scholarly journals Pragmatism as Problem Solving

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 237802312199399
Author(s):  
Monica Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Sociological Practice ◽  
American Sociology ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Logical Conclusion ◽  
The Face

At the level of sociological practice a three-sided debate occurs in American sociology between the rationalist tradition, in which the goal is the better understanding of society; the emancipatory tradition, in which the goal is improvement of society; and the skeptical tradition, which argues that we cannot know if either our knowledge or our norms are correct, and therefore it is not possible to expect progress in either. Each of these strands runs into difficulties: for the rationalist tradition, an inability to cumulate knowledge; for the emancipatory tradition, a difficulty in grounding the norms that would determine what counts as emancipation if norms are socially constructed; and for the skeptical tradition, inability to accept the logical conclusion of the argument, which is inaction even in the face of extreme injustice. The author shows that when pressed on these points, each tradition moves in the direction of pragmatism understood as problem solving, and that the practice of problem solving offers resolutions to these dilemmas.

scholarly journals Behavioral brittleness: the case for strategic behavioral public policy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Ruth Schmidt ◽  
Katelyn Stenger
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Contextual Cues ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Impact Problem

Abstract Despite widespread recognition that behavioral public policy (BPP) needs to move beyond nudging if the field is to achieve more significant impact, problem-solving approaches remain optimized to achieve tactical success and are evaluated by short-term metrics with the assumption of stable systems. As a result, current methodologies may contribute to the development of solutions that appear well formed but become ‘brittle’ in the face of more complex contexts if they fail to consider important contextual cues, broader system forces, and emergent conditions, which can take three distinct forms: contextual, systemic, and anticipatory brittleness. The Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination rollout present an opportunity to identify and correct interventional brittleness with a new methodological approach – strategic BPP (SBPP) – that can inform the creation of more resilient solutions by embracing more diverse forms of evidence and applied foresight, designing interventions within ecosystems, and iteratively developing solutions. To advance the case for adopting a SBPP and ‘roughly right’ modes of inquiry, we use the Covid-19 vaccination rollout to define a new methodological roadmap, while also acknowledging that taking a more strategic approach may challenge current BPP norms.

God’s Devils: Pragmatic Theodicy in Christian Responses to Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn’s Conquest of Jerusalem in 1187

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-164
Author(s):  
Keagan Brewer
Keyword(s):  
Twelfth Century ◽  
Problem Of Evil ◽  
God's Will ◽  
Logical Conclusion ◽  
The Problem Of Evil ◽  
The Face

Abstract This paper considers Christian responses to the problem of evil following Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn’s conquest of Jerusalem. Among Catholics, Audita Tremendi offered the orthodox response that God was punishing Christian sin. However, the logical conclusion of this view is that the Muslims were agents of God despite being “evil” for having captured Jerusalem from Christians. Twelfth-century theologians believed that God could use demons in the service of good. In response to 1187, while many Christians portrayed the Muslims as evil, some expressed that they were divine agents. Meanwhile, others murmured that Muslim gods (including, to some, Muḥammad) were superior to Christian ones; that the Christian god was apathetic, violent, or wicked; that the crusade of 1189–92 was against God’s will; and that crusaders were murderers. Thought-terminating clichés centring on the divine mysteries permitted the continuance of Christianity in the face of this profound theodical controversy.

The Principles and Practices in Action

2021 ◽  
pp. 162-178
Author(s):  
Cynthia Rayner ◽  
François Bonnici
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Racial Justice ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Slow Pace ◽  
The Face ◽  
Strategic Conversation

This book asks a rather simple but bold question: “How do organizations create systemic social change?” This question is growing in importance, becoming part of the strategic conversation for all types of organizations, not just those specifically focused on social change. Business leaders, politicians, educators, employees, and parents are grappling with the realization that complex social change can rapidly impact their everyday lives. As frustration at the slow pace of change grows, and the world’s wicked problems—such as inequality, climate change and racial justice—proliferate, people are increasingly recognizing that we need to find ways to tackle the root causes of these issues rather than just addressing the symptoms. In the face of these challenges, it is easy to default to our more traditional views of leadership and problem-solving, which celebrate an us-versus-them mentality, top-down decision-making, and aggressive power stances. Systems work—with its focus on the process of change including our day-to-day actions and relationships—may feel counterintuitive in this rapidly emerging future. Yet, as the authors’ research has shown, the future is demanding a different kind of leadership, one that emphasizes the ways we work as much as the outcomes we pursue.

“Shut it down! Shut it down!”

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-40
Author(s):  
Jessica DuLong
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New Jersey ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Creative Problem Solving ◽  
Shared Purpose ◽  
Port Of New York ◽  
The Face ◽  
Creative Problem ◽  
The U.S

This chapter recounts how, in the face of the massive incident of 9/11, the shared purpose and common ties that connect mariners of all types ruled the day as the different agencies cooperated with civilian boat crews. As it turned out, the lack of a plan wound up setting the stage for creative problem solving and improvisation. Throughout that historic morning, the New York harbor community joined forces to carry out an unprecedented and remarkably successful evacuation effort. As the second attack hit, the U.S. Coast Guard shut down the Port of New York and New Jersey to commercial traffic. Other maritime forces, such as the marine fire company, were also kicked into action.

A qualitative exploration of the prescribing and use of statins in asymptomatic people in Ireland: A case of medicalisation, biomedicalisation and pharmaceuticalisation

2020 ◽  
pp. 136345932094606
Author(s):  
Paula Byrne ◽  
Órla O’Donovan ◽  
Susan M Smith ◽  
John Cullinan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
High Cholesterol ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
The Public ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Face ◽  
Notable Increase ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

There has been a notable increase in the use of statins in people without cardiovascular disease but who may be at risk in the future. The majority of statin users now fall into this category but little research has focused exclusively on this group. Debate has ensued regarding medicating asymptomatic people, and processes described variously as medicalisation, biomedicalisation and pharmaceuticalisation are used to explain how this happens. These overlapping and interrelated processes require issues to be ‘problemised’ as medical problems requiring medical solutions given the prevailing understandings of health, risk and disease. However, current understandings of risk and disease are not simply the result of technological and scientific advances, they are also socially constructed. We interviewed members of the public, GPs and others, and found that rather than high cholesterol being seen as one of several risk factors that contributes to heart disease, it tended to be promoted simplistically to the status of a disease needing treatment of itself. Statins were justified by those taking them as different to ‘unnecessary medicines’. However, some participants demonstrated resistance to statins, worried about over-medicalisation and deviated from accepted practices, indicating a complex ‘muddling through’ in the face of uncertainty.

‘I don’t get lucky, I make my own luck’: Masculinities and male bodies in the neo-liberal office space of Suits

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-141
Author(s):  
Amanda Sarah Chin
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
The Self ◽  
Structural Power ◽  
The Third ◽  
Male Characters ◽  
Office Space ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Face ◽  
A Site

Suits’ evocation of masculinity within the neo-liberal office as a site of gender configuration is plural. Although its male protagonists all possess structural power as white, heterosexual, intelligent men (two are wealthy, and eventually the third comes to be), they each reflect varied and occasionally contrasting forms of masculinity. The article explores how, over the seasons, Suits progresses from breadth to depth, with its male characters threading their way through different types of masculine behaviours in order to succeed. In the face of recurrent challenges, their masculinities must be reconfigured. The article examines the manner in which the self becomes a locus of accountability to situate one’s problem-solving ability and subsequent empowerment through performing multiple masculinities.

scholarly journals Optimisme Siswa SMP dalam Menyelesaikan Soal Problem Solving

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nolismasari Nolismasari ◽  
Rahmah Johar ◽  
Yusrizal Yusrizal
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Junior High ◽  
The Face ◽  
Answering Questions ◽  
Good Problem

Currently, some students habitually answering questions with one answer. They only use the certain formula or certain steps to get answer. Thus, the ability of problem-solving and optimism that should have owned by students is not visible because of the habit of completing routine problem. Whereas the ability problem-solving and optimism is needed in the face of all the challenges that occur. This is becaused people who are able to solve the problem would be receive every event, whether it is good or bad events. They will seek the solution of problem faced and anticipate every possibility that occurs to the measures that have been selected. This study aims to determine (1) the ability of students to problem-solving and (2) optimism of students in problem-solving. This is qualitative research with test of problem solving and guided interview of optimism as instruments. Subject of this research is six students grade VIII of Junior High School at Peukan Pidie, Aceh. The results show that three students have good problem-solving ability, three other students have enough abilitiy in problem-solving. Optimism of students in problem-solving based on the dimensions of optimism is three students optimist at dimension PMG, three other students not optimist. One student was optimist on the dimensions of PVG, five other students not optimist. Five students are optimist on the dimensions of PSG and PMB, one student not optimist. All students are optimist on the dimensions of PVB. Two students are optimist on the dimensions of PSB, four students are not optimist

scholarly journals - The reality of using the model of solving the problem in the face of the school problems of girls school students in Riyadh - A study applied to a sample of social workers in girls' schools in Riyadh

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Bint Khalid Hamoud Al Hammad
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
School Students ◽  
School Problems ◽  
Professional Performance ◽  
Problem Solving Model ◽  
The Face ◽  
Therapeutic Services ◽  
Girls School ◽  
The City

This study aimed to identify the reality of the use of social workers in girls' primary, middle and secondary schools to solve the problem. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher used the descriptive approach. The sample of the study consisted of social workers in the city of Riyadh (46). They distributed a questionnaire consisting of two axes, in addition to the initial data, after verifying their validity and stability. The results of the study revealed that social workers are committed to the goals of the problem solving model with an average of (2.20). And that social workers applied the stages of the problem solving model with an average of (2.30). In light of the results of the research, the researcher presented a set of recommendations aimed at improving the methodology of problem solving in schools. The most important of which are the extension of female specialists to the latest developments in the profession and methods of treatment that benefit them in the development of their abilities and professional performance through the establishment of workshops and seminars for them to deal with problems in the field of school and not limited to the roles of therapeutic services only, but must focus on developmental roles also.

Resilience and coping strategies in ALS patients and caregivers

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie H. Felgoise ◽  
Michelle L. Dube
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Social Problem Solving ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Problem Solving Therapy ◽  
The Face ◽  
Psychosocial Processes ◽  
And Coping

The experience of living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) necessitates adaptation by the person living with ALS (PALS) and their caregiver. In the face of an incurable illness, many PALS and their caregivers report a significant decline in their physical and psychosocial-spiritual health, whereas others endure the illness with great fortitude and demonstrate positive adjustment and wellbeing. This heterogeneity in adjustment has led researchers to conjecture about why or how some people maintain their quality of life while others do not. Psychosocial processes that facilitate adjustment to ALS are coping and a variety of resilience factors including hope, optimism, social problem solving, spirituality and religiosity, and social support and relationship satisfaction. Therapeutic interventions that may foster resilience and coping in PALS and their caregivers include communication, dignity therapy, Buddhist psychology and mindfulness, social problem-solving therapy, constructivist grief therapy, and quality of life therapy (QOLT).

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