On the Pragmatics and Problematics of Defining Beauty and Character: The Greek Poet Lucian (120-200) Engages Exacting Portraitures and Difficult Subjects

Although best known as a satirist of the classical Roman era, Lucian's (c120-200CE) Essays in Portraiture and Essays in Portraiture Defended provide considerable insight into the problematics of people knowing and defining objects (along with the consequential and related matter of people sharing their definitions of reality with others). Engaging notions of admiration, beauty, and character in these two statements, Lucian not only faces the task of establishing viable frames of reference for linguistically defining the essence of a woman deemed to be particularly beautiful and gracious but also assumes the challenge of defending one’s preferred definitions of particular subject matters from others who do not share these views. Whereas Lucian uses the works of prominent sculptors, painters, poets, and philosophers as reference points in articulating beauty and grace, this paper also acknowledges the perils of people who sincerely express their viewpoints on others even when these descriptions of others are cast in clearly positive terms. Lucian may be a lesser-known classical Greek (Syrian) author, but he is an astute observer of human endeavor. Lucian’s work on portraiture also has a striking cross-cultural and transhistorical relevance for a more enduring pragmatist emphasis on human knowing and acting. Not only is Lucian (a) explicitly attentive to the necessity of people establishing frames of reference for describing objects to others in meaningful terms, but he also overtly recognizes (b) the multiple viewpoints that people may invoke with respect to describing particular objects, (c) the resistances that people may encounter from others, and (d) the importance of speakers articulating the foundations for their claims amidst contested notions of reality. Approached from an interactionist perspective (Mead 1934; Blumer 1969; Strauss 1993; Prus 1996, 1997, 1999), wherein attention is given to the more general matters of people acquiring perspectives, defining objects, and sustaining particular notions of reality, this paper uses Lucian’s materials on portraiture as a cross-cultural and transhistorical resource both for assessing (and qualifying) existing interactionist conceptualizations of human group life and for suggesting some more particular areas of inquiry to which contemporary scholars may attend.

Ontology of a Wavefunction from the Perspective of an Invariant Proper Time

All the arguments of a wavefunction are defined at the same instant, implying the notion of simultaneity. In a somewhat related matter, certain phenomena in quantum mechanics seem to have non-local causal relations. Both concepts contradict the special relativity. We propose defining the wavefunction with respect to the invariant proper time of special relativity instead of the standard time. Moreover, we shall adopt the original idea of Schrodinger, suggesting that the wavefunction represents an ontological cloud-like object that we shall call “individual fabric” that has a finite density amplitude vanishing at infinity. Consequently, the action of measurement can be assimilated to the introduction of a confining potential that triggers an inherent nonlocal mechanism within the individual fabric. This mechanism is formalised by multiplying the wavefunction with a localising Gaussian, as in the GRW theory, but in a deterministic manner.

Counterterrorism and the risk of over-classification of situations of violence

Richard Baxter famously stated that “the first line of defence against international humanitarian law is to deny that it applies at all”. While “under-classification” remains an issue today, a parallel trend needs to be acknowledged. This is the tendency to over-classify situations of violence, especially in relation to transnational terrorist organizations such as the so-called Islamic State group or Al-Qaeda. This tendency stems from practical difficulties inherent in the changing operational environment. The last few years have witnessed a proliferation of armed non-State actors that are labelled or designated as terrorists (e.g., in Iraq, Syria, Mali, Nigeria and Yemen). Terrorist groups are characterized by opaque, often volatile organizational structures and tend to operate in decentralized networks rather than clear hierarchies. The formation of splinter groups, changing alliances, temporary reunification and even open hostility among former allies are common phenomena. This complex factual situation has led to the proliferation of theories of conflict classification, many of them arguing in favour of more flexible classification via the loosening of existing standards. Because international humanitarian law is in many respects less protective than international human rights law, particularly regarding the rules on the use of force and detention, classifying a situation of violence as an armed conflict when the threshold has not been met is a problem that should not be underestimated. In this article, we revisit the criteria of intensity and organization, as well as the related matter of the role of motives in conflict classification, considering conflicts involving armed groups described as terrorists. Our goal is to identify minimum requirements that could diminish the risk of over-classification by various stakeholders.

