Ambiguity and Scientific Authority

2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Panofsky ◽  
Catherine Bliss
Keyword(s):  
Social Order ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Racial Categories ◽  
Scientific Authority ◽  
Competing Demands ◽  
Limited Support ◽  
Bureaucratic Oversight ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Over Time

The molecularization of race thesis suggests geneticists are gaining greater authority to define human populations and differences, and they are doing so by increasingly defining them in terms of U.S. racial categories. Using a mixed methodology of a content analysis of articles published in Nature Genetics (in 1993, 2001, and 2009) and interviews, we explore geneticists’ population labeling practices. Geneticists use eight classification systems that follow racial, geographic, and ethnic logics of definition. We find limited support for racialization of classification. Use of quasi-racial “continental” terms has grown over time, but more surprising is the persistent and indiscriminate blending of classification schemes at the field level, the article level, and within-population labels. This blending has led the practical definition of “population” to become more ambiguous rather than standardized over time. Classificatory ambiguity serves several functions: it helps geneticists negotiate collaborations among researchers with competing demands, resist bureaucratic oversight, and build accountability with study populations. Far from being dysfunctional, we show the ambiguity of population definition is linked to geneticists’ efforts to build scientific authority. Our findings revise the long-standing theoretical link between scientific authority and standardization and social order. We find that scientific ambiguity can function to produce scientific authority.

Lash of the Tongue, Lash of the Whip

2019 ◽  
pp. 369-443
Author(s):  
Cécile Vidal
Keyword(s):  
New Orleans ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Free Blacks ◽  
Racial Categories ◽  
The Social ◽  
Military Systems ◽  
Over Time

This chapter looks simultaneously at the evolution of the language of race and at the racialization of both the judicial and military systems to analyze how racial categories were formed, inhabited, and transformed over time in French New Orleans. The representations of the social order that fueled the language of race both informed and were shaped not only by a discriminatory and violent royal justice that increasingly targeted slaves as the main offenders but also by the exclusion of free blacks from and then by their segregation within permanent militia units. When the Spanish took over the colony, they found a society in which race was more firmly embedded than at the beginning of the French period while fostering more tensions and contradictions.

The Distinction between [P] and [S]

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galen Strawson
Keyword(s):  
Personal Identity ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Legal Responsibility ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Over Time

This chapter examines the difference between John Locke's definition of a person [P], considered as a kind of thing, and his definition of a subject of experience of a certain sophisticated sort [S]. It first discusses the equation [P] = [S], where [S] is assumed to be a continuing thing that is able to survive radical change of substantial realization, as well as Locke's position about consciousness in relation to [P]'s identity or existence over time as [S]. It argues that Locke is not guilty of circularity because he is not proposing consciousness as the determinant of [S]'s identity over time, but only of [S]'s moral and legal responsibility over time. Finally, it suggests that the terms “Person” and “Personal identity” pull apart, in Locke's scheme of things, but in a perfectly coherent way.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE JUDICIAL DEFINITION OF MATERIALITY

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
LuAnn Bean ◽  
Deborah W. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Court Cases ◽  
Accounting Profession ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Over Time

Determining what should be considered a material item has been a problem for both the accounting profession and the courts. By reviewing the court cases involving the issue of materiality, the authors have determined where differences in the materiality standard as applied by the courts exist. The judicial definition of materiality has developed over time, and current trends with important variations are observed. Based upon the authors' analysis, the following judicial definition of materiality, with its possible variations, is suggested: Would the reasonable (or speculative) investor (or layman) consider important (or be influenced by) this information in determining his course of action?

Decision Processes and Value Endogeneity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
James G. March
Keyword(s):  
Decision Processes ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Over Time ◽  
What Matters

Humans use reasons to shape and justify choices. In the process, trade-offs seem essential and often inevitable. But trade-offs involve comparisons, which are problematic both across values and especially over time. Reducing disparate values to a common metric (especially if that metric is money) is often problematic and unsatisfactory. Critically, it is not that values just shape choices, but that choices themselves shape values. This endogeneity of values makes an unconditional normative endorsement of modern decision-theoretic rationality unwise. This is a hard problem and there is no escaping the definition of good values, that is, those that make humans better. This removes the wall between economics and philosophy. If we are to adopt and enact this perspective, then greater discourse and debate on what matters and not just what counts will be useful and even indispensable.

scholarly journals Thematic Reclassifications and Emerging Sciences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaël Sandoz
Keyword(s):  
Classification Systems ◽  
Coherent System ◽  
Historical Evolution ◽  
Thematic Structure ◽  
Over Time

AbstractOver time, various thematic classifications have been put forward to organize science into a coherent system of specialized areas of research. From an analysis of the historical evolution of the criteria used to distinguish the sciences from one another, I propose in this paper a quadripartite typology for the different thematic classification systems propounded by scholars throughout the centuries. Basically, I argue that the criteria used to differentiate the sciences have been alternately drawn from their respective subject matters, kinds of knowledge, methods and aims. Then, I show that several reclassifications occurred in the thematic structure of science. Finally, I argue that such changes in the structure of learning displaced the modalities of contact between the objects, knowledge, methods and aims of the various branches of science, with the result of outlining reshaped intellectual territories conducive to the emergence of new areas of research.

