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[Abstract]: In this survey, we present an overview on (Modal) Temporal Logic Programming in view of its application to Knowledge Representation and Declarative Problem Solving. The syntax of this extension of logic programs is the result of combining usual rules with temporal modal operators, as in Linear-time Temporal Logic (LTL). In the paper, we focus on the main recent results of the non-monotonic formalism called Temporal Equilibrium Logic (TEL) that is defined for the full syntax of LTL but involves a model selection criterion based on Equilibrium Logic, a well known logical characterization of Answer Set Programming (ASP). As a result, we obtain a proper extension of the stable models semantics for the general case of temporal formulas in the syntax of LTL. We recall the basic definitions for TEL and its monotonic basis, the temporal logic of Here-and-There (THT), and study the differences between finite and infinite trace length. We also provide further useful results, such as the translation into other formalisms like Quantified Equilibrium Logic and Second-order LTL, and some techniques for computing temporal stable models based on automata constructions. In the remainder of the paper, we focus on practical aspects, defining a syntactic fragment called (modal) temporal logic programs closer to ASP, and explaining how this has been exploited in the construction of the solver telingo, a temporal extension of the well-known ASP solver clingo that uses its incremental solving capabilities.

[Abstract] Answer Set Programming (ASP) is a well established logical approach in artificial intelligence that is widely used for knowledge representation and problem solving. Equilibrium logic extends answer set semantics to more general classes of programs and theories. When intertheory relations are studied in ASP, or in the more general form of equilibrium logic, they are usually understood in the form of comparisons of the answer sets or equilibrium models of theories or programs. This is the case for strong and uniform equivalence and their relativised and projective versions. However, there are many potential areas of application of ASP for which query answering is relevant and a comparison of programs in terms of what can be inferred from them may be important. We formulate and study some natural equivalence and entailment concepts for programs and theories that are couched in terms of inference and query answering. We show that, for the most part, these new intertheory relations coincide with their model-theoretic counterparts. We also extend some previous results on projective entailment for theories and for the new connective called fork.

Este trabajo se enmarca en las discusiones acerca de la referencia a entidades abstractas en el lenguaje natural. En concreto, se aborda el tema de la cuantificación en posición predicativa. Se trata el problema ontológico de la distinción entre entidades abstractas y concretas mediante la elaboración de un marco conceptual para la ontología de tropos. Se exponen varias teorías sobre la cuantificación en posición predicativa, partiendo de la distinción entre las que son de tipo objetual y aquellas que son de tipo no-objetual. En la última sección se discuten cuestiones metaontológicas al respecto del “compromiso ontológico”. Además, todas las secciones se desarrollan prestando atención a la propuesta de la filósofa Friederike Moltmann. La tesis que articula toda la problemática es que la teoría de Moltmann acarrea compromisos ontológicos. El trabajo tiene interés de cara a exponer un contexto detallado de la problemática ontológica asociada a la cuantificación en posición predicativa y, también, de cara a servir como introducción a una teoría sobre la cuantificación novedosa, como es la de Moltmann., This work is part of the discussions about the reference to abstract entities in natural language. Specifically, the issue of quantification in a predicative position is addressed. The ontological problem of the distinction between abstract and concrete entities is addressed by elaborating a conceptual framework for the ontology of tropes. Various theories about quantification in a predicative position are exposed, starting from the distinction between those of the objectual type and those of the non-objectual type. The last section discusses metaontological issues regarding "ontological commitment." In addition, all sections are developed by paying attention to the proposal of the philosopher Friederike Moltmann. The thesis that articulates the whole problem is that Moltmann's theory entails ontological commitments. The work is of interest to present a detailed context of the ontological issues associated with quantification in a predicative position and to serve as an introduction to Moltmann's novel quantification theory., Máster en Lógica y Filosofía de la Ciencia

Background: Stroke causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations that may have a negative impact on quality of life. Therefore, it is very important to use specific instruments for measuring quality of life in individuals who suffered a stroke. The aim of this study was to develop a psychometrically validated Spanish version of the Newcastle stroke-specific quality of life measure (NEWSQOL). Methods: A psychometric validation of the Spanish version of the NEWSQOL questionnaire was carried out in 159 patients. The reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient), validity (factorial analysis and Spearman’s coefficient), feasibility (response rate), and the ceiling and floor effects were calculated. Results: Internal consistency showed that Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.93. The test–retest reliability was high or excellent for all domains (range 0.71–0.97 p < 0.001). The response rate of the questionnaire was 100% and the average administration time was 20.5 (±7.2) min. No ceiling effect was detected and two domains (pain and vision) may have a significant potential for floor effect. Construct validity showed that all the variables are important enough to keep them all in the questionnaire. Concerning convergent construct validity, a high correlation was found with the Nottingham Health Profile, the Barthel Index, and the Modified Rankin Scale. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the NEWSQOL questionnaire is reliable, valid, and feasible to evaluate quality of life in the Spanish population., Depto. de Psicología Experimental, Procesos Cognitivos y Logopedia, Fac. de Psicología, TRUE, pub

