratelli Bernoulli in uno studio interdisciplinare sulla brachistocrona (Latin in Science, Galilei and the Bernoulli brothers in interdisciplinary study over the Brachistochrone)
Full text linkIn this paper, we describe an interdisciplinary study between Latin and Mathematics, where Latin serves as a tool for inquiry, facilitating access to and reflection on the new mathematical concepts that emerged during the Scientific Revolution of the 17th and 18th centuries. By examining original texts in Latin, we trace the genesis of these concepts and their development through the creation of a new Latin lexicon tailored to express them.We analyze texts by Galileo and the Bernoulli brothers concerning the brachistochrone problem, which marks the transition from classical mathematics to the new infinitesimal calculus that laid the groundwork for the Scientific Revolution. From an epistemological perspective, solving this problem—which requires the new tools of differential calculus—offers a significant example of the limitations of classical mathematics. The analysis of primary sources allows us to reconstruct the original thinking that led scientists to propose solutions, while also encountering an epistemological obstacle: the concept of the limit. Furthermore, analyzing the Latin texts reveals the construction and evolution of scientific language as it developed alongside the new mathematics.
Matematica e Retorica a Roma: una lezione di geometria piana nell’Institutio oratoria di Quintiliano (Mathematics and Rhetoric in Rome: A Lesson in Plane Geometry in Quintilian's Institutio Oratoria)
Full text linkSuntoPrendendo in esame quanto il celebre maestro di retorica Marco Fabio Quintiliano (35 d.C. ca - 100 d.C. ca) scrive in età flavia nella sua Institutio oratoria a proposito dell’importanza dello studio della Matematica nella formazione di base del futuro perfetto oratore romano, si intende approfondire in particolare una porzione del lungo passo presente nel I libro (I 10, 34-49), nello specifico i §§ 39-45. In essi l’autore latino, partendo dall’affermazione che la geometria, non meno dell’aritmetica, con il suo procedimento razionale smaschera ciò che, pur apparendo verisimile, in realtà è falso, inserisce in funzione esemplificativa una vera e propria lezione di geometria piana sul problema dell’isoperimetria. Lo scopo dell’autore è di fornire una prova dell’utilità della geometria per educare a un uso corretto dell’ars dicendi.Keywords: Quintiliano; retorica; isoperimetria. AbstractExamining what the famous rhetoric teacher Marcus Fabius Quintilian (ca. 35 CE – ca. 100 CE) writes during the Flavian period in his Institutio Oratoria about the importance of studying mathematics as part of the foundational education for the future perfect Roman orator, this paper focuses on a specific section of the long passage found in Book I (I 10, 34-49), particularly §§ 39-45. In this section, the Latin author, starting from the assertion that geometry, no less than arithmetic, with its rational method, reveals what may appear plausible but is actually false, includes a true lesson in plane geometry on the problem of isoperimetry. The author's goal is to demonstrate the utility of geometry in educating one to make proper use of the ars dicendi (art of speaking).Keywords: Quintilian; rhetoric; isoperimetry
I Beni archeologici: un equilibrio tra competenze scientifiche e saperi umanistici (Archaeological heritage: a balance between scientific skills and humanistic knowledge)
Full text linkSuntoIl presente lavoro intende mettere in risalto i rapporti matematici nella realizzazione del Tempio di Hera nel santuario meridionale della città magnogreca di Posidonia-Paestum. Progettato intorno alla metà del VI sec. a. C. e portato a termine nell’ultimo decennio del secolo, il primo tempio dedicato a Hera, più noto come Basilica, fu eretto in stile dorico in base ad un ordine planimetrico basato sul rapporto 1:2, evidente già nella peristasi (con numero di colonne pari a 9x18 sullo stilobate). Il volume interno definisce una composizione perfettamente simmetrica rispetto ad un asse definito dalla colonna mediana di ciascuna fronte e dal colonnato assiale che divide la cella in due navate uguali; la larghezza di ciascuna navata interna corrisponde inoltre esattamente a due intercolumni, generando così una ripartizione armonicamente equilibrata e proporzionata in quattro parti uguali di tutto lo spazio racchiuso nel peristilio. La tematica, per il suo peculiare intreccio tra saperi scientifici e umanistici, si presta ad essere utilizzata come esempio di didattica interidsciplinare. Keywords: Tempio; Posidonia-Paestum; simmetria. AbstractThis work aims to highlight the mathematical relationships in the design of the Temple of Hera in the southern sanctuary of the Magna Graecia city of Posidonia-Paestum. Designed around the mid-6th century B.C. and completed in the last decade of the century, the first temple dedicated to Hera, known as the Basilica, was built in Doric style based on a planimetric order following the 1:2 ratio, which is already evident in the peristasis (with a number of columns equal to 9 x 18) on the stylobate. The internal volume defines a perfectly symmetrical composition with respect to an axis defined by the median column of each front and by the axial colonnade that divides the cell into two equal naves; the width of each internal nave also corresponds exactly to two intercolumns, generating a harmoniously balanced and proportional division of the entire space enclosed in the peristyle into four equal parts. The topic, due to its peculiar intertwining of scientific and humanistic knowledge, lends itself to being used as an example of interdisciplinary teaching.Keywords: Temple; Posidonia-Paestum; symmetry
