scholarly journals Contextualism and Testimony

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro De Brasi

 It has recently been argued that Subject-Sensitive Invariantism conflicts with an attractive testimonial principle of transmission. One might think, given the differences between Subject-Sensitive Invariantism and Contextualism, the latter would not be susceptible to related objections. I argue however that some testimonial principles with much intuitive appeal give us a related though different reason to reject Contextualism. In short, while some argue that Subject-Sensitive Invariantism seems to sometimes make testimonial knowledge too easy to come by, I argue that Contextualism seems to often make testimonial knowledge too hard to come by. Contextualism then does not enjoy an advantage over Subject-Sensitive Invariantism when it comes to capturing the transmissive role of knowledge.

Postcolonial studies, postmodern studies, even posthuman studies emerge, and intellectuals demand that social sciences be remade to address fundamentals of the human condition, from human rights to global environmental crises. Since these fields owe so much to American state sponsorship, is it easier to reimagine the human and the modern than to properly measure the pervasive American influence? Reconsidering American Power offers trenchant studies by renowned scholars who reassess the role of the social sciences in the construction and upkeep of the Pax Americana and the influence of Pax Americana on the social sciences. With the thematic image for this enterprise as the ‘fiery hunt’ for Ahab’s whale, the contributors pursue realities behind the theories, and reconsider the real origins and motives of their fields with an eye on what will deter or repurpose the ‘fiery hunts’ to come, by offering a critical insider’s view.


Author(s):  
Swayamdipta Bhaduri ◽  
Pankaj Sahu ◽  
Siddhartha Das ◽  
Aloke Kumar ◽  
Sushanta K. Mitra

The phenomenon of capillary imbibition through porous media is important both due to its applications in several disciplines as well as the involved fundamental flow physics in micro-nanoscales. In the present study, where a simple paper strip plays the role of a porous medium, we observe an extremely interesting and non-intuitive wicking or imbibition dynamics, through which we can separate water and dye particles by allowing the paper strip to come in contact with a dye solution. This result is extremely significant in the context of understanding paper-based microfluidics, and the manner in which the fundamental understanding of the capillary imbibition phenomenon in a porous medium can be used to devise a paper-based microfluidic separator.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096366252110206
Author(s):  
Lyn M. van Swol ◽  
Emma Frances Bloomfield ◽  
Chen-Ting Chang ◽  
Stephanie Willes

This study examined if creating intimacy in a group discussion is more effective toward reaching consensus about climate change than a focus on information. Participants were randomly assigned to either a group that spent the first part of an online discussion engaging in self-disclosure and focusing on shared values (intimacy condition) or discussing information from an article about climate change (information condition). Afterward, all groups were given the same instructions to try to come to group consensus on their opinions about climate change. Participants in the intimacy condition had higher ratings of social cohesion, group attraction, task interdependence, and collective engagement and lower ratings of ostracism than the information condition. Intimacy groups were more likely to reach consensus, with ostracism and the emotional tone of discussion mediating this effect. Participants were more likely to change their opinion to reflect that climate change is real in the intimacy than information condition.


Philosophies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
S. J. Blodgett-Ford

The phenomenon and ethics of “voting” will be explored in the context of human enhancements. “Voting” will be examined for enhanced humans with moderate and extreme enhancements. Existing patterns of discrimination in voting around the globe could continue substantially “as is” for those with moderate enhancements. For extreme enhancements, voting rights could be challenged if the very humanity of the enhanced was in doubt. Humans who were not enhanced could also be disenfranchised if certain enhancements become prevalent. Voting will be examined using a theory of engagement articulated by Professor Sophie Loidolt that emphasizes the importance of legitimization and justification by “facing the appeal of the other” to determine what is “right” from a phenomenological first-person perspective. Seeking inspiration from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948, voting rights and responsibilities will be re-framed from a foundational working hypothesis that all enhanced and non-enhanced humans should have a right to vote directly. Representative voting will be considered as an admittedly imperfect alternative or additional option. The framework in which voting occurs, as well as the processes, temporal cadence, and role of voting, requires the participation from as diverse a group of humans as possible. Voting rights delivered by fiat to enhanced or non-enhanced humans who were excluded from participation in the design and ratification of the governance structure is not legitimate. Applying and extending Loidolt’s framework, we must recognize the urgency that demands the impossible, with openness to that universality in progress (or universality to come) that keeps being constituted from the outside.


