scholarly journals Doubt as a mechanism of the change of epistemic states (on the materials of the philosophy of pragmatism and neuropsychology)

Author(s):  
Anastasia V. Golubinskaya ◽  

Science has not yet found a solution to the question of how cognitive mechanisms, which are crucial for the subjective processes of evaluating the reliability of information and doubt, are arranged. This ability is usually associated with both the pragmatic consequences of accepting a belief and the material substance of consciousness. In this article, the author proposes to compare one of the largest conceptions of doubt in philosophy, the pragmatic conception, with the theory of false tags, which was presented in the last decade by the neuropsychologist E. Asp in order to explain the phenomena of doubt. The article presents the theoretical aspects of both conceptions, which allows to derive the properties of doubt as an epistemic state, that is, the state of the subject’s cognitive reality, formed under the influence of external (situational, pragmatic) and internal (neuropsychological) factors. The results of the study presented in the article allow us to conclude the possibility of an interdisciplinary approach in further studies of human cognitive activity as a mechanism of various epistemic states. It is concluded that doubt itself is not one of these states, but is a secondary psychological act that ensures the transition from one epistemic state to another. This offers an alternative view to the approach established in philosophy, in which doubt precedes the fact of accepting knowledge and is an essential stage of the cognitive process.

Author(s):  
Arjun Chowdhury

This chapter offers an alternative view of the incidence and duration of insurgencies in the postcolonial world. Insurgencies and civil wars are seen as the primary symptom of state weakness, the inability of the central government to monopolize violence. Challenging extant explanations that identify poverty and low state capacity as the cause of insurgencies, the chapter shows that colonial insurgencies, also occurring in the context of poverty and state weakness, were shorter and ended in regime victories, while contemporary insurgencies are longer and states are less successful at subduing them. The reason for this is the development of exclusive identities—based on ethnicity, religion, tribe—in the colonial period. These identities serve as bases for mobilization to challenge state power and demand services from the state. Either way, such mobilization means that popular demands for services exceed the willingness to disarm and/or pay taxes, that is, to supply the state.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-142
Author(s):  
Oscar R. Gómez

Varios estudios clínicos muestran cómo las prácticas tántricas y los ejercicios de las tradiciones védicas -como el yoga- o budistas theravada o mahayana tienen un impacto psicobiológico significativo. Este estudio compara el correlato neurofisiológico de las prácticas llamadas meditaciones tántricas y no-tántricas mediante una revisión sistemática cualitativa de los datos recolectados. Se evidenció que las prácticas tántricas producen aumento en la actividad simpática, del estado de «alerta fásica» y en el rendimiento en tareas cognitivo visuales. Promueven una mayor vigilia y menor propensión al sueño, generan un incremento en la actividad cognitiva y modificaciones metabólicas contrarias a las que se verifican de las no-tántricas como consecuencia del relax inducido por esas prácticas. En oposición,  las no-tántricas crean una mejor respuesta de relajación con actividad parasimpática incrementada e inhibición del sistema simpático, que induce un estado hipometabólico de descanso profundo donde el practicante permanece despierto y su atención en «alerta tónica» con los síntomas correspondientes a ese estado hipometabólico -hipotonía, disminución del consumo de oxígeno, de la tasa cardíaca y de la concentración de lactato en sangre-, modificación del normal funcionamiento endócrino, aumentos en la concentración de fenilalanina en los meditadores avanzados, en los niveles de prolactina plasmática, un incremento de cinco veces en los niveles plasmáticos de arginina vasopresina, mientras que la hormona estimulante de la tiroides disminuye de forma crónica y aguda. Esta diferencia neurofisiológica se corresponde con las diferencias encontradas en los textos investigados que señalan que las tántricas apuntan a incrementar el estado de alerta o una cualidad despierta de la mente y advierten contra la calma excesiva y, por el contrario, las escrituras y las instrucciones de meditación de la tradición védica -yoga, theravada o mahayana- apuntan a lograr quietud y calma. Indicamos futuras investigaciones clínicas desde un enfoque más interdisciplinario e incorporamos el marco teórico/filosófico de los diferentes tipos de meditación. AbstractSeveral clinical studies show how tantric practices and exercises of Vedic traditions - such as yoga- or Theravada or Mahayana Buddhists - have a significant psychobiological impact. This study compares the neurophysiological correlates of the practices called tantric and non-tantric meditations by a qualitative systematic review of the data collected. It was evidenced that the tantric practices produce increase in the sympathetic activity, the state of "phasic alertness" and in the performance in visual cognitive tasks. They promote greater alertness and lower propensity to sleep, generate an increase in cognitive activity and metabolic modifications contrary to those that are verified of non-tantric as a result of the relaxation induced by these practices. In contrast, non-tantric creams create a better relaxation response with increased parasympathetic activity and inhibition of the sympathetic system, inducing a deep rest hypometabolic state where the practitioner remains awake and his attention on "tonic alertness" with corresponding symptoms to that hypometabolic state -hypotonia, decreased oxygen consumption, heart rate and blood lactate concentration- change in normal endocrine function, increased phenylalanine concentration in advanced meditators, increased plasma prolactin levels, a five-fold increase in arginine vasopressin plasma levels, while thyroid stimulating hormone decreases chronically and acutely. This neurophysiological difference corresponds to the differences found in the investigated texts which point out that: the tantric ones aim to increase alertness or an awakened quality of the mind and warn against excessive calm and on the contrary, the writings and instructions of meditation of the Vedic tradition, yoga, Theravada or Mahayana aim to achieve stillness and calmness. We indicate future clinical research from a more interdisciplinary approach and incorporating the theoretical / philosophical framework of the different types of meditation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-430
Author(s):  
Marko-Luka Zubcic

Which epistemic value is the standard according to which we ought to compare, assess and design institutional arrangements in terms of their epistemic properties? Two main options are agent development (in terms of individual epistemic virtues or capabilities) and attainment of truth. The options are presented through two authoritative contemporary accounts-agent development by Robert Talisse?s understanding in Democracy and Moral Conflict (2009) and attainment of truth by David Estlund?s treatment, most prominently in Democratic Authority: A Philosophical Framework (2008). Both options are shown to be unsatisfactory because they are subject to problematic risk of suboptimal epistemic state lock-in. The ability of the social epistemic system to revise suboptimal epistemic states is argued to be the best option for a comparative standard in institutional epistemology.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arkady Zgonnikov ◽  
David Abbink ◽  
Gustav Markkula

Laboratory studies of abstract, highly controlled tasks point towards noisy evidence accumulation as a key mechanism governing decision making. Yet it is unclear whether the cognitive processes implicated in simple, isolated decisions in the lab are as paramount to decisions that are ingrained in more complex behaviors, such as driving. Here we aim to address the gap between modern cognitive models of decision making and studies of naturalistic decision making in drivers, which so far have provided only limited insight into the underlying cognitive processes. We investigate drivers' decision making during unprotected left turns, and model the cognitive process driving these decisions. Our model builds on the classical drift-diffusion model, and emphasizes, first, the drift rate linked to the relevant perceptual quantities dynamically sampled from the environment, and, second, collapsing decision boundaries reflecting the dynamic constraints imposed on the decision maker’s response by the environment. We show that the model explains the observed decision outcomes and response times, as well as substantial individual differences in those. Through cross-validation, we demonstrate that the model not only explains the data, but also generalizes to out-of-sample conditions, effectively providing a way to predict human drivers’ behavior in real time. Our results reveal the cognitive mechanisms of gap acceptance decisions in human drivers, and exemplify how simple cognitive process models can help us to understand human behavior in complex real-world tasks.


Author(s):  
Sergei Vladimirovich Rabkin

The subject of this research is the institutional transformations of educational space associated with the global processes of digitalization of social relations, as well as internal factors in cooperation between society and the state with regards to determination of the criteria of security for their development. Using the general methodology of institutional analysis, methods of analogy and summary, as well as interdisciplinary approach towards studying the educational space, the author considers the questions of implementation of digital education technologies under the conditions of current sociocultural transformations. Special attention is turned to the balance between rational and immaterial factors that affect the formation of modern educational space, and thereby, specification of the new institutional challenges to the security of social development. The conducted analysis of the problems of implementation of such technologies in the system of higher education leads to the conclusion on the need for assessing the effectiveness of implementation of digital technologies in accordance with the institutional criteria that imply not only the impact of both, rational and immaterial factors of social development. The institutional nature of these factors is insufficiently studied, however determines the possibility of application of cognitive models in solution of the tasks aimed at ensuring national security in the conditions of digitalization of sociocultural processes. Therefore, the crucial institutional criterion that defines the effectiveness of implementation of digital technologies in the educational space consists in its security in all regards. The proposed institutional-criteria approach allows the state and society to focus on ensuring security of the educational space in the context of solution of relevant tasks of ensuring national security of the Russian Federation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-303
Author(s):  
Cristiane Prado Scott dos Santos ◽  
Joseli Maria Piranha

