The Absolute State of Mind in Society and the Individual

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Figlio
2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Mitchener-Nissen

When assessing any security technology which impacts upon privacy, whether this constitutes a new technology or the novel application of existing technologies, we should do so by examining the combined effect of all security interventions currently employed within a society. This contrasts with the prevailing system whereby the impact of a new security technology is predominantly assessed on an individual basis by a subjective balancing of the security benefits of that technology against any reductions in concomitant rights, such as privacy and liberty. I contend that by continuing to focus on the individual effect, as opposed to the combined effects, of security technologies within a society the likelihood of sleep-walking into (or indeed waking-up in) an absolute surveillance society moves from a possible future to the logically inevitable future. This conclusion is based on two underlying assertions. Firstly that assessing a technology often entails a judgement of whether any loss in privacy is legitimised by a justifiable increase in security; however one fundamental difference between these two rights is that privacy is a finite resource with identifiable end-states (i.e. absolute privacy through to the absolute absence of privacy) whereas security does not have two finite end-states (while there exists the absolute absence of security, absolute security is an unobtainable yet desired goal). The second assertion, which relies upon the validity of the first, holds that one consequence of absolute security being unobtainable yet desirable is that new security interventions will continuously be developed, each potentially trading a small measure of privacy for a small rise in security. Examined individually each intervention may constitute a justifiable trade-off. However this approach of combining interventions in the search for ever greater security will ultimately reduce privacy to zero.


Author(s):  
N. Makarchuk ◽  
A. Stus

The problem of the personal self-regulation and state of mind functioning are extremely relevant in the modern context. Ukraine’s reform contributions, which sometimes have a total and demonstrative nature, do not have enough constructive influence on the functioning of the individual, both in its internal dimensions of reality, and the implementation of its own professional work and stay in the professional environment. The article presents the results of research on the problem of frustration, describes the specifics of personal self-regulation and its types, based on the existing ability to understand the frustration, on the indicators of social and personal frustration. The frustration study was done in the context of its theoretical foundation and an empirical study of its state on a sample of adults. This gave grounds to establish multifunctional nature of frustration. It is about its specificity as a component of professional activity (activity context) and professional environment (interpersonal context). The necessity to prevent frustration in a professional team has been convincingly proved. It was determined that the object of the prevention should be reflection as a psychological mechanism of the awareness formation of the frustration by personality and the ability to establish its influence on professional activity and professional implementation in a professional environment. Along with this, the uncertainty, as a result of social frustration, and personal frustration, as the interdependence between the motivation of the individual, its relation to one’s own needs and desires and, as a consequence, the ability to search for one’s own social purpose.


2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
Jerzy Kosiewicz

Abstract In the presented text the author points out to anthropological as well as axiological foundations of the boxing fight from the viewpoint of Hegel’s philosophy. In the genial idealist’s views it is possible to perceive the appreciation of the body, which constitutes a necessary basis for the man’s physical activity, for his work oriented towards the self-transformation and the transformation of the external world, as well as for rivalry and the hand-to-hand fight. While focusing our attention on the issue of rivalry and on the situation of the fight - and regarding it from the viewpoint of the master - slave theory (included in the phenomenology of spirit), it is possible to proclaim that even a conventionalised boxing fight - that is, restricted by cultural and sports rules of the game - has features of the fight to the death between two Hegelian forms of selfknowledge striving for self-affirmation and self-realisation. In the boxing fight, similarly as in the above mentioned Hegelian theory, a problem of work and of the development of the human individual (that is, of the subject, self-knowledge, the participant of the fight) appears. There appears also a prospect of death as a possible end of merciless rivalry. The fight revalues the human way in an important way, whereas the prospect for death, the awareness of its proximity, the feeling that its close and possible, saturates the life with additional values. It places the boxer, just like every subject fighting in a similar or a different way, on the path towards absolute abstraction - that is, it brings him closer to his self-fulfilment in the Absolute, to the absolute synthesis. The Hegelian viewpoint enables also to appreciate the boxing fight as a manifestation of low culture (being in contrast with high culture), to turn attention to the relations which - according to Hegel - take place between the Absolute and the man, as well as to show which place is occupied by the subject both in the process of the Absolute’s self-realisation and in the German thinker’s philosophical system. Independently of the dialectical, simultaneously pessimistic and optimistic overtone of considerations connected with the very boxing fight (regarding destruction and spiritualisation on a higher level), it is possible to perceive farreaching appreciation of the human individual in Hegel’s philosophy since the Absolute cannot make its own self-affirmation without the individual, without the human body, without the fight aimed at the destruction of the enemy and without the subjective consciousness and the collective consciousness which appear thanks to this fight. Thus, it is justified to suppose that the foundation of the whole Hegel’s philosophy is constituted by anthropology and that in the framework of this anthropology a special role is played by the fight and by work, which changes the subject and his(her) environment. Admittedly Hegel does not emphasise it explicitly, nevertheless his views (with their centre, which, according to Hegel himself and his interpreters, is constituted by the Absolute) have, as a matter of fact, an anthropocentric character and the main source of the subject’s development is the struggle which, irrespectively of its result, always primarily leads to the destruction or even to the death of one of the sides, just like in the boxing fight. However, it is also a germ of the positive re-orientation of the subject, the beginning and a continuation of that what the phenomenology of the spirit describes as a movement towards absolute abstraction.


