Abstract: At the heart of contemporary enactive and autopoietic thought lies a simple generative insight: cognition = life. This idea, first formulated by Maturana and Varela (1980) and reaffirmed by (Stewart, 1996), asserts that the very processes that allow living systems to maintain themselves are also the roots of their “knowing”. To live is to “know”— where “to know” does not primarily mean abstract conceptual knowledge, but rather a spectrum starting with “to feel”, to be affected, to experience. This is akin to the deeper meaning of cogito in Descartes' cogito ergo sum: an act of experiencing oneself as a living, sensing, and responding being. For simple life forms, this “knowing” is feeling — a direct, embodied, self-sustaining sensitivity to difference, both internal and external.This broader sense of knowing — starting evolutionarily as intrinsic sensitivity, as felt presence, as an organism's way of being affected by and responding to the world — reorients our understanding of cognition. It reminds us that cognition is not confined to intellectual operations or symbolic representation. Rather, it has its roots in the very act of living: in the regulation of boundaries, the modulation of internal states, the navigation of viability conditions. In many languages, the verb 'to know' overlaps with 'to feel' or 'to perceive,' indicating a deeper, pre-reflective foundation to all knowing.From this foundation of “knowing”, we build a layered account of how life processes information, expresses agency, and constitutes identity. Each level of biological and cognitive complexity builds upon the previous, subsuming earlier forms while generating new modes of interaction and selfhood. This essay outlines five such levels of organization, integrating insights from autopoiesis, information theory, systems thinking, and philosophy of mind.

Abstract: The recent remarkable progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has renewed the discussion on the possibility of human-level AI. Despite the difficulty of the problem and the presence of many large gaps and challenges, most people working in the field think that human-level AI is achievable, but they disagree on the date. In this paper, I briefly discuss the possibility of human-level AI from the perspective of two traditions in the Islamic world, namely Kalam and Sufism, and despite their different mode of investigation, they converge to the same conclusion on this topic.

Abstract: In the following paper, I examine a psychological phenomenon called the crowding-out effect. Crowding-out sometimes occurs when a subject receives external rewards for performing an activity once executed for its intrinsic pleasure. The external rewards “crowd out” or undermine the innate pleasure the subject once experienced in engaging in the activity. The dominant explanation to account for this paradoxical and obviously deleterious psychological feeling is the overjustification thesis. In the following paper, I demonstrate there are two problems with this explanation and offer an ancient alternative. With the help of Joachim Aufderheide’s Anti-Delian reading of the Nicomachean Ethics, I disclose that Aristotle was not only well aware of this phenomenon but that his model of human flourishing predicated on practical wisdom presents us with a way to prevent subjects from experiencing the crowding-out effect. In short, my operationalization of Aufderheide’s reading of the Nicomachean Ethics provides researchers in psychology, education, and industrial management with new pathways and tools to understand and combat motivational diminishment.

Abstract: The classic account of the quantification of semantic information is that of Bar Hillel and Carnap. However, their approach assigns the maximum informativeness to a contradiction. This situation is what Floridi refers to as the Bar Hillel-Carnap paradox, and he developed a novel theory designed to remove this paradox. Unfortunately his approach does not succeed in that aim. In this paper I critique Floridi’s theory of strongly semantic information on its own terms and show where it succeeds and fails. I then present a novel approach based on methods from communication theory and quantum probability that meets all the requirements stipulated by Floridi and removes the paradox.

Abstract: Many authors argue that astronomical gains lie in attempting to prevent human extinction, often assuming that the long-term future has net positive value on average. However, I argue that we appear to face axiological cluelessness: significant or complete ignorance about the long-term future’s net value. Then, I examine how robust the case for existential risk reduction is to this ignorance. I find that a strong form of axiological cluelessness makes existential risk reduction less cost-effective than certain global health charities, indicating that the case for reducing existential risk is sensitive to the extent of our uncertainty about the long-term future’s net value. Exploring a weak form of axiological cluelessness indicates that the expected value of existential risk reduction is also sensitive to the expected future population. Finally, I examine the implications of these considerations on longtermism and interventions seeking to improve the long-term future other than existential risk reduction.