Among the main obstacles to the literacy of the Earth System Sciences, the content organization in official curricula stands out. The knowledge of this science has been shown as fundamental for the formation of citizens who know how to use natural resources regarding environmental questions and life itself. Faced with such issues, the present study has done a documentary analysis of the Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais para o Ensino Médio (PCNEM in Portuguese, or National Curriculum Parameters of Secondary Education) and of the Currículo do Estado de São Paulo (CESP in Portuguese, or School Curriculum of the State of São Paulo), with aim at suggesting effective teaching alternatives for citizens formation. Both the PCNEM and the CESP present contents in a fragmented way through traditional disciplines, such as has been the educational structure in Brazil for decades. The PCNEM suggest an interdisciplinary approach of these contents, while the CESP do not mention this type of approach, but relates skills to be developed to each type of content, and so presents interdisciplinary teaching as valuable. As an alternative to this pedagogical structure, it is proposed that the contents encompassed in the Earth System Science should be treated in an interdisciplinary context, allowing the integrated development of contents and contributing to the teacher’s work.


2021 ◽  
pp. medethics-2021-107671
Author(s):  
Marcus Dahlquist ◽  
Henrik D Kugelberg

A wide range of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been introduced to stop or slow down the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples include school closures, environmental cleaning and disinfection, mask mandates, restrictions on freedom of assembly and lockdowns. These NPIs depend on coercion for their effectiveness, either directly or indirectly. A widely held view is that coercive policies need to be publicly justified—justified to each citizen—to be legitimate. Standardly, this is thought to entail that there is a scientific consensus on the factual propositions that are used to support the policies. In this paper, we argue that such a consensus has been lacking on the factual propositions justifying most NPIs. Consequently, they would on the standard view be illegitimate. This is regrettable since there are good reasons for granting the state the legitimate authority to enact NPIs under conditions of uncertainty. The upshot of our argument is that it is impossible to have both the standard interpretation of the permissibility of empirical claims in public justification and an effective pandemic response. We provide an alternative view that allows the state sufficient room for action while precluding the possibility of it acting without empirical support.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (515) ◽  
pp. 231-237
Author(s):  
V. V. Lagodiienko ◽  
◽  
O. V. Shvets ◽  

The problem of labor migration in Ukraine has become relevant in recent years, as it significantly affects the socio-economic development of both donor and recipient countries. As a complex economic phenomenon, labor migration changes the composition of labor resources, creates a new situation in labor markets, exacerbates the demographic situation in the country. The article is concerned with the analysis of problems of labor migration of economically active population in Ukraine and aspects of formation of the State policy of regulation of migration processes. The purpose of the article is theoretical substantiation, development of scientific and methodological bases and practical recommendations aimed at improving the system of regulation of international migration of economically active population in the context of globalization in order to obtain socio-economic benefits from the State participation in migration processes, etc. In the process of detailed analysis of the characteristics of migrants, clear trends in modern migration processes have been identified: migrants mainly are from rural areas of the west of the country; migrant workers are mostly men; younger people and rural residents predominate among migrant workers; people with higher education are less likely to migrate, while people with vocational education are overrepresented among migrant workers; migrants risk losing skills, etc. The mechanism of regulation of migration flows is substantiated – as a set of measures of influence of the State bodies on migration objects in order to ensure the optimal level of migration that meets the needs of the national / regional labor market and helps stabilize the macroeconomic situation in the country / region; tasks of the mechanism are defined. Functioning and effective development of mechanisms for regulating labor migration processes, as a special tool for the transformation of regional labor markets – combines socio-cultural, research and economic functions, necessitates an interdisciplinary approach to substantiate the increase of the competitiveness of the latter. The scientific basis of this approach is the methodology of institutional analysis – a set of concepts, principles and provisions based on the theories of human, intellectual and migratory capital, institutional economics, the theory of territorial migration systems and more.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (10) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Ingrida Baranauskiene

<p>Dear authors, members of the editorial board, and readers of the scientific interdisciplinary journal <em>Social Welfare: Interdisciplinary Approach</em>. We present to you one more issue of the journal. As in previous issues, in the present issue, an interdisciplinary approach to social welfare in a national and intercultural context is important to us. In this issue, we present to your attention the works of scientists from three countries in one way or another related to social welfare, the concept of which is constructed and presented in three chapters: <em>Social Challenges</em>, <em>The Development of Professional Competences</em> and <em>Disability Studies</em>. Going deeper into the presented scientific works, it can be seen that in many of them we can name social justice as the main idea. This scientific concept and the starting point of the formation of the concept of life has reached us from ancient times. All of us know Plato, Socrates’ disciple, and his ontological concept of justice related to a virtue of the soul. Justice for Plato is one of the major virtues that encompasses both state governance and human life in general. It can be argued that he saw the benefits of justice in the life of the state and the individual, including the idea that justice unites society (Plato, 2000<a title="" href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>). Aristotle gives justice the meaning of redistribution and sharing. On the other hand, although Aristotle’s justice is restricted to Greek citizens, in any case, the idea of sharing, redistributing, offsetting was spread thanks to Aristotle (Aristotle, 1990<a title="" href="#_ftn2">[2]</a>). Thomas Aquinas not only linked the Christian tradition to the teaching of Aristotle, but also further developed the idea of justice and emphasized the importance of transposing the idea into law (Aquinas, 2015<a title="" href="#_ftn3">[3]</a>). Immanuel Kant developed a moral theory which, in the context of our days, is, in my view, an important duty as the strongest pillar of morality (Kant, 1987<a title="" href="#_ftn4">[4]</a>). Without going into polemic about how much Immanuel Kant’s philosophy influenced John Rawls’ theory of social justice, I will quote the principles of justice defined by him: “a) each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive scheme of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar scheme of liberties for others; and in this scheme the equal political liberties, and only those liberties, are to be guaranteed their fair value. b) Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both: (a) to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged, consistent with the just savings principle, and (b) attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity” (Rawls, 2002, p. 61<a title="" href="#_ftn5">[5]</a>). It can be said that Rawls’ idea that we will not achieve social welfare in the state until justice, including social justice, is ensured, has laid the foundations for a modern understanding of social justice. The dialectic of the concept of justice is also reflected in the works of our authors as the emphasis on justice as a value (Arūnas Acus, Liutauras Kraniauskas; Ilona Dobrovolskytė), the disclosure of the meaning of sharing (Jurgita Lenkauskaitė; Olga Kuprieieva, Tetiana Traverse, Liudmyla Serdiuk, Olena Chykhantsova, Oleksandr Shamych), the construct of the concept of law (Daiva Malinauskienė, Aistė Igorytė; Ingrida Baranauskienė, Alla Kovalenko, Inna Leonova), the understanding of a theory of civic morality, a duty that is a pillar of morality (Svitlana Kravchuk; Elena Kuftyak; Asta Volbikienė, Remigijus Bubnys; Simas Garbenis, Renata Geležinienė, Greta Šiaučiulytė). And it does not matter at all whether this is analyzed in the context of social challenges, disability studies or professional competences. It can be stated that the idea of social justice is the driving force behind the scientific works of this journal.</p><p>Wishing everyone to stay healthy, both physically and spiritually, I place social justice as a fundamental value in these turbulent times of a global pandemic. But life does not stand still, so we look forward to your new research works. There will be no us without you.</p><div><br clear="all" /><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /></div>


2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-163
Author(s):  
David P. Fourie

AbstractThere seems to be wide acceptance by both professionals and lay people that hypnotic and especially hypnotherapeutic responding is based on the long-standing but still hypothetical dichotomy between the conscious and unconscious minds. In this simplistic view, hypnotic suggestions are considered to bypass consciousness to reach the unconscious mind, there to have the intended effect. This article reports on a single-case experiment investigating the involvement of the unconscious in hypnotherapeutic responding. In this case the subject responded positively to suggestions that could not have reached the unconscious, indicating that the unconscious was not involved in such responding. An alternative view is proposed, namely that hypnotherapeutic responding involves a cognitive process in which a socially constructed new understanding of the problem behaviour and of hypnosis, based on the client's existing attribution of meaning, is followed by action considered appropriate to the new understanding and which then confirms this understanding, leading to behaviour change.


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