Huygens’ stargazing scientists: the idea of science in Cosmotheoros

This paper deals with the book Cosmotheoros (1698), in which Christiaan Huygens presented his concept of a universe made up of many inhabited planets. Recent interpreters of this work have focused especially on cosmological issues presented in the book. Cosmotheoros, however, comprises also various philosophical ideas. In this paper I want to focus on the concept contemplator coeli – stargazer. The stargazer was the embodiment of the philosophical ideal of the contemplative way of life that appeared in classical philosophy and astronomy. I want to argue that Huygens followed on from the idea of the stargazer and used it in his hypothetical construction of extra-terrestrial life. At the same time, however, he altered this idea in such a way that it corresponded better to the ideals of science at the end of the seventeenth century. In Huygens’ concept, the noble contemplator coeli turned into the modern scientist who works with other scientists on the advancement of mankind’s knowledge of nature. Huygens’ stargazers are a good example of how strikingly the basic assumptions of knowledge of nature in the early modern period changed with regard to classical antiquity.     

Obtaining Black Carbon—A Simple Method for the Safe Removal of Mineral Components from Soils and Archaeological Layers

In this study, we present a novel, safe method for how to remove inorganic components from soil samples studied for archaeological purposes, in order to improve studies of the distribution of black carbon in the sedimentary record. As the depositional history of this material depends on the interaction between humans and the natural environment, this method can be widely used in archaeology, landscape archaeology, palaeoecology, environmental geology and sedimentology. Our method does not require the use of dangerous hydrofluoric acid, which is commonly used for the removal of silicon oxide from such samples; therefore, this procedure allows even less chemically trained scientists to analyse soil samples with an increased level of work safety.     

The restored opus sectile panel from the luxurious episcopal residence in the ancient city of Stobi–mineralogical and chemical findings

Samples from the opus sectile panel excavated from the Episcopal Residence building at the archaeological site of Stobi were examined using X-ray powder diffraction, SEM-EDS, and Raman spectroscopy. The analyzed samples, exhibiting plentiful color and surface variations, comprise the reconstructed sectile panel as well as represent the in situ ground remains. The complementary techniques revealed dominant amorphous phase in five samples, whereas the remaining seven specimens confirmed the presence of magnesite, quartz, dolomite, ankerite, cuprite, wüstite, and hematite. The work represents the first systematic attempt to determine the mineral phases in the restored opus sectile panel, assembled by decorative minerals forming a geometric net of polychrome crosses. Furthermore, the mineral characterization has revealed an origin of mineral species not typical for Macedonian terrain (ankerite, wüstite, cuprite, transparent quartz) that lead to the conclusion that the samples were likely imported from other early-Christian communities.     

Calming the Shock Waves: Can Financial Reform Do It? (A Review Article)

Books reviewed in this article: G. Caprio, P. Honohan and J. E. Stiglitz (eds.), Financial Liberalization, How Far, How Fast? B. Eichengreen, Financial Crises and What to do about Them D. Nayyar (ed.), Governing Globalization, Issues and Institutions J. E. Stiglitz, Globalization and its Discontents J. J. Teunissen (ed.), New Challenges of Crisis Prevention, Addressing Economic Imbalances in the North and Boom‐Bust Cycles in the South J. Tirole, Financial Crises, Liquidity and the International Monetary System     

Regional embeddedness,relatedness and inter-regional linkages among less developed regions in Central Europe

This paper aims at a comprehension of existing intra-/inter-regional production flows in a dynamically transforming, export-oriented economy in Central Europe. Drawing on evolutionary economic geography combined with input–output approaches, we have assessed the sectoral compositions and relationships between regions from a buyer-supplier interactions perspective. Inspired by contemporary literature we applied concepts of regional embeddedness, relatedness and vertically related variety. Conceptually we argue that the degree of embeddedness of regions is differentiated and spatially non-random. The differences will depend to a large extent on the economic characteristics and on the ability of key actors and institutions in these regions to respond actively to changing opportunities and threats. Empirically we have found: that economically more developed regions are relatively more embedded in terms of production flows and have greater sectoral variety, whereas regions with high export-dependence are economically backward, and have higher concentration of industry and negative associations with innovation activity and overall innovation potential. The intensity of interregional production flows increases as the regional economies vary more from each other, but beyond a certain level of structural difference the rate of mutual flows decreases; and that the intensity of interregional relations depends on the relatedness of the economic bases.     

Is Europe 2020 Set to Fail? The Cultural Political Economy of the EU Grand Strategies

The European Union (EU) has been continuously rethinking its global position amidst emerging economic and geopolitical challenges and attempting to formulate strategies to increase its competitiveness. However, its long-standing policy implementation deficit is also recognized for its grand strategies, including the initially ambitious Lisbon Strategy. Is Europe 2020 set to fail as well? In this paper, we are arguing that strategic steering is essentially a discursive practice influenced by both semiotic and extra-semiotic factors. Hence, success or failure of a strategy essentially depends on ability to steer the discourse. Niklas Luhmann's social systems theory offers a theoretical framework against which limitations and potentials of strategic steering at the EU level can be analysed. While high levels of rationality and reflection capacities can improve strategic steering, it is limited by the increasing complexity. Recognizing limitations of direct and centralized interventions, we look for analytical and strategic solutions in sophisticated mechanisms of contextual steering: variation, selection and retention of strategic discourses. These mechanisms are integral to the “cultural political economy” approach. In the final part of the paper, we show how cultural political economy can explain the implementation shortcomings of the EU strategies.     

Frequency of fast geomorphological processes in high-gradient streams: case study from the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts (Czech Republic) using dendrogeomorphic methods

High-gradient streams are localities with the most dynamic activity of geomorphological processes in medium-high mountains. This study of the frequency of floods and debris flows in a selected high-gradient stream in the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts was based on a dendrogeomorphic approach. It makes use of the most accurate methods applied in the dating of historic geomorphological processes. Individual events were reconstructed on the basis of the dating of various growth disturbances displayed in 99 samples taken from 56 predominantly broad-leaved trees.