The Effect of Frames on Personal Narratives of Bullying Memories

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412110063
Author(s):  
Abigail M. Stark ◽  
Olivia H. Tousignant ◽  
Gary D. Fireman
Keyword(s):  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Personal Narratives ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Emotion Words ◽  
Bullying Experiences ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Past Experiences

Research demonstrates the malleability of memory; a dynamic process that occurs across development and can be influenced by internal and external frames. Narratives of past experiences represent one modality of understanding how memories are influenced by these frames. The present experimental study examines how memories of bullying are affected by two distinct yet common cultural frames. College students ( n = 92) were randomly assigned to one of two groups; one with a definition of bullying framing the experience in terms of resilience and one framing it in terms of negative psychosocial effects. Participants then wrote about a remembered experience with bullying. The researchers coded the narratives for coping strategies used in response to bullying as well as for positive or negative emotion words and story endings. The results demonstrated statistically significant differences between groups in the ways bullying experiences were remembered and described. Participants in the Resiliency Group more often had positive endings to their bullying narratives and used more coping skills and positive emotion words overall. The implications of a subtle frame influencing memories of bullying and its relation to development, identity, social order, peer relationships, and resilience are discussed.

scholarly journals Are We Closer to International Consensus on the Term ‘Food Literacy’?: A Systematic Scoping Review of Its Use in the Academic Literature (1998–2019)

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2006
Author(s):  
Courtney Thompson ◽  
Jean Adams ◽  
Helen Anna Vidgen
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Original Research ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Review Articles ◽  
Article Type ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Over Time

(1) Background: The term ‘food literacy’ has gained momentum globally; however, a lack of clarity around its definition has resulted in inconsistencies in use of the term. Therefore, the objective was to conduct a systematic scoping review to describe the use, reach, application and definitions of the term ‘food literacy’ over time. (2) Methods: A search was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines in seven research databases without any date limitations up to 31 December 2019, searching simply for use of the term ‘food literacy’. (3) Results: Five hundred and forty-nine studies were included. The term ‘food literacy’ was used once in 243 articles (44%) and mentioned by researchers working in 41 countries. Original research was the most common article type (n = 429, 78%). Food literacy was published across 72 In Cites disciplines, with 456 (83%) articles from the last 5 years. In articles about food literacy (n = 82, 15%), review articles were twice as prevalent compared to the total number of articles (n = 10, 12% vs. n = 32, 6%). Fifty-one different definitions of food literacy were cited. (4) Conclusions: ‘Food literacy’ has been used frequently and broadly across differing article types and disciplines in academic literature internationally. However, agreement on a standardised definition of food literacy endorsed by a peak international agency is needed in order to progress the field.

scholarly journals What is professionalism in occupational therapy? A concept analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742199437
Author(s):  
Alexandra Lecours ◽  
Nancy Baril ◽  
Marie-Josée Drolet
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Concept Analysis ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Analysis Design ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Extract Information

Background. Professionalism has been given different definitions over time. These are, commonly theoretical and difficult to operationalize. Purpose. This study aimed to provide an operational definition of the concept of professionalism in occupational therapy. Method. Based on a concept analysis design, a meta-narrative review was conducted to extract information from 30 occupational therapy manuscripts. Findings. Professionalism is a complex competence defined by the manifestation of distinct attitudes and behaviours that support excellence in the occupational therapy practice. In addition, professionalism is forged and evolves according to personal and environmental characteristics. The manifestation of professionalism can lead to positive consequences for occupational therapists, clients, and the discipline, notably contributing to a positive and strong professional identity. Moreover, professionalism is also subject to cultural influences, which leads to variations in its development, manifestations, and consequences. Implications. This study offers a contemporary operational definition of professionalism and levers to promote its development and maintenance.

scholarly journals “I know it when I hear it”

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 205920431878458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Larrouy-Maestri
Keyword(s):  
Musical Training ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Repetition Effect ◽  
Large Individual ◽  
Task Repetition ◽  
Musical Performances ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Consistency ◽  
Effect Experiment ◽  
Over Time

Listeners regularly judge the accuracy of musical performances. However, as is true for several types of judgments (e.g., beauty or obscenity), estimating the correctness of melodies is not based on a precise definition of the object/performance but rather follows arguments such as “I know it when I hear it”. In order to clarify the definition of correctness in melodies, participants identified parametrically manipulated sung melodies as in-tune or out-of-tune, using the method of limits procedure (Experiment 1). Listeners’ tolerance with regard to mistuning was compared across melodies (Experiment 2). The potential roots of correctness perception were investigated by testing the effect of familiarity, the influence of formal musical training (Experiment 3), and the task repetition effect (Experiment 4). The results highlight a surprisingly small tolerance with regard to mistuning (half of a quarter tone), whatever the melodic context, large individual differences, but high consistency over time. This high sensitivity was mainly modulated by musical training as well as by previous exposure. In addition to defining the boundary between in- and out-of-tune melodies, this study supports the implicit development of the normative notion of “correctness” as a category that might drive listeners’ appreciation of artistic performances.

GENETICS AND METABOLISM

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1960 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-571
Author(s):  
Barton Childs
Keyword(s):  
Mutant Gene ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Affected Patient ◽  
Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽  
Genetic Determination ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Genetically Determined ◽  
Or Genes

IT IS the part of wisdom when about to give a dissertation which one hopes will at once instruct and entertain, to provide at the outset some definition of the subject matter. Genetics is the study of the heritable components of variation; the heritable factors which determine the range or extent of diversity. So, genetics is concerned with heritable differences and likenesses between individuals and between species. One emphasizes the differences because one can be certain of genetic determination of a particular characteristic only when it exists in a population in two or more alternative forms. It is the variants which catch the eye and hold the attention of the investigator, and which by their presence suggest more than one form of the gene or genes which determine that particular characteristic. I would like in what follows to present some examples of investigations of some aspects of genetics in human populations. ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA Several years ago Dr. Melvin Grumbach and I studied the genetics of adrenal hyperplasia, using as our material the patients of Dr. Lawson Wilkins. Since the disease occurs in more than one member of a sibship and since parents are unaffected, we suspected that it was genetically determined and that the affected patient possessed a double dose of a mutant gene; that is, the characteristic was recessive.

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