1995 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 382-382
Author(s):  
Yu.B. Kolesnik

15 catalogues produced in the eighties and 12 catalogues of the sixties-seventies have been used to assess the consistency of the FK5 system with observations in the declination zone from −30° to 30°. Positions of the FK4-based catalogues have been transformed at the equinox and equator J2000.0. Classical δ-dependent and α-dependent systematic differences (Cat-FK5) have been formed for individual instrumental systems of the catalogues by a method close to the classical Numerical Method. The weighted mean instrumental systems for the two subsets of catalogues centered at the epochs 1970 (MIS 60–70) and 1987 (MIS 80) and for all types of systematic differences have been constructed. The mean errors of the total systematic differences in α and δ have been estimated as 14 mas and 21 mas, respectively, for the catalogues of the 60-70ies, and 10 mas in both α and δ for the catalogues of the 80ies.It has been found that the mutual consistency of individual instrumental systems of catalogues of the 80ies with respect to δ-dependent systematic differences is superior by the factor 1.5 comparing with the catalogues of 60-70ies, while the consistency of both catalogue selections with respect to α-dependent systematic differences is comparable. Random accuracy of the FK5 positions and proper motions at the epochs under analysis has been assessed as close to expected from the formal considerations. Actual systematic discrepancies of the FK5 with observations at the respective epochs have been detected. For systematic differences δαδ cosδ and δδδ, the absolute deviations of the MIS 80 are, in general, within 40 mas, those of the MIS 60-70 are within 30 mas. For systematic differences δαα cosδ and δδα, the absolute deviations reach 30-40 mas for both MIS. For total systematic differences, local deformations of the FK5 system in the equatorial zone in both right ascension and declination has been found exceeding expected ones from the formal errors of the FK5 system by a factor about 1.5 for the MIS 60-70, and by a factor about 2 for the MIS 80. Consistency in area distribution between both MIS for the total systematic differences δαcosδ has been detected. Quick degradation of the FK5 system with time due to optimistic estimation of the errors of its proper motion system is supposed to be one of the main causes of its discrepancies with observations. The results in declination are recognized to be less reliable due to larger inconsistency of the individual instrumental systems.Before the next space astrometric mission will be realized, ground-based observations will continue to be the only available check of an external systematic accuracy of the HIPPARCOS catalogue. Evidently, random and, possibly, systematic accuracy of each individual catalogue observed from the Earth surface would be inferior to that of the HIPPARCOS catalogue. Taken as an ensemble, however, a certain selection of catalogues might give a rather definite idea about the actual distortions of the HIPPARCOS system. This study shows to which level of accuracy such ensembles of different selections of catalogues might check the HIPPARCOS system in the equatorial zone. The analysis of the FK5 gives also an idea about levels of random and systematic discrepancies which may be expected in the equatorial zone when the HIPPARCOS catalogue will be compared with the FK5 at different epochs.


