The role of mathematics and scientific thought in Africa: A Renaissance perspective

ABSTRACT

This article examines the centrality of mathematics and scientific thought in the sociocultural, human and intellectual development of a sampling of African societies. Evidence is presented which refutes the theory that Africans had no ‘intelligible sense of numeracy’ before contact with the West, and demonstrates that the propagation of this myth was part of the larger colonial project to marginalise and ‘other-ise’ African knowledge systems. Tracing Africa's early contributions to mathematics and scientific thought forces a shift from the standard Western-based approach to pedagogy in this field. It renders a subject that is perceived and presented as alien to African culture, more accessible to African learners. And ultimately, acknowledging the long history of mathematics and scientific thought in Africa is a step in foregrounding African epistemologies in knowledge production, human and social development and towards the realisation of the African Renaissance.     

Science governance and the politics of proper talk: governmental bioethics as a new technology of reflexive government

Abstract

The article examines the emergence of governmental bioethics in Great Britain, France and Germany, i.e. bodies, discourses and procedures meant to guide policy-making in terms of ethical considerations. It argues that governmental bioethics, marked by openness, transparency and participation, can be understood as a form of reflexive government in the realm of science governance. It grew out of the problematization of older forms of science governance based on ideas of effectiveness, scientific expertise and system stability, and operates through structuring and managing proper talk rather than intervening in processes of techno-scientific development. Yet, rather than challenging the commitment to techno-scientific ‘progress’, it stabilizes it through mechanisms of inclusion, involvement and mobilization: within the framework of proper ethical talk, participation can be employed to pursue rather than oppose system stability.     

Science and the media in South Africa: Reflecting a ‘dirty mirror’

Abstract

The public understanding of science is vital in any society, to counter pseudoscientific claims and quackery. The relationship between scientists and the media (the latter often the only channel through which scientific findings reach the public) was studied within a South African framework. An empirical survey was conducted by means of a comprehensive questionnaire sent to 740 South African scientists and researchers and 360 journalists. Because the media are important in the public understanding of science, the survey tried to establish the depth of and possible reasons for distrust between the two professions and what structures could be put in place to overcome this. This study found some significant differences in the views of scientists and journalists about the role of science in society, how it could be communicated to the public, and the reasons for this dichotomy. Finally, proposals to bridge the gap between scientists and the media are made: the media should give serious attention to raise the standards of science reporting by establishing science desks headed by properly trained science editors and well-trained science reporters. On the other hand, scientists should be trained to communicate better with the media and, therefore, the public.     

新形势下监所安全管理工作的启示

多年来的监管实践证明,安全文明管理是公安监管工作的主线,而抓安全,必须适应羁押监管形势的变化。只有以科学发展观为导引,顺应安全工作规律,强化基础安全管理工作,不断创新和完善以综合治理为主要特征的安全管理机制,不断提高对监所重大突发事件的预见性,提升监管民警应急管理工作的水平,才能在监管安全的大前提下,确保监所各项工作的顺利进行。     

论发展观演变与社会管理——现代化进程的分析视角

人类社会发展观的演变与现代化进程是紧密相关的,因为发展观的演变不仅是一种思想理论的演变,更是社会变迁、进步与发展所要求的。发展观的演变经历了这样一个过程,从经济增长发展观到综合发展观,再到以人为核心的发展观,直至今天的科学发展观。而与发展观相对应,社会管理的侧重点也发生了相应变化,从经济管理到综合管理,再到人性管理,直至科学管理。对于符合发展要求的科学发展观,要不断坚持贯彻和落实,把科学发展观所包含的科学管理模式和方法应用到社会建设的方方面面,推动中国社会不断向前发展。     

浅议以人为本科学发展观的涵义

以人为本,是中央根据新世纪新形势新任务的要求提出的一个重要执政理念。科学发展观是对历史发展观的科学总结和发展,是马克思主义的发展观。科学发展观的内涵和本质是以人为本。以人为本的科学发展观体现在以人的全面发展作为检验发展科学性的根本标准,同时科学发展观的承担和实践的主体也是人。所以,落实科学发展观必须树立人本观,充分依靠人,处理好人的利益关系。     

论立法体制的完善

推进科学立法,关键是完善立法体制.在职权立法体制中,应明确权力机关与行政机关之间、人大与人大常委会之间、权力机关上下级之间和行政机关上下级之间立法职权的划分.在授权立法体制中,应明晰全国人大及其常委会授权国务院制定行政法规,全国人大授权经济特区所在地的省、市人大及其常委会制定经济特区法规,全国人大及其常委会授权暂时调整...     

认知法律知识化的三个维度

一个全新的社会,需要一门新的法律科学.法律知识化巳成为知识社会背景下中国法学转型的时代要求.尽管法律知识化的主张是多元的,但从其整体看,它承袭了后现代法学的衣钵,坚持以下核心观点:即将法律知识化概括为法律哲学化、法律科学化和法律平民化三个实体逻辑贯通的维度.其中,哲学化的使命是将法学从一个纯粹的科学问题还原为一个价值问题;科学化增强了法学理想图景的科学性与可行性;平民化则打破了法学的神秘性,扩大了公民的法律参与.经由此三个维度,法律知识化之科学含义方能得以丰满和立体化凸现.     

“侦查管辖中心论”的科学性和合理性——以公诉案件为基准的考察

以审判程序作为整个刑事诉讼中心的"审判中心论",是刑事程序法治化的重要基础和基本原则,但"审判中心论"并不意味着审判管辖是中心,管辖只是刑事诉讼阶段性程序启动时需要考虑的一项基本内容。以《刑事诉讼法》对公诉案件设置的程序为基准予以考察,侦查管辖在刑事管辖中具有担当"中心"的使命。确定刑事管辖权时以侦查管辖为中心比以审判为中心更具有科学性和合理性。     

科学发展观与职务犯罪侦查阶段犯罪嫌疑人的人权保障

在职务犯罪的侦查阶段,由于侦查机关掌握法律赋予的广泛而强大的权力,而犯罪嫌疑人只是消极的被追诉方,双方的力量相差悬殊,因此,侦查机关的侦查活动必然涉及到对犯罪嫌疑人人身自由、个人隐私以及各种财产权利的限制与剥夺,两者的权利必然发生碰撞,犯罪嫌疑人的个人权利必然会受到侵犯。检察工作必须始终贯彻科学发展观,落实到职务犯罪侦查中,就是要正确处理好惩治犯罪与保障人权的关系。结合现行法律和司法实践,笔者封存在侵犯犯罪嫌疑人人权的问题以及原因进行分析。同时。笔者认为应从法律本土化、地方性知识的角度出发,从转变侦查观念、完善立法、转变侦查模式、强化监督四个方面入手,对职务犯罪侦查阶段犯罪嫌疑人的人权进行保障。