Scientia - The International Journal on the Liberal Arts

Justice and Human Rights: A Gewirthian-Thomistic Perspective

Robert Montaña — 2025-03-31

Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte, irritated by questions on the alleged human rights violations of his regime, argued that he is for human lives rather than for human rights. This raises the question as to whether, in some cases, human rights may be violated to save lives. Other issues come into play, such as the supposed suppression of rights by Lee Kuan Yew that paradoxically led to the economic success of Singapore. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in the Second Summit for Democracy, contrary to his predecessor, vowed to establish a human-rights-based approach to his governance. But how would this be made different from the previous regime? To clarify the interplay of human nature and rights, this article will first expound on the contemporary complexities in the application of human rights by governments utilizing local and international law, exposing the weaknesses of some theories, such as positivism. Second, it would expound on the argument of St. Thomas Aquinas that human rights ought to be founded on justice. Third, an attempt would be made exposing the argument that such a concept can be further enhanced by tracing the necessary implications of agency leading to the Principle of Generic Consistency (PGC) by Alan Gewirth. In other words, it is hoped that obscurities surrounding human nature, agency, and rights could be clarified by considering that justice as a virtue links human rights to the person as its subject whose acts lead to the generic rights of freedom and well-being as universalized for all by the PGC.

Philosophy of Language and the Law in H.L.A. Hart’s Legal Philosophy

Joseph Paña — 2025-03-31

H.L.A. Hart, in his famous work, The Concept of Law, which is considered one of the most influential texts of analytical jurisprudence, emphasizes that many central problems in legal philosophy depend on an adequate understanding of language. He argues that the philosophy of language is foundational to the philosophy of law. Influenced by J.L. Austin and Ludwig Wittgenstein, Hart asserts that understanding the ordinary use of words in specific contexts is crucial for interpreting laws. It is undeniably true that lawmakers, judges, legal philosophers, and jurists frequently turn to disciplines focused on the meaning and interpretation of words. This paper examines Hart’s perspective on the role of the philosophy of language in jurisprudence and explores how he addresses issues of legal interpretation through this framework. It argues that the philosophy of language is essential to determining the scope of reasonable interpretation. A well-developed philosophical understanding of meaning and usage greatly benefits legal philosophy. Accordingly, this paper highlights its critical role in understanding the nature of law.

Nussbaum about Sentience: A Philosophical Reflection during the Pandemic toward Indigenous Societal Aid as an Imaginative Act

Bernard Bragas — 2025-03-31

Using Martha Nussbaum’s Upheavals of Thought, I argue that ethical and political systems are only good if they are alive in human ways. These systems have valuations and are cultivated in the ways of the people, surfacing out in times of crises. This demonstrates that emotion and imaginative abilities enhanced by the humanities and the arts play important roles in ethical decision-making and public undertakings.

The first section is intentionally written from a personal standpoint through a thought experiment to ground the reality that, indeed, ethical decisions can never be devoid of emotional considerations. It is supported by another experience situated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows Nussbaum’s literary technique, showing that “emotions and reason are inextricably linked in an inescapable logic.” Then, in the second section, the analysis is extended to the national crisis that was caused by the same pandemic. I discuss here the importance of imagination, which is usually stimulated in the humanities and the arts. Consequently, to acquire or to be deficient in imaginative abilities would determine the response of those on political platforms in times of dire need and desperate conditions of their people. I end briefly with a particular imaginative act, the establishment of community pantries, as an embodiment of Filipino sentience through the national concept of bayanihan. This serves as a challenge to imaginatively build on indigenous concepts as the Philippine society battles against every crisis.

The Diffusion of Smart Cities in ASEAN Countries: An Analysis

Christian Bryan Bustamante — 2025-03-31

Policy diffusion happens when one government decides to adopt a policy because another country also implemented the said policy. The spread of a particular policy internationally or globally is caused by the policy adoption and implementation of one government that influences another government to do the same. This study analyzes the policy diffusion of smart city development program in the member states/governments of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The smart cities diffused in the ASEAN countries because of the mechanisms of coercion, competition, learning, and emulation. Coercion diffused smart cities because of the manipulation of economic benefits, monopolization of information and expertise on the part of the powerful countries and big corporations. Competition diffused smart cities because ASEAN leaders view it to achieve competitive economy, an inclusive and sustainable development and economic growth in the region and improve the quality of life of ASEAN citizens. Learning diffused smart cities because the promotion of mutual learning through the exchange of ideas, experiences and views on policy, governance, best practices, business solutions and joint research and innovation will contribute a lot to the realization of the smart cities program. Lastly, emulate diffused smart cities because of the successes of Singapore. Singapore is the only ASEAN city that is focused on improving productivity and designing new types of citizen experiences. It is also the most advanced smart cities in the ASEAN region and one the advanced smart cities globally. Almost all ASEAN countries wanted to be like Singapore in terms of economy, education, technological innovation, and government service.

Breaking the Code: Towards a Care-based AI Ethics

Rica delos Reyes-Ancheta — 2025-03-31

AI Ethics is a nascent field that has emerged in response to growing concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on individuals and societal structures. Digital ethics is part of the broad field of digital technology, which constantly evolves as thinkers explore the deployments of novel digital technologies. The rapid and dynamic nature of digital technologies requires serious ethical considerations, which involve an analysis of the Code of Ethics/ethical principles. This paper elucidates on AI ethics, drawing from Kantian theory, and bridges the gap by employing Care Ethics. It attempts to answer these questions: 1) What is AI ethics? 2) Using Kantian philosophy can AI Ethics refute the dignity-skeptics? 3) How can Care ethics bridge the gap in the AI Code of Ethics?

This paper argues that a principle-based AI Code of Ethics anchored in Kantian philosophy does not suffice to address ethical problems, and hence, extrapolates on a care-based AI ethics.

Anthropocentrism as an Ecological Fallacy: Philosophical and Theological Musings on Laudato Si

Carmelo P. Marollano — 2025-03-31

We live in the midst of an ecological crisis. Mother Earth is like a ticking time bomb that will eventually explode if we do not take urgent and drastic measures to save her. We only have one planet, our common home.

The author posits that the cause of the environmental problems that we are experiencing is our anthropocentric mindset, where we think that the world is at our disposal. We harness, nay, exploit, our physical resources in the belief that we are being commanded to “subdue” the earth as mentioned in the book of Genesis of the Judaeo-Christian Bible. However, it is only a half-truth since the same Bible also tells us to “keep” the earth.

There are many well-meaning environmental thinkers who advocate ecocentrism which puts premium on the intrinsic worth and value of the whole of creation. Their ideas concur what the papal encyclical Laudato Si spells out in succinct terms about the decrepit state of our planet, the causes and effects especially on poor people and poor countries which are experiencing the brunt of climate change and global warming.

Being plagued by enormous problems on environmental degradation, the author calls into action the stakeholders of the educational institutions to come up with ways and means on how to cultivate ecological consciousness especially on the part of their students. After all, it is to them that we bequeath the world that we are living.

Revisiting Martin Buber’s Believing Humanism: Preliminary Study on Buberian Art and Technology

Carl Jayson Hernandez — 2025-03-31

The Industrial Revolution transformed different aspects of human life, including artistic endeavors. Its unpredictable development and significant impact spurred interdisciplinary discussions concerning the proper or beneficial stance towards technology. Martin Buber’s philosophy offers insightful remarks pertinent to the questions surrounding the Industrial Revolution and how we can become more truly human through creative action. His ideas are related to genuine “believing humanism,” which he postulates counteracts the excesses of modernity, i.e., the voluntary enslavement of man towards machines. In this light, Buberian studies should revisit and construct a renewed perspective regarding art and technology to understand the foundation of this utopic vision. Thus, Buber’s reflections concerning art and technology must be collated, examined, and juxtaposed with recent discoveries to derive their continued relevance. Therefore, this paper proceeds as follows: The first part expounds on the fundamental concepts of Martin Buber’s philosophy about art and technology. The second part appropriates Buber’s philosophy to the technologically advanced society and poses questions for further meditation on the trajectory of man’s value and designated societal role. The last part covers Buber’s recommendations to maintain our humanity in traversing the narrow ridge of the Industrial Revolution.