1926 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Helen Miller Noyes ◽  
I. Lorberblatt ◽  
K. George Falk

The hydrolyzing actions of various preparations of the adult eel were studied on ten esters in the usual way. The results are presented in the form of curves for the relative actions and in a table for the absolute actions obtained in one complete experiment. The separation of the enzyme material in some cases into an active portion and a co-enzyme, the mixture showing greater actions on some esters than the sums of the individual actions, is described and discussed.


Author(s):  
Denver E. Severt ◽  
Asli D.A. Tasci

Purpose Tourism activities inherently include the liminoid state of mind that impels people to go out of ordinary behavior, some of which is inversionary. The purpose of this paper is to explore travelers’ cruise behavior as related to their needs while entering and experiencing a cruise trip. Design/methodology/approach A total of 395 vacationers were sampled and surveyed about their selected top three factors for cruising, motivations for cruising and needs while cruising. The sample was grouped into inversioners and rejuvenators to see if there was any evidence of liminoid behavior in cruising needs and what they may be. Findings The results show that the important reasons to choose cruises for vacation are aligned with past literature showing that people choose cruises for vacation mostly for the good value of the food and beverage bundled with good climate, entertainment appropriate for quality time with family and for rest and relaxation. In addition, the results on motivations to go on a cruise show that lower-level needs on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs have more importance than the higher-level needs. Research limitations/implications The current study was conducted on an online platform. Future research with panels of cruise travelers across all the stages of liminoid behavior, before, during and after a cruise trip, may provide valuable findings in terms of changes in needs and motivations. Practical implications The inversionary tendency of cruise travelers implies for the cruise industry the need to create an alternative (or inversionary) routine restoring the basic needs, while still providing enough opportunities for self-actualization that may foster balanced travel experiences for human growth and development. Providing a more balanced product and service offering may be strategic for the cruise companies because the activities geared for higher-level needs may provide memorable experiences and hence induce consumer loyalty after the trip is completed. Social implications The focus on eating and drinking during cruises may be providing cruise travelers with instant gratification during the span of the cruise. However, the consequences for the individual travelers, the industry, destinations and the environment may not be as gratifying. For a more responsible tourism, cruise travel may need an image makeover highlighting different packages within a cruise to better align with the desired needs of different segments of cruisers. Originality/value The study contributes to the understanding of the second or “transition” stage in liminal theory in tourism and is one of the first to examine the liminoid state of mind using a basic-needs approach for studying cruise traveler needs. Further, it contributes by exploring liminoid behavior of a group of people in the context of the same type of travel, cruise, rather than investigating liminoid behavior across different types of travel, thus allowing segmentation possibilities for the cruise industry.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
pp. 171-184
Author(s):  
Luc Vincenti ◽  

Fichte’s ethics changed in many ways between 1794 and 1812: in the first place spiritual life replaced the transformation of nature; individual supersession was radicalized; and ethics was linked with first philosophy. In 1812 it was no longer a matter of inflecting natural necessity by means of the model image of an ideal world (Vorbild). The theme of image reappears as an externalizing of absolute life. Ethical action becomes a moment of this manifestation: a return to unity, following the process of fragmentation of the originary phenomenon (the I or the I-one), into an infinity of individual I’s. This fragmentation is fondamental: life is self-consciousness only in this individual form. The ethical act manifests the concept or image of God with the self-annihilation of individuality. Fichte had already written, in part XI of the Second Introduction, that the I, “only reasonnable”, “is no longer an individual”, and in the first Sittenlehre, § 18 : “We are all supposed to act identically”. Fichte’s final Ethics thus does not radicalize the supersession of the individual. It defines the rational individual by this supersession of himself [or herself], making ethics into a moment [stage] of the absolute life. The matter is not to merge the individual into the whole, but to partake in a living order, in the activity of the whole, which reaches out to each of its members, only to return to the first unity, by forming the whole as such.De 1794 à 1812, l’éthique de Fichte connaît plusieurs évolutions : abandon de la transformation de la nature au profit de la vie spirituelle, radicalisation du dépassement de l’individu, et rapprochement entre éthique et philosophie première. En 1812 il n’est plus question d’infléchir la nécessité naturelle par l’image modeèe (Vorbild) d’un monde idéal. La thématique de l’image apparaît comme extériorisation de la vie absolue. L’action éthique devient un moment de cette manifestation : le retour vers l’un, au terme d’un morcellement du phénomène originaire (le »Moi« ou »Moi un«) en une infinité de Moi(s) individuels. Cette diffraction est essentielle : la vie ne peut être consciente d’elle-même que dans cette forme individuelle. L’agir éthique manifeste le concept ou l’image de Dieu en anéantissant l’individualité. Mais la XIe section de la Seconde Introduction précisait déjà, que dans le monde moral, le Moi »uniquement raisonnable«, »a cessé d’être un individu« et dans la première Sittenlehre, § 18, Fichte écrivait : »Nous devons tous agir de la même manière«. L’éthique tardive ne radicalise donc pas le dépassement de l’individu. Elle définit l’individu rationnel par le dépassement de soi, en faisant de l’éthique un moment de la vie absolue. La question est donc moins de fondre l’individu dans un tout que de participer à un ordre vivant, à l’activité du tout qui va jusqu’à chacun des membres pour revenir vers l’unité première en constituant la totalité comme telle.


Author(s):  
Imad M. Khan ◽  
Kurt S. Anderson

In this paper, we investigate the absolute nodal coordinate finite element (FE) formulations for modeling multi-flexible-body systems in a divide-and-conquer framework. Large elastic deformations in the individual components (beams and plates) are modeled using the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF). The divide-and-conquer algorithm (DCA) is utilized to model the constraints arising due to kinematic joints between the flexible components. We develop necessary equations of the new algorithm and present numerical examples to test and validate the method.


1971 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Waterbolk

C-14 datings can not only provide us with estimates of the absolute age of objects or occupation layers, but also, when available in sufficient numbers, with initial and terminal datings for cultural phases, thus defining their duration. The value of this is obvious: differential duration in different areas can at last provide definitive answers to long-disputed questions concerning the direction of cultural movement.Working with large numbers of C-14 dates is, however, not entirely free of problems. We are, for example, regularly confronted with larger differences between datings expected to be of similar age than can be accounted for by mere statistical error (Vogel, 1969a) or which can be explained by contamination or other simple causes. One can stop at this point and accept a limited testimonial value for C-14 dates (e.g. Steuer and Tempel, 1968), or one can try to go further by calculating average dates, assuming (for the most part incorrectly) that the chance of a date being too young is equal to its chance of being too old (Neustupný, 1968). The danger in this procedure is that one loses sight of the individual character of each determination: in fact one sample is much more securely associated and more closely contemporary with finds of a particular cultural phase than another, and the chance of contamination or admixture is different for each sample.Another problem is that the number of C-14 dates that one must take into consideration is often so large that they cannot be digested without some form of graphic presentation, and for this there is as yet no uniformity of practice.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne O’Donohue ◽  
Lindsay Nelson

Purpose – This study aims to re-examine the concept of alienation, particularly from the perspective of existential psychology. While research interest continues to centre on links between human resource management (HRM) and organizational performance, such as in studies by Beer et al. (1984), Huselid (1995), Becker and Gerhart (1996) and Guest (2011), there is a growing interest in individual attributes such as employee well-being in addition to organizational performance, as mentioned in studies by Macky and Boxall (2007), Wood and de Menezes (2011) and Guest and Conway (2011). In this paper, we focus on issues related to the individual, and in doing so we suggest that HRM theory needs further development, as pointed out by Guest (2011). Design/methodology/approach – This is a paper in the tradition of critical theory that draws on both classical and modern research in the business and psychology literature. It outlines the development of the concept of alienation from its classic articulation by Marx through to the perspective offered by existential psychologists such as Blauner (1964). How alienation, thus, defined might manifest in the workplace is then discussed, as are its links to other concepts associated in the literature with positive and negative work experiences is presented. Findings – We argue that alienation needs to be addressed at two levels, namely, at the systemic level, in terms of factors external to the individual such as work and organizational systems and processes, and in terms of factors internal to the individual’s “state of mind”. We offer strategies for management to consider counterbalancing the negative effects of residual feelings of powerlessness, meaninglessness, isolation and self-estrangement that systemic change is unable to eliminate. Originality/value – The paper refocuses attention on the individual within the context of HRM, the effects of alienation and other outcomes of positive and negative work experiences such as work engagement and job burnout.


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