EDITORIAL

Abstract

In this 2008 first semester issue, INTERthesis main goal is to keep faithful to the objective of contributing to the interdisciplinary discussion in Human Sciences, presenting a few articles and an essay concerning the several areas of knowledge. The themes of the six articles are focused on philosophy, political science, environmental studies, education and public health, facing a multiplicity of objects unified by a supradisciplinary approach. The journal opens with an article which discusses the importance of the technological innovations as propellers of the economic development and public politics, starting from a social environmental analysis of the sugar-ethanol industrial activities in Brazil. The authors, Nivaldo Dos Santos, PhD in Law from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP), Charlene Maria de Ávida Plaza, Master in Law in the area of Integration and Relations from the University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP-SP), and Viviane Romeiro, Master’s Degree student in Planning of the Energetic System (UNICAMP-SP), without underestimating the economic practices of the sugar-ethanol companies, try to fight for an implementation of policies that promote a sustainability which matches economic, environmental and social interests. Next, Dirce Guilhen, PhD in Bioethics from the University of Brasilia, and professor at that same University, (UnB/DF), and Antonio Macena Figueiredo, doctoral student in Health Sciences (UnB/DF), take over the discussion on the distinctions and similarities between ethics and moral. The article, following the philosophical tradition, tries to clarify conceptual imprecision and confusion, so frequently found even in academic texts. The third article, by Leon Farhi Neto, Master in Philosophy and doctoral student at the Program of Post-Graduation in Philosophy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), makes an opportune incursion in the work of Michel Foucault in order to understand the notion of biopolitics, calling the attention to distinctions and identities between historically different mechanisms of power. The author tries to call the attention to the polissemic character of the notion of biopolitics. In the fourth article, Cláudia Hausman Silveira, doctoral student at the Interdisciplinary Program of Post-Graduation in Human sciences (DICH) at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), presents the issue of the family health, comparing the models that have inspired the construction of the Program of Family Health in Brazil, observing their differences and similarities. Moreover, she makes a comparative analysis among the Cuban, English, Canadian and Brazilian models, concluding that the Program multiprofessional proposal of work in interdisciplinary teams, in accordance with the Only System of Health (SUS), can assist in the fulfillment of the health law in the country. In the fifth article, the environmental issue is treated under the pedagogical point of view. Clayton Ângelo Silva Costa, Master in Environmental Sciences (UEMG) presents results of a research carried through with private school teachers in the city of Contagem, Minas Gerais, showing the obstacles involving the application of the environmental education interdisciplinary project, focusing aspects of the atmospheric pollution. The last article approaches aspects of the Humanitarian International law. Geovane Machado Alves, Master’s Degree student in Public Law from the University of the Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), starts from the concept of solidarity and humanitarian intervention, and questions the Brazilian performance in Haiti as well as the legal paradigm of the international solidarism and its repercussions. Closing this issue, the theme is the public university itself and its current impasses and challenges. Héctor Ricardo Leis, PhD in Philosophy from the PUC-RJ, associated professor of the Sociology Department, and Selvino J. Assmann, PhD in Philosophy from the Pontificia Università Lateranense, Italy, professor of the Philosophy Department, both professors of the Interdisciplinary Doctorate in Human Sciences at the UFSC, evidence and discuss the impediments faced by the Brazilian public university in its relation with the Brazilian society as well as in its internal relations, insisting both on the necessity to fortify the merit and the academic excellence, and on the connection between a national project and the university project. Not only do we expect that the published papers represent good results of inquiries already accomplished, but also that they serve as an invitation for an increasing promotion of an interdisciplinary attitude in the Brazilian university life. Selvino Assmann e Silmara Cimbalista Editors