A purely syntactical definition of confirmation

1943 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 122-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl G. Hempel

The concept of confirmation occupies a central position in the methodology of empirical science. For it is the distinctive characteristic of an empirical hypothesis to be amenable, at least in principle, to a test based on suitable observations or experiments; the empirical data obtained in a test—or, as we shall prefer to say, the observation sentences describing those data—may then either confirm or disconfirm the given hypothesis, or they may be neutral with respect to it. To say that certain observation sentences confirm or disconfirm a hypothesis, does not, of course, generally mean that those observation sentences suffice strictly to prove or to refute the hypothesis in question, but rather that they constitute favorable, or unfavorable, evidence for it; and the term “neutral” is to indicate that the observation sentences are either entirely irrelevant to the hypothesis, or at least insufficient to strengthen or weaken it.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Guilbeault ◽  
Damon Centola

AbstractThe standard measure of distance in social networks – average shortest path length – assumes a model of “simple” contagion, in which people only need exposure to influence from one peer to adopt the contagion. However, many social phenomena are “complex” contagions, for which people need exposure to multiple peers before they adopt. Here, we show that the classical measure of path length fails to define network connectedness and node centrality for complex contagions. Centrality measures and seeding strategies based on the classical definition of path length frequently misidentify the network features that are most effective for spreading complex contagions. To address these issues, we derive measures of complex path length and complex centrality, which significantly improve the capacity to identify the network structures and central individuals best suited for spreading complex contagions. We validate our theory using empirical data on the spread of a microfinance program in 43 rural Indian villages.


Author(s):  
Dafang Zhao ◽  
Muhammad Aamir Ali ◽  
Artion Kashuri ◽  
Hüseyin Budak ◽  
Mehmet Zeki Sarikaya

Abstract In this paper, we present a new definition of interval-valued convex functions depending on the given function which is called “interval-valued approximately h-convex functions”. We establish some inequalities of Hermite–Hadamard type for a newly defined class of functions by using generalized fractional integrals. Our new inequalities are the extensions of previously obtained results like (D.F. Zhao et al. in J. Inequal. Appl. 2018(1):302, 2018 and H. Budak et al. in Proc. Am. Math. Soc., 2019). We also discussed some special cases from our main results.


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 1546
Author(s):  
Mohsen Soltanifar

How many fractals exist in nature or the virtual world? In this paper, we partially answer the second question using Mandelbrot’s fundamental definition of fractals and their quantities of the Hausdorff dimension and Lebesgue measure. We prove the existence of aleph-two of virtual fractals with a Hausdorff dimension of a bi-variate function of them and the given Lebesgue measure. The question remains unanswered for other fractal dimensions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Woschnack ◽  
Stefanie Hiss ◽  
Sebastian Nagel ◽  
Bernd Teufel

Abstract This empirical study explores the financialization of social sustainability driven by sustainability accounting and reporting initiatives (SARIs). Since no globally accepted definition of what social sustainability encompasses exists, the paper asks how social sustainability is translated into the financial market language by SARIs as they provide standards for disclosing corporate non-financial performance and promote their concepts of social sustainability. The paper uses a two-step qualitative content analysis. First, it operationalizes social sustainability based on the empirical data of six sustainability rating agencies. Second, this operationalization is compared with the concepts created by three SARIs. The paper shows significant differences between the concepts of the SARIs and the rating agencies. While the rating agencies altogether interpret social sustainability with 83 distinct aspects, the SARIs, although differently created, use significant reduced concepts where 20% of these aspects are absent. The result of this financialization process could be a simplified and financially determined concept of social sustainability within die socially discourse. The research is limited to social sustainability and its financialization by SARIs. Individual indicators and their way or intensity to capture aspects of social sustainability were not part of the research interest. Further research should investigate the economic and the ecological pillars of sustainability as well as the usage of such financialized concepts within the society and especially by corporations. The paper unfolds the arbitrariness of operationalizing a qualitative phenomenon like social sustainability through the financial system. It discloses the need for looking at the mechanisms behind such processes and at the interests of the actors behind the frameworks. The paper reveals the financialization process driven by SARIs and demonstrates its simplifying effects on the concept of social sustainability. Furthermore, the paper shows that SARIs as metrics for non-financial aspects are troubled with a lack of transparency and a lack of convergence.


Heritage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 3208-3237
Author(s):  
Roberta Varriale ◽  
Laura Genovese

Recent research about the theoretical approach to elements of cultural heritage that can be included in the newly born class Underground Built Heritage (UBH), has provided several instruments for the functional classification and the static and dynamic analysis of all artefacts coherent with the given definition, while introducing several criteria for their reuse and the evaluation of connected enhancement processes as well. These guidelines can be adopted to analyze single artefacts, groups of homogenous or heterogeneous elements, and also selected territorial assets or national systems, even at a comparative level. With reference to this potential, research results from the application of this new methodological approach to the outputs of three ongoing projects by the National Research Council of Italy, all focusing on UBH, in three countries: China, Japan and Italy, are presented. With reference to the above-mentioned geographical contests, the research introduces a comparative study focusing on selected examples of artefacts that have been historically built underground to manage three functions: living space, religion and economy. This study, carried out based on data collected during onsite visits by the authors, consists in three steps: selection and analysis of case studies, definition of level of reuses on the basis of a given scale, and analysis of the different tools adopted for their conservation and enhancement. In the conclusions, possible future implementations of reuses of the analyzed elements are pointed out.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (5) ◽  
pp. 40-47
Author(s):  
Elena Rozhkova

The purpose of this work is the assessment and forecasting of freight car technical state at life stages. The scientific novelty consists in the definition of car operating run-up to the first failure and between failures, and also in the definition of car life to considerable repair fulfillment from the operating run between failures and development of a graphical model of freight car reliability. As a result of the statistic modeling of gondola car operating runs up to the first failure it is defined that the given random value conforms to a normal distribution law, the first car setoff in TOR due to wear failure takes place at the operating run of 85,000 km. Besides the operating run-up to the first failure there was defined an operating run-up between failures. It is proved that the operating run-up between failures conforms to the exponential law of distribution, the mathematical expectation of which is 13,000 km. The results of investigations mentioned above formed the basis of the graphical model of car reliability. An inter-repair service life of a car can be represented as a sum of the following operating run-ups: operating run-ups to the first failure, the product of operating run-ups between failures and the number of failures and a residual operating run-up (from the utmost current repair to the nearest scheduled repair). On the basis of the mentioned it is expedient to consider a technology for the realization of an enlarged repair with the purpose of the repetition exclusion in car setoffs during the inter-repair term. On the basis of the simulator there is obtained the dependence of the frequency of car enlarged current repair fulfillment depending on average operating run-up between failures. At present an enlarged current repair must be carried out only for gondola cars in the planned order after having reached 80,000 km. The repair mentioned can be carried out both under depot conditions, and under conditions of repair workshops. The advantage of such a system of repair consists in the increase car work reliability during the inter-repair term.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-167
Author(s):  
Serghey Gherdjikov

In this paper I present a definition of artifact based on cases of philosophical and scientifical use: anthropogenic abiotic virtual or real object with meaning and/or function. This definition is proposed in a new dimension: real–virtual, which purports to replace the classical opposition material–ideal as a better way of defining what an artifact is. I consider as virtual here not only digital simulations, but all sign forms. I show that my definition works better in explaining artifacts. I follow empirical science as a technique of studying artifacts, and subscribe to the anthropological paradigm.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-78
Author(s):  
Olena Kotykova ◽  
Mykola Babych

An effective implementation of the sustainable use of agricultural land program is impossible without reliable results of the current state of the problem. In this sense, the correct selection of indicators and methods for determining the level of stability is important. The authors proposes the definition of the agricultural land use sustainability integral indicator based on three methodological approaches: the construction of the indicators system, each of them reflects some aspects of the land use sustainability at the macro level (according to the specific issues); the construction of the integral indicator for comparing the countries’ land use sustainability. According to the given methods it has been proved that agricultural land use in the countries of the post-socialist camp has a positive dynamics, but the sustainability indicators for all indicators have not achieved yet. This study was supported in part by the Erasmus SUPPA program – Jean Monnet Associations Application No 611556-EPP-1-2019-1-UA-EPPJMO-SUPPA.


Author(s):  
Marek Záboj

The main objective of the contribution is proposal of the model of co-operative trade alliance for independent trade alliances with fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Czech Republic. Reason of the choice of this topic is sustain of variety of retail formats in Czech market in connection with position small and medium sized trade firms in comparison with transnational trade chains. Independent trade firms face to much bigger competitors operating supermarkets and hypermarkets, namely not even in size of sales area, width and depth of the assortment but also in possibility of negotiation of more profitable trade conditions with their suppliers. Effort of these independent trade firms, which operate mostly just in local or maximally regional market, is then mutual co-operation in form of consumer co-operatives, associations, alliances and networks. These groupings then mainly through common trade negotiation and purchase get for much more advantageous delivery and payment conditions from their suppliers. Besides they can participate in mutual financing of using of promotion instruments. Partial aim of the paper is investigation of opinion and willingness of Czech trade alliances with FMCG to utilize the opportunity of mutual co-operation in common trade alliance. Next partial goal is identification of the factors affecting formation of joint co-operative grouping and its structure, eventually definition of entry conditions which should be fulfilled by individual members.The system approach will be used to realize the given objective. This approach appears as the most suitable in consideration of anticipated structure and character of supposed model. The result will be then proposal of model of mutual co-operation between individual trade alliances.


Author(s):  
Anzelika Smagina ◽  
◽  
Iveta Ludviga ◽  

Defining craft entrepreneurship has been a challenge for many scholars and researchers in different countries. Not only because of the multidimensional nature of entrepreneurship, but also because of the differences in national regulations setting boundaries for each sector of the economy. Thus, in some countries, craft is a part of the Creative Industries, but in others it is considered as an independent sector of the economy. Understanding what craft is and how craft products can be differentiated and defined has also been a daunting task. Thus, consolidating theoretical knowledge on entrepreneurship and craft entrepreneurship gained from the literature with the results of an empirical study carried out among craft entrepreneurs and consumers of craft products, this study aims to conceptualize craft entrepreneurship and to develop propositions for the definition of craft entrepreneurship by integrating the meaning attributed to craft entrepreneurship and its specifics by craft entrepreneurs with the perception and meaning assigned to craft products and services by consumers. This study applies qualitative methodology and data gathered using semi-structured interviews and open-ended survey questions. 20 craft entrepreneurs represent a perspective of entrepreneurs about entrepreneurship and its specifics in the craft sector, whereas 445 consumers reflect the opinion of the general public about craft and craft-related products. The results of the study indicate that craft entrepreneurship is undoubtedly connected to handmade products, national traditions, small ventures and craft markets and fairs, where craft entrepreneurs commercialize their produce. Although numerous scholars have already attempted to conceptualize craft entrepreneurship theoretically, the contribution of this study is in its integrated application of theoretical and empirical data reflecting the perspectives of entrepreneurs and consumers.


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