Misuse of the anthropic principle: Quasireligious pseudoscience caught in act

2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 21-35
Author(s):  
Milan Cirkovic

We consider the misuse of anthropic principles (being a serious research topic in contemporary cosmology) in the service of creationism, which became a commonplace in the modern agressive creationist discourse. Unfortunately the confusion rests on the fact that the disteleological nature of the anthropic reasoning is insufficiently known and elaborated in both philosophical and scientific circles. Specifically, mathematical and (astro)physical fine-tunings are shown to be entirely different concepts, and only the latter is observed in our universe. Anthropical coincidences in cosmology are empirical phenomena requiring scientific explanation, and one of the two explanatory hypotheses advanced is somewhat unfortunately dubbed the "design hypothesis". However, this has almost nothing in common with the creationist ideological construction known as the "intelligent design". This important distinction has not been sufficiently highlighted in the philosophical literature thus far. This particular case-study from the cosmological domain simultaneously highlights a more general problem we face in the modern world: aggressive advance of the ideological coalition between quasireligion and pseudoscience jeopardizes authentic interdisciplinary and intercul-tural dialogue, so necessary as the humanity faces serious existential risks, as the biggest challenge in its history on Earth.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4121
Author(s):  
Hana Tomaskova ◽  
Erfan Babaee Tirkolaee

The purpose of this article was to demonstrate the difference between a pandemic plan’s textual prescription and its effective processing using graphical notation. Before creating a case study of the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) of the Czech Republic’s pandemic plan, we conducted a systematic review of the process approach in pandemic planning and a document analysis of relevant public documents. The authors emphasized the opacity of hundreds of pages of text records in an explanatory case study and demonstrated the effectiveness of the process approach in reengineering and improving the response to such a critical situation. A potential extension to the automation and involvement of SMART technologies or process optimization through process mining techniques is presented as a future research topic.


2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Allan Macinnes

This paper makes an important, interdisciplinary contribution, to the ongoing debate on the transition from clanship to capitalism. Integral to this contribution is the important distinction between capitalism as an individualist ideology and capitalist societies where individualism is a widespread but not necessarily a universal ideology. His concern is not with the bipolar opposition of landlord and people which tends to dominate debates on the land issue in the Highlands. Instead, he focuses on material culture change in relation to landscape organisation, settlement patterns and morphology in order to examine how social relationships were structured during the critical period of estate re-orientation often depicted progressively as Improvement but regressively as clearance through the removal and relocation of population. His case study on Kintyre is particularly valuable. By scrutinising spatial as well as social relationships Dalglish demonstrates that clanship was based as much on daily practices of living as on an patrimonial ideology of kinship, practices which led the House of Argyll to attempt the reinvention of concepts of occupancy in order to emphasise the importance of the individual over the family through partitioned space.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arieh Saposnik

In this volume, Arieh Saposnik examines the complicated relations between nationalism and religious (and non-religious) redemptive traditions through the case study of Zionism. He provides a new framework for understanding the central ideas of this movement and its relationship to traditional Jewish ideas, Christian thought, and modern secular messianisms. Providing a longue-durée and broad view of the central themes and motivations in the making of Zionism, Saposnik connects its intellectual history with the concrete development of the Zionist project in Israel in its cultural, social, and political history. Saposnik demonstrates how Zionism offers lessons for a politics in which human perfectibility continues to serve as a guiding light and as a counter-narrative to the contemporary politics of self-interest, self-promotion and 'post-truth.' This is a study that bears implications for our understanding of modernity, of space and place, history and historical trajectories, and the place of Jews and Judaism in the modern world.


2013 ◽  
Vol 465-466 ◽  
pp. 387-394
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ashraf Fauri Fauzi ◽  
Daeng Ahmad Zuhri Zuhud ◽  
Hafiz Husin

Digital computers that automate manufacturing process are an important aspect for any manufacturing engineers in the modern world. Selection of the programming paradigm (PP), as well as the programming language (PL) that supports it, is crucial to ensure the correct ideas are being used to automate the solution of the problem. In current Malaysian Higher institution practices, various PPs and PLs courses are offered to current undergraduate manufacturing majors. An online survey was deployed to experienced manufacturing engineers from various manufacturing specializations in the industry. Graduates from one of Malaysias public universities, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) have been chosen for this particular study. From the survey, it has been found that almost 80% of the participants agreed that PPs are important for manufacturing graduates. It was found out that 90% of the participants were from intermediate (scale of 3) until poor (scale of 1) to express their ability to explain PPs if asked. Only about 10% are able to explain on PPs (scale of 4 and 5). The study concluded that majority of the manufacturing graduates from IIUM agreed that PP is an important subject to be taught in university. However, it was found the majority of the manufacturing graduates lack the knowledge and understanding of PPs and general PLs.