Author(s):  
Francesco Piccialli ◽  
Vincenzo Schiano di Cola ◽  
Fabio Giampaolo ◽  
Salvatore Cuomo

AbstractThe first few months of 2020 have profoundly changed the way we live our lives and carry out our daily activities. Although the widespread use of futuristic robotaxis and self-driving commercial vehicles has not yet become a reality, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically accelerated the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in different fields. We have witnessed the equivalent of two years of digital transformation compressed into just a few months. Whether it is in tracing epidemiological peaks or in transacting contactless payments, the impact of these developments has been almost immediate, and a window has opened up on what is to come. Here we analyze and discuss how AI can support us in facing the ongoing pandemic. Despite the numerous and undeniable contributions of AI, clinical trials and human skills are still required. Even if different strategies have been developed in different states worldwide, the fight against the pandemic seems to have found everywhere a valuable ally in AI, a global and open-source tool capable of providing assistance in this health emergency. A careful AI application would enable us to operate within this complex scenario involving healthcare, society and research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Gajendra Sharma Rabin Shrestha

Imagine the University where everything runs smoothly, there is no need to worry about information that needs to be known where the University shares all information in your ear. Imagine that you know every location of your University and the schedules are relevant. This research focuses on the problem faced by Kathmandu University (KU) students while searching for their lecture room and managing their class schedule. This research is carried out for proposing knowledge portal for an intelligent class scheduling and location directing on the central campus of KU. The quest of the information world to make everyday easier has driven us to come up with the concept of such an app and this research consists of role of knowledge management for the development of an application by sharing and exchange of information between individuals and the administration. The university will be benefited in at least a small way through the paper.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepika Swain ◽  
Lalatendu Kesari Jena ◽  
Sanket Sunand Dash ◽  
Rama Shankar Yadav

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically exhibit the moderating effect of learner interaction (LI) on motivation to learn (MTL), mobile learning (ML) and online learning climate (OLC), so as to bring in enhanced rigour to the virtual knowledge dissemination during the times of crisis. Design/methodology/approach A total of 784 valid responses were considered for the confirmatory factor analysis to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The study found that MTL and ML contributed to improved OLC and high LI moderated the positive relationship between MTL, ML and OLC. LI also directly contributed to an improved OLC. Practical implications Measures need to be designed to crowbar motivation to ensure heightened interaction of learners, to gear up the ML reach soaring heights achieving a dynamic OLC. Acclimatization of the OLC will be the visionary solution to tackle learning disruption during today’s pandemic times and also many other challenges to come in near-far future. Originality/value The current study established the moderating role of LI in influencing OLC, and also motivating facilitator’s for designing upgraded content, and thereby fuelling the intention to learn.


2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilda Kruger

<span>The fast and continuous technological change that is characteristic of the information society we find ourselves in has demonstrable impact on the way librarians go about their business. This paper offers a scenario of technological changes already in the pipeline and yet to come, and how those changes will impact the role of librarians in the future. One of the main concerns of this paper is the continued relevance of information professionals as infomediaries in our future society.</span><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>


2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Reedy

Nearly 50 years after it was thought to be conquered, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) continues to cause vision disturbances and blindness among prematurely born infants. During the 1940s and early 1950s, researchers and caregivers first identified and struggled to eliminate this problem, which seemed to come from nowhere and was concentrated among the most advanced premature nurseries in the U.S. Research studies initially identified many potential causes, none of which could be proved conclusively. By the mid-1950s, oxygen was identified as the culprit, and its use was immediately restricted. The rate of blindness among premature infants decreased significantly. ROP was not cured, however. By the 1960s, it had reappeared. The history of ROP serves to remind us that, despite our best intentions, the care and treatment of premature newborns will always carry with it the possibility of iatrogenic disease. This caution is worth remembering as we work to expand the quality and quantity of clinical research.


Author(s):  
Michele K. Troy

This chapter examines Albatross Press's acquisition of Bernhard Tauchnitz. Few Tauchnitz or Albatross readers knew the reasons behind the near demise and resurrection of Tauchnitz, or the machinations behind its sale. In book trade circles in Leipzig, one rumor that circulated was that Sir Edmund Davis, the financial weight behind Albatross, wanted to purchase Tauchnitz. The Reich Literary Chamber, charged with oversight of all publishing matters in Germany, had not only approved but also officiated over the Albatross-Tauchnitz merger. This chapter considers John Holroyd-Reece's negotiations with Oscar Brandstetter that sealed the Albatross-Tauchnitz union; the agreements that would guarantee Albatross a role in the German economy for years to come; and the role of National Socialism in the Brandstetter enterprises.


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