The meta-problem of consciousness (Chalmers, 2018) is the problem of explaining the behaviours and verbal reports that we associate with the so-called 'hard problem of consciousness'. These may include reports of puzzlement, of the attractiveness of dualism, of explanatory gaps, and the like. We present and defend a solution to the meta-problem. Our solution takes as its starting point the emerging picture of the brain as a hierarchical inference engine. We show why such a device, operating under familiar forms of (...) adaptive pressure, may come to represent some of its mid-level inferences as especially certain. These mid-level states confidently re-code raw sensory stimulation in ways that (they are able to realize) fall short of fully determining how properties and states of affairs are arranged in the distal world. This drives a wedge between experience and the world. Advanced agents then represent these mid-level inferences as irreducibly special, becoming increasingly puzzled as a result. (shrink)

Never before, in any anthology, have contemporary epistemologists and philosophers of language come together to address the single most neglected important issue at the confluence of these two branches of philosophy, namely: Can we know facts from reliable reports? Besides Hume's subversive discussion of miracles and the literature thereon, testimony has been bypassed by most Western philosophers; whereas in classical Indian theories of evidence and knowledge philosophical debates have raged for centuries about the status of word-generated knowledge. `Is the response (...) "I was told by an expert on the subject" as respectable as "I saw" or "I inferred" in answer to "How do you know?"' is a question answered in diverse and subtle ways by Buddhists, Vaisesikas and Naiyayikas. For the first time this book makes available the riches of those debates, translating from Sanskrit some contemporary Indian Pandits' reactions to Western analytic accounts of meaning and knowledge. For advanced undergraduates in philosophy, for researchers - in Australia, Asia, Europe or America - on epistemology, theory of meaning, Indian or comparative philosophy, as well as for specialists interested in this relatively fresh topic of knowledge transmission and epistemic dependence this book will be a feast. After its publication analytic philosophy and Indian philosophy will have no excuse for shunning each other. (shrink)

Background and objectives Conscientious refusal of abortion has been discussed widely by medical ethicists but little information on practitioners' opinions exists. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued recommendations about conscientious refusal. We used a vignette experiment to examine obstetrician-gynecologists' (OB/GYN) support for the recommendations. Design A national survey of OB/GYN physicians contained a vignette experiment in which an OB/GYN doctor refused a requested elective abortion. The vignette varied two issues recently addressed by the ACOG ethics committee—whether the (...) doctor referred and whether the doctor disclosed their objection to the abortion. Participants and setting 1800 OB/GYN randomly selected physicians were asked to complete a mail survey containing the vignette. The response rate was 66% (n=1154) after excluding 40 ineligible cases. Measurement Physicians indicated their approval for the vignette doctor's decision. Main results Overall, 43% of OB/GYN physicians responded that the conscientious refusal exercised by the vignette physician was appropriate. 70% rated the vignette doctor as acting appropriately when a referral was made. This dropped to 51% when the doctor disclosed objections to the patient, and to 12% when the doctor disclosed objections and refused to make a referral. Consistent with previous research, males were more likely to support disclosure and refusal to refer. Highly religious physicians supported non-referral but not disclosure. Conclusion OB/GYN physicians are less likely to support conscientious refusal of abortion if physicians disclose their objections to patients. This is at odds with ACOG recommendations and with some models of the doctor–patient relationship. (shrink)

The founders of reformational philosophy, H. Dooyeweerd and D.H.Th. Vollenhoven, each published in short succession, viz. 1949 and 1950, a voluminous study in the history of philosophy. Whoever reads both works is struck by the remarkable differences in treatment. In this contribution these differences are analysed, but there is also indication of agreement. The article ends with a number of conclusions based on the analysis.

