Against Strong Cognitivism: An Argument from Caring

Dialogue ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
HILLA JACOBSON
Keyword(s):  
Main Concern ◽  
Reasons For Action ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Central Argument

According to ‘strong cognitivism’, all reasons for action are rooted in normative features that the motivated subject (explicitly or implicitly) takes objects to have (or lack) independently of her attitudes towards these objects. My main concern in this paper is to argue against strong cognitivism, that is, to establish the view that conative attitudes do provide subjects with reasons for action. My central argument to this effect is a top-down one that proceeds by an analysis of the complex phenomenon of caring and derives a conclusion regarding the (motivational and normative) nature of more basic mental phenomena—particular desires.

Do We Have Reason to Doubt the Importance of the Distinction between A Priori and A Posteriori Knowledge?

2020 ◽  
pp. 137-155
Author(s):  
Paul Boghossian ◽  
Timothy Williamson
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
A Posteriori ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Justified Belief ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Type Of Exercise

This essay defends the a priori–a posteriori distinction against two skeptical challenges posed by Williamson in Chapter 8. Against the argument that no top-down characterization of the distinction can line up with the intuitive paradigm examples, it contends that the argument’s reliance on the distinction between ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ experience renders it ineffective. An alternative way of running the argument is shown to lead to a different conclusion, one about the nature of justifiers. Against Williamson’s central argument, which presents a pair of cases designed to show that whatever distinction the paradigm examples mark it cannot be one of epistemological significance, the essay argues that Williamson fails to draw the correct conclusions from his cases, and in particular fails to show that the subject in either case can acquire justified belief via the type of exercise of the imagination that he describes.

The Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Violence

2020 ◽  
pp. 110-135
Author(s):  
Devorah S. Manekin
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Strategy ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Complex Organizations ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Large Complex ◽  
Military Violence

This chapter identifies and analyzes the category of violence that is neither strictly strategic nor opportunistic. It builds on the assumption that in large, complex organizations, organizational strategy is a more complex phenomenon than implied by the conventional top-down or bottom-up dichotomy between strategy and opportunism. From the perspective of soldiers, the chapter attempts to recreate violent strategy on the ground in an environment of persistent ambiguity. It argues that, under conditions of uncertainty regarding the limits of permissible behavior, junior and mid-level officers have incentives to develop violent practices, sustained by the ambiguity maintained by the higher ranks. It also seeks to further identify and theorize the middle category of military violence.

scholarly journals Fluid convection, constraint and causation

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Nonlinear Dynamics ◽  
Philosophical Analysis ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Philosophical Reflection ◽  
Bénard Convection ◽  
Benard Convection ◽  
Fluid Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard Convection ◽  
Rayleigh Benard

Complexity—nonlinear dynamics for my purposes in this essay—is rich with metaphysical and epistemological implications but is receiving sustained philosophical analysis only recently. I will explore some of the subtleties of causation and constraint in Rayleigh–Bénard convection as an example of a complex phenomenon, and extract some lessons for further philosophical reflection on top-down constraint and causation particularly with respect to causal foundationalism.

Williamson on the Distinction between the A Priori and the A Posteriori Once Again1

2020 ◽  
pp. 168-174
Author(s):  
Paul Boghossian ◽  
Timothy Williamson
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
A Posteriori ◽  
Sense Experience ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Alternative Account ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
Epistemic Role ◽  
Problematic Claim ◽  
The Way

This essay responds to Williamson’s reformulated argument against the feasibility of a top-down characterization of the a priori–a posteriori distinction, arguing that Williamson fails to show that sense experience plays an irreducibly epistemic role in his new Mathematician example. Williamson’s example turns on the problematic claim that there is something intermediate between reading a proof lazily, deferring to the authority of its author, and reading it while checking its soundness for oneself. Furthermore, it is argued that Williamson’s defense of his Central argument is vitiated by a serious misreading of Boghossian’s initial criticism: that criticism was not meant to supply an alternative account of the way in which certain a priori propositions are known.

scholarly journals The Doctrine of Tawḥīd and its Practical Manifestation by a Living Sufi Practitioner

Teosofia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Dejan Aždajić
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
Spiritual Journey ◽  
Abstract Theory ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Written Texts ◽  
Theological Perspective ◽  
Original Approach

This article explores new pathways of understanding the theological doctrine of tawḥīd from a Sufi theological perspective. It is evident that Sufism has expanded the inherent meaning of tawḥīd from the relatively simple idea of the Oneness of God to the philosophically complex phenomenon that reality is best expressed through an absolute unity of all existence. Instead of engaging in a dialogue about this important doctrinal principle with only written texts, this article intends to combine both traditional sources but also the actual voice of one contemporary Sufi practitioner. This original approach aims to circumvent the tendency of a top-down approach to the study of religion, provide a grassroots perspective, and a concrete example of how a theoretical concept can be practically manifested in the life of ordinary believers. Such a contribution is important, for it adds to wider empirical studies of Sufism a localized example that underlines the importance of investigating religion not merely through written texts, but also by a nuanced exploration from the point of view of spiritual seekers themselves. Since Sufis ultimately embark on a spiritual journey and long to attain proximity to God, abstract theory must be met with experiential satisfaction.

