BESTSELLERS

Die an der Schnittstelle von Phänomenologie und Science and Technology Studies angesiedelte wissenssoziologische Arbeit rekonstruiert die Binnenperspektive einer transdisziplinären Expertengemeinde auf die manipulationsanfälligen technischen Grundlagen eines sich im Entstehen befindenden globalen Sozialraums. Indem sie die kollektiven Wissenspraktiken jener Experten fokussiert, die mit ihren Technologien die ontologischen Konstitutionsbedingungen einer zunehmend netzvermittelten Lebenswelt vor Manipulation zu schützen versuchen, öffnet die Studie in mehrerlei Hinsicht eine Blackbox für die sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung: Sie durchleuchtet zum einen die opake Tiefenstruktur eines netzvermittelten sozialen Wirk- und Erfahrungsraums in seinen Dimensionen des Wissens und Nichtwissens. Zum anderen zeichnet sie eine theoretische Haltung der "ontologischen Verunsicherung" nach. Diese nehmen die Gestalter dieses sozio-technischen Wirkraums ein, wenn die dessen Grundlagen vor sozialen Kontingenzfaktoren zu schützen versuchen. Wie die Arbeit zeigt, enden diese Versuche der mathematischen Auflösung sozialer Kontingenzfaktoren jedoch in einem endlosen Regress.

Read more less

This volume contains essays on an array of topics originally presented orally by a master teacher and scholar. With characteristic rhetorical elegance, Msgr. Synan, late professor at the Pontifical Institute in Toronto, delivered these papers in a variety of settings on issues relating to his specialty of mediaeval Christian philosophy and to his interest in Jewish-Christian dialogue, on the theology of sanctity and of death, and on morally significant historical events. Medieval figures represented here include Aquinas, Augustine, Abelard, and Godfrey of St. Victor; some topics treated are war and peace, philosophical innovations, ecclesiology, evil, goliardic verse, law and abortion, Church councils and Jews in the Middle Ages, and convictions uniting Jews and Christians. This book also contains representative sermons–including a Month’s Mind for Etienne Gilson, an introduction detailing Synan’s background and professional contributions, an updated bibliography of his published works, and an extensive index. Especially appealing to those who knew Synan are three posthumous tributes and thirteen photographs from throughout his life.The selections in this volume are scholarly but non-technical, intended for anyone moved to seek elucidation of the topics discussed.

Read more less

A richly detailed history of Ashdown Forest -- home of Winnie-the-Pooh.The seeming tranquility of many rural landscapes can hide a combative history. This biography of one such landscape, Ashdown Forest in the Weald of Sussex, exemplifies the evolving conflicts that have taken place over many centuries. Wealth and poverty, power and exclusion, have all characterised this landscape through the ages. When a thirteenth-century boundary was erected to form a hunting park it was imposed upon a landscape which for centuries had provided sustenance for peasant families, for swine herds, for itinerant groups, all of whom had developed grazing and collecting rights and customary ties with the area. Conflict between manorial lords and commoners, "turbulent foresters", was born, and the evolution of this conflict over succeeding centuries is the recurring motif of this book. We move through the exploitation of iron ore and timber during the Tudor period, learn of the real threats of enclosure, of military occupation, to be followed by a landscape aesthetic bringing wealthy incomers, attracted by scenery easily reachable from London by train. All sides felt that the Forest was theirs by right. Victorian law-suits, twentieth-century protective legislation and a growing environmental consciousness have all left their mark. And the struggle for Ashdown continues amid ongoing development pressures. This book demonstrates that multi-layered conflict has been a characteristic feature of what still miraculously remains the largest area of internationally recognised heath in the South-East of England.

Read more less

Critically acclaimed as one of Shakespeare's most complex and intriguing plays, Twelfth Night is a classic romantic comedy of mistaken identities. In recent years it has returned to the centre of critical debate surrounding gender and sexuality. The Introduction explores the multiple factors that make up the play's rich textual, theatrical, critical and cultural history. Keir Elam surveys the play's production and reception, emphasizing the role of the spectator both within the comedy and the playhouse.

Read more less