“Professor David Furley: Celebrated scholar of Greco-Roman philosophy” plus 3 more |
- Professor David Furley: Celebrated scholar of Greco-Roman philosophy
- Sabres retain Ruff; set sights on improving roster
- On eve of Shanghai Expo 2010, China finds 'soft power' an elusive goal
- HP Reported to Have Axed Its Windows 7-Based "Slate" Tablet
| Professor David Furley: Celebrated scholar of Greco-Roman philosophy Posted: 29 Apr 2010 04:14 PM PDT
David Furley was one of the 20th century's outstanding scholars of Greco-Roman philosophy. The quantity of Furley's published output is perhaps modest by today's standards. But virtually every item is a gem, and many have become classics. He was educated at Nottingham High School and at Jesus College Cambridge, where he became an Honorary Fellow. In 1947, after war service in Burma and a return to Cambridge to complete his degree, he took up an assistant lectureship in the Departments of Greek and Latin at University College London. Following promotions up to the level of reader, he moved in 1966 to a professorship at Princeton University. He remained there until his retirement in 1992, which was marked with a conference in his honour at the Institute of Classical Studies, London, and not long after by his return to residence in England, at Charlbury in Oxfordshire. The most recurrent motif of his work was the systematic contrast between two radically opposed philosophical and scientific worldviews, atomism and Aristotelianism, his analyses typically shedding equal light on both traditions. The leading exhibit is undoubtedly his brilliant 1967 book Two Studies in the Greek Atomists. Here he took two central themes of Epicurean atomism and reconstructed the origins of each, above all by minute study of the relevant texts in relation to their Aristotelian background. A model of lucid and judicious scholarship, this monograph did much, perhaps more than any other single book, to bring Epicureanism into the philosophical mainstream. Another way in which Furley's work proved seminal lay in his genius for writing a short but incisive article which provoked an entire micro-industry of debate. His classic "Self-movers", a mere 15 pages in the original 1978 publication, became the focus of a subsequent conference at Pittsburgh, which in turn led to a multi-authored volume (Self-motion from Aristotle to Newton, ed. M.L. Gill and J. Lennox, 1994). Another such case is "The rainfall example in Physics II.8" (1986), which argued with amazing concision – it weighed in at just six printed pages – that, contrary to the current orthodoxy, Aristotle in fact believed that rainfall is purposive, and not merely the mechanical outcome of meteorological processes. Again, a debate accumulated around the article, with far-reaching implications for Aristotle's natural philosophy. A third case is "Lucretius and the Stoics" (1966). Lucretius was one of Furley's heroes (the Epicurean Latin poet's eloquent repudiation of the fear of death was read at his funeral). The article, running this time to an impressive 20 pages, presented a major challenge to the orthodoxy that Lucretius's polemics are typically directed against Stoic rivals. Resistance to this article's findings has been widespread in Lucretian circles, but it still has its defenders, and the debate remains evenly balanced. Furley's services to scholarship were wide-ranging. For example he co-authored with J. S. Wilkie a fine annotated edition, Galen on Respiration and the Arteries (1984); translated the pseudo-Aristotelian On the World for the Loeb Classical Library (1955), as well as parts of Philoponus's commentary on Aristotle's Physics (1991); was editor of the journal Phronesis from 1968 to 1972; and also edited, among other collective publications, the second volume of the Routledge History of Philosophy (1997). His final long-term project was a major two-volume work, The Greek Cosmologists. The first volume appeared in 1987, but the eagerly awaited sequel never followed. Meanwhile most of his articles were collected in his 1989 book Cosmic Problems. These succinct masterpieces may well prove to be his most enduring intellectual legacy. He was widely regarded within the ancient philosophy community as one of the subject's most brilliant practitioners. He received Princeton University's Howard T. Behrman Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities in 1984, and was elected a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy in 1990. From 1969 to 1982 he directed Princeton University's Program in Classical Philosophy. In collaboration at first with Gregory Vlastos and Terry Penner, and later with Michael Frede, John Cooper and Alexander Nehamas, he helped build Princeton's reputation as a world-leading centre for the study of ancient philosophy. While still in the UK he had co-founded the Southern Association for Ancient Philosophy, and in September 2005 he was one of a tiny handful of survivors from the inaugural meeting present in Oxford to help celebrate its 50th birthday. Furley's second wife, Phyllis, predeceased him by nine months. They were much-loved figures at Princeton, in and beyond the classics community. The play-readings that they held in their house at Ringoes over a period of 27 years became legendary. He particularly cherished his graduate students, many of whom went on to distinguished careers of their own. He found relaxation in bridge, furniture-making and bird-watching. He is survived by his first wife Diana and their two sons, John and Bill (the latter himself a classical scholar), by four grandchildren, and by three generations of step-offspring from his second marriage. David Sedley David John Furley, Greco-Roman scholar: born Nottingham 24 February 1922; taught at University College London 1947-1966; Professor of Classics 1966-74, Charles Ewing Professor of Greek Language and