The idea of moral reform requires that morality be more than a description of what people do value, for there has to be some measure against which to assess progress. Otherwise, any change is not reform, but simply difference. Therefore, I discuss moral reform in relation to two prescriptive approaches to common morality, which I distinguish as the foundational and the pragmatic. A foundational approach to common morality (e.g., Bernard Gert’s) suggests that there is no reform of morality , but (...) of beliefs, values, customs, and practices so as to conform with an unchanging, foundational morality. If, however, there were revision in its foundation (e.g., in rationality), then reform in morality itself would be possible. On a pragmatic view, on the other hand, common morality is relative to human flourishing, and its justification consists in its effectiveness in promoting flourishing. Morality is dependent on what in fact does promote human flourishing and therefore, could be reformed. However, a pragmatic approach, which appears more open to the possibility of moral reform, would need a more robust account of norms by which reform is measured. (shrink)

There has been longstanding interest in the consistency of decisions made by research ethics committees in the UK, but most of the evidence has come from single studies submitted to multiple committees. A systematic comparison was carried out of the decisions made on 18 purposively selected applications, each of which was reviewed independently by three different RECs in a single strategic health authority. Decisions on 11 applications were consistent, but disparities were found among RECs on decisions on seven applications. An (...) analysis of the agreement between decisions of RECs yielded an overall measure of agreement of κ = 0.286 , indicating a level of agreement that, although probably better than chance, may be described as “slight”. The small sample size limits the robustness of these findings. Further research on reasons for inconsistencies in decision making between RECs, and on the importance of such inconsistencies for a range of arguments, is needed. (shrink)

This collection by a distinguished group of philosophers, psychologists, and physiologists reflects an interdisciplinary approach to the central question of cognitive science: how do we model the mind? Among the topics explored are the relationships (theoretical, reductive, and explanatory) between philosophy, psychology, computer science, and physiology; what should be asked of models in science generally, and in cognitive science in particular; whether theoretical models must make essential reference to objects in the environment; whether there are human competences that are resistant, (...) in principle, to modelling; whether simulated thinking and intentionality are really thinking and intentionality; how semantics can be generated from syntactics; the meaning of the terms "representations" and "modelling;" whether the nature of the "hardware" matters; and whether computer models of humans are "dehumanizing." Contributors include Donald Davidson, Daniel C. Dennett, Margaret A. Boden, Adam Morton, Dennis Noble, T. Poggio, Colin Blakemore, K.V. Wilkes, P.N. Johnson-Laird, and Jonathan St. B.T. Evans. (shrink)

In Sāṃkhya similes are an important means to communicate basic philosophical teachings. In the texts similes are frequently used, especially in the Sāṃkhya passages in the Mahābhārata, in the Sāṃkhyakārikā and in the Sāṃkhyasūtra. This paper compares the similes in these three texts and analyses changes in the philosophy as revealed in the similes. A comparison of the similes of Sāṃkhya texts produced over more than one thousand years reveals changes in the emphasis in this philosophical system. The purpose of (...) the similes in the Sāṃkhya passages of the Mahābhārata is to produce an intuitive understanding of the separateness of puruṣa and prakṛti. The similes are designed to lead the listener to understand this basic dualism. In the Sāṃkhyakārikā the most difficult issues are the relationship between prakṛti and puruṣa and the idea of prakṛti working for the salvation of puruṣa. One whole chapter of the Sāṃkhyasūtra is devoted to similes. (shrink)

Les fouilles effectuées au cours de ces dernières dizaines d’années, ont modifié profondément le tableau qu’on se faisait de la préhistoire chinoise. Au début du xxe siècle, les savants les plus connus pouvaient encore mettre en doute l’existence d’une époque néolithique chinoise — mais depuis lors, l’activité de l’archéologie a mis à jour un vaste matériel et paléolithique et néolithique. Le présent article, extrait du premier volume d’une histoire économique et sociale de la Chine, donne une vue d’ensemble du matériel (...) nouvellement acquis et cherche à le mettre en valeur pour une considération sociologique.L’homo pekinensis, l’ancien habitant de la Chine paléolithique du Nord connaissait le feu ; il se servait d’instruments et d’armes en pierre travaillée. Aux deux degrés de son évolution de chasseur primitif et de chasseur évolué, correspondent deux degrés de perfection de ces instruments. Il semble bien que les prisonniers aient été tués (et mangés?) sans distinction d’âge et de sexe. Les chasseurs ne sauraient que faire du travail d’esclave.Vers la fin de l’époque néolithique chinoise se produisit un épanouissement que la rare perfection de la céramique „rouge“ et „noire“ indique assez bien. La filiation somatique de l’homo pekinensis et du Chinois des époques ultérieures est probable ; il semble hors de doute que l’homme de l’époque néolithique soit du même type que celui de la Chine historique. Primitivement, l’agriculture (à la houe) était faite par les femmes, qui en même temps confectionnaient à la main — par la suite au moyen d'une plaque très simple — la céramique,,rouge“ ; les hommes continuaient à s'occuper de la chasse et de la pêche. Dès lors apparaît, encore qu'assez vaguement, une civilisation démocratique et paysanne, caractérisée probablement par des éléments matriarchaux. Vers l'époque de la céramique „noire“ se produit la transition vers l'élevage et à la céramique qui connaît alors le tour de potier — ces deux sortes de travaux incombent aux hommes. L'agriculture se fait plus intense, c'est peut-être ici qu'il convient de supposer les premiers débuts de la construction de terrasses et de l'irrigation. Les esclaves trouvent un emploi, une différenciation sociale se produit, c'est l'origine des villes. La société agraire primitive fait place à un ordre nouveau. Celui-ci s'exprime socialement parlant par une noblesse de clan primitive, politiquement par l'État.Les découvertes les plus récentes de l'archéologie chinoise apportent de nombreuses preuves pour l'évolution telle qu'elle vient d'être esquissée. L'analyse des mythes archaïques et des contes populaires de la Chine confirme, par la suite, au moyen de l'anthropologie ce que l'étude avait jusqu'ici rendu hautement probable par les méthodes de l'archéologie.Die Ausgrabungen der letzten Jahrzehnte haben das Bild der chinesischen Frühgeschichte grundlegend geändert. Während noch zu Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts führende Gelehrte die Existenz eines chinesischen Neolithikums bezweifelten, hat seither die Tätigkeit der Archäologie sowohl paläolithische wie neolithische Funde in grosser Reichhaltigkeit zutage gefördert. Der vorliegende Aufsatz — Sektion I des ersten Bandes einer Wirtschafts-und Sozialgeschichte Chinas — gibt einen Überblick über das neu gewonnene Material und sucht es sozialwissenschaftlich auszuwerten.Homo pekinensis, der (früh) altsteinzeitliche Bewohner Nordchinas kannte das Feuer ; er benutzte Werkzeuge und Waffen aus behauenem Stein. Zwei Stufen der Bearbeitung seiner Geräte deuten zwei Stufen seiner ökonomischen Entwicklung an, die des „niederen“ und des „höheren“ Jägertums. Gefangene scheinen ohne Unterschied von Alter und Geschlecht getötet (und verzehrt?) worden zu sein. Jäger haben für Sklavenarbeit keine Verwendung.Reich entwickelt ist Chinas (spätes) Neolithikum, dessen „rote“ und „schwarze“ Töpferei von seltener Vollkommenheit ist. Der Zusammenhang des homo pekinensis mit den späteren Chinesen ist somatisch wahrscheinlich, die Zugehörigkeit der Bewohner des chinesischen Neolithikums zu dem geschichtlichen Chinesentum scheint ausser Zweifel. Ursprünglich wurde offenbar der Ackerbau (Hackbau) von Frauen betrieben, die zugleich mit der Hand — und später mit einem einfachen Drehrad — die „rote“ Töpferei herstellten, während die Männer fortfuhren zu jagen und zu fischen. Das Bild einer primitiven demokratischen Dorfkultur mit vermutlich mutterrechtlichen Zügen wird andeutungsweise sichtbar. Es folgt zur Zeit der „schwarzen“ Töpferei der Übergang zur von Männern betriebenen Viehzucht und zu einer mit der Töpferscheibe von Männern durchgeführten Töpferei. Der Ackerbau wird intensiver, die ersten Anfänge von Terrassenbau und Bewässerung liegen vielleicht hier. Sklaven werden verwendbar, soziale Differenzierung tritt ein. Städte entstehen. Die primitive Agrargesellschaft verwandelt sich in eine Ordnung neuer Art, deren sozialer Ausdruck ein primitiver Clan-Adel, deren politischer Ausdruck der Staat ist.Die jüngsten Entdeckungen auf dem Gebiete der chinesischen Archäologie erbringen zahlreiche Beweise für einen derartigen Entwicklungsgang. Die Analyse von Chinas archaischen Mythen und Volkserzählungen bestätigt im Fortgang der Untersuchung mit den Mitteln der Anthropologie, was die hier gebotene Darstellung mit den Methoden der Archäologie bereits in hohem Grad wahrscheinlich gemacht hat. (shrink)

Investigation of “out-of-body experiences” has implications for understanding both normal bodily-self integration and its vulnerabilities. Beyond reported associations between OBEs and specific brain regions, however, there have been few investigations of neurochemical systems relevant to OBEs. Ketamine, a drug used recreationally to achieve dissociative experiences, provides a real-world paradigm for investigating neurochemical effects. We investigate the strength of the association of OBEs and ketamine use relative to other common drugs of abuse. Self-report data from an online survey indicate that both (...) lifetime frequency of ketamine use and OBEs during ketamine intoxication were more strongly related to the frequency of OBEs and related phenomena than other drugs. Moreover, the apparent effects of other drugs could largely be explained by associated ketamine use. The present results, consistent with the role of NMDA receptors in OBEs, should encourage future studies of the role of neurochemical systems in OBEs. (shrink)

In the setting of transplant medicine, decision making needs to take into account the multiple clinical and psychosocial case variables, rather than turn to arbitrary rules that cannot be scientifically supportedThe yearly demand for liver transplants far exceeds the supply of available organs .1 Additionally, alcoholic cirrhosis has been a controversial indication for transplant as these recipients can be viewed as having caused their own illness—an illness that is preventable by abstaining from alcohol . While not categorically denying liver transplantation (...) to those with alcoholic cirrhosis, many hospitals have incorporated a six month alcohol abstinence criterion 2 in an effort to select optimal candidates. The six month rule has two purposes; namely, allowing the liver a chance to recover in the absence of alcohol , and also observation of the patient to verify that he/she remains alcohol free, with the hope of reducing the risk of relapse. Everhart et al,3 determined that 85% of US liver transplant programmes and 43% of third party payers require a defined period of abstinence—for example, three or six months—as part of the waiting list process.Liver transplantation does not cure alcoholism, as evidenced by the fact that roughly 20% of these patients use alcohol following transplant, with one third exhibiting “repetitive or heavy drinking”.4 Arguments abound as to the scientific merit of a six month abstinence criterion in reducing the risk of alcohol relapse following transplant. Some propose that a minimum of six months abstinence itself predicts a lower relapse rate,5 while others argue that six months is not predictive or that other factors—for example, illicit drug use—in combination with a minimum number of months abstinent is predictive.6,7 Even the United …. (shrink)

Tri filosofskikh "opravdanii︠a︡" (teodit︠s︡ei︠a︡, antropodit︠s︡ei︠a︡, kosmodit︠s︡ei︠a︡ Serebri︠a︡nogo veka) -- Russkai︠a︡ sofiologii︠a︡ i kabbala -- S. Bulgakov : nauka sofiologii︠a︡ (ili konet︠s︡ religii) -- Tretiĭ Zavet o. Sergii︠a︡ Bulgakova -- Tretʹezavetnai︠a︡ misterii︠a︡ ("malai︠a︡" trilogii︠a︡ Bulgakova).