The present work aims at providing an account of mathematical explanation in two different areas: scientific explanation and within mathematics. The research is addressed from two different perspectives: the one arising from an ontological concern about mathematical entities, and the other originating from a methodological choice: to study our chosen problems (mathematical explanation in science and in mathematics itself) in mathematical practice, that is to say, looking at the way mathematicians understand and perform their work in these diverse areas, including a case study for the context of intra-mathematical explanation. The central target is the analysis of the role that mathematical explanation plays in science and its relevance to the success or failure of scientific theories. The ontological question of whether the explanatory role of abstract objects, mathematical objects in particular, is enough to postulate their existence will be one of the issues to be addressed. Moreover, the possibility of a unified theory of explanation which can accommodate both external and internal mathematical explanation will also be considered. In order to go deeper into these issues, the research includes: (1) an analysis how the question of what is involved in internal mathematical explanation has been addressed in the literature, an analysis of the role of mathematical proof and the reasons why it makes sense to search for more explanatory proofs of already known results, and (2) an analysis of the relation between the use of mathematics in scientific explanation and the ontological commitment that arises from these explanatory tools in science. Part of the present work consists of an analysis of the explanatory role of mathematics through the study of cases reflecting this role. Case studies is one of the main sources of data in order to clarify the role mathematical entities play, among other methodological resources.

Putnam rejects having argued in the terms of the argument known in the literature as “the Quine-Putnam indispensability argument”. He considers that mathematics contribution to physics does not have to be interpreted in platonist terms but in his favorite modal variety (Putnam 1975; Putnam 2012).The purpose of this paper is to consider Putnam’s acknowledged argument and philosophical position against contemporary so called in the literature ‘fictionalist’ views about applied mathematics.The conclusion will be that the account of the applicability of mathematics that stems from Putnam‘s acknowledged argument can be assimilated in many aspects to so-called ‘fictionalist’ views about applied mathematics. ; Putnam rechaza haber suscrito el argumento conocido como "argumento de la indispensabilidad de Quine y Putnam". Considera que la contribución de la matemática a la física no tiene por qué interpretarse en términos platónicos sino en términos modales (Putnam 1975; Putnam 2012). En este trabajo se contrapone el argumento que Putnam sostiene haber defendido—y la posición filosófica que lo sustenta—, a ciertas concepciones ficcionalistas contemporáneas de la matemática aplicada. De ese análisis se concluye que la concepción de la aplicabilidad de la matemática que subyace a la propuesta de Putnam coincide en muchos aspectos con las concepciones ficcionalistas analizadas

In his "Indispensability arguments in mathematics", Putnam rejects having argued in the terms of the argument known in the literature as "the Quine-Putnam indispensability argument". He considers that mathematics contribution to physics does not have to be interpreted in platonist terms but in his favorite modal variety (Putnam 1975; Putnam 2012). The purpose of this paper is to consider Putnam's acknowledged argument and philosophical position against contemporary so called in the literature 'fictionalist' views about applied mathematics. The conclusion will be that the account of the applicability of mathematics that stems from Putnam's acknowledged argument can be assimilated in many aspects to so-called 'fictionalist' views about applied mathematics., Putnam rechaza haber suscrito el argumento conocido como «argumento de la indispensabilidad de Quine y Putnam». Considera que la contribución de la matemática a la física no tiene por qué interpretarse en términos platónicos sino en términos modales (Putnam 1975; Putnam 2012). En este trabajo se contrapone el argumento que Putnam sostiene haber defendido—y la posición filosófica que lo sustenta—, a ciertas concepciones ficcionalistas contemporáneas de la matemática aplicada. De ese análisis se concluye que la concepción de la aplicabilidad de la matemática que subyace a la propuesta de Putnam coincide en muchos aspectos con las concepciones ficcionalistas analizadas.

En el presente trabajo se describirá la posición de Boghossian con respecto a la justificación analítica de las verdades lógicas, pasando por el convencionalismo de Carnap y la crítica de Quine a esta explicación. Se detallarán las características de la explicación convencional de las verdades lógicas a la luz de Carnap y Ayer, detallándose la pretensión empirista de la necesidad de enunciados analíticos para sustentar la justificación a priori de las verdades lógicas, aunque éstas sean tautológicas y vacías de contenido factual. Se describirá la crítica de Quine siguiendo dos puntos claves: la circularidad de la explicación convencionalista de las verdades lógicas y la opacidad de la distinción entre enunciados analíticos y sintéticos. El análisis de Boghossian intentará salvar la analiticidad de las verdades lógicas del ataque de Quine a la visión convencionalista, afirmando que una noción epistémica de la analiticidad es una alternativa que escaparía a la crítica de Quine, orientada esta última a una noción metafísica de la analiticidad. Según se verá, una noción epistémica tampoco puede eludir el problema de la circularidad en la justificación de las verdades lógicas., In this paper, Boghossian's position on the analytical justification of logical truths through Carnap's conventionalism and Quine's critique of this explanation is described. The characteristics of the conventional explanation of logical truths will be detailed in the light of Carnap and Ayer, detailing the empiricist claim of the necessity of analytical statements to support the a priori justification of the logical truths, even though these are tautological and empty of factual content . Quine's critique will be described by following two key points: the circularity of the conventionalist explanation of logical truths and the opacity of the distinction between analytic and synthetic statements. Boghossian's analysis will attempt to save the analyticity of the logical truths of Quine's attack on the conventionalist view, by stating that an epistemic notion of analyticity is an alternative that would escape Quine's criticism, orienting the latter to a metaphysical notion of analyticity. It will be seen that an epistemic notion cannot elude the problem of circularity in the justification of logical truths, Máster en Lógica y Filosofía de la Ciencia

