Philosophie de la machine

Sans résumé Ses recherches portent sur les liens entre métaphysique et technique à la Renaissance et, de manière plus récente, sur la philosophie de la machine. Il travaille acutellement à une anthropologie philosophique du recours aux automatismes. Il a notamment publi’e ?Mathématiques, création et humanisme chez Nicolas de Cues ? (Revue d’histoire des sciences, t. 59, n^o 2, 2006); ? L’homme à l’image de Dieu, Ma?tre Eckart, Nicolas de Cues, Descartes ? (dans L’Image, Paris, Vrin, 2007).     

Entre destellos se desvanece una devoción: la imagen de oro de la Asunción,patrona de la catedral metropolitana de México

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze representations of the Assumption of the Virgin, patroness of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral in New Spain. In 1610, a superb golden figure of the Assunta was acquired and located in a silver tabernacle by the new main altarpiece, which was dedicated in 1673. In the eighteenth century, this altarpiece was substituted with a new one designed by Jerónimo de Balbás, where the golden statue was eventually relocated. Since the Assunta has generally been overlooked in colonial historiography, I intend to answer the following questions: What were the aesthetic and symbolic values, based upon the theological ideas at the time in the Spanish and Catholic worlds, guiding the representation of Mary in this golden image? What was its agency in relationship to materiality, form, and usage in liturgical contexts and religious festivals?     

Les Moyens Techniques de la Science

Scientific publishing, as far as the Revue de synthèse is concerned, experienced some deep reshaping during the past fifteen years. This article analyses the formula obtained for this journal, made of a paper periodical, an electronic journal, a historical collection and an experimental website for supplements. First elements of evaluation are provided on production and diffusion. An account is given about an experimentation of multimedia publishing made with the last two issues.