Literature, Princeton University 1974-1992; Fellow, British Academy; married 1948 Diana Armstrong (divorced 1966; two sons), 1967 Phyllis Ross (died 2009); died Banbury 26 January 2010. '); } else { document.write('Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Sabres retain Ruff; set sights on improving roster Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:04 PM PDT BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)—Lindy Ruff won't be going anywhere after the Buffalo Sabres picked up the one-year option to retain the head coach for a 13th season. What might be changing is the team's offseason approach to building a contender. In a departure from his patient, build-from-within philosophy, general manager Darcy Regier on Thursday said he's preparing for a busy offseason in a bid to improve his team through free agency or trades. "I will try to be busy, yes," Regier said during a wide-ranging news conference held three days after the Northeast Division champions were bounced by Boston in the first round of the playoffs. "Yes, I think we have to make some changes. What exactly they will consist of, it's too early to know." Among the most pressing needs are addressing a power play that went 2 for 35 over its final 11 games, including a dreadful 0 for 19 in six playoff games. And don't rule out the Sabres trading top-line center Tim Connolly(notes), who was a playoff bust with one assist against Boston. "I don't know," Regier said, when asked if he expects Connolly to remain a member of the team. Regier then clarified himself by noting Connolly has one year left on his contract, but added that the entire roster will be evaluated. What won't be changing—and this isn't a surprise—is Ruff's role. In announcing the team triggered its option to retain him, Sabres minority owner Larry Quinn said he's prepared to negotiate a long-term extension with both Ruff and Regier, who is under contract through next season. "Any notion that they're not going to be part of the process of us getting there, let's dispel that now," Quinn said, referring to the Sabres' attempt to rebuild themselves. Ruff had no intention of going anywhere, and is looking forward to next season after helping the Sabres return to the playoffs for the first time in three years. "The obvious disappointment is staring us right in the face, but I'm really excited about this group of players," Ruff said. "I can say this season was a tremendous step forward in the regular season. And it was a kick in the backside, and a step backward in the playoffs." With a 483-389-122 record, Ruff is the Sabres' winningest coach, and ranks 17th on the NHL list after moving ahead of his former mentor, the late Roger Neilson, this past season. Hired prior to the 1997-98 season, Ruff is the NHL's active leader among coaches with the same team. Since he was hired, there have been 154 coaching changes in the NHL, including the New Jersey Devils, after coach Jacques Lemaire announced his retirement this week. Ruff was mostly upbeat over how the Sabres made strides this season, and dismissed criticisms that his team was out-muscled by the Bruins. Ruff's biggest concern was the play of the Sabres special teams in the playoffs, which he called "our greatest disappointment." Aside from an anemic power play, Buffalo's penalty killers allowed six goals on 22 chances. Aside from Connolly's poor play, Buffalo also got very little production from second-line center Derek Roy(notes) and wingers Drew Stafford(notes) and Raffi Torres(notes), who was acquired in a deal with Columbus at the NHL trading deadline in March. Torres is a free agent this summer and isn't expected to be re-signed. Regier did express interest in retaining two key free agents—veteran defensemen Henrik Tallinder(notes) and Toni Lydman(notes)—but only at what he called "the right price." Veteran backup goalie Patrick Lalime(notes) is also a candidate to be re-signed after completing his two-year contract. One question mark is the status of captain Craig Rivet(notes), who will get a second opinion before determining whether to have surgery to repair a nagging shoulder injury. Regier said it's likely the defenseman will have the operation, forcing him to miss four to six months. Rivet first mentioned the likelihood of an operation a day earlier after cleaning out his locker. He wore a brace while playing with the injury throughout this season. Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| On eve of Shanghai Expo 2010, China finds 'soft power' an elusive goal Posted: 29 Apr 2010 01:03 PM PDT Shanghai, China – At the heart of the Shanghai World Expo stands the host nation's pavilion, a giant latticed crown painted crimson. Packed with exhibits portraying daily Chinese life, China's ethnic diversity, and the standard bearers of Chinese philosophy, the display shows China's friendliest face to the world. Hard on the heels of the Beijing Olympics, the authorities here have seized on the Expo â€" the largest in history â€" as another chance to improve the rising giant’s international image. Learning how to win friends and influence people is a task to which the government has attached the highest priority in recent years. It appears, however, to be failing. A BBC poll released in April found that only one-third of respondents in 14 countries believe China is a positive influence, down from one-half just five years ago. IN PICTURES: Shanghai World Expo 2010 "The government is putting a lot of resources and a lot of attention into boosting China's 'soft power,' but they've got a lot of problems with the message," says David Shambaugh, head of the China Policy Program at George Washington University in Washington. "The core aspects of their system" – such as one-party rule, media censorship, and suppression of critics – "are just not appealing to outsiders." Chinese policymakers and academics are increasingly