In this work we study two methods to produce B´ezier approximations of circular arcs. The first one uses a truncation of a series of functions, while the second one is based on a discretization of a normal variation along a curve. We analyze these methods in detail and prove their main properties and results. We also present examples and an application of both methods to produce offset curves.

El objeto de esta tesis es analizar la cuestión de la justificación del conocimiento lógico básico. Argumentaremos que la solución inferencialista a dicho problema de Boghossian no resulta del todo satisfactoria, mientras que una teoría alternativa de justificación no-inferencial a partir de la consideración de una noción de justificación más débil o ‘habilitación’ (entitlement), permite hablar de conocimiento básico evitando caer en una regresión al infinito. La noción de garantía racional dentro de un proyecto cognitivo de Wright, ofrece una solución viable tanto para el conocimiento básico en general, como para el caso particular de la lógica. Señalamos que el problema de si es posible hablar de conocimiento lógico básico está estrechamente relacionado con el de dilucidar qué es una inferencia, respecto a lo cual consideramos, siguiendo a Wright, que se trata de una acción mental básica. Desde un enfoque disposicional, mantenemos que cuando inferimos somos guiados por una regla y que el tipo de guía que se da en la regla es una guía intencional. En virtud de todo ello, sostenemos que es posible respaldar una teoría internista simple del conocimiento lógico básico, cuya justificación (entitlement) es no-inferencial.

In this PhD dissertation, set within the analytic tradition of the contemporary philosophy of language, I take on some of the most debated issues concerning the semantics of natural language conditionals. I strive to give a plausible account of their meaning, which would not only ward off the classical puzzles (paradoxes of the material and strict conditional, Goodman's and Tichý's problems, differences between indicatives and subjunctives, etc.), but also explain why they arise in the first place. I argue that truth-conditional approaches to meaning are often based on unwarranted implicit assumptions and tend to favour semantic reductionism. Yet there is no reason for us to expect that some of our most sophisticated expressions should be logically reducible to any purportedly more basic vocabulary. And indeed, many attempts at a truth-conditional analysis of conditional clauses have turned out to be blatantly vacuous. A more natural way to explain the meaning of conditionals is to point out the function they carry out in standard language exchanges. Approached from this perspective, indicative conditional clauses are arguably best viewed as devices limiting the validity of the speech act performed by the main clause. This offers us a handle on both the paradoxes of the material conditional and its usefulness in mathematics, as well as a range of other phenomena, such as the so-called biscuit conditionals and quantification restriction. Subjunctive conditionals, on the other hand, make simple assertions about the inferential potential of the hypotheses introduced by their antecedents, given a well-defined inferential scenario. I argue that our picture of the world provides such a scenario---there are few bare facts, as almost all that we know about the reality is organised in (roughly causal) patterns. It is these patterns that support our everyday assertions of counterfactuals.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral repensar a Paideia atual a partir das novas tecnologias de informação e de comunicação. A análise se pautou por um apanhado histórico-filosófico da compreensão de temas como emancipação e formação e seus desdobramentos no mundo atual. Reflete sobre as recentes transformações tecnológicas numa perspectiva crítica, abordando os impactos sociais dos meios eletrônicos e de como eles afetam a educação. Procura, a partir da análise de alguns pensadores, construir um panorama crítico do processo de virtualização em curso e dos conceitos que emergem dele como conectividade, imaterialidade, ubiquidade, distância e vazio, e suas implicações para a filosofia da tecnologia e o processo educativo. Por fim, propomos que a filosofia da tecnologia e a filosofia da educação se encontrem e colaborem entre si, na reflexão sobre as TICs - Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação, essa nova tendência que impacta a sociedade atual e em particular a ciência da educação. Em sentido mais específico esta tese analisa a racionalidade da Educação à Distância, na era digital, a partir do estudo de uma comunidade virtual de aprendizagem, à luz da Teoria da Ação Comunicativa, de Jürgen Habermas. Tomando como ponto de partida o contexto contemporâneo da Educação à Distância, caracterizado pela crescente utilização das TICs nas ações de ensino e aprendizagem, discute-se as implicações decorrentes da rápida expansão da modalidade; fomentada por políticas públicas, em termos da democratização do acesso ao ensino, considerando os aspectos tecnológicos, sociais e pedagógicos envolvidos.