PhilArchive
Not a member yet
119355 research outputs found
Sort by
The Hole Argument and Determinism(s)
No full textThis paper first offers an interpretation and clarification of Halvorson and Manchak (2025)’s recent argument that there is no mathematical basis for the Hole Argument; the upshot of this is that it depends on whether the notion of “rigidity” discussed in that paper can be understood as a form of determinism. It then reviews various notions of determinism that have been put forward in the Hole Argument literature, to argue that rigidity cannot be so understood—but that rigidity does stand in a close relationship to certain species of determinism
Model-Driven Engineering: Enhancing Software Design and Code Generation
No full textModel-Driven Engineering (MDE) is a modern approach to software development that emphasizes the use of
models as primary artifacts in the software design and development process. In MDE, models represent abstract versions
of systems, serving as blueprints that can be automatically transformed into working code. This approach seeks to enhance
software design, reduce the complexity of code generation, and improve maintainability. By focusing on high-level
abstractions, MDE enables developers to design software systems more efficiently, automate repetitive tasks, and ensure
consistency across different system components. It fosters the development of platform-independent models, which can
then be tailored for specific environments or target platforms using model transformations. This paper provides an indepth examination of Model-Driven Engineering, highlighting its applications in modern software development,
particularly in enhancing the software design process and streamlining code generation. The research focuses on key
MDE technologies, including Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs), metamodels, and model transformation techniques.
It also examines how MDE contributes to the reduction of errors, the increase in productivity, and the facilitation of
collaboration in large-scale software projects. The methodology section outlines the techniques used to implement MDE
in real-world software development, with examples of successful case studies. Finally, the conclusion discusses the future
potential of MDE, exploring emerging trends, challenges, and the ongoing evolution of this methodology
Platão, ‘O Revolucionário'
No full textThe book “Plato the Revolutionary” is an effort to bring back this philosopher who had been exiled for almost 2,500 years - by Westernism, Eurocentrism, ethnocentrism and their reproducers - who kept him as a kind of caged gelatin - only manipulated according to the fingers of those agents who distorted Plato for more than two millennia. And now Plato returns from his exile of more than two thousand years./ ‘Platão “O Revolucionário”’ propõe uma releitura do pensamento de Platão, destacando seu perfil insubordinado e subversivo na Atenas clássica. A obra parte da análise da Alegoria da Caverna e compara a dialética platônica à postura de Sócrates, para mostrar como crítica, dúvida e ironia se tornaram ferramentas poderosas de resistência aos discursos manipuladores, apontando rumo a um saber emancipador. Embora Platão não se encaixe nas revoluções modernas marcadas por conflito violento, sua proposta de transformar o entendimento e as estruturas do conhecimento configura uma revolta silenciosa contra a ignorância. Ao relacionar emancipação intelectual e transformação social, o livro afirma que educação e formação cidadã são instrumentos essenciais para renovar a sociedade, desafiando a hegemonia dos discursos de poder e dominação. Além disso, a obra rompe com leituras ocidentais e eurocêntricas, adotando hermenêutica rigorosa para reconstruir o pensamento platônico em seu contexto grego original. Ao rejeitar interpretações arbitrárias, mergulha nas dinâmicas políticas, sociais e culturais da Atenas clássica para revelar o caráter verdadeiramente revolucionário da práxis de Platão. Em suma, é um convite provocativo a repensar a cultura, a dinâmica do saber e os limites que separam o indivíduo de uma existência livre e esclarecida. Palavras-chaves: Insubordinação; Subversão; Dialética; Emancipação; Educação; Ironia; Revolução silenciosa; Sabedoria; Ética; Filosofia; Política
The Universe of Gradients: The Energy Quantum Ontology of Electromagnetic Phenomena
No full textThis book is Volume IV of the four-volume EQT theory series.
In September 1820, at the University of Copenhagen, Professor Ørsted's wire accidentally deflected a magnetic needle. This perturbation unveiled electromagnetic unification yet planted physics' deepest enigma: what transmits force across the void? Maxwell wove fields with partial differentials, Einstein reshaped spacetime via light-speed constancy, Feynman depicted interactions via virtual photons. Yet, gazing at electron cloud fluctuations or CMB anisotropy, a core question persists: what ontology underlies these structures?
This book concludes the four-volume Energy Quantum Theory (EQT) epic. Prior volumes unified strong/weak forces, reconstructed gravity, tamed dark universe. Now, electromagnetism—physics' most precise (QED 10^{-12}), widespread (chips to telescopes), consistent (Maxwell 160 years). Precision ≠ profundity, consistency ≠ truth. Goal: not revise theories, but answer century-old query—under unified ontology, electromagnetic dynamical origin?
