Aaron Segal – författare

Science and technology capabilities are crucial to the economic growth of developing countries and to their ability to compete in the world economy. What factors enable some countries to successfully adapt technology to create indigenous capabilities and what factors cause others to fail? In this first global survey of science and technology capabilities in developing countries, the authors examine the experiences of Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East, China, India, and East Asia. Specialists in science and technology policies in these regions emphasize learning by doing: using available science and technology in its various applications--the shop floor, universities, and research institutes--to eventually develop indigenous capabilities. The authors consider why such capabilities have emerged in some societies but not in others and discuss their importance for domestic and international relations. Also considered are the implications of the "learning by doing" process for international relations, international trade, regional studies, science and technology policy, and management studies. This unique survey will interest a large audience, from technology policymakers and regional specialists to business managers, and officials. It will serve as a reference guide to the current state of science and technology policies in every region of the world and as a framework for analyzing and understanding how science and technology capabilities are being developed.

Science and technology capabilities are crucial to the economic growth of developing countries and to their ability to compete in the world economy. What factors enable some countries to successfully adapt technology to create indigenous capabilities and what factors cause others to fail? In this first global survey of science and technology capabilities in developing countries, the authors examine the experiences of Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East, China, India, and East Asia. Specialists in science and technology policies in these regions emphasize learning by doing: using available science and technology in its various applications--the shop floor, universities, and research institutes--to eventually develop indigenous capabilities. The authors consider why such capabilities have emerged in some societies but not in others and discuss their importance for domestic and international relations. Also considered are the implications of the "learning by doing" process for international relations, international trade, regional studies, science and technology policy, and management studies. This unique survey will interest a large audience, from technology policymakers and regional specialists to business managers, and officials. It will serve as a reference guide to the current state of science and technology policies in every region of the world and as a framework for analyzing and understanding how science and technology capabilities are being developed.

Are we made entirely of matter, like sticks and stones? Or do we have a soul—a nonphysical entity—where our mental lives take place?

The authors Eric T. Olson and Aaron Segal begin this accessible and wide-ranging debate by looking at the often-overlooked question of whether we appear in ordinary experience to be material things. Olson then argues that the dependence of our mental lives on the condition of our brains—the fact that general anesthesia causes complete unconsciousness, for instance—is best explained by saying that our mental lives are physical activities in our brains rather than nonphysical activities in the soul. Segal objects that this view is incompatible with two obvious and important facts about ourselves: that there is only one of you rather than trillions of almost identical beings now thinking your thoughts, and that we exist and remain conscious for more than an instant. These facts, he claims, are presupposed in our practical and moral judgments—but they require us to be immaterial things. Olson is forced to concede that there is no easy and uncontroversial answer to these objections but doubts whether taking us to be immaterial would be any help. The debate takes in large philosophical questions extending well beyond dualism and materialism.

The book features clear statements of each argument, responses to counter-arguments, in-text definitions, a glossary of key terms, and section summaries. Scholars and students alike will find it easy to follow the debate and learn the key concepts from metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and other areas necessary to understand each position.

Key Features

Are we made entirely of matter, like sticks and stones? Or do we have a soul—a nonphysical entity—where our mental lives take place?

The authors Eric T. Olson and Aaron Segal begin this accessible and wide-ranging debate by looking at the often-overlooked question of whether we appear in ordinary experience to be material things. Olson then argues that the dependence of our mental lives on the condition of our brains—the fact that general anesthesia causes complete unconsciousness, for instance—is best explained by saying that our mental lives are physical activities in our brains rather than nonphysical activities in the soul. Segal objects that this view is incompatible with two obvious and important facts about ourselves: that there is only one of you rather than trillions of almost identical beings now thinking your thoughts, and that we exist and remain conscious for more than an instant. These facts, he claims, are presupposed in our practical and moral judgments—but they require us to be immaterial things. Olson is forced to concede that there is no easy and uncontroversial answer to these objections but doubts whether taking us to be immaterial would be any help. The debate takes in large philosophical questions extending well beyond dualism and materialism.

The book features clear statements of each argument, responses to counter-arguments, in-text definitions, a glossary of key terms, and section summaries. Scholars and students alike will find it easy to follow the debate and learn the key concepts from metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and other areas necessary to understand each position.

Key Features

In this innovative volume contemporary philosophers respond to classic works of Jewish philosophy. For each of twelve central topics in Jewish philosophy, Jewish philosophical readings, drawn from the medieval period through the twentieth century, appear alongside an invited contribution that engages both the readings and the contemporary philosophical literature in a constructive dialogue. The twelve topics are organized into four sections, and each section commences with an overview of the ensuing dialogue and concludes with a list of further readings. The introduction to the volume assesses the current state of Jewish philosophy and argues for a deeper engagement with analytic philosophy, exemplified by the new contributions.

Jewish Philosophy Past and Present: Contemporary Responses to Classical Sources is a cutting edge work of Jewish philosophy, and, at the same time, an engaging introduction to the issues that animated Jewish philosophers for centuries and to the texts that they have produced. It is designed to set the agenda in Jewish philosophy for years to come.