Perverse Reasons

For an agent to be motivated by a normatively perverse reason is to be motivated by a normative or evaluative thought as such which, if true, would count as such against the action that it motivates the agent to perform, or against the attitude that it motivates the agent to take. For example, that an action is morally wrong or prudentially bad counts, as such, against performing the action. When the thought that an action is morally wrong or prudentially bad (bad for me) motivates me as such to perform the action, my motivating reason is normatively perverse. If being motivated by normatively perverse reasons is possible, then what, if anything, is wrong about it? I present and reject some accounts of what may be wrong about normative perversity (wrong reasons, malfunctioning attitudes, practical irrationality, instability, evaluative ignorance). In the course of this discussion some desiderata emerge. Then I defend the suggestion that normative perversion is socially undesirable, in that it undermines certain valuable interpersonal and intrapersonal relations. Entering and maintaining these relations is constitutive of valuing people as beings to whom reasonable justification is owed. I show how this account satisfies the desiderata.

Fundamentals of Provincial Governance in Nepal’s Federalism

The objective of this article is to answer the state of provincial states and the challenges faced by them, and to show the constitutional provisions for coordination, cooperation and coexistence of inter-provincial relations of Nepalese new federal set up. The provincial governments are facing lots of challenge including resource, proper policies, devolution of power and bureaucratic accountability and lack of intra-provincial coordination. The constitution stands on tri-pillar theory (cooperation, coexistence and coordination) to operate the holding together federalism in Nepal. In this article, an empirical facts and field observation of Gandaki Province have been analyzed. The writer argues that other provinces throughout the country have been facing the similar kinds of problems. During the writing, the facts were collected by inter and intrapersonal relations with the civil servants, provincial assembly members and various interaction programs with provincial stakeholders. But the core study area is Gandaki Province. The major finding of this study is that provincial cooperation and coordination is an essential factor to implementing federalism in Nepal. If the provinces failed to cooperate with federal government as well as intra-provincial government, federalism is hardly likely to sustain in Nepal.

Nilai Budaya Masyarakat Banjar Kalimantan Selatan: Studi Indigenous

This study was aimed to identify local values of Banjar society, South Kalimantan. Phenomenological method was used to reveal how participants’ understanding of the local values. In-depth interviews were employed to collect data from three participants who were recruited by using purposive and snowball sampling. The three participants consist of a Banjar culture expert, a Banjar society informal leader, dan a researcher on Banjar issues. This study found that Banjar values can be categorized in four levels namely Banjar values in human and God, human and nature, interpersonal, and intrapersonal relations. In the context of human and God relation, the primary concept of Banjar value identified is berelaan which means sincerity and gratitude. Concerning human and nature relation, there is a Banjar prominent value bisa-bisa maandak awak that means adaptive to environment. At interpersonal level, the values identified are bubuhan (discussion to reach agreement), bedingsanakan (fraternity), betutulungan (mutual assistance), and bakalah bamanang (self-adjustment). The Banjar eminent values at intrapersonal level cover gawi manuntung (self-independent) and dalas balangsar dada (responsible).Abstrak: Penelitian ini untuk mengidentifikasi nilai-nilai budaya lokal pada masyarakat Banjar Kalimantan Selatan. Metode kualitatif fenomenologis untuk mengembangkan pemahaman mengenai nilai-nilai budaya lokal. Teknik snowball digunakan dalam menggali data melalui wawancara dari satu informan ke informan lainnya. Subjek penelitian berjumlah 3 (tiga) orang, yaitu ahli budaya, akademisi dan tokoh masyarakat. Hasil menunjukkan nilai budaya Banjar; dalam hubungan manusia dengan Tuhan meliputi ikhlas dan syukur dengan konsep nilai berelaan. Manusia dengan alam, nilai konsepsi bisa-bisa maandak awak untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan lingkungan. Hubungan manusia dengan manusia meliputi nilai musyawarah, persaudaraan, gotong royong atau tolong menolong, penyesuaian diri, dengan konsep nilai bubuhan, bedingsanakan, betutulungan, dan bakalah bamanang. Manusia dengan diri sendiri, meliputi kerja keras, disiplin, koreksi diri, mengikuti perkembangan jaman, percaya pada diri sendiri, dan bertanggungjawab dengan konsep nilai gawi manuntung, dalas balangsar dada.