Defending a simple theory of conditionals

This paper extends the defense of a simple theory of indicative conditionals previously proposed by the author, in which the truth conditions are material, and Grice-style assertability conditions are given to explain the paradoxes of material implication. The paper discusses various apparent counter-examples to the material account in which conditionals are not asserted, and so the original theory cannot be applied; it is argued that, nevertheless, the material theory can be defended

The beautiful art of mathematics

Mathematicians frequently use aesthetic vocabulary and sometimes even describe themselves as engaged in producing art. Yet aestheticians, in so far as they have discussed this at all, have often downplayed the ascriptions of aesthetic properties as metaphorical. In this paper I argue firstly that the aesthetic talk should be taken literally, and secondly that it is at least reasonable to classify some mathematics as art

Was Quine right about subjunctive conditionals?

Given his hostility to intensional locutions, it is not surprising that Quine was suspicious of the subjunctive conditional. Although he admitted its usefulness as a heuristic device, in order to introduce dispositional terms, he held that it had no place in a finished scientific theory. In this paper I argue in support of something like Quine’s position. Many contemporary philosophers are unreflectively realist about subjunctives, regarding them as having objective truth values. I contest this. “Moderate realist” theorists, such as Lewis and Stalnaker, admit that subjunctives are context-relative and often indeterminate; I argue, using some examples from the contemporary literature on conditionals, that these features are deeper and more widespread than they think. “Ultra-realist” theories, which deny any indeterminacy, are not credible. Hence subjunctives are unsuitable for certain purposes, in particular the description of mind-independent reality

Moore's paradox, introspection and doxastic logic

An analysis of Moore's paradox is given in doxastic logic. Logics arising from formalizations of various introspective principles are compared; one logic, K5c, emerges as privileged in the sense that it is the weakest to avoid Moorean belief. Moreover it has other attractive properties, one of which is that it can be justified solely in terms of avoiding false belief. Introspection is therefore revealed as less relevant to the Moorean problem than first appears

Defending a simple theory of conditionals

This paper extends the defense of a simple theory of indicative conditionals previously proposed by the author, in which the truth conditions are material, and Grice-style assertability conditions are given to explain the paradoxes of material implication. The paper discusses various apparent counter-examples to the material account in which conditionals are not asserted, and so the original theory cannot be applied; it is argued that, nevertheless, the material theory can be defended

Interacting particles in an activity landscape

We study interacting active Brownian particles (ABPs) with a space-dependent swim velocity via simulation and theory. We find that, although an equation of state exists, a mechanical equilibrium does not apply to ABPs in activity landscapes. The pressure difference originates in the flux of polar order and the gradient of swim velocity across the interface between regions of different activity. In contrast to motility-induced phase separation of ABPs with a homogeneous swim velocity, a critical point does not exist for an active-passive patch system, which continuously splits into a dense and a dilute phase with increasing activity. However, if the global density is so high that not all particles can be packed onto the inactive patch, then MIPS-like behavior is restored and the pressure is balanced again.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Interacting particles in an activity landscape

We study interacting active Brownian particles (ABPs) with a space-dependent swim velocity via simulation and theory. We find that, although an equation of state exists, a mechanical equilibrium does not apply to ABPs in activity landscapes. The pressure imbalance originates in the flux of polar order and the gradient of swim velocity across the interface between regions of different activity. An active-passive patch system is mainly controlled by the smallest global density for which the passive patch can be close packed. Below this density a critical point does not exist and the system splits continuously into a dense passive and a dilute active phase with increasing activity. Above this density and for sufficiently high activity the active phase may start to phase separate into a gas and a liquid phase caused by the same mechanism as motility-induced phase separation of ABPs with a homogeneous swim velocity

The effectiveness of including support people in a cognitive-behavioural weight loss maintenance program for obese adults: study rationale and design

Objective: The well-documented finding that obese adults have a high likelihood of weight regain following participation in behavioural weight loss programs highlights the importance of developing more effective approaches for weight loss maintenance. One promising approach is to improve the quality of social support for effective weight control available to an obese individual by including support people in behavioural weight loss programs. This paper describes the rationale and design of a randomised controlled trial that evaluates the effectiveness of training support people to assist obese adults in their weight management. Design: The study entails a twoarm randomised controlled trial in which obese participants take part in a one-year (26-session) cognitive-behaviour therapy group weight management program including motivational interviewing strategies (CBT-MI). In one arm, participants receive CBT-MI alone, while in the second arm (CBT-MI-SP) participants also have a support person who attends 10 group sessions designed to teach effective skills for supporting an individual in healthy weight control. Assessments of anthropometric, medical, behavioural, psychological, and social functioning take place at pretreatment, post-treatment, and a one-year follow-up. Conclusions: By helping obese participants to increase and sustain their motivation and skills for weight control, the CBT-MI-SP approach of the current study has the potential to effectively help patients to achieve sustained weight loss while minimising the patient’s need for ongoing, intensive weight control treatment with its attendant costs.This research was supported in part by project grant 632621 from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia