Probabilistic Thinking: A Principle-Based Concept Analysis in the Context of Uncertainty in Chronic Illness

Background and PurposeThe Reconceptualized Uncertainty in Illness Theory (RUIT) includes the concept of “probabilistic thinking” intending to explain the positive reappraisal of uncertainty in chronic illness. However, the description of the concept is vague, thereby limiting the understanding of the theory. Thus, the aim was to develop a theoretical definition of probabilistic thinking in order to increase the explanatory value of RUIT.MethodsWe conducted a principle-based concept analysis by means of a conceptually driven literature search. Methods consisted of database, dictionary, lexicon, and free web searching as well as citation tracking. We analyzed the concept in terms of (a) epistemology, (b) pragmatics, (c) logic, and (d) linguistics.ResultsThe final data set included 27 publications, 14 of them from nursing. (a) Probabilistic thinking is a coping strategy to handle uncertainty. It involves a focus on either possibilities (in nursing) or probabilities (in other disciplines). (b) There is a lack of operationalization in nursing, though three measurements focusing the handling of probabilities are offered in psychology. (c) Nursing authors interpreting probabilistic thinking as accepted uncertainty lacked logical appropriateness, since probability negotiates uncertainty. (d) Probabilistic thinking is used synonymously with positive thinking and probabilistic reasoning.Implications for PracticeNurses working with chronically ill patients should consider the findings for the application of RUIT. They should recognize whether uncertainty is perceived as a danger and encourage probabilistic thinking. Efforts are necessary to achieve a common language between nursing and other disciplines in order to avoid misunderstandings in clinical practice and research.

Information transformation as the basis for probabilistic thinking development of biology students at a pedagogical university

In the conditions of an intensive information flow and the expansion of the authors rights, there has been a change in the ways of working with scientific texts, in filling them with meaning. Working on text transformation, in whatever forms it may take place, is the most important activity for mastering the scientific language. Sketching (the method of visual notes) can be successfully used in teaching at a higher school, since it stimulates the cognitive activity of students from understanding the authors intention of the text to its transformation and giving personal meaning. Sketching is a convenient tool for the perception and processing of scientific information. These are polycode texts in which information is transmitted by verbal and non-verbal figurative and pictorial means. It is also a method for rendering the content. These are also techniques for working with texts that make it easier for students to work with complex information (facilitate the perception and understanding of their content). This paper gives recommendations on the use of sketching for students to study texts on the history and methodology of biology. Mastering the basics of in-depth understanding and creative reproduction of the text, their repeated playback provides the basis for the development of the teachers professionalism.

Unambiguous determinism in captivity of illusory perceptions

This article attempt to clarify whether the accusations brought by modern physics and probabilistic thinking against unambiguous determinism are justified. Is it incompatible with the existence of various possibilities, coincidences, free will, and certain laws of microcosm? Does it really lead to absolute predetermination? Is the perception of universality and fundamentality of unambiguous causation really outdated? Can the dynamic laws  be limited in their manifestation? Can they be replaced with probabilistic laws? At the same time, the logic of research is founded on determination of the essence of all the phenomena that are supposedly incompatible with the unambiguous determinism. In the course of research, the author adheres to gradual implementation of the principle of materialistic monism. The conclusion is made that the classical representation of universality and fundamentality of unambiguous causality remains relevant and is fully compatible with the presence of various possibilities, coincidences, free will, and probability. The author reveals the nature of possibilities and coincidences, as well as indicated inseparability of these phenomena from the predictive activity of a human. The article also determines inextricable link between the dynamic laws and the materiality of  the cognizable world, which testifies to their unlimited fundamentality. The nature of probabilistic laws and their inseparability from dynamic laws is underlined. The author provides arguments that unambiguous causality does not lead to absolute predomination of events, emphasizes the importance of the worldview criterion of validity of scientific representations; and clarifies the definition of matter.