An Analysis of the Epistemological Foundations of Machine Learning

Photograph of a robotic hand and a human hand reaching towards each other against a plain background, nearly touching fingertips.

Outlined here is a critical review of the logical-epistemic foundations of machine learning, focusing on the limitation of AI systems’ autonomy in generating knowledge. It contrasts this possibility with the theoretical constraints posed by Chaitin’s incompleteness theorem, which argues that AI cannot surpass human cognitive capacity. Read More →

Barnyardgrass resistance to herbicides demands new agricultural strategies

Photograph of a pair of gloved hands holding freshly picked herbs or plants, with more greenery visible in the background.

A recent evaluation of the occurrence of cross-resistance in barnyardgrass biotypes from the main rice-growing regions of Santa Catarina state to ACCase inhibitors detected a biotype of Echinochloa crus-galli with multiple resistance to the herbicides quinclorac (cellulose biosynthesis inhibitor), penoxsulam (ALS inhibitor) and cyhalofop-butyl (ACCase inhibitor). Read More →

Nietzsche and politics as will to dominion

Text over a photograph of a serene ocean sunset reads: "All modern philosophizing is political, policed by governments, churches, academics, custom, fashion, and human cowardice, all off which limit it to a fake learnedness".

The will to domination is the will to power in the political sphere. It is not about dominating in the sense of oppressing and subjugating, but rather of being provided for virtuel. In this context, observing the extent of Nietzsche’s effort for the conception of transvalued virtue, that is, stripped of morality, makes it possible to contribute to the political project of domination and overcoming. Read More →

115 years of Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, reflections on the current model and the future of scientific journals

Logo for the 115-year anniversary of "Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz" featuring stylized text and background handwriting.

Reflections on the current scenario of large publishers, the emergence of “money-hungry” publishers and qualified journals that do not charge for publication and that try to survive in the face of a scientific model that values metrics in a vicious cycle for researchers, institutions, journals and funding agencies alike. Read More →

The most compelling instances of exclusionary reasons are those which Joseph Raz, in essence, overlooked

Photograph of two paper cutouts shaped like human figures, clipped to a string with clothespins and hanging against a blurred green background.

In his works, Joseph Raz neglected a category of exclusionary reasons: those excluded by their very nature. This category not only shows that the concept of exclusionary reasons is not empty or inconsistent, but also plays a crucial role in elucidating a significant moral domain, namely, the domain of affective relationships. Read More →

Eduard Hanslick’s “aesthetics” go into Philosophy of Mind and Epistemology

A grayscale painting depicting the string quartet of the Romantic composer Joseph Joachim performing in a crowded chamber music hall. On stage, the four members (Carl Halir, Emanuel Wirth, Joseph Joachim, Robert Hausmann) are positioned, each with their instrument (two violins, one viola, and one cello), in front of a music stand with scores.

Hanslick, author of “On the Musically Beautiful,” is a prominent figure of Music Autonomy. In opposition to principles of musical signification, he argued that musical meaning lay in the structure and intrinsic elements of the composition. This analysis concludes that his “musical idea” concept is an epistemological formulation; therefore, his “aesthetics” must be interpreted also as a Philosophy of Mind and Epistemology, both strongly influenced by positivism. Read More →

Educação em Revista: editorial challenges and scientific possibilities

Photomontage with covers of several editions of "Educação em Revista" on a blue background divided into two parts: the upper part in dark blue and the lower part in light blue. The journal's logo is positioned just above the covers.

The trajectory of Educação em Revista reflects its commitment to quality scientific publishing. This editorial addresses its transformations in scientific management, technological adaptation, internationalization, and adherence to Open Science, discussing the need to professionalize the editorial staff of Brazilian scientific journals to guarantee financial and scientific sustainability nationally and internationally. Read More →

The Open University of Brazil in the management of student permanence in Pedagogy courses

Photograph of a man wearing glasses and headphones smiling while looking at a laptop screen. He is sitting at a table with a book, notebooks and a pen. In the background, there are shelves with folders and potted plants.

The growth of distance education (Educação a Distância, EaD) in Brazil, coupled with the high dropout rates in this modality, brings with it the need to renew school management models, with the aim of keeping students until they graduate. Based on an analysis of the Pedagogy courses at the Open University of Brazil, researchers have developed alternative guidelines to guarantee student retention. Read More →

Web platform can revolutionize the essay correction process

Promotional image of CRIA (artificial intelligence essay grader), showing the tool's logo, details about its features, and social media contacts, all on a purple background.

In search of an alternative to the laborious process of correcting essays, more specifically regarding identifying deviations from the theme in essays, researchers have developed a text feedback platform that simulates the National High School Examination (Exame Nacional do Ensio Médio, ENEM) guidelines and grades, the Corrector of Essays by Artificial Intelligence (Corretor de Redações por Inteligência Artificial, CRIA). The tool is already being used by students and education professionals. Read More →

How do young people experience the democratization of access to higher education?

Map illustrating the Federal District, highlighting the areas where the young interviewees lived. These are 12 administrative regions of the capital, one of the most unequal cities in the country.

Educational expansion, marked by the tension between meritocracy and pragmatism in access to higher education, confronts the aspirations and realities of young people, especially those from working class backgrounds, amid the erosion of traditional notions of career and stability. While some seek any degree as a means of social mobility, others aim for specific careers, trying to adapt in the face of obstacles. Read More →