Ontology of a Wavefunction from the Perspective of an Invariant Proper Time

All the arguments of a wavefunction are defined at the same instant implying a notion of simultaneity. In a somewhat related matter, certain phenomena in quantum mechanics seem to have non-local causal relations. Both concepts are in contradiction with special relativity. We propose to define the wavefunction with respect to the invariant proper time of special relativity instead of standard time. Moreover, we shall adopt the original idea of Schrodinger suggesting that the wavefunction represents an ontological cloud-like object that we shall call ‘individual fabric’ that has a finite density amplitude vanishing at infinity. Consequently, measurement can be assimilated to a confining potential that triggers an inherent non-local mechanism within the individual fabric. It is formalised by multiplying the wavefunction with a localising gaussian as in the GRW theory but in a deterministic manner.

Nontargets: Understanding the Apathy Towards the Israeli Security Agency’s COVID-19 Surveillance

This article tackles one of the latest—but nonetheless baffling—displays of public apathy towards surveillance: that of much of the Israeli public towards the decision to recruit the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) to do COVID-19 contact tracing during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The case of a secretive state agency being authorized to do surveillance on its citizens for a strictly non-security-related matter seems to realize many of the dangers that surveillance/privacy scholars warn about with regards to surveillance expansion, function creep, and the creation of a surveillance state. I contribute to existing literature about apathy towards surveillance and the privacy paradox by offering the term “nontargets” as an explanation. This term suggests that, alongside social groups that are likely to be targeted by a given surveillance application, there are certain recognizable nontargets that most likely will not bear the brunt of the surveillance, at least not in the short- and medium-term, and thus do not fear it. In the case at hand, which is examined using a qualitative context-bound study, I suggest that Jewish-Israelis are such a nontarget group with regards to this novel Shin Bet surveillance, which explains a significant part of their apathy towards it.

Quranic Concept of Halalan Tayyiban and its Application in Food and Beverages of Hospitality Sector in Malaysia

Halal hospitality services have been increasing year by year due to the demand from Muslims for halal food and beverages. With this development, there is a need to ensure that the halal food providers are well-equipped enough with halal knowledge in order to ensure Muslim consumers obtain halal food in the best manner. This is because malpractice could happen if the practitioners are having lack of knowledge on halal related matter. In relation to this, this article aims to discuss the Quranic concept of halalan tayyiban and its application in food and beverage in the hospitality sector in Malaysia. Firstly, the study aims to examine the Quranic principles of halalan tayyiban. Secondly, it takes into account to what extent that these Quranic principles are applied in the hospitality sector of Malaysia, hence, these principles are examined and analysed accordingly. The methods of data collection involved library research and in-depth interview with hospitality skills trainer. The technique of analysis used was content analysis. Data related to the study were analysed and descriptive data using percentages was used. The findings of the study indicated that some hotels are concerned with the Quranic concept of halalan tayyiban and it is applied in serving their food and beverage in order to attract more customers who are particular into taking halalan tayyiban food and beverage for healthy and righteous living.

Architecture of Cities and the Politics of Abhorrence in Nigeria: a case of political neglect, abandonment and homelessness

Architects, planners and engineers anchored firmly in the present, not able to resist good opportunities presented by the society. They are impulsive, do not plan or plan for tomorrow, impetient and in most cases, not caring about the growth, development and the people they are depriving of the basic needs to survive. The questions are, what are the reactions of the people in the building industry about Nigeria’s homelessness as we they no sence of succession and, what would they do about project abandonment by sitting govenors? This article draws attention to the colossal failure of the professionals in the building industry in providing adequate housing to eradicate homelessness and have not challenged the governors to complete the projects left by their predecessors. The instrument of more than two research strategies; quantitative and qualitative research methods and their tactics were used. Secondary data were based on direct observation and relevant documents from previous studies on the related matter. Most Nigerian politicians are idealogically incompetent with questionable competence executing their legisletive duties that, resulted in housing inadequacy and homelessness. The medical and psychological conditions of the homeless people should be the society’s primary concern and the recommendation of this paper. Architects are known for their graphic skills and communications, but they are not using them for the growth and development of the communities and they have derailed in the true objective and values of what should have been, the growth and development of the communities devoid of systemic inequality.