fascinated by "soft power," whereby nations coopt foreign governments and citizens through the spread of their cultures, values, diplomacy, and trade, rather than coerce them by military might. Frustrated by Western domination of global media, from entertainment to news, and by what it sees as unfair coverage, China has launched a $6.6 billion campaign to tell its own story to the world by building its own media empires. Li Changchun, the ruling Communist Party's top ideology official, was blunt in a 2008 speech: "Whichever nation's communications capacity is the strongest, it is that nation whose culture and core values spread far and wide ... that has the most power to influence the world," he said. Is the message convincing?But this is not enough, says Li Xiguang, head of the International Center for Communications Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Even the best-paid messengers need a convincing message. "The United States has built its soft power by making its value and political system … universal values," he says. "China will not beat the US in soft power until we have a better and newer form of democracy, freedom, and human rights." China has had some success in projecting soft power in developing countries, especially in Africa. "Wherever you go in Africa, roads are being built, and the people building them are Chinese," says Aly Khan Satchu, a financial analyst in Nairobi. "China expresses its soft power through building infrastructure." China's rapid economic development is an inspiration to many Africans, says Mr. Satchu. "The Chinese are selling themselves as having experienced catch-up and offering to help African governments do the same," he says. Chinese firms are also preparing to bid on high-speed railroads in California and elsewhere in the United States. Americans are familiar with some Chinese cultural icons. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) was a blockbuster movie, and Houston Rockets basketball star Yao Ming is a household name. But China lacks a Hollywood or a US-style TV industry. Part of the problem, suggests Pang Zhongying, of Beijing's Renmin University, is that English, unlike Chinese, is an international language. Even with the creation of more than 200 Confucius Institutes around the world teaching Chinese, "I don't think China can overcome this difficulty in the short term." At the same time, says François Godement, director of the Asia Centre in Paris, however admired Chinese culture may be, "it is less easily translatable" to other cultures. Political control issuesAdding to the government's difficulties is its insistence on controlling all expressions of contemporary Chinese culture. Beijing squandered an opportunity at last year's Frankfurt book fair, which showcased Chinese literature, by pressing for a ban on exiled writers. Press coverage focused not on Chinese authors but on Beijing's heavy hand. This desire for complete political control, says Professor Godement, means that "they don't give creators the freedom to create works that would project soft power." "There is a huge gap between the official Chinese judgment and that of outsiders," adds Professor Pang. "There are many intellectuals in China, but a good intellectual is not necessarily an officially recognized one." The government has opted instead to pursue public diplomacy, or "overseas propaganda," as it is known here. Rarely does a month pass without a visit to Beijing by media managers and journalists from one developing country or another. But this is not the same as projecting soft power, Mr. Shambaugh notes. "China has a huge soft power deficit," says Pang. "The current Chinese model solves problems, of course, but it is also part of the problem. People outside China will pick China's virtues, but try to avoid its disadvantages. We should learn from such natural choices, from the impression that China can only build roads and schools. That is a problem we must address." IN PICTURES: Shanghai World Expo 2010 Related: China earthquake: day of mourningOfficial and grassroots relief groups rally in wake of China earthquakeWeb, religious freedom on agenda as US-China rights dialogue resumesAll China coverage Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| HP Reported to Have Axed Its Windows 7-Based "Slate" Tablet Posted: 29 Apr 2010 10:53 PM PDT
But that was also the source of the Slate's mystique--everything the iPad couldn't do, the Slate could. Flash video (including Hulu)? No problem. USB-in? HDMI-out? Slate had it, iPad didn't. That came with trade-offs; the Slate's battery life was projected at half the iPad's, and nobody has much confidence that Windows 7 would be as good a mobile, touch-based operating system as iPhone OS. Every previous tablet has been a scaled-down computer, and none have achieved mainstream success. So maybe it's not that surprising that, as Techcrunch is reporting, HP may have killed off the project. Apple is proving that a scaled-up mobile OS is the path to a successful tablet, and what do you know, HP just happened to purchase a well-regarded touch-based mobile OS in Palm's WebOS. This is exactly what we'd hoped would happen--a WebOS tablet would have a lot of advantages over the iPad (notably the best mobile multitasking out there). This is all unconfirmed--I fired off an email to HP, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. In the meantime, let's hope HP really is axing the Slate in favor of a WebOS tablet. Maybe some collective thought power will convince the company to go for it. Dan Nosowitz, the author of this post, can be followed on Twitter, corresponded with via email, and stalked in San Francisco (no link for that one--you'll have to do the legwork yourself). Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Yahoo! News Search Results for Philosophy To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment