A Model of Search with Two Stages of Information Acquisition and Additive Learning

This paper presents a model of choice with two stages of information acquisition. In this model, the choice problem can be interpreted as a variant of a more general multiarmed bandit problem. We assume that information acquisition takes a simple “additive form”—the value of an alternative is the sum of two components, which the decision maker can learn by undertaking two stages of information acquisition. This assumption yields a model that is tractable for the purposes of structural estimation. One possible application of the model is to online purchasing on e-commerce sites. For a consumer on an e-commerce website, there are potentially two stages of information acquisition: the consumer can obtain information about an alternative from (i) browsing the search results page and (ii) clicking on the alternative. By way of contrast, in much of the literature on structural econometric models of online purchasing, there is typically only one stage of information acquisition. Our paper may, therefore, provide a more realistic theory for modeling search, at least for those types of search—such as online purchasing—that involve two stages of information acquisition. This paper was accepted by Manel Baucells, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Being realist(ic) about behavioral variability

Though we concur with the conclusions of the target article by Arocha (2021), in this commentary, we argue that his critiques of psychology’s standard research practices are not grounded in his scientific realism but in a (tacit) realistic theory about human behavioral variability. Then, we argue that both this tacit theory and his recommendations are already encompassed by the complex systems approach to psychology. We conclude that, taken together, these arguments strengthen Arocha’s conclusion and recommendations.

Extended Hořava Gravity with Physical Ground-State Wavefunction

We propose a new extended theory of Hořava gravity based on the following three conditions: (i) power-counting renormalizable, (ii) healthy IR behavior and (iii) a stable vacuum state in a quantized version of the theory. Compared with other extended theories, we stress that any realistic theory of gravity must have physical ground states when quantization is performed. To fulfill the three conditions, we softly break the detailed balance but keep its basic structure unchanged. It turns out that the new model constructed in this way can avoid the strong coupling problem and remains power-counting renormalizable, moreover, it has a stable vacuum state by an appropriate choice of parameters.

Realistic Theory of Classical Analysis and Synthesis

The article shows that all modern theories of analysis and synthesis, on one basis, are divided into classical and non-classical, and on the other, into realistic and anti-realistic. A realistic version of the classical theory, according to which analysis is a real or mental decomposition of the phenomena of the objective and subjective world into components, and synthesis is a real or mental combination of these components into a whole, is considered. The naive understanding of analysis, which includes in its task the cognition of the components of the object under study, and those relations that form it from these components, has been criticized. It is shown that the cognition of such relations is a task of synthesis. The history of the study of the problem of mental synthesis from Plato to modern nominalism is considered. Mental analysis and synthesis are compared with practical ones. Two stages of the history of practical analysis and synthesis are investigated — pre-scientific and scientific. The theories of analysis and synthesis, formed at these stages, are compared.

РЕПРЕЗЕНТАЦІЯ ОБРАЗУ ГЕРОЯ-ВОЇНА В УКРАЇНСЬКІЙ СОЦРЕАЛІСТИЧНІЙ ЛІТЕРАТУРІ

The article is devoted to the research of socialist realism canon in Ukrainian literature. This canon is considered an artificially modeled power project in the sphere of culture and literature which aimed at creating a monostylistic system with clearly defined rules and recommended schemes, especially including thought-out characters understandable for the mass Soviet reader in order to monopolize power at all levels and to establish a new Soviet identity (“homo sovieticusˮ). The socialist realism canon is a complex and heterogeneous phenomenon. It imposed patterns for analysing and reflecting on reality in art and culture. From the 1930s, any texts following the authorities’ regulations acquired a typical structure, predictable and recognizable features that turned literature into a mass-produced uniform “artistic” product. The task of such a governmental experiment was both to transform the world, and to change the way reality was perceived. The aesthetized falsification of existence, the clear domination of everything “ideological” and “totalitarian” in the field of culture, shaping the socialist realistic theory as a process of politicizing artistic consciousness - these are the blocks that determined the formation and functioning of the socialist realism canon of Ukrainian literature. The publication reflects a new vision of the problem of the literary representation of the Soviet Pantheon of Heroes in the socialist realism texts, in particular novels by Natan Rybak, Yurii Zbanatskyi, Oles Honchar, Andrii Malyshko, Natalia Zabila etc. Basically, the idea is that in order to build a bright future the Soviet system needed a new man, so all the forces were thrown into the “newanthropological typeˮ. The article deals with the modeling role of the hero-warrior in the socialist realism text. This image was established in the mass consciousness by means of propaganda and agitation.

On the quantum description of the early universe

Why is it interesting to try to understand the origin of the universe? Everything we observe today, including our existence, arose from that event. Although we still do not have a theory that allows us to describe the origin itself, the study of the very early era of the universe involves the ideal terrain to analyze the interface between two of today’s most successful physical theories, General Relativity and Quantum physics. But it is also an area in which we have a large number of observational data to test our theoretical ideas. Two of the fathers of Quantum physics, Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, shared some thoughts that could be described with these words: Quantum physics tells us that there is a line between the observed and the observer, and therefore science should be limited to what is observed. We must give up a complete, objective and realistic theory of the world. This article will orbit around these ideas and summarizes how it is that today, from recent works, we are in a position to try to challenge them (at least in part) through cosmology, seeking the quantum description of the early universe.

External behavior of small states in light of theories of international relations

Purpose This paper aims to examine the hypotheses of main international theories (realism, liberalism and constructivism) and the development of these theories toward the behavior of foreign policy of small states in the developing world. The theories of international relations, especially the realistic theory, face a theoretical debate and a fundamental criticism. The hypotheses of these theories are not able to explain the external behavior of some small states, especially those in the developing world such as Qatar. In particular, these small states do not have the elements of physical power through which they can play this role. However, they are based on the internal determinants (such as political leadership and the variable of perception) and non-physical dimensions of power to play an effective and influential external role. Design/methodology/approach This topic sheds light on the hypotheses of theories of main international relations, which explain the behavior of foreign policy of small states. This is due to the increased number of such states after the disintegration of Soviet Union, the practice of some countries an effective foreign role and the transformation of the concept of power from the hard power to soft power, and then to smart power Findings The theories of international relations, especially the realistic theory, face a theoretical debate and a fundamental criticism. The hypotheses of these theories are not able to explain the external behavior of some small states, especially those in the developing world such as Qatar. In particular, these small states do not have the elements of physical power through which they can play this role. However, they are based on the internal determinants (such as political leadership and the variable of perception) and non-physical dimensions of power to play an effective and influential external role. Originality/value The importance of the study comes from its interest in small countries in general and the Qatar situation in particular. The small country emerged as a player independent of the Gulf Cooperation Council, unlike what prevailed before, which led to the discussion of a regional role for Qatar despite its small power compared to the strength and size of other factions in the region such as Turkey, Israel and Iran.