Scanning electron microscopy of erythrophagocytosis by Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 880-881
Author(s):  
Victor Tsutsumi ◽  
Adolfo Martinez-Palomo ◽  
Kyuichi Tanikawa
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
Great Capacity ◽  
Scanning Electron

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amebiasis in man. The trophozoite or motile form is a highly dynamic and pleomorphic cell with a great capacity to destroy tissues. Moreover, the parasite has the singular ability to phagocytize a variety of different live or death cells. Phagocytosis of red blood cells by E. histolytica trophozoites is a complex phenomenon related with amebic pathogenicity and nutrition.

Top-Down Processing and Visual Reorientation Illusions in a Virtual Reality Environment

2004 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred W. Mast ◽  
Charles M. Oman
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Line Length ◽  
Perceptual Cues ◽  
Virtual Reality Environment ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Test Conditions ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Processing Mechanisms

The role of top-down processing on the horizontal-vertical line length illusion was examined by means of an ambiguous room with dual visual verticals. In one of the test conditions, the subjects were cued to one of the two verticals and were instructed to cognitively reassign the apparent vertical to the cued orientation. When they have mentally adjusted their perception, two lines in a plus sign configuration appeared and the subjects had to evaluate which line was longer. The results showed that the line length appeared longer when it was aligned with the direction of the vertical currently perceived by the subject. This study provides a demonstration that top-down processing influences lower level visual processing mechanisms. In another test condition, the subjects had all perceptual cues available and the influence was even stronger.

Functional Anatomy of Intensity Aspects of Attention

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Sturm
Keyword(s):  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Functional Anatomy ◽  
Fmri Data ◽  
Functional Networks ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Stimulus Modality ◽  
Spatial Orienting ◽  
Phasic Alertness ◽  
Co Activation ◽  
Attention System

Abstract: Behavioral and PET/fMRI-data are presented to delineate the functional networks subserving alertness, sustained attention, and vigilance as different aspects of attention intensity. The data suggest that a mostly right-hemisphere frontal, parietal, thalamic, and brainstem network plays an important role in the regulation of attention intensity, irrespective of stimulus modality. Under conditions of phasic alertness there is less right frontal activation reflecting a diminished need for top-down regulation with phasic extrinsic stimulation. Furthermore, a high overlap between the functional networks for alerting and spatial orienting of attention is demonstrated. These findings support the hypothesis of a co-activation of the posterior attention system involved in spatial orienting by the anterior alerting network. Possible implications of these findings for the therapy of neglect are proposed.

Auswirkungen eines Aufmerksamkeitstrainings auf die aphasische Symptomatik bei Schlaganfallpatienten

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Graf ◽  
Hartwig Kulke ◽  
Christa Sous-Kulke ◽  
Wilfried Schupp ◽  
Stefan Lautenbacher
Keyword(s):  
Top Down

Aufmerksamkeit kann als Kontrollsystem neuronaler Aktivität verstanden werden, welches Neuroplastizität top-down modulieren hilft. Bisher wurde selten versucht, durch deren gezielte Förderung Funktionswiederherstellungen nach Hirnschädigung zu begünstigen. In vorliegender Studie wurde dies am Beispiel der Aphasie erprobt. 15 Schlaganfallpatienten erhielten ein dreiwöchiges Training der selektiven Aufmerksamkeit mit den PC-Programmen CogniPlus und „Konzentration“ bei fünf Sitzungen pro Woche zusätzlich zur Standardtherapie, 13 weitere bildeten eine Kontrollgruppe ohne Aufmerksamkeitstraining. Zur Effektivitätskontrolle dienten zwei Versionen des Untertests Go/Nogo (Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung) und die Kurze Aphasieprüfung. Nach dem Training manifestierte sich zwischen den Untersuchungsgruppen kein Unterschied in Aufmerksamkeits- und Sprachfunktionen; das zusätzliche Aufmerksamkeitstraining war also wirkungslos. Allerdings zeigten Patienten mit deutlichen Aufmerksamkeitsverbesserungen tendenziell weniger Aphasie-Symptome, was die Hypothese aufmerksamkeitsvermittelter Plastizitätsmodulation nach Hirnschädigung partiell stützt.

Aufmerksamkeitswechsel und Konzentration: Von den Funktionen zum Mechanismus

2001 ◽  
Vol 209 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer Bösel
Keyword(s):  
Top Down ◽  
Eeg Alpha

Zusammenfassung. Aufmerksamkeit wird sowohl als Selektivität in der bewußter Verarbeitung oder auch als selektive neuronale Aktivierung verstanden. Die neuronalen Strukturen, die Objektdiskrimination ermöglichen, erlauben eine Interaktion von datengetriebenen und endogenen top-down Prozessen, die zu einer selektiven Bereitstellung von Verarbeitungs-Ressourcen führen. Zielgerichtetes Verhalten erfordert manchmal einen Wechsel in der Ressourcen-Bereitstellung und eine Konzentration von mentaler Aktivität. Aufmerksamkeitswechsel kann als ein zweiphasiger Prozeß verstanden werden, der aus einer breiten Mobilisierung von Gedächtnis-Ressourcen besteht (angezeigt durch EEG-Theta), gefolgt von einer re-organisierenden Einengung neuronaler Aktivität (angezeigt durch langsames EEG-Alpha). Dieser Beitrag unterstützt die Annahme, daß die Analyse des gekoppelten Wechselspiels aus Mobilisierung und Konzentration in bestimmten Teilen der posterioren und anterioren Rindenregionen ein Schlüssel für das Verständnis von Aufmerksamkeitswechsel sein könnte.

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