Pier Luigi Pireddu | Universidade de Lisboa (original) (raw)

University Works by Pier Luigi Pireddu

Se si vuole discutere di evoluzione, filosofia della biologia o storia delle scienze naturali, no... more Se si vuole discutere di evoluzione, filosofia della biologia o storia delle scienze naturali, non si può fare a meno di citare il paleontologo americano Stephen Jay Gould. Uno scienziato dal profilo autentico, innovativo, con una invidiabile capacità divulgativa racchiusa nel suo emblematico talento di scrittore.

Dissertation by Pier Luigi Pireddu

Tra Galileo e Tycho Brahe. L'opera astronomica dei missionari gesuiti in Cina nella prima metà de... more Tra Galileo e Tycho Brahe. L'opera astronomica dei missionari gesuiti in Cina nella prima metà del secolo diciassettesimo.

Conferences - Proceedings by Pier Luigi Pireddu

grounds to make an interesting case that understands environment as a territory, where the outer ... more grounds to make an interesting case that understands environment as a territory, where the outer world is not an object anymore but it is a mirror where we, simultaneously, experience and explain our humanity. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it will show how Naess and Phemister used early modern accounts of the world to start a contemporary debate about the environmental crisis and to call for action in the face of it. This endeavour allows us to understand Naess and Phemister's interpretation along the lines of the environment as the territory that gives us a specific sense of space-time and also as the "place" we inhabit. Additionally, it will discuss the limits of their approach, as some concepts might not really fit under current circumstances. Louis Rouquayrol-Université de Strasbourg Malebranche: environnement humain, environnement inhumain L'homme est responsable de la crise écologique-l'homme et non pas, par exemple, le système de production capitaliste. Par un détour dont il s'agira de montrer l'intérêt philosophique, l'on retrouvera ce diagnostic (et ses implications) dans Malebranche : « L'homme n'est point tel que Dieu l'a fait : il fallait donc qu'il habitât des ruines » (Méditations..., VII, §13). Le péché de l'homme détruit une nature originellement belle : déluges, changements climatiques qui affectent l'agriculture, hostilité des mêmes animaux qui, autrefois, respectaient Adam... Cette destruction de notre habitat s'est déroulée selon des lois naturelles dont les effets étaient prévus de Dieu. Comment lui en

The main objective is to present achievements and actively discuss, within an interdisciplinary c... more The main objective is to present achievements and actively discuss, within an interdisciplinary context, the topic of water from the perspective of the history of science and technology.

An essential tool in cultivating widespread public support for environmental-or climate initiativ... more An essential tool in cultivating widespread public support for environmental-or climate initiatives and policies is targeted communication. Communicators utilize insights into the values, interests, and emotions of different groups to angle environmental issues in ways that make them relevant and convincing to that exact audience. Environmental psychology research has presented ample evidence of this being an effective way of engaging the disengaged, particularly by motivating conservatives and center-right citizens through appeals about purity, patriotism, conservation. Conversely, evidence have showed that environmental justice appeals can have minimal or even polarizing effects on conservatives and rightleaning citizens. In Denmark, this issue is reflected in a bustling debate about the degree to which climate activists can and should involve social, ethical and political issues in their rhetoric, with the argument that it may hamper widespread public support. Meanwhile, neglecting concerns of climate justice and related social and ethical questions is unquestionably problematic, due to the fundamental dependency of our social and economic world on environmental systems. This problem therefore raises a number of practical and ethical questions; How does the diverse public in Scandinavia actually relate to issues of climate justice? Given the cultural differences, Scandinavians may have a different view on justice across political lines than, say, USA or UK. How should we prioritize communicating justice versus engaging broadly? What are possible venues to facilitate open and constructive debate about and engagement in climate justice across groups?

