Beacon-referenced Mutual Pursuit in Three Dimensions

Motivated by station-keeping applications in various unmanned settings, this paper introduces a steering control law for a pair of agents operating in the vicinity of a fixed beacon in a three-dimensional environment. This feedback law is a modification of the previously studied three-dimensional constant bearing (CB) pursuit law, in the sense that it incorporates an additional term to allocate attention to the beacon. We investigate the behavior of the closed-loop dynamics for a two agent mutual pursuit system in which each agent employs the beacon-referenced CB pursuit law with regards to the other agent and a stationary beacon. Under certain assumptions on the associated control parameters, we demonstrate that this problem admits circling equilibria wherein the agents move on circular orbits with a common radius, in planes perpendicular to a common axis passing through the beacon. As the common radius and distances from the beacon are determined by choice of parameters in the feedback law, this approach provides a means to engineer desired formations in a three-dimensional setting

Exclusivism and exclusivity: a contemporary theological challenge

The phenomenon of religious exclusivism increasingly confronts peoples of faith and goodwill who wish only for peaceful co-existence in equality and freedom with their religious neighbour. But there is more than one variety of religious exclusivism. This study will show that there are at least three variants of religious exclusivism, namely open, closed and extreme. Further, inasmuch as exclusivism indicates a positing of religious identity over against any “other”, then it will be argued that the variant exclusivisms themselves reflect a continuum of ideological and theological stance that is taken toward the concept of variety as represented by the religious “other” per se. This ranges through antithetical acknowledge-ment, enactive ignorance, and the intentional invalidation of variety. It is the issue of the invalidation of otherness which, I contend, constitutes the severe theological problem of religious exclusivism in extremis. It is here, in the modality of religious fundamentalism and extremism that theological ideology impinges most dramatically upon the public domain. Might it be possible to speak of a proper religious exclusivity without falling necessarily into the pit of exclusivist extremism? In addressing this question I shall briefly examine the views of Alvin Plantinga, Gavin D’Costa, and the declaration Nostra Aetate of Vatican II

A Theory of Inquiry for Educational Development: An Application of the Critical Theory of Jurgen Habermas

There is a fundamental incompatibility between a developmental orientation to education and instrumental and scientistic conceptions of rationality that dominate educational inquiry. An expanded conception of rationality is provided in the critical theory of Jurgen Habermas. This study draws on Habermas' work to present a theory of inquiry that is consistent with a developmental perspective. I distinguish three interdependent realms of experience--the objective world of nature, the intersubjective world of society and the subjective world of each individual. Then, I argue that current conceptions of rationality tend to reduce personal and interpersonal experience to the objective material realm. Under prevailing conceptions, human action is rational when it pursues valued ends guided by knowledge about the world and effective means-ends relationships. Both theories of knowledge and theories of value in these conceptions are inadequate for a developmental orientation. First, knowledge is defined as justified true belief. Theories of truth are based on the correspondence of beliefs with an external world; theories of justification are based on perceptual certainty. These conceptions objectify experience by making experience an object of natural science and instrumental action separate from and external to the person. Such conceptions reduce experience to the objective material dimension and cannot adequately account for the personal and interpersonal dimensions of human experience and understanding. Second, because value claims are not capable of justification by these standards, they are considered ultimately irrational and treated as subjectively held empirical properties of individuals. The only standard of rationality is efficiency and economy in the selection of means. Ethics is reduced to empirical science. But the removal of practical questions from public discourse divests action of ethical significance. With its strict separation of descriptive and normative domains, empirical-analytic inquiry can neither acknowledge its standard of instrumental efficiency nor reach into the practical arena to guide the selection of values and ends that orient and gude human action. Practical questions that cannot be framed in terms of technical problems cannot be taken seriously. Whereas these conceptions of rationality are generally derived from theories of experienced based on individual consciousness, Habermas looks to language for a more adequate account of the intersubjective nature of experience. This account provides an expanded conception of rationality with theories for justifying beliefs and actions that incorporate the personal and interpersonal dimensions of experience so critical to a developmental perspective. Through an analysis of the universal pragmatic structure of language directed to the resolution of problematic truth claims and moral claims, this study presents a consensus theory of truth (for a more adequate theory of knowledge) and a communicative theory of ethics (based on a more adequate theory of human values). The concept of truth refers to a universal pragmatic convention of the unforced agreement of an ideal community of inquirers. Ethical conduct is guided by norms that reflect a rational general will and that regulate genuine human needs. Problematic truth claims and moral claims are discursively justified by the force of the better argument under the conditions of an anticipated "ideal speech situation" inherent in the very structure of communication. Furthermore, a theory of inquiry is developed in which inquiry processes are represented as historically evolved extensions of developmental process in the three realms of experience. Three interrelated forms of inquiry are derived--empirical-analytic, hermeneutic and critical. I derive each from its respective experiential realm, and indicate the logic of inquiry, object domain, and kind of knowledge gained from each. An exploration of the relationship between inquiry and development provides a foundation for a developmental orientation to education. Finally, the theory is contrasted with prevailing inquiry approaches in education and illustrated with an application to a particular educational problem

Race, Power, and (In)equity Within Two-way Immersion Settings

Two-way immersion schools provide a promising model for service delivery to students who are English language learners. With the goals of bilingualism, academic excellence, and cross cultural appreciation, these schools are designed to build bridges across linguistically heterogeneous student bodies. Yet while empirical evidence demonstrates that the two-way immersion model can be effective in these regards, we know little about how such schools address other dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, class, and disability. This study contributes to filling this gap by critically analyzing these dimensions in the areas of recruitment and retention in two two-way immersion schools

A cross-functional value chain approach to geospatial information: a guide to practice for the minerals industry

A research dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, of the University of the Witwatersrand, in the fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Swellendam, 2018Reproducing a mining project life-cycle in the form of a value chain, from exploration to mine closure, provides a graphical representation of the interdependencies between functions or activities, both upstream and downstream of a particular process. This can be used to develop the concept of geospatial context, i.e. high-level situational awareness. By understanding and responding to geospatial context, geospatial information can be enhanced in direct support of investment decisions and/or operational control. The risk of deficient geospatial information requires effective mitigation and management throughout the full life-cycle of a project, starting with exploration where the geospatial foundation is laid for all work which follows. Therefore, geospatial information is a primary, not secondary consideration at the commencement of a project. The role of mine surveying in protecting the surface and workings of a mine, through the provision of accurate maps, plans and associated geospatial records, protects people and the asset, spanning mine and public safety. Additionally, measuring, monitoring, reconciling and reporting key performance indicators which drive value, enables value creation through improved foresight, efficiency and effectiveness. This dissertation discusses the critical role of geospatial information in risk mitigation and business performance monitoring, with specific reference to the interdependencies between functions such as exploration, mining, processing, environmental protection and mine closure. The value potential is significant.MT 201

Spirituality, Fan Culture, and the Music of Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons

This article presents findings from a qualitative study with passionate fans of the rock and roll band, Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons. The study looked at how fan involvement in the music scene enhanced quality of life through the ability to access a personal sense of spirituality. While the majority of participants (87%) had been raised in religious households, most of those (93%) had intentionally abandoned religious affiliation only to come to embrace a language of spirituality and religion to describe their attraction to the music. This study fills a gap by exploring how aspects of spiritual language and sensations can be embraced in a secular context after departure from a formal religious upbringing

Solidarity cooperatives: the (hidden) origins of communitarian pluralism in the UK social enterprise movement

Purpose: This paper re-evaluates social enterprise (SE) history to pinpoint a pluralist turn in communitarian philosophy during the 1970s that has the potential to transform labour and consumer rights in enterprise development. Design/Methodology: Through a close examination of model rules created by founders of the FairShares Association (FSA), we find that the communitarian origins of SE are disturbingly obscured and hidden. Findings: In studying FSA documents and building a timeline of the development of the FairShares Model (FSM) we found links between SE developments in the UK, continental Europe, Asia, North/South America and the development of solidarity cooperatives. Research Implications: We argue that the discovery of a communitarian pluralist turn advances ‘new cooperativism’ by enfranchising both labour and users in industrial relations (IR). Using this insight, we challenge accounts of SE history and argue for more research on SE’s potential contribution to radical IR. Originality/Value: The paper highlights the potential of the FSM as a vehicle for catalysing new SE and IR practices that share wealth and power more equitably between social entrepreneurs, workforce members, service/product users and community/social investors. Keywords: common bond; communitarian pluralism; new cooperativism; multi-stakeholding; social enterprise; solidarity cooperatives

Alive inside out : challenges and patterns of spiritual formation of Christian professionals in a creative access context

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2242/thumbnail.jp

The Contribution of the Catholic Church to Post-Civil War Conflict Resolution in Chad

I argue that if Chadian society continues to feel the effects of the 1979 civil war, then it is because solutions or an adequate method of approaching the conflict have not been applied. On the one hand, there is a lack of clear political will in the management of the battle, and on the other hand, civil society, including the Church, has not been sufficiently involved in the process of conflict resolution. For there to be social harmony, the Chadian people need a consequent reconciliation. Because of the influential presence of the Catholic Church in Chadian society, we consider it necessary for the Church to become more involved in the process of resolving the post-civil war conflict in Chad. To help the Church in this process, we propose a responsible approach to reconciliation; that is, one that puts the individual at the center of the reconciliation process. Such an agreement can only arise from self-sacrifice and a dynamic process of conversion. From this point of view, forgiveness, and peacebuilding through the application of the principle of subsidiarity are indispensable factors in keeping the process of reconciliation dynamic. Realistically, we suggest that the Church set up structures such as centers for the training of the laity and for inter-religious dialogue that can provide adequate training for its pastoral agents