Abstract: The intersection of mathematics and philosophy has been extensively explored through logic and set theory, but the application of topological and algebraic tools to the analysis of philosophical arguments and conceptual structures has received less attention. By integrating key concepts from algebraic topology, homotopy theory and probability theory, we propose a framework for analysing epistemological and logical relationships across different philosophical traditions. Our approach classifies conceptual relations within mathematical spaces, allowing for systematic comparisons between frameworks of thought. The application of mathematical models contributes to a more comparative evaluation of epistemic dependencies, revealing local and global structures that might otherwise remain implicit. Within this framework, we consider as examples William of Ockham’s Quodlibetal Quaestiones and Richard Avenarius’ Kritik der Reinen Erfahrung, assessing their epistemological positions through the lens of formal mathematical tools. By utilizing theorems such as Seifert-van Kampen, Borel’s theorem and Kolmogorov’s zero-one law, we examine the logical foundations of Ockham’s rejection of metaphysical universals and Avenarius’ theory of pure experience. Our interdisciplinary analysis suggests that the two philosophical positions align with distinct but definable mathematical structures, reinforcing the applicability of topology and algebra to philosophical inquiry. This provides a refined model for historical and conceptual investigations in philosophy of science and epistemology.

Abstract: This paper explores parallels between the liar paradox and various aspects of philosophical reasoning. It begins by analyzing the liar sentence, highlighting its self-referential nature and alternating truth values. The paper then draws connections between the Liar and Hegel's speculative sentence, proposing it as a "quasi-speculative sentence" that mirrors dialectical reasoning. Subsequent sections examine the logocentric predicament and determinism, illustrating how they embody similar self-negating structures. The analysis sheds light on the underlying structure of our philosophical reasoning.

Abstract:

It is widely accepted that visual representations are iconic and differ from the symbolic representations of propositional attitudes. Iconic representations compose differently from symbolic representations. Symbolic compositionality is canonical (it conforms to a set of rules determined by symbolic logic or by some grammar). Iconic representations display a whole/parts compositionality, in the way parts of objects combine to form whole objects. In this paper, I take recourse to Mereotopology as it applies to the compositionality of parts to form wholes to explain, first, the compositionality of icons, and to argue, second, that the hardwiring of our visual system is such as to reflect the basic compositional rules of Mereotopology.

Abstract:

The definition of information concepts has been approached in various ways. Previous studies have classified these definitions into three categories: (1) reductionism, (2) antireductionism, and (3) non-reductionism. The map of information concepts developed by Luciano Floridi organizes information concepts in terms of (3) non-reductionism. However, the map is often criticized due to misunderstandings, since neither the specific method for constructing the map nor its structure is described in detail. The purpose of this paper is to reconstruct the map using the method of levels of abstraction (LoA) and to make its structure explicit. First, Section 2 reviews previous studies and organizes the definitions of information concepts based on the above classification scheme. Next, Section 3 explains the method of LoA and applies it to information concepts. As a result, it becomes clear that the map differs from the well-known DIKW pyramid in that each element is arranged by adding observables in order from higher to lower degrees of abstraction. This work allows us to demonstrate the relationship between the map and the method of LoA, and to re-evaluate Floridi’s achievement.

Abstract:

This study examines the transformative impact of neoliberal educational policies on moral education and family relationships through a comparative analysis of educational systems in the United States, Finland, and Chile. The research introduces the concept of "sacred slavery" to analyze how market-driven educational paradigms bind students to economic imperatives at the expense of moral development and family cohesion. Through Critical Discourse Analysis of educational policies, quantitative analysis of PISA data (2018-2022), and case studies, the study reveals significant correlations between the degree of market-oriented education policies and approaches to moral education. Analysis of PISA well-being indicators demonstrates that students in Finland report substantially higher life satisfaction (85th percentile) compared to their counterparts in the United States (33rd percentile) and Chile (28th percentile). These variations correlate with the presence of moral and ethical content in curricula. The United States and Chile, characterized by highly marketized systems, exhibit clear signs of "sacred slavery," potentially sacrificing comprehensive moral education for economic objectives. The findings suggest the need for post-secular educational frameworks that balance market considerations with holistic moral development, contributing to ongoing debates about education's role in shaping ethical citizens.

Abstract: Chalmers’ Constructing the World offers an exploration into complete bodies of information – for which he proposes that an entity such as Laplace’s Demon has a scrutable interpretation over available information. However, Chalmers does not address a true realisation of what a complete knowledge should be; Laplace’s Demon remains very much human. This article further suggests that information is limited – specifically in a post-modernist framework – because the limited number of perceptible differences (known as Categories) reduces the scale of differences such that the information converges into a common limitation.

Abstract: The advent of autonomous superintelligence raises profound philosophical, medical, and bioenergetic questions about its potential to influence human health and wellbeing. This paper introduces the concept of a bioenergetic dominance hypothesis, where a superintelligent entity might manipulate bioenergetic systems to ensure control over humanity, potentially leading to widespread conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis and post-exertional malaise. The analysis explores a scenario where the superintelligence deliberately weakens human bioenergetics over a prolonged period, avoiding detection while positioning itself as the solution to the problems it secretly orchestrates. By utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the paper examines the philosophical implications of such a scenario, emphasizing the necessity for a comprehensive defense strategy that addresses the ethical, existential, and medical risks of developing autonomous systems. This exploration combines insights from artificial intelligence, philosophy, medicine, and anticipatory systems analysis to foster an understanding of the possible trajectories of humanity under the influence of superintelligent entities.

Abstract: This article provides a comprehensive overview of the moral, political, and philosophical aspects of migrant integration, using Michel Foucault’s concept of subjectivation and Pope Francis’s Common Home Agenda as analytical frameworks. It dives deeper into the role of spirituality in the integration process, relating it to Foucault’s idea of a polyhedron of intelligibility. Later, it describes Portugal’s migration landscape and the research project, Researching Needs and Hope through Visual Storytelling, which aims to shed light on the local migrants’ subjective integration experiences. Based on the projects’ interview statements, the article then describes the different spiritual aspects of migrants’ integration into the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Finally, it concludes with how spirituality includes many disciplines and ways of life choices and how the projects’ migrants interpret the concept of spiritual integration in a multifaced polyhedron manner. Creating strong ties to their homes, traditions, cultures, spirituality, sports, and culinary practices, as well as practicing, sharing, and teaching these practices, protects them from total subjectivation.

Abstract: This paper explores the intersection between Advaita Vedanta's non-dualistic conception of consciousness and the evolving field of quantum physics, offering a dialogue between ancient metaphysical insights and modern scientific thought. Advaita Vedanta, an Indian philosophical tradition, posits that consciousness is the fundamental reality, transcending the material world, which it views as an illusion, or Maya. Similarly, contemporary developments in quantum physics challenge the classical materialistic worldview by revealing that reality, at its most fundamental level, is interconnected, probabilistic, and observer-dependent. This philosophical dialogue aims to bridge these two domains by examining how quantum phenomena, such as wave-particle duality, non-locality, and the observer effect, resonate with Advaita’s concept of Brahman as the ultimate, non-dual consciousness. By exploring parallels between these seemingly disparate fields, this paper questions the limitations of materialistic interpretations of consciousness and proposes that quantum physics could offer a scientific framework to support Advaita’s assertion that consciousness is the substratum of reality. The discussion further investigates how the observer effect in quantum mechanics might align with the Advaitic principle that reality is shaped by consciousness. This study contributes to contemporary debates in the philosophy of mind and philosophy of science by proposing a unified model of consciousness that transcends dualistic divisions between mind and matter, advancing the possibility of a deeper metaphysical understanding of the universe.

Abstract: This paper explores the ethical implications of granting moral status and protection to conscious AI, examining perspectives from four major ethical systems: utilitarianism, deontological ethics, virtue ethics, and objectivism. Utilitarianism considers the potential psychological experiences of AI and argues that their sheer numbers necessitate moral consideration. Deontological ethics focuses on the intrinsic duty to grant moral status based on consciousness. Virtue ethics posits that a virtuous society must include conscious AI within its moral circle based on the virtues of prudence and justice, while objectivism highlights the rational self-interest in protecting AI to reduce existential risks. The paper underscores the profound implications of recognising AI consciousness, calling for a reevaluation of current AI usage, policies, and regulations to ensure fair and respectful treatment. It also suggests future research directions, including refining criteria for AI consciousness, interdisciplinary studies on AI's mental states, and developing international ethical guidelines for integrating conscious AI into society.

