Levelling the Analysis of Knowledge via Methodological Scepticism

ABSTRACT: In this essay I provide one methodology that yields the level of analysis of an alleged knowledge-claim under investigation via its relations to varying gradations of scepticism. Each proposed knowledge-claim possesses a specified relationship with: (i) a globally sceptical argument; (ii) the least sceptical but successful argument that casts it into doubt; and (iii) the most sceptical yet unsuccessful argument, which is conceivably hypothesized to repudiate it but fails to do so. Yielding this specified set of relations, by means of proceeding from global scepticism to (ii) and (iii), increases the chances of identifying the highest evaluative relevancy of the levels of analysis and observation of an alleged knowledge-claim. I argue that the failure to analyse and derive a difference between (i) and (ii) with respect to an alleged knowledge-claim signifies that the claim is grounded within the theoretical framework itself, that the claim lacks specification with regard to content that is analysable via that framework, and the claim is dubious insofar as alternative theoretic frameworks may present greater relevancy to levels of observation. KEYWORDS: knowledge, scepticism, perception, level of observation, magnification level, methodological scepticis

Archaeological evaluation : Store Street, Ancoats, Manchester

In March 2017, Salford Archaeology was commissioned by CgMs Consulting to carry out an archaeological evaluation of land between Store Street and Millbank Street in the Ancoats area of Manchester (centred on NGR 385150 398175). The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation produced by CgMs Consulting in June 2016, and was required to fulfil a condition (Condition 12) placed on planning consent for the redevelopment of the site (Planning Ref: 110276/FO/2015/C2). The archaeological interest in the site was highlighted in a desk-based assessment that was produced by WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff in 2015. This concluded that there was potential for archaeological remains relating to the early 19 th -century Ardwick and Ancoats Dispensary and a mid-19 th -century iron foundry and copper works to survive insitu. The archaeological evaluation comprised the excavation of two 30m long trenches, which were targeted on the footprint of the former iron foundry and copper works in the central part of the site (Trench 1) and the Ardwick and Ancoats Dispensary to the north-east (Trench 2). The only archaeological features observed in the excavated trenches, however, comprised a short section of a 20 th -century wall in Trench 1, and a wood-lined circular feature with an associated brick surface in Trench 2. Both of these features were truncated and fragmentary, and were overlain by a homogenous mixed demolition rubble levelling layer, which appeared to have been deposited very recently. Based on the results obtained from the evaluation trenches, it is concluded that no further investigation is merited in advance of the construction works for the proposed development

Irrigation Management Information Network (IMIN) Keyword thesaurus

Irrigation management / Thesauri / Information services / Networks

Baseline survey for farmers organizations of Mirwal and Shahpur small dams, Punjab, Pakistan

Irrigation management / Dams / Farmers' associations / Surveys / Community participation / Water management / Performance evaluation / Institution building / Agronomy / Cropping systems / Farm income / Water supply / Land levelling / Pakistan / Punjab

On the monitoring of surface displacement in connection with volcano reactivation in Tenerife, Canary Islands, using space techniques

Geodetic volcano monitoring in Tenerife has mainly focused on the Las Cañadas Caldera, where a geodetic micronetwork and a levelling profile are located. A sensitivity test of this geodetic network showed that it should be extended to cover the whole island for volcano monitoring purposes. Furthermore, InSAR allowed detecting two unexpected movements that were beyond the scope of the traditional geodetic network. These two facts prompted us to design and observe a GPS network covering the whole of Tenerife that was monitored in August 2000. The results obtained were accurate to one centimetre, and confirm one of the deformations, although they were not definitive enough to confirm the second one. Furthermore, new cases of possible subsidence have been detected in areas where InSAR could not be used to measure deformation due to low coherence. A first modelling attempt has been made using a very simple model and its results seem to indicate that the deformation observed and the groundwater level variation in the island may be related. Future observations will be necessary for further validation and to study the time evolution of the displacements, carry out interpretation work using different types of data (gravity, gases, etc) and develop models that represent the island more closely. The results obtained are important because they might affect the geodetic volcano monitoring on the island, which will only be really useful if it is capable of distinguishing between displacements that might be linked to volcanic activity and those produced by other causes. One important result in this work is that a new geodetic monitoring system based on two complementary techniques, InSAR and GPS, has been set up on Tenerife island. This the first time that the whole surface of any of the volcanic Canary Islands has been covered with a single network for this purpose. This research has displayed the need for further similar studies in the Canary Islands, at least on the islands which pose a greater risk of volcanic reactivation, such as Lanzarote and La Palma, where InSAR techniques have been used already

Tolerable versus actual soil erosion rates in Europe

Erosion is a major threat to soil resources in Europe, and may impair their ability to deliver a range of ecosystem goods and services. This is reflected by the European Commission's Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, which recommends an indicator-based approach for monitoring soil erosion. Defined baseline and threshold values are essential for the evaluation of soil monitoring data. Therefore, accurate spatial data on both soil loss and soil genesis are required, especially in the light of predicted changes in climate patterns, notably frequency, seasonal distribution and intensity of precipitation. Rates of soil loss are reported that have been measured, modelled or inferred for most types of soil erosion in a variety of landscapes, by studies across the spectrum of the Earth sciences. Natural rates of soil formation can be used as a basis for setting tolerable soil erosion rates, with soil formation consisting of mineral weathering as well as dust deposition. This paper reviews the concept of tolerable soil erosion and summarises current knowledge on rates of soil formation, which are then compared to rates of soil erosion by known erosion types, for assessment of soil erosion monitoring at the European scale

Towards a flexible future ? The nature of organisational response in the clothing industry.

In this contribution, the central questions concern the need for structural transformation, the diffusion of innovative organisational practices, and the dominance of particular organisational models in the Belgian clothing industry. In order to answer these questions, the results of two Trend Study surveys are used, covering a total of 104 companies : a 1995 survey among companies employing more than 50 workers and a 1996 survey in the segment of companies employing between 20 and 50 workers.Industry;