1. Ontological Revolution: Attributes to Processes
Physics views charge/mass as intrinsic, fields basic. EQT revolution: all emerge from energy quantum density \rho(\mathbf{r}, t). Classical/QED success projects master equation in EM band (f \in [10^{15},10^{20}] Hz):
\partial \rho_f / \partial t = k(f)\rho_f^2 - D(f)\nabla^2 \rho_f - \Gamma(f)\rho_f + S(f) + \mathcal{N}(f)
k(f)\propto f^2, D(f)\propto f^{-1}, \Gamma(f)\propto f. Four interpretations:
1.1 Charge: Gradient Freezing Topology
Not attribute, but CMB deviation (\rho_0^{EM}=410 cm^{-3}):
q = e_0 \int_{V_{int}} (\rho_f^{EM} - \rho_0^{EM}) dV
Quantization from phase topology \oint \nabla \phi_f \cdot d\mathbf{l}=2\pi n and resonance R_c=\sqrt{D(f)/k(f)\rho_0}—universe cools to electroweak, field traps in double-well, freezes \pm e.
1.2 Fields: Gradient-Curl Symphony
- Electric: \mathbf{E} = -(\hbar/2m_f)\nabla \rho_f^{EM}, homogenization direction;
- Magnetic: \mathbf{B} = \nabla \times (\mu_0 \int -D(f)\nabla \rho_f^{EM} dt), phase curl projection.
Maxwell from \partial_t \rho_f + \nabla \cdot \mathbf{J}_f=0; 1/r^2 3D flux geometry.
1.3 Virtual Photons: Fluctuation Tapestry
QED photons = field fluctuation:
\langle \mathcal{N}(f)\mathcal{N}(f')\rangle = (4\alpha \hbar c/\pi^2 \varepsilon_0) f^4 \delta(f-f')\delta^3(\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{r}')\delta(t-t')
Coulomb: gradient response—electron-proton, \rho_f redistributes 10^{-15} s, screens/binds—no exchange, field evolution.
1.4 Polarity: Phase Transition Gift
Early universe symmetric; H(t)\sim k(f)\rho_f, nonlinear triggers transition, falls to \rho_f \u3e \rho_0 (positive) or \u3c (negative). Neutrality: \int (\rho_f - \rho_0)dV=0—same field topologies.
2. Chapters: Micro to Macro
- Ch2: Charge ontology, q=e from n=1;
- Ch3: Phase as quanta timestamp, unifies AB/superconductivity;
- Ch4: States—condensed (mass), bound (atoms), free (photons);
- Ch5: Field gradients derive Maxwell;
- Ch6: Confinement law, EM shells/strong strings homology;
- Ch7: Transitions conserve energy, ionization/recombination;
- Ch8: Roadmap—XFEL to CMB.
Appendix: EQT-Solver, calibration, mappings—computable/falsifiable/applicable.
Conclusion: Physics' Intent
Ørsted saw nature's refusal of silence—void active with flows. EQT restores EM from calculation to why.
Lightning: not electron flow, \rho_f gradient balance; not void mystery, 13.8B-year energy slice. Measure field folds, manipulate gradient dance.
Dedicated to ``why'' seekers. Physics answers: why stars visible? In photon gradients, phase topologies, creation fluctuation—
All gradients, spacetime spectrum
Transforming Online Retail: The Impact of Augmented and Virtual Reality on Consumer Engagement and Experience in E-Commerce
No full textPurpose: This study investigates the transformative role of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies in e-commerce and digital marketing. It aims to understand how these immersive technologies enhance consumer experiences by addressing challenges such as product visualization, consumer trust, and engagement while fostering higher purchase intent and customer satisfaction.
Design/Method/Approach: A systematic literature review synthesizes findings from empirical and theoretical studies published between 2011 and 2024. The methodologies analyzed include experimental designs, market analyses, and conceptual frameworks assessing the integration of AR and VR technologies in online retail.
Findings: The findings indicate that AR enhances online shopping through features such as virtual try-ons and spatial placement visualization, reducing return rates and increasing purchase confidence. VR, on the other hand, provides immersive environments that simulate physical shopping experiences, strengthening consumer-brand connections. While AR demonstrates broader applicability in fostering interactive and personalized experiences, VR remains limited by accessibility and cost constraints. Both technologies exhibit immediate costs but offer long-term benefits, positively influencing conversion rates and customer loyalty.
Theoretical Implications: This study contributes to consumer behavior research by applying value perception models, immersive technology frameworks, and engagement metrics to the e-commerce landscape. It refines existing theoretical perspectives on technological adoption by highlighting the interplay between sensory engagement, emotional connection, and consumer decision-making.
Practical Implications: The research underscores the strategic importance of integrating AR and VR into digital marketing and e-commerce platforms. It suggests leveraging AR for product categories requiring spatial interaction and using VR for high-detail product exploration. The study provides actionable insights for businesses looking to enhance online shopping experiences through immersive technologies.
Originality/Value: This study offers a comprehensive synthesis of AR and VR applications in e-commerce, highlighting their potential to reshape online shopping. By bridging the gap between physical and digital retail experiences, it provides a fresh perspective on how immersive technologies can drive engagement, accessibility, and personalized consumer interactions.
Research Limitations/Future Research: While this study synthesizes existing literature, empirical validation through longitudinal studies and cross-industry applications is necessary. Future research should explore the long-term effects of AR and VR adoption on consumer trust, loyalty, and behavioral changes. Additionally, further exploration is encouraged into gamification, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, and demographic-specific implementations to drive sustainable engagement
Are We in a Sixth Mass Extinction? The Challenges of Answering and Value of Asking
No full textIn both scientific and popular circles it is often said that we are in the midst of a sixth mass extinction. Although the urgency of our present environmental crises is not in doubt, such claims of a present mass extinction are highly controversial scientifically. Our aims are, first, to get to the bottom of this scientific debate by shedding philosophical light on the many conceptual and methodological challenges involved in answering this scientific question, and, second, to offer new philosophical perspectives on what the value of asking this question has been — and whether that value persists today. We show that the conceptual challenges in defining ‘mass extinction’, uncertainties in past and present diversity assessments, and data incommensurabilities undermine a straightforward answer to the question of whether we are in, or entering, a sixth mass extinction today. More broadly we argue that an excessive focus on the mass extinction framing can be misleading for present conservation efforts and may lead us to miss out on the many other valuable insights that Earth’s deep time can offer in guiding our future
Higher-order accounts of agnosticism: belief vs. endorsement
No full textThomas Raleigh’s Meta-Belief Account and Verena Wagner’s Endorsement Account are two competing higher-order accounts of agnosticism. In this paper, I do two tasks. Firstly, I defend the Meta-Belief account from two challenges: the Transition Challenge, which says that the Meta-Belief Account cannot explain how a rational agent can transition between mere indecision and agnosticism, and the Settledness Challenge, which says that the Meta-Belief Account cannot guarantee the incompatibility between agnosticism and inquiry. Secondly, I argue that there exist two cases against the Endorsement Account. On the basis of these discussions, I conclude that the Meta-Belief Account is better than the Endorsement Account
Reviving Manichaeism with the Evil God Challenge
No full textIn contemporary analytic philosophy of religion, the evil God challenge has been developed by several authors as a parody argument. Proponents of this challenge contend that, given the goods in our world, the hypothesis of an omnipotent, omniscient, omnimalevolent God or the Evil God is absurd. Similarly, they argue, we should conclude that the hypothesis of a good God is also absurd due to the evils present in our world. This paper argues that, with the aid of this challenge and other contemporary debates in the philosophy of religion, one can make the case that a reintroduction of Manichaeism into philosophy of religion is worthwhile. This argument will propose that, considering our total evidence, the Good-God and the Evil-God demonstrate a similar level of support. Additionally, under a reconstructed Manichaean hypothesis, good and evil are seen as mutually explanatory. Furthermore, the natural order can be understood within this framework. Therefore, the Manichaean hypothesis could serve as a viable alternative to monotheistic theism; it can account for the coexistence of good and evil and is compatible with the observed order in nature
Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: Challenges for Patient Participation due to Opacity
No full textOpacity – or the lack of transparency - impacts patients’ ability to participate in and contribute to decision-making. This contribution examines how opacity affects patient engagement in the context of oral potentially malignant disorders. The discussion focuses on three key areas: the effects of unclear disease classifications on patient perceptions of their health; the ways in which ambiguous healthcare pathways create barriers for both patients and providers; and the broader impact of opacity on patient autonomy. The conclusion explores strategies to reduce or mitigate these challenges, including fostering epistemic networks for patients and healthcare providers and embracing the value of humility in care work
Dwelling On the Borders of the Unthinkable. On the Double Movement of Emmanuel Falque’s Philosophy
No full textThe purpose of our article is to provide a brief introduction to the philosophical-theological thought of the French thinker Emmanuel Falque by showing how the human experience of God is the substratum of the double movement of his method. This method aims to interrogate and essentially overcome the traditional boundaries between theology and philosophy. In this sense, we can say that his project is clearly and primarily a philosophical questioning of the fundamental contents of Christian religious experience. Thus, according to Falque, it is a matter of beginning from the “homme tout court”, in which everyone is anthropologically “always a believer” (in man or in the world) before deciding on a specific belief or faith, glimpsing here the “common ground” of our incarnate being. But, ultimately, is not the “flesh of God” (theology) the ground and foundation, the beginning and the end of the flesh of man and the world (phenomenology)? In Falque, it is perhaps a whole other metaphysics of the crossing, of dwelling and of the transformation of finitude that is inaugurated