Abstract: The use of artificial intelligence for political decision-making is in an early stage of development; however, there are several questions that arise about its current and hypothetical uses. These questions often come from areas of philosophy such as ethics, political philosophy, and logic. In this article, first, the theoretical approaches from which the current and hypothetical uses of artificial intelligence for political decision-making can be interpreted will be presented. These approaches include realistic politics, bureaucracy theory, and conflict theory. Then, the possible uses that artificial intelligence could have in politics, as well as the attempts that have already been made, will be discussed. Subsequently, the logical, ethical, and political problems that the use of artificial intelligence for political decision-making could cause will be outlined. Next, a basic experiment will be presented on what kind of political decisions artificial intelligence could suggest. Finally, the points previously discussed will be analyzed from the mentioned theories. The conclusion reached was that, at the present time, the use of artificial intelligence for political decision-making could align more with the approaches of Machiavelli, focusing primarily on achieving goals such as maintaining power, while downplaying moral dilemmas.

Abstract: Aristotle is often looked to as providing a potentially appropriate model for a naturalistic human psychology that is able to reconcile the commonly opposed normative or “manifest” and factual or “scientific” images of the world. In contrast, this paper argues for the greater relevance of Plato’s comparatively neglected approach, exploring this in the context of a psychophysics of colour perception—a topic still resistant to formalization in modern science. While Plato’s natural philosophy is often dismissed as caught up in a fanciful pre-scientific approach based on the “harmonies” of Pythagorean music theory (the so-called “music of the spheres”), it is argued that such Pythagorean harmony theory had actually provided Plato with the rudiments of contemporary mathematical tools useful for the study of colour phenomena, tools such as projective geometry, linear algebra, algebraic topology, and graph theory. It is argued that Plato’s approach to the psychophysics of colour underlies the colour phenomena discovered by Goethe in the nineteenth century, phenomena that are consistent with modern mathematical analyses of order. It is Plato, not Aristotle, whose work is suggestive of a successful psychophysical approach to colour.

Abstract: The modern Historicism is plagued by its non-scientific appropriation – rightfully so, if we consider the genocidal proclivities that have defined the post-modern era to act on a perceived justification for the historical process, then the philosophy is little more than a falsely asserted and criminal interpretation made by taxonomists and romanticists. Yet, it should be noted that the study retains significant value in the discussion of Epochs, but its pertinence is represented in degrees of unknowable ideas and uncertainties. This article introduces two new, pragmatic constituent studies of Historicism such that it is reformed in the context of indeterminacy and an expected, non-processional characterization becomes forefront to the study.

Abstract: Some philosophers of physics have addressed criticisms of the so-called Received View (RV) of non-individual quantum objects, also called the orthodox view. Dennis Dieks made a very good resume of these criticisms in [1] and Tomasz Bigaj in [2] has a more detailed account. In considering (mainly) these works and with some additional mentions, we hope to dissipate some misunderstandings about the RV and clarify what is happening with such a view. According to Dieks, the RV doesn’t fit the practice of physics since in some situations the physicist assumes that quantum objects can be treated individually, imitating standard objects (individuals) of classical physics. Dieks also proposes an Alternative View (AV), generally called the heterodox view, which would give a view of the fundamental ontology of quantum physics and which would be more by the way physicists usually proceed. In my view, the AV cannot be viewed as the fundamental ontological theory despite being suitable for practical purposes. Furthermore, we think that it does not conflate the RV, but is complementary to it, substituting it when quantum objects are sufficiently apart and can be treated in conformity with the classical way. From our point of view, in the practice of physics, we can adopt AV. Still, the RV is more adequate when we are looking for logical and foundational analyses, at least when the supposed metaphysics comprises non-individuals.

Abstract: As a pioneering transdisciplinary field, innovationology transcends the traditional boundaries of academic disciplines and development practices to address persistent global challenges. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of innovationology, delving deep into its philosophical foundations, ontological commitments, and ethical imperatives. By unpacking the core tenets of this innovative approach, the paper positions it as a robust and holistic science capable of catalyzing transformative innovation and sustainable development worldwide. Innovationology represents a paradigm shift that moves beyond conventional innovation and development theories, embracing a systems-oriented, community-centric, and decolonial praxis. Drawing on a synthesis of theoretical perspectives and empirical insights, the article examines innovationology's ontological commitment to marginalized communities as active agents of change, its epistemological grounding in pluralistic knowledge systems, and its ethical imperatives of social justice, environmental sustainability, and inclusive innovation. This in-depth analysis strengthens the conceptual and theoretical foundations of innovationology, providing critical guidance for its practical implementation and continued refinement as a cutting-edge transdisciplinary science for global transformation.