Social sciences on stage: a theatrical scientific dissemination project
Full text linkOne of the biggest challenges of contemporary science is to develop innovative approach to excite society about science and scientific topics. One of the attempts to find new ways to communicate with the public has been to use artistic language to explore scientific topics. Specifically, theatre, allows to explore emotions and raise awareness of ethical and social issues. This type of art can have the power to excite people about certain topics, including scientific ones. Based on these premises, a project, titled Social sciences on stage is presented that create a creative link between social science and theater. The aim is to encourage the participation of scientists in the creation and expression of theater and to reflect on the social context of science. It will generate a reflection on the social context of science
Positivist and Interpretivist Ideas of Anol Bhattacherjee on The Methods of Data Collection: A Textual Critique
Full text linkIn the literature, the distinction between positivism and interpretivism based on ontological assumptions is somehow clear. Problems in dividing them based on epistemological assumptions continue to exist and appear in several works; for instance, Bhattacherjee’s book (2012) introduced the concept of research design and categorization of methods of data collection based on positivist and interpretivist epistemological assumptions. While acknowledging Bhattacherjee's contribution, nonetheless, the paper argues that since both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches share a few epistemological assumptions, strictly categorizing them into positivism and interpretivism raises some confusion. Consequently, impacting communication among researchers and the implementation of the research projects. Therefore, the paper describes Bhattacherjee's contributions and limitations in understanding the dichotomy existing between positivist and interpretivist methods of data collection. The paper's suggestions aim to resolve such confusion and restore research approaches and their methods of data collection to their original philosophical positions. Thus minimizing the existing confusion on research methodology in the current literature
Lo scandalo dell'incommensurabilità tra α ́λογος e α ́ρρητος (The scandal of incommensurability between α ́λογος e α ́ρρητος)
No full textIl presente lavoro intende ricostruire il percorso storico-epistemologico che ha condotto, nell’antichità, alla scoperta dell’esistenza delle grandezze incommensurabili.Non si sa con esattezza quando e come sia stata fatta tale importante scoperta e anche tra i commentatori antichi la questione sembra che abbia dato origine a discussioni e congetture varie; ancora oggi si può affermare che nell’ambito della storia della matematica il dibattito sia ancora aperto. È comunque fuori di dubbio che la scoperta sia stata fatta in seno agli sviluppi della matematica greca.This paper seeks to reconstruct the historical-epistemological path that led, in antiquity, to the discovery of the existence of incommensurable quantities.It is not known exactly when and how this important discovery was made; however, there is no doubt that the discovery was made within the developments of Greek mathematics
Politiche sociali e Welfare Locale: le politiche di contrasto alla povertà in Abruzzo (Social Policies and Local Welfare: Policies against Poverty in Abruzzo)
Full text linkSuntoQuesto articolo si prefigge l’obiettivo di definire e inquadrare il processo di formazione, attuazione e valutazione delle politiche sociali e delle politiche pubbliche che contribuiscono alla costruzione del welfare locale. Tale processo di analisi risulta essere fondamentale sia per comprendere il funzionamento del ciclo di programmazione e le dinamiche intrinseche al processo di decision making sia per specificare il ruolo dello Stato e dei vari attori coinvolti nella definizione e risoluzione delle problematiche di forte rilevanza sociale. Dal punto di vista sociologico, il fenomeno della povertà, inteso come un fenomeno sociale complesso e multiparadigmatico, sarà analizzato sia in senso diacronico, attraverso l’analisi dell’evoluzione del concetto di povertà nel corso dei secoli, sia in senso sincronico, concentrandosi sulle diverse sfaccettature che lo caratterizzano ancora oggi e che lo rendono di difficile contrasto. Infine, si procede all’analisi dei dati riguardanti il problema della povertà in Abruzzo e delle proposte avanzate dalle Regione in materia di servizi, interventi e politiche sociali per affrontare tale problematica. AbstractThe paper aims to define and frame the process of formation, implementation and evaluation of social policies and public policies that contribute to the construction of local welfare. This analysis process is fundamental both for understanding the functioning of the planning cycle and the dynamics intrinsic to the decision-making process and for specifying the role of the State and the various actors involved in the definition and resolution of problems of strong social relevance. From a sociological point of view, the phenomenon of poverty, understood as a complex and multi-paradigmatic social phenomenon, will be analyzed both in a diachronic sense, through the analysis of the evolution of the concept of poverty over the centuries, and in a synchronic sense, focusing on the different facets that still characterize it today and that make it difficult to contrast. Finally, the paper will investigate the data regarding the problem of poverty in Abruzzo and the proposals put forward by the Region regarding services, interventions and social policies to address this problem