LIGHT AND AFFECTS FROM A COMPARATIVE POINT OF VIEW

Light metaphors occurring in Chinese philosophy and Stoicism are of special interest for the unique ways they channel potentialities of the self. In this paper I apply ideas from cognitive linguistics to examine selected structural features of these metaphors. I also build on these ideas by presenting a framework regarding affects to assist in disclosing what is at stake for differing Chinese and Stoic technologies of the self. The paper adopts a high-level perspective to see these broad philosophical implications, interleaving discussions of Chinese philosophy (mainly views associated with Daoism), Stoicism (bringing into relief important differences from these views), and contemporary research on socially constructed affects. This triadic comparative approach aims to shed new light on some root assumptions built into the projects of self-cultivation that are at the core of Chinese and Stoic worldviews

Enkinaesthetic polyphony: the underpinning for first-order languaging

We contest two claims: (1) that language, understood as the processing of abstract symbolic forms, is an instrument of cognition and rational thought, and (2) that conventional notions of turn-taking, exchange structure, and move analysis, are satisfactory as a basis for theorizing communication between living, feeling agents. We offer an enkinaesthetic theory describing the reciprocal affective neuro-muscular dynamical flows and tensions of co- agential dialogical sense-making relations. This “enkinaesthetic dialogue” is characterised by a preconceptual experientially recursive temporal dynamics forming the deep extended melodies of relationships in time. An understanding of how those relationships work, when we understand and are ourselves understood, when communication falters and conflict arises, will depend on a grasp of our enkinaesthetic intersubjectivity

GENETIC AND REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE LIGHT OF RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

Since the gene splicing debates of the 1980s, the public has been exposed to an ongoing sequence of genetic and reproductive technologies. Many issue areas have outcomes that lose track of people's inner values or engender opposing religious viewpoints defying final resolution. This essay relocates the discussion of what is an acceptable application from the individual to the societal level, examining technologies that stand to address large numbers of people and thus call for policy resolution, rather than individual fiat, in their application. A major source of guidance is the “Genetic Frontiers” series of professional dialogues and conferences held by the National Conference for Community and Justice from 2002 to 2004. Genetic testing, human gene therapy, genetic engineering of plants and animals, and stem cell technology are examined. While differences in perspective on the beginning of life persist, a stepwise approach to the examination of genetic testing reveals areas of general agreement. Stewardship of life, human co-creativity with the divine, and social justice help define the bounds of application of genetic engineering and therapy; compassionate care plays a major role in establishing stem cell policy. Active, sustained dialogue is a useful resource for enabling sharing of religious values and crystallization of policies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73549/1/j.1467-9744.2006.00813.x.pd

Implementing Generalized Empirical Method in Neuroscience by Functionally Ordering Tasks

This article outlines a method of collaboration that will manifest a high probability of cumulative and progressive results in science. The method will accomplish this through a division of labour grounded in the order of occurrence of human cognitional operations. The following article explores the possibility of a method known as functional specialization, distinct tasks presently operative in neuroscience. Functional specialization will enhance collaboration within a science as well as initiate implementation of generalized empirical method. Implementation of generalized empirical method will be achieved through the focus of individual specialties on specific mental operations

The Use of Mental Imagery Among Young Children in the Acquisition of Piaget\u27s Principles of Conservation

This study attempted to discover some parameters in terms of mental age at which young children, ages five through eight, begin to utilize effectively their mental imagery in the learning process. Using Piaget\u27s principles of conservation as a learning task, subjects were taught in one of two groups: Group one was instructed in conservation concepts by use of concrete example, in which case they were allowed to see, handle and manipulate materials as they underwent transformations. Group two received identical instruction but were called upon to use their mental imagery to visualize the materials undergoing transformations. Based upon the administration of the California Test of Mental Maturity and a pretest, sixteen non-conserving subjects from the kindergarten, first, second, and third grades, making a total of sixty-four subjects, were grouped by matching I.Q.\u27s to receive four periods of instruction in the principles of conservation. Following instruction each subject was individually administered a posttest and a test of extinction. The test of extinction was designed to measure the degree or depth of conservation acquisition achieved by each subject. A statistical analysis of the data indicated that while children of ages five through eight were able to learn conservation through both methods of instruction, mental age and I.Q.\u27s were not determining variables. No learning curve based on mental age or I.Q. was discernible. It was strongly indicated, however, that boys resist extinction of conservation principles better when taught through concrete example than they do when taught through mental imagery. Girls utilize mental imagery in acquiring conservation better than do boys of the same age, and as well as boys who learn by use of concrete illustration. Girls\u27 use of mental imagery in the learning process appears to be equal to their use of concrete example

The Impact of Shared Attention on Multiple Object Tracking in Competitive and Cooperative Settings

Shared attention theory postulates that when simultaneously co-attending to a stimulus with a similar other, cognitive prioritization occurs that has both psychological and behavioral impact, with the ultimate goal of generating collective knowledge. A cooperative scenario occurs when a group’s goal is linked such that one person’s success is also another’s. By contrast, a competitive scenario occurs when a group’s goal is linked such that if one person succeeds, the other fails. The purpose of this thesis was to understand the effect of cooperative and competitive settings on shared attention in a performance domain. I hypothesized that cooperation would moderate the effect of shared attention on performance, such that during synchronous coattention, a cooperative scenario (versus a competitive one) would increase and improve shared attention’s influence on performance. This relationship was investigated in a study with 152 undergraduate participants, but the expected relationship was not found. There were no differences between groups in terms of performance on a multiple object tracking task. Subjective experience results are also discussed

Children and their art

Includes bibliographical references.Art is an important facet of children's development and can aid disturbed children in the form of therapy, if needed. It is necessary to consider the development of art in normal young children before the topic of art therapy can be broached. The importance of art and the different stages of art that children go through are touched upon in the following pages to provide necessary background information. The last section of this paper discusses the role of art therapy by defining art therapy and looking at how evaluations based on art should be made. The purpose of this paper was to answer a personal curiosity and expand on a topic believed to be of great importance to early childhood Research was gained through various publications and then consolidated. educators. The information provided satisfies the author's curiosity but strictly provides material that relates to her specific questions only. Art is, indeed, a revealing medium of self-expression for children. The magnitude of feeling that can be expressed requires handling by professionals; however, having a basic knowledge of this topic can be of great assistance to early childhood educators.B.S.Ed. (Bachelor of Science in Education