Frameworks for program evaluation: Considerations on research, practice, and institutions

The term “evaluation framework” and other associated terms are common in the practice and the discipline of program evaluation. These terms correspond to a variety of meanings across contexts and organizations and, thus, tend to lack overall consistency. In response, this article provides a model to analyze frameworks for program evaluation organized around four dimensions. The model states that a framework for evaluation is an intellectual framework made of concepts and/or theories (first dimension: types of ideas) about an object related to evaluation (second dimension: object), where the said concepts and theories can be positive and/or normative (third dimension: analytical perspective). These three dimensions provide the means to describe, explain, or judge an evaluation-related matter. A fourth and optional dimension, the institutional character of a framework, allows an evaluation framework to become a form of regulation for behaviors related to program evaluation (fourth dimension: institutional dimension).

Mr A preliminary comparative perspective on the role of multinational enterprises in influencing labour relations of their host nation

This paper examines the operations of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in so far as they are able to influence the public and labour relations policy and law of their host nation with a special attention on African nations. It is to be expected that MNEs would already be comfortable with the mechanisms in place for the resolution of labour-related or commercial disputes in their country of origin. The question then that arises is: If confronted with an employment relations situation in their host nation, would the MNE attempt to circumvent or adapt the process to suit what they are already familiar with? This could pose a challenge for the practice of international labour law. Literature (Briscoe, Schuler & Tarique, 2012; Eweje, 2009; Iyanda & Bello, 1979; Onimode, 1978) already alludes to the fact that MNEs tend to take the ‘line of least resistance’ if confronted with ‘higher’ labour standards. A comparative exploratory analysis was undertaken. The paper identified MNEs in selected African countries – Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia – that have been reported to have had a challenge in dealing with labour-related or commercial standards of their host nation. The selected MNEs had been reported in the news media for having had a ‘run in’ with their host nation on, at least, a labour - or commercial law-related matter. The principal legislation governing labour relations in these countries are, in some cases, briefly highlighted to underscore the extent of their breach or disregard by the examined MNEs. Furthermore, a qualitative, thematic analysis of selected reported cases involving these MNEs were undertaken to highlight evidences (or instances) of attempts, if any, by the MNEs to circumvent the commercial, fiscal or labour standards of the host nation. Finally, it is hoped that the result of the above analyses would inform the possibility of proposing a framework for MNEs compliance with the labour standards of their host nation.

Video Display Operator Complaints: A 10-Year Follow-Up of Visual Fatigue and Refractive Disorders

Visual fatigue and discomfort are very common complaints for video display operators (VDTs). The aim of our study was to study work-related visual symptoms in relation to refractive disorders and psychosocial factors in 3054 public employees by way of follow-ups for 10 years with periodic medical examinations with eye evaluation in the period 2000–2009. Factors related to visual fatigue were evaluated in the follow-up using generalized equation estimation. Visual fatigue was very common in VDT operators (64.03%). During the follow-up, no relationship between visual fatigue and age, sex, seniority of work, visual acuity and refractory disorders was found. Visual fatigue was significantly associated with anxiety perception in a dose-related matter (odds ratio (OR) 7.40, confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.77–31.3), psychosocial factors (OR 1.03, CI 95% 1.01–1.07), use of lenses (OR 1.34, CI 95% 1.09–1.64) and time of VDT usage (OR 1.27, CI 95% 1.04–1.53). This study confirmed that visual fatigue is common in VDT users and is related to anxiety perception, time of VDT usage, use of lenses and stress. No relationship was found between visual fatigue and refractory disorders or visual acuity.