Josephine Gatt Ciancio
Encyclopedia
Josephine Gatt Ciancio (b.1946) is a Maltese social scientist
, and minor philosopher. In philosophy she is mostly interested in Possible-world theories.
, Malta
, in 1946. She studied at the University of Malta
, from who acquired a Bachelor of Arts
in Maltese Language
, English Language
, and Mediterranean Studies (1973). She also studied at the Pacific Western University
in Los Angeles
, California
, U.S.A.. From here she acquired a Master’s degree in Science
with a major in Neuroscience
. She also conducted studies in Social Democracy
and Political Economy
. In 1967 Gatt Ciancio began teaching in Malta
at a primary level, and in 1969 proceeded to teach on a secondary level (till 1975). Later she taught at the sixth level of education (1976). Somewhat active in party politics
with the Labour Party in Malta
, in 1989 she edited the pages reserved for the political affairs of women in weekly paper of the General Workers Union
, It-Torca (under the pseudonym ‘Anna’). Between 1991 and 1993 she was Co-ordinator of the Adult Education
programme of the Guzè Ellul Mercer
Foundation.
Social Scientist
Social Scientist is a New Delhi based journal in social sciences and humanities published since 1972....
, and minor philosopher. In philosophy she is mostly interested in Possible-world theories.
Life
Gatt Ciancio was born at MsidaMsida
Msida or Imsida is a harbour town in Malta with a population of 7,623 . The town is located just west of Valletta on the northeast coast of Malta. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters.The neighbouring towns of Msida are Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, San...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, in 1946. She studied at the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
, from who acquired a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Maltese Language
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
, English Language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, and Mediterranean Studies (1973). She also studied at the Pacific Western University
Pacific Western University
California Miramar University , is a nationally accredited private proprietary institution of higher learning and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, U.S.A.. From here she acquired a Master’s degree in Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
with a major in Neuroscience
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
. She also conducted studies in Social Democracy
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
and Political Economy
Political economy
Political economy originally was the term for studying production, buying, and selling, and their relations with law, custom, and government, as well as with the distribution of national income and wealth, including through the budget process. Political economy originated in moral philosophy...
. In 1967 Gatt Ciancio began teaching in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
at a primary level, and in 1969 proceeded to teach on a secondary level (till 1975). Later she taught at the sixth level of education (1976). Somewhat active in party politics
Party Politics
Party Politics is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes papers in the field of Political Science. The journal's editors are David M Farrell and Paul Webb...
with the Labour Party in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, in 1989 she edited the pages reserved for the political affairs of women in weekly paper of the General Workers Union
General Workers' Union (Malta)
The General Workers' Union is a national trade union center in Malta.The GWU was founded in 1943 and has been politically identified with the Labour Party as the trade union is the major left-wing trade union in Malta...
, It-Torca (under the pseudonym ‘Anna’). Between 1991 and 1993 she was Co-ordinator of the Adult Education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
programme of the Guzè Ellul Mercer
Guze Ellul Mercer
Guze Ellul Mercer was a Maltese politician. He joined the Labour Party and he started his parliamentary career in 1924. He was subsequently elected member of parliament at the general elections held in 1951 and 1955. In 1955, he was elected Labour Party deputy leader for parliamentary affairs...
Foundation.
Works
Though the published works of Gatt Ciancio are few, together with philosophical argumentation they might be considered as explorations into what might be possible and even beyond. Her main interests in her works are of a social and political nature, very often connecting to the concept of an undivided world with no frontiers. Her main publications are the following:- 1977 - Power to the Man in the Street. A 62-page book published in MaltaMaltaMalta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, which, in its speculative projection, is quite ambitious, for not only does it uphold a political theory but furthermore proposes an interesting political programme. Essentially, Gatt Ciancio puts forward the possibility of future world unity based on the emancipation of so-called 'superdwarf' humans. This will create a peaceful, fraternal and laborious people. This type of human being will be motivated to improve humankind's cultural levels for pure intellectual pleasure. The 'superdwarf' people will prolong life, perhaps even through a form of 'materialistic immortality'. - 1992 - Tomorrow We Shall Be Here. A 94-page book published in Malta which is basically a novel. In it Gatt Ciancio imagines a future world in which, though advanced socially and technologically, is still plagued with party revelry, corruptionCorruptionCorruption usually refers to spiritual or moral impurity.Corruption may also refer to:* Corruption , an American crime film* Corruption , a British horror film...
and political religionReligionReligion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
. Through difficult situations, hopeHopeHope is the emotional state which promotes the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. It is the "feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best" or the act of "look[ing] forward to with desire and reasonable confidence" or...
is found in educationEducationEducation in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, especially through communicationCommunicationCommunication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
.
Sources
- Mark Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001.
See also
Philosophy in MaltaPhilosophy in Malta
Philosophy in Malta refers to philosophy done by Maltese nationals or of Maltese descent, whether living in Malta or abroad, whether writing in their native Maltese language or in a foreign language.-Short history:...