Scientific theories have been known throughout history to have a robustness despite disconfirming... more Scientific theories have been known throughout history to have a robustness despite disconfirming evidence. Within a Bayesian framework, this can be explained as instances when auxiliary hypotheses, which connect beliefs to observational data, become ad hoc in order to save a central hypothesis. That is, the auxiliary hypotheses form a "protective belt" in which they are called upon to absorb most of the blame in light of incoming disconfirming evidence. In some cases this has been successful and beneficial for discovery, while others have not. The former cases are what (Strevens, 2001) describe as 'glorious rescues', and the latter as 'desperate rescues'. This project aims to analyze the reasoning behind such behavior. More specifically, I propose an alternative framework using Horty's (2012) theory of reasons, formulated in terms of default logic. While Strevens' formulation gives a quantified explanation of this sort of behavior, a default logic model provides a qualitative account of how our reasons arrive at certain conclusions. In my models, I use historical examples such as the discovery of Neptune, and the Copernican Revolution as test cases.

Looking to learn new skills, meet new people, and expand your CV but not sure where to start? We ... more Looking to learn new skills, meet new people, and expand your CV but not sure where to start? We are delighted to welcome a panel of postgraduates each representing a society or group that actively welcomes postgraduate participation to tell you more about the fantastic things you can get involved with alongside your studies! From publishing to podcasting, we'll cover it all. Our panelists are Imran Hashmi (Graduate Centre for Europe/IGES), Waseem Ahmed (The MHR), and Zoe Screti (BSHS PG Rep). Other panelists TBA.

Papers by Pier Luigi Pireddu

Focusing on the relationship between two important scientists in the development of ecological th... more Focusing on the relationship between two important scientists in the development of ecological thought during the first half of the twentieth century, this paper argues that Yale limnologist G. E. Hutchinson's adoption of the biogeochemical approach in the late 1930s builds on the 1920s work of the Russian scientist V. I. Vernadsky. An analysis of Hutchinson's scientific publications shows that he first referred to Vernadsky in 1940, on two different occasions. This article analyzes the dynamics of Hutchinson's formulation of the biogeochemical approach, providing historical context and linking its early application to the existing limnological tradition.

Papers by Pier Luigi Pireddu

Sustainable Water Resources Management, Sep 5, 2023

In mid-nineteenth century Portugal, the practice of irrigation was deemed to be completely backwa... more In mid-nineteenth century Portugal, the practice of irrigation was deemed to be completely backwards in comparison with the prevailing European standards. Distant were the times of Al-Andalus, when a so-called green revolution occurred on the Iberian Peninsula. Within this context, Agricultural Hydraulics gained momentum as a scientific field. Although water governance had a long run, the 'politicisation' of water issues clearly intensified in the Regeneration political regime. From 1851 onwards, the stability required for national material progress was ensured. The country had been struggling to build roads, railways, telegraphs, ports and, therefore, the Ministry of Public Works was established in 1852 to undertake these architectural and engineering projects. This paper argues that not only due to rivers' manipulation for agriculture, but also to the rising status of engineers, Agricultural Hydraulics was under the Ministry of Public Works and, consequently, on the sphere of engineers rather than agronomists. Focusing on the making of a military engineer as an expert on Agricultural Hydraulics by sending him abroad and fostering his literary education, this paper reveals how this knowledge was appropriated and transformed into new projects for the Tagus River. Moreover, contrary to recent review that Hydraulic Services were launched in Portugal by 1884, based on the "Plan for Organization of Hydrographic Services on the mainland of Portugal", this paper highlights the crucial role played by the Portuguese engineer Bento Fortunato Almeida d'Eça through his work as Superintendent of the Tagus River and its Tributaries, twenty years earlier.

This article explores the early biogeographical debates that shaped the beginning of limnology, f... more This article explores the early biogeographical debates that shaped the beginning of limnology, focusing on the differences of opinion concerning the origins of pelagic fauna between two pioneering scientists: Pietro Pavesi and François-Alphonse Forel. The study examines how Pavesi's hypothesis of a marine origin for pelagic fauna contrasts with Forel's theory of passive distribution, situating their arguments within a broader Darwinian framework. The first part of the paper provides a historical overview of Italian limnology, highlighting Pavesi's contributions and interpreting Forel's writings to underscore the significance of discovering pelagic fauna in conceptualizing lakes as microcosms. The second part compares Pavesi's and Forel's hypotheses, emphasizing their impact on the scientific understanding of freshwater ecosystems. The importance of this discovery, in both historical and scientific contexts, lies in recognizing the presence of plankton in lakes as a crucial element for the mature formulation of ecological concepts, such as the ecosystem.

Sustainable Water Resources Management, Sep 5, 2023