2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 476
Author(s):  
Antonio Carlos Da Silva Oscar Júnior ◽  
Ana Maria De Paiva Macedo Brandão

Hodiernamente as ciências do tempo e do clima assumem protagonismo no meio cientifico devido às questões e polêmicas atuais acerca das mudanças climáticas. Tendo em vista esse novo espaço, esse trabalho tem como objetivo trazer uma contribuição teórico-metodologica para aqueles que desejam se debruçar sobre essas novas questões que afligem o mundo moderno. Para aprofundar as discussões deste artigo, abordaremos o caso de Duque de Caxias, localizado na Baixada Fluminense do Rio de Janeiro, usando a também como caso exemplo para explicar como as dinâmicas socioeconômicas, deixando suas marcas no território intensificam os riscos naturais e aprofundam as vulnerabilidades sociais. No aflorar dessa nova agenda de pesquisas é papel dos Geógrafos aprofundarem suas análises em prol de um ordenamento territorial, e gestão do espaço condizente com as novas necessidades da sociedade. Palavras-Chave: Clima Urbano, Mudanças Climáticas, Planejamento Urbano.  Theoretical and Methodological Rain for the Study of Vulnerable in Urban Environments: a Case Study of Urban Climate Duque de Caxias-RJ  ABSTRACT Today the sciences of weather and climate took center stage in the middle due to scientific issues and controversies about the current climate. In light of this new space, this work aims to bring a theoretical and methodological contributions for those Who wish to dwell on these new issues that plague the modern world. For further discussion of this article, we discuss the case of Duque de Caxias, located in the Baixada Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro, also using as a case example to explain how socio-economic dynamics, leaving it’s mark in the territory of natural hazards intensify and deepen the vulnerabilities social. Flourishin this new research agenda is the role of geographers deepen their analysis in favor of a use and land management consistent with the changing needs of society.  Keywords: Urban Climate, Climate Change, Runoff, Urban Management


Author(s):  
Eddy Mantjoro

Abstract Goals to be achieved through this research are as follows: (1) the scientific explanation about the initial conditions of fishing effort in the area of ​​research in this area is South Minahasa; (2) To obtain information on the historical development of the fish processing industry in North Sulawesi and Minahasa south in particular; (3) To be informed of the obstacles and challenges faced by the fisheries sector investors, especially fish processing timber. This research focuses on one unit of the fish processing industry wooden fish processing plant, and then in the case study method is relevant. The case study method is expected that researchers can examine more detailed and focused on problems experienced by fish processing company. As a consequence the results can not be generalized as like which would otherwise require science. Unless some case studies on the same topic on other companies and the result is the same, the efforts generalizations can be made. However the results of the case study can paint a picture on the history, constraints and barriers to investment that occur in similar industries and other industries. The initial condition of fisheries business investment in South Minahasa in 1995 was still dominated by small-scale businesses, which is limited to household livelihoods of fishermen. How governance is still very traditional in terms of business objectives just to meet daily food needs. Wooden fish processing technology already existed and developed since the year 700 BC in Japan. In Indonesia, especially in North Sulawesi started introduced in 1927 by a Japanese man named Hara Ko. The new investment started in 1971 until now. Investment in fish processing faces many obstacles and challenges, namely (1) the limited market share, (2) Legal certainty is not guaranteed, (3) Investors from outside the region and abroad to invest by holding on minimal information about the culture and traditions of local communities (4 ) morale of local residents very traditional if not arguably worse. (5) The investment policy is supported by the local government level only at the Regent while Assiten level, down to the village more displays of terror and intimidation to investors. Keywords: fish factory, investment, history, constraints, obstacles Abstrak Tujuan yang ingin dicapai melalui penelitian ini ialah sebagai berikut: (1) Penjelasan ilmiah tentang kondisi awal usaha perikanan di wilayah penelitian dalam hal ini Daerah Minahasa Selatan. (2) Memperoleh informasi tentang sejarah perkembangan industri pengolahan ikan di Sulawesi Utara dan Minahasa selatan khususnya. (3) Mendapatkan informasi mengenai kendala dan tantangan yang dihadapi oleh investor bidang perikanan khususnya pengolahan ikan kayu. Penelitian ini berfokus pada satu unit industri pengolahan ikan yakni pabrik pengolahan ikan kayu, maka metode studi kasus di pandang relevan. Metode studi kasus diharapkan peneliti dapat mengkaji lebih rinci dan fokus pada masalah yang dialami oleh perusahan pengolahan ikan. Sebagai konsekwensinya hasil penelitian tidak dapat digeneralisir sebagai layaknya yang di syaratkan oleh ilmu pengetahuan. Kecuali beberapa studi kasus dengan topik yang sama pada perusahan lain dan hasilnya sama maka upaya generalisasi dapat dilakukan. Walau demikian hasil studi kasus dapat melukiskan gambaran mengenai sejarah, kendala dan hambatan investasi yang terjadi pada industri sejenis dan industri lainnya. Kondisi awal usaha perikanan di wilayah Minahasa selatan pada tahun 1995 ketika investasi pabrik pengolahan ikan kayu di mulai masih didominasi oleh usaha skala kecil, yaitu sebatas mata pencaharian rumah tangga nelayan. Cara kelola pun masih sangat tradisional dalam pengertian tujuan usaha hanya untuk memenuhi kebutuhan makanan harian. Teknologi pengolahan ikan kayu sudah ada dan berkembang sejak tahun 700 sebelum masehi di Jepang. Di Indonesia khususnya di Sulawesi Utara mulai di perkenalkan pada tahun 1927 oleh orang Jepang bernama Hara Ko. Investasi baru dimulai pada tahun 1971 hingga sekarang. Investasi bidang pengolahan ikan menghadapi banyak kendala dan tantangan, yaitu (1) keterbatasan pangsa pasar, (2) Kepastian hukum tidak terjamin, (3) Investor dari luar daerah dan luar negeri berinvestasi dengan berpegang pada informasi minim mengenai budaya dan tradisi masyarakat lokal (4) moral kerja penduduk lokal amat tradisional jika tidak boleh dikatakan buruk.(5) Kebijakan investasi ditunjang oleh pemerintah daerah hanya pada level Bupati sedangkan level assiten, ke bawah sampai kelurahan lebih banyak menampilkan teror dan intimidasi kepada investor. Kata Kunci : pabrik ikan, investasi, sejarah, kendala, hambatan


2021 ◽  
Vol 900 (1) ◽  
pp. 012040
Author(s):  
E Singovszká ◽  
A Eštoková ◽  
M Vertaľ

Abstract It is known that the highest contribution to the yearly radiation dose for the population derives from natural radioactivity. About 50% of that is estimated to be caused by exposure to radon (Rn) and its products. Human exposure to indoor Rn is currently considered a relevant research topic, because of the associated epidemiological aspects. This paper aimed at Rn concentration measurement in a selected building in Košice city, Slovakia. The continuous monitoring of indoor radon levels was performed over a period of 40 days. The measured concentrations ranged in a wide interval up to 92 Bq/m3. The WHO limit value of 100 Bq/m3 wasn´t exceeded. Analysing the possible sources, both contributions of radon from the building materials and radon from the soil was observed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noorain Mohd Isa ◽  
Ahmad Zaharin Aris ◽  
Zakiah Ponrahono ◽  
Rosta Harun

Vehicle-pedestrian conflict is a commonly unsafe event that occurs in both urban and rural areas, especially in developing countries. It is still an open research topic, mostly in traffic safety and urban planning, which is utilised for evaluating the behaviours of vehicles and pedestrians at a non-signalised marked walkway. Three stations were selected based on higher daily activities to calculate the regularity of pedestrian movement. A manual calculation method was applied, and the calculation was done only during the daytime. Three different teams were formed to obtain the measurements at the three different sampling points simultaneously. A present study on preliminary vehicle-pedestrian conflict reveals the frequency of pedestrians in a concentrated area and its Level of Service (LOS) in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Serdang. The findings show that rush hour occurs during the mid-day in weekday, when students have finished their classes and adults have gone out for other businesses.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Adamek ◽  
Yu Luo ◽  
Joshua Ewen

The chapters in this Handbook reveal the breadth of brilliant imaging and analysis techniques designed to fulfill the mandate of cognitive neuroscience: to understand how anatomical structures and physiological processes in the brain cause typical and atypical behavior. Yet merely producing data from the latest imaging method is insufficient to truly achieve this goal. We also need a mental toolbox that contains methods of inference that allow us to derive true scientific explanation from these data. Causal inference is not easy in the human brain, where we are limited primarily to observational data and our methods of experimental perturbation in the service of causal explanation are limited. As a case study, we reverse engineer one of the most influential accounts of a neuropsychiatric disorder that is derived from observational imaging data: the connectivity theories of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We take readers through an approach of first considering all possible causal paths that are allowed by preliminary imaging-behavioral correlations. By progressively sharpening the specificity of the measures and brain/behavioral constructs, we iteratively chip away at this space of allowable causal paths, like the sculptor chipping away the excess marble to reveal the statue. To assist in this process, we consider how current imaging methods that are lumped together under the rubric of “connectivity” may actually offer a differentiated set of connectivity constructs that can more specifically relate notions of information transmission in the mind to the physiology of the brain.


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