scholarly journals Questioning the ‘Anthropos’ in the Anthropocene: Is the Anthropocene Anthropocentric?

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 01040
Author(s):  
Rangga Kala Mahaswa ◽  
Agung Widhianto
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Causal Power ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Scientific Concept ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Philosophical Approach ◽  
Social Sciences And Humanities ◽  
Speculative Realism ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Ontological Turn

The word ‘Anthropocene’ has been controversial scientific concept, to name a new geological epoch that situates ‘Anthropos’ or ‘Man’ as an actor changing geological structure, altering the Earth system, and also making in unpredictable planetary changes. Criticism of the Anthropocene is based on Holocene's formal ratification rather than the Anthropocene findings. In addition, this paper will argue a realism philosophical approach though that the Anthropocene is not merely scientific speculation. This paper provides an ontological justification for humanity’s causal power in geological time based on Bhaskar’s critical realism and Graham’s speculative realism. This ontological turn will be a ‘new conceptual ground’ to define the Anthropocene without being imprisoned in ‘Anthropocentrism’ and will contribute to other fields, such as social sciences and humanities, to remake their understanding of the Anthropocene. Therefore, the result will be able to strengthen the Anthropocene ratification indirectly.

Agency, Structure and Causality in Political Science: A Comment on Sibeon

Politics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Political Science ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Recent Contribution ◽  
Ontological Commitments ◽  
Political Analysis ◽  
The Social ◽  
Ontological Turn

Researchers in political science are devoting increasing attention to the ontological commitments of their theories – that is, to what those theories presuppose about the nature of the political world. This article focuses on a recent contribution to this ‘ontological turn’ in political science ( Sibeon, 1999 ). Tensions are identified in Sibeon's account of the causal interplay between agency and social structure. It is argued that these tensions can be resolved by reflecting explicitly on ontological issues, in particular the causal efficacy of social structure, using a particular approach to the philosophy of the social sciences known as critical realism. The value of such reflection for the explanatory power of political analysis is highlighted.

scholarly journals Hand-arm vibration management: an operational health and safety strategy framework

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David John Edwards ◽  
Igor Martek ◽  
Obuks Ejohwomu ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa ◽  
M. Reza Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Philosophical Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach

PurposeHuman vibration exposure from hand-operated equipment emissions can lead to irreparable and debilitating hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). While work-place health and well-being (H&WB) policies, strategies and procedures have been extensively researched and documented, little has been done to develop a specific strategic framework tailored to the management of hand-arm vibration (HAV). This study fills that gap.Design/methodology/approachA mixed philosophical approach of interpretivism and critical realism is adopted within a case study of a utilities contractor. Within this overarching epistemological design, action research approach is implemented via a three-stage investigation, namely, relevant company H&WB documents and procedures were examined, leading to the formulation of semi-structured interview questioning of the H&WB team. Their responses informed the next line of questions, delivered to middle-management responsible for overseeing H&S.FindingsThe findings are instructive in revealing that while substantial documentation management (augmented with protocols and checks) was in place, the system fell short of implementation within the workforce and thus failed to preserve worker H&WB. The investigation generated recommendations for shoring up H&WB deficiencies observed and developed a theoretical model to represent these. Though these recommendations were developed in response to a specific case, they form the core of a HAV operational H&WB strategy framework with applicability over a broader context.Originality/valueThis research provides unique insight into contemporary industry practices employed to manage HAV in the workplace and represents an invaluable opportunity to learn from prevailing practices and rectify deficiencies observed.

Pengantar Geofisika

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Syukri ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Magnetic Method ◽  
Scientific Concept ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Study Program ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Engineering Study ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Study Programs ◽  
The Relationship

This introductory book on Geophysics was created to support teaching materials for basic subjects in the Geophysical Engineering Study Program, Physics Study Program, and related Study Programs in addition to other major books. This book introduces the basics of the earth and the structure of the earth, as well as the layers of the earth globally. Furthermore, it is also shown how the relationship between geophysics and other related branches of science within the sphere of geoscience. So that each scientific concept is clearly distinguished, although sometimes there is a very close relationship. In another section, various geophysical methods are described, starting from the basic theory, working principles, approaches and applications. All physical parameters that are applied from each discussion such as seismic method, geoelectric method and IP, gravity method, georadar method, and magnetic method. The hope is that this book can provide benefits for readers and enthusiasts of geoscience.

Introduction

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Berner
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Carbon Cycle ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Quaternary Period ◽  
Geological Time Scale ◽  
The Earth

The cycle of carbon is essential to the maintenance of life, to climate, and to the composition of the atmosphere and oceans. What is normally thought of as the “carbon cycle” is the transfer of carbon between the atmosphere, the oceans, and life. This is not the subject of interest of this book. To understand this apparently confusing statement, it is necessary to separate the carbon cycle into two cycles: the short-term cycle and the long-term cycle. The “carbon cycle,” as most people understand it, is represented in figure 1.1. Carbon dioxide is taken up via photosynthesis by green plants on the continents or phytoplankton in the ocean. On land carbon is transferred to soils by the dropping of leaves, root growth, and respiration, the death of plants, and the development of soil biota. Land herbivores eat the plants, and carnivores eat the herbivores. In the oceans the phytoplankton are eaten by zooplankton that are in turn eaten by larger and larger organisms. The plants, plankton, and animals respire CO2. Upon death the plants and animals are decomposed by microorganisms with the ultimate production of CO2. Carbon dioxide is exchanged between the oceans and atmosphere, and dissolved organic matter is carried in solution by rivers from soils to the sea. This all constitutes the shortterm carbon cycle. The word “short-term” is used because the characteristic times for transferring carbon between reservoirs range from days to tens of thousands of years. Because the earth is more than four billion years old, this is short on a geological time scale. As the short-term cycle proceeds, concentrations of the two principal atmospheric gases, CO2 and CH4, can change as a result of perturbations of the cycle. Because these two are both greenhouse gases—in other words, they adsorb outgoing infrared radiation from the earth surface—changes in their concentrations can involve global warming and cooling over centuries and many millennia. Such changes have accompanied global climate change over the Quaternary period (past 2 million years), although other factors, such as variations in the receipt of solar radiation due to changes in characteristics of the earth’s orbit, have also contributed to climate change.

scholarly journals V.—Note on the Geographical Distribution of Volcanos

1880 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 166-170
Author(s):  
J. Milne
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Primary Result ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Secondary Results

From what we know about the cooling of the earth and its geological structure, it would seem very probable that the principal features which we now see upon the surface of our planet, as, for instance, the continents and ocean-beds, received their forms in very early times, being, in fact, more or less a primary result of contraction. Since the formation of these impressions, contractions have continued to take place, and secondary results have come about, the character of which would appear in a great measure to be dependent upon the primary results by which they were preceded. Amongst the secondary results I would point to the position occupied by many volcanos.

Multiple dichotomies of the Anthropocene

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney J Autin
Keyword(s):  
Popular Culture ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Modern Literature ◽  
Formal Definition ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
System Benefit

Anthropocene has developed a varied set of connotations among scientific and non-scientific advocates. As a result, multiple dichotomies of the Anthropocene exist within various scholarly disciplines. The Anthropocene allows people to reinforce and perpetuate preferred views about the implications of human interaction with the Earth System as our management of the environment is called into question. Scientific dichotomies arise from opinions about the need for formal or informal definition and the recognition of a modern versus historical onset of the Anthropocene. Philosophical dichotomies center around good versus dystopian outcomes of Anthropocene and whether or not humanity is part of what historically has been called nature. Political dichotomies insert Anthropocene into classic conservative versus liberal arguments. Artistic dichotomies tend to evaluate the effects of technology on modernism by embracing a nostalgia for the past or projecting an apocalyptic future. Multiple dichotomies drive conversation towards confusion as individuals argue preferred versions of an Anthropocene concept. Philosophical and political perspectives are affecting scientific views of proposed geological time markers for the start of the Anthropocene as conceptual ideologies appear to compete with tangible stratigraphic attributes. Formal definition of the Anthropocene has potential to inhibit popular usage and further confuse an already confused media. Informal stratigraphic usage by scientists and an open-ended view among non-scientific proponents may be the best approach to formulate a robust Anthropocene message. Both humanity and the Earth System benefit from a dynamic tag line that enhances environmental awareness and provides opportunity to modify our habits of resource overuse and ecosystem neglect. Concepts and imagery offered in the form of modern literature and art have the greatest prospect of affecting popular culture perspectives of the Anthropocene’s role in environmental debate.

scholarly journals II.—The Circulation of Salt and Geological Time

1901 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 344-350
Author(s):  
J. Joly
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Considerable Error ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Geological Age ◽  
Considerable Length ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Made In ◽  
Geological Magazine

From time to time I have received from correspondents suggestions that the method of determining the geological age of the Earth by the rate of solvent denudation of sodium might be open to considerable error if the allowance made in my paper (Trans. R.D.S., ser. ii, vol. vii), for sodium chloride carried from the sea by winds and washed from the atmosphere by rain, was seriously at fault. These suggestions arise from incomplete study of the quantities involved. Had more space been given in my paper to this question, the hasty criticisms I have had to contend with, doubtless, would be less often advanced. The whole matter is capable of the simplest arithmetical statement, and the limit of error arising from this source easily defined. Recently one gentleman has written at considerable length on the matter in the pages of the Chemical News. I have replied to Mr. Ackroyd in that journal. But the definition of the limit of error referred to, and the consideration of some other points raised in the discussion, are more in place in a geological than in a chemical journal. I would therefore seek for space in the Geological Magazine wherein to repeat in part what I have said in the Chemical News, adding some matters more especially suited to geological readers.

Geological Time Versus Astronomical Time: Are Scientific Theories Falsifiable?

1989 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norriss Hetherington
Keyword(s):  
General Relativity ◽  
Homogeneous Model ◽  
Scientific Theories ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Astronomical Observations ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Geological Age ◽  
Astronomical Time ◽  
Edwin Hubble ◽  
The Universe

During the 1930s when a relativistic, expanding, homogeneous model of the universe lead to an age for the universe embarrassingly less than the geological age of the earth, the astronomer Edwin Hubble, influenced by philosophical values, persisted in his support for a theory in conflict with observation and prediction. Notwithstanding well attested and unrefutable evidence of geological time, and various astronomical observations as well, the theory of a homogeneous, expanding universe of general relativity proved, in practice, not falsifiable.

scholarly journals I.—Measurement of Geological Time

1893 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 97-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Mellard Reade
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Condition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Other Hand

Many ways of measuring geological time have been attempted by various geologists of eminence; but however diverse their methods, so far as I know, all finally hinge upon either the rates of denudation or accumulation. It is urged as an objection to this that in past ages such actions have gone on more rapidly, and therefore the calculations based upon present rates are valueless. Physicists on the other hand have sought to put a limit to the age of the earth much below what geologists generally demand. Reasoning from certain data which are necessarily more or less hypothetical, they say, that from the thermal condition of the globe at present, it cannot be more than from ten to twenty million years since it was at a temperature in which life on it would have been impossible. Geologists can hardly be blamed if they attach greater weight to their own observations and data and to reasoning that is more familiar and appears more certain and satisfactory to their minds.

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