Rawls, Religion and the Ethics of Citizenship: Toward a Liberal Reconciliation

This dissertation explores the conflict between religion and Rawls’s liberalism. Often Rawls’s critics contend that the idea of public reason is hostile to religion or unfriendly to citizens of faith. I argue that this concern is misguided. A careful analysis of Rawls’s work demonstrates that he is far more welcoming to religion than is sometimes claimed. To defend this thesis I put forward what I take to be the best interpretation of Rawls’s idea of public reason, one that I think is immune to most of the standard objections. Nevertheless, there are some lingering challenges to public reason that need some attention. In particular, three types of objections deserve consideration—i.e., the fairness objection, the denial-of-truth objection and the integrity objection. In every case I contend that Rawls’s critics either misunderstand him or else exaggerate the harmful implications of public reason. Consequently, I think that public reason is not an appropriate target of attack. This is not the end of the debate however. It is sometimes claimed that Rawls’s Political Liberalism is just another attempt at reducing religion to irrelevancy and elevating secularism within public life. For Christians, this is both an existential threat and a kind of humanistic hubris. At the heart of their complaint is the claim that Rawls’s liberalism crowds out some religious ways of life. I call this the problem of homogenization. I argue, however, that any political order will have homogenizing implications. So, this objection cannot stand on its own. I think the real conflict between Rawls and some Christians is best explained by the spirit of their respective projects. In particular, Rawls shares an Enlightenment commitment to the possibility of progress, even the historical perfection of our natures without divine assistance. Whereas the spirit of many Christian faiths maintains that our nature is of its own corrupt and this world can be redeemed only through divine intervention. The distance between these presuppositions seems to make overlapping consensus questionable. Even if overlapping consensus is not forthcoming, I submit that a constitutional consensus is sufficient for fostering enough political stability and social unity between citizens

Facts Are Stubborn Things: The Foundation of Alfred Russel Wallace\u27s Theories, 1823-1848

Alfred Russel Wallace, a Victorian naturalist, firmly believed that based on his own extensive research there were theories that could effectively provide a means of studying the natural world and improving society. Although he became a respected naturalist his interests in mesmerism, socialism, and spiritualism disconnected him from the mainstream scientific community. Following the tradition of early nineteenth-century naturalists, Wallace was self-trained and self-educated, traits that allowed him to study multiple fields of interests and conduct personal experimentations. In these formative years, he was influenced by British popular culture, interactions with the working class and the latest trends of intellectual curiosities. These impressions remained with Wallace throughout his scientific career and years of political activism. In 1844, he attended public lectures with the working class at the Mechanics’ Institute in Leicester where he witnessed mesmeric demonstrations performed by professionals and amateurs. After conducting experiments he became convinced such techniques were valid methods of researching the natural world. Wallace was critical of professional naturalists who shunned new research merely because it originated from unconventional individuals. As a land surveyor, Wallace witnessed the unjust seizure of Welsh lands, an experience that pushed him to later advocate for the social rights of the working class. In 1889, Wallace declared himself a socialist with the intention of promoting the benefits of land nationalization to correct social injustices such as Britain’s land policies. He became a devoted supporter of spiritualism, a choice that created a professional rift between him and his fellow British naturalists. This thesis will demonstrate that Wallace’s personal experiences throughout his formative years from 1823-1848 influenced his scientific research and personal convictions. Wallace’s formative years shaped his perception as a naturalist dedicated to empiricism and the accumulation of facts to support his theories. As a self-trained naturalist, he relied firmly on his observations and experiments to draw his conclusions. Wallace’s further skepticism of socially privileged naturalists persuaded him that all discoveries should be equally considered despite their unconventional origins. Wallace’s formative years shaped his perception as a naturalist dedicated to empiricism and the accumulation of facts to support his theories

Lone Star Booster: The Life of Amon G. Carter

Abstract Though a very influential Texan during the first half of the twentieth century, Amon Carter has yet to receive a full scholarly treatment, a problem which this dissertation attempts to rectify by investigating the narrative of Carter’s life to see how and why he was able to rise from humble beginnings to become a powerful publisher who symbolized boosterish trends within Texas and the New South. Publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, philanthropist, oilman, and aviation supporter, Carter used his power and influence to become a leading booster of his city and region seamlessly making the transition from being a business progressive to New Deal supporter to an Eisenhower Democrat. His connections with corporations like American Airlines and General Motors helped bring aviation and industry to his region, and his ability to work with public and private entities helped inspire his failed attempt to make the Trinity River navigable up to Fort Worth. His own success at building the Star-Telegram into the largest circulating newspaper in Texas encouraged him to expand his media empire into radio and television, while the wealth he gained from his oil activities enabled him to form a philanthropic foundation that would provide support for Fort Worth’s medical, cultural, and educational needs for the future. Possessing a life marked by both success and failure, it is clear throughout this dissertation that Carter embodied the idea of the New South civic booster, a figure who at once promoted his goals for his city and region while understanding how this fit within the larger national context

Amon Carter: The Founder of Modern Fort Worth, 1930-1955

From 1930 to 1955, Amon Carter, publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, exerted his power to create modern Fort Worth. Carter used his stature as the publisher of the city's major newspaper to build a modern city out of this livestock center. Between 1930 and 1955, Carter lobbied successfully for New Deal funds for Fort Worth, persuaded Consolidated Aircraft to build an airplane plant in the city, and convinced Burlington Railways to stay in the city. He also labored unsuccessfully to have the Trinity River Canal built and to secure a General Motors plant for Fort Worth. These efforts demonstrate that Carter was indeed the founder of modern Fort Worth

PRONOSTICO DEL CRECIMIENTO DE DEMANDA DE ENERGÍA ELÉCTRICA EN EL ÁREA CARIBE COLOMBIANA PARAPROYECTAR LA GENERACIÓN POR SEGURIDAD DE 2018 A 2032

Ingeniería EléctricaLos modelos de estimación de demanda son utilizados por organismos encargados de la planeación energética, cuya función objetivo está centrada en garantizar el suministro de usuarios a partir de los recursos disponibles en generación, transporte e interconexión. Típicamente los modelos de planificación a largo plazo utilizan técnicas de optimización no lineal considerando un error no superior al 5%. El modelo de referencia utilizado por la UPME en Colombia alcