Bioethics Testimony: Untangling the Strands and Testing Their Reliability

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany J. Spielman
Keyword(s):  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Normative Ethics ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
A Chain

In The Abuse of Casuistry Jonsen and Toulmin describe one view of moral reasoning as follows:Those who take a rhetorical view of moral reasoning… do not assume that moral reasoning relies for its force on single chains of unbreakable deductions which link present cases back to some common starting point. Rather (they believe), this strength comes from accumulating many parallel, complementary considerations, which have to do with the current circumstances of the human individuals and communities involved and lend strength to our conclusions, not like links to a chain but like strands to a rope or roots to a tree.Whether or not all moral reasoning resembles “strands to a rope,” bioethics testimony certainly does. Bioethics testimony is eclectic, a composite of many loosely woven strands. Rarely, if ever, is bioethics testimony “a chain of unbreakable deductions.” Rarely is it “pure” ethics, much less pure normative ethics.

Through the Lens of the Adam Narrative: A Re-consideration of Sūrat al-Baqara

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.O. Klar
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Dominant Theme ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Lexical Items ◽  
A Chain

The thesis of a single pillar or axis around which the longer Medinan suras are structured has been highly influential in the field of sura unity, and scholarship on the structure and coherence of Sūrat al-Baqara has tended to work towards charting the progress of a dominant theme throughout the textual blocks that make up the sura. In order to achieve this, scholars have divided the sura into discrete blocks; many have posited a chain of lexical and thematic links from one block to the next; some have concentrated solely on the hinges and borders between these suggested textual blocks. The present article argues that such methods, while often in themselves illuminating, are by their very nature reductive. As such they can result in the oversight of important elements of the sura. From a starting point of the Adam pericope provided in Q. 2:30–9, this study will focus on the recurrence of a number of its lexical items throughout Sūrat al-Baqara. By methodically tracing the passage of repeated, loosely Fall-related, vocabulary, it will attempt to widen the contextual lens through which the sura's textual blocks are viewed, and establish a broader perspective on its coherence. Via a discussion of the themes of ‘gardens’, ‘parable’, ‘prostration’, ‘covenant’, ‘wrongdoing’ and finally ‘blindness’, this article will posit ‘garments’, not as a structural pillar, but as a pivot around which many of the repeated lexical items of the sura rotate.

Intermolecular Effects: I. The Constrained-Junction Model

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burak Erman ◽  
James E. Mark
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Free Energy ◽  
Tensile Strain ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Rigorous Derivation ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Link Model ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Network Modulus ◽  
Degree Of Entanglement

The classical theories of rubber elasticity presented in chapter 2 are based on a hypothetical chain which may pass freely through its neighbors as well as through itself. In a real chain, however, the volume of a segment is excluded to other segments belonging either to the same chain or to others in the network. Consequently, the uncrossability of chain contours by those occupying the same volume becomes an important factor. This chapter and the following one describe theoretical models treating departures from phantom-like behavior arising from the effect of entanglements, which result from this uncrossability of network chains. The chains in the un-cross-linked bulk polymer are highly entangled. These entanglements are permanently fixed once the chains are joined during formation of the network. The degree of entanglement, or degree of interpenetration, in a network is proportional to the number of chains sharing the volume occupied by a given chain. This is quite important, since the observed differences between experimental results on real networks and predictions of the phantom network theory may frequently be attributed to the effects of entanglements. The decrease in network modulus with increasing tensile strain or swelling is the best-known effect arising from deformation-dependent contributions from entanglements. The constrained-junction model presented in this chapter and the slip-link model presented in chapter 4 are both based on the postulate that, upon stretching, the space available to a chain along the direction of stretch is increased, thus resulting in an increase in the freedom of the chain to fluctuate. Similarly, swelling with a suitable diluent separates the chains from one another, decreasing their correlations with neighboring chains. Experimental data presented in figure 3.1 show that the modulus of a network does indeed decrease with both swelling and elongation, finally becoming independent of deformation, as should be the case for the modulus of a phantom network. Rigorous derivation of the modulus of a network from the elastic free energy for this case will be given in chapter 5. The starting point of the constrained-junction model presented in this chapter is the elastic free energy.

scholarly journals Duas fotografias em Austerlitz, de W. G. Sebald | Two photographs in Austerlitz, by W. G. Sebald

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-116
Author(s):  
Luciano Gatti
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Photographic Material ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Memory Experience ◽  
A Chain ◽  
The Relationship

O presente trabalho discute as relações entre literatura e fotografia em Austerlitz, de W. G. Sebald. Para fazer isso, como ponto de partida, observa-se a suposta oposição entre documento e ficção no emprego de material fotográfico feito por Sebald. Segundo a hipótese deste artigo, a função das fotografias deve ser compreendida a partir do mecanismo literário desenvolvido por Sebald para apresentar a investigação de seu protagonista a respeito de elementos de sua vida passada desconhecida. A pesquisa caracteriza tal procedimento como um “encadeamento de narradores” e, feito isso, debate sobre a função exercida pelas fotografias nas relações entre memória, narração e experiência.Palavras-chave: W. G. Sebald. Fotografia. Memória. Experiência.  AbstractThis article discusses the relationship between literature and photography in Austerlitz, by WG Sebald. In order to do that, as a starting point, we observe the supposed opposition between document and fiction in Sebald's use of photographic material. This study proposes that we may understand the role played by photographs in the book by means of the literary mechanism developed by Sebald to present the search of his protagonist for elements of his unknown past. The present article characterizes this procedure as a “chain of narrators” and, after that, discusses the role played by photographs in the relationships between memory, narration and experience.Keywords: W. G. Sebald. Photography. Memory. Experience. ORCIDhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3960-3610

scholarly journals PRENOVA SISTEMA ZA OSKRBO Z UNIFORMO V SLOVENSKI VOJSKI

2013 ◽  
pp. 43-61
Author(s):  
VALTER BOSOTINA ◽  
BRANKO LAVTAR
Keyword(s):  
Public Procurement ◽  
Rational Solution ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Military Equipment ◽  
The Past ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Body Scanner ◽  
Positive Results

V preteklosti je Slovenska vojska (SV) uporabljala različne načine zagotavljanja uniform in športne opreme. Trenutni centralizirani sistem za oskrbo z uniformo v SV ni učinkovit. V prispevku predstavljamo rezultate raziskave o vzrokih za njegovo neučinkovitost. Čeprav je vzrokov več, menimo, da sta dva bistvena: nezadostna finančna sredstva za nabavo potrebnih količin uniform in zapletenost postopkov javnega naročanja. Težave ne bi rešilo ponovno uvajanje intendantskih servisov v vojašnice SV. Centraliziran sistem oskrbe z uniformami v SV je edina racional- na rešitev in odgovor na ekonomske izzive. Prispevek ponuja ukrepe za odpravo ugotovljenih pomanjkljivosti in izboljšavo učinkovitosti sistema. Predlagamo tudi uvedbo točkovnega sistema dodeljevanja uniforme (že uveden v policijo in kaže pozitivne rezultate), oblikovanje mobilnega (potujočega) intendantskega servisa, nakup 3D-telesnega snemalnika ter vzpostavitev delovanja trgovine oziroma trgovin z vojaško opremo. Prispevek je namenjen širši javnosti, odgovornim osebam v SV pa ponuja izhodišče za odločanje o prenovi sistema oskrbe z uniformami v SV. In the past, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) used different methods of providing uniforms and sports equipment. The existing centralized uniform supply system, however, is not effective. The present paper presents the results of research, which focused on the causes for the inefficiency of the existing system. Despite a larger number of causes, we believe that there are two crucial ones: insufficient financial resources to purchase the necessary quantities of uniforms, and problems with the implementation of public procurement procedures. The reintroduction of commissa- ry services in the barracks would not solve the problem. Centralized uniform supply system in the SAF is the only rational solution and answer to the economic challen- ges. This article provides appropriate steps for the renovation of the uniform supply system in the SAF. The authors recommend the measures necessary to abolish the identified shortcomings and improve its effectiveness. We thus propose the introduc- tion of a debit points system for uniform allocation (already introduced in the police and showing positive results), the establishment of a mobile commissary service, the purchase of a 3D body scanner and the establishment of store or a chain of stores selling uniforms and military equipment. The article is mainly intended for the general public, but it provides the responsible authorities in the SAF with a starting point for the decision-making on the reform of the uniform-supply system.

Random walk on a sphere and on a Riemannian manifold

1960 ◽  
Vol 252 (1012) ◽  
pp. 317-356 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Random Walk ◽  
Riemannian Manifold ◽  
Formal Solution ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
One Step ◽  
A Chain ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Limiting Case ◽  
Complete Analogy ◽  
Common Eigenfunctions

A random walk on a sphere consists of a chain of random steps for which all directions from the starting point are equally probable, while the length a of the step is either fixed or subject to a given probability distribution p(a). The discussion allows the fixed length a or given distribution p(<x), to vary from one step of the chain to another. A simple formal solution is obtained for the distribution of the moving point after any random walk ; the simplicity depends on the fact that the individual steps commute and therefore have common eigenfunctions. Results are derived on the convergence of the eigenfunction expansion and on the asymptotic behaviour after a large number of random steps. The limiting case of diffusion is discussed in some detail and compared with the distribution propounded by Fisher (1953). The corresponding problem of random walk on a general Riemannian manifold is also attacked. It is shown that commutability does not hold in general, but that it does hold in completely harmonic spaces and in some others. In commutative spaces, complete analogy with the method employed for a sphere is found.

SCIENCE CANNOT DETERMINE HUMAN VALUES

Think ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (43) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Earp
Keyword(s):  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Moral Philosophy ◽  
Common Sense ◽  
Scientific Method ◽  
Human Values ◽  
Empirical Information ◽  
Moral Landscape ◽  
A Chain

Sam Harris, in his book The Moral Landscape, argues that ‘science can determine human values.’ Against this view, I argue that while secular moral philosophy can certainly help us to determine our values, science – at least as that word is commonly understood – must play a subservient role. To the extent that science can ‘determine’ what we ought to do, it is only by providing us with empirical information, which can then be slotted into a chain of deductive (moral) reasoning. The premises of such reasoning, however, can in no way be derived from the scientific method: they come, instead, from philosophy – and common sense.

Normative Ethics of Two Categories of Offenders

1983 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph L. Wolff ◽  
Kathi S. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Normative Ethics ◽  
Personality Measures ◽  
Intensive Supervision ◽  
Moral Content

Previous research has established that various measures of moral reasoning and axiological orientation are capable of differentiating criminal from noncriminal populations and between probationers convicted of various types of offenses. Traditional personality measures (such as the MMPI), by comparison, do not seem to discriminate so reliably. In the present study a new measure of moral reasoning, the Moral Content Components Test, was explored as a possible aid for the classification of probationers requiring different degrees of supervision. Two scales reliably distinguished probationers requiring regular or intensive supervision. It was concluded that the test has potential as an aid to probationary classification.

DISCRETE KNOTS

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (08) ◽  
pp. 1307-1321 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERNESTO BRIBIESCA
Keyword(s):  
Finite Length ◽  
Finite Alphabet ◽  
Orthogonal Direction ◽  
Chain Code ◽  
Line Segments ◽  
Direction Change ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
A Chain

A method for representing knots by means of a chain code is presented. Knots which are digitalized and represented by the orthogonal direction change chain code are called discrete knots. Discrete knots are composed of constant straight-line segments using only orthogonal directions. The chain elements represent the orthogonal direction changes of the constant straight-line segments of the discrete knot. There are only five possible orthogonal direction changes for representing any discrete knot. Thus, this chain code only considers relatives directions changes, which allows us to have a unique knot descriptor invariant under translation and rotation. Also, this knot descriptor may be starting point normalized. Finally, this unique knot descriptor produces a numerical string of finite length over a finite alphabet, allows us the usage of grammatical techniques for discrete-knot analysis. Thus, we present some prime discrete knot detection examples within composite discrete knots.

Mengzi and the Archimedean Point for Moral Life

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 74-90
Author(s):  
Xinyan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Moral Life ◽  
Moral Sentiments ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Ultimate Ground

“The Archimedean point for moral life” discussed in this article refers to the starting point of one’s moral reasoning and what ultimately makes moral life possible. The article intends to show that Mengzi’s doctrine of the Four Beginnings may throw some light on our search for such an Archimedean point. More specifically, it argues for the following: (1) Mengzi’s doctrine of the Four Beginnings actually takes moral sentiments as the Archimedean point for moral life; (2) Mengzi’s view of the starting point of moral reasoning and the ultimate ground for moral life not only can be empirically supported to a great extent, but also logically plausible.

scholarly journals Virtue vs. virtue ethics

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Halbig
Keyword(s):  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Normative Ethics ◽  
Adequate Theory ◽  
The Third ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Ethical Thinking

AbstractThe present article sets out to defend the thesis that among the more or less familiar enemies or challenges an adequate theory of virtue has to cope with is another, less obvious one – virtue ethics itself. The project of establishing virtue ethics as a third paradigm of normative ethics at eye level with consequentialism and deontological approaches to ethics threatens to distort not just our ethical thinking but the theory of virtue itself. A theory of virtue that is able to meet the demands of a full-blown virtue ethics necessarily has to face three fundamental dilemmas and thus seems to fail as an adequate theory of virtue. And vice versa: An ontologically and normatively viable theory of virtue will be unsuited to provide a promising starting point for virtue ethics as the “third kid on the block” among the options of self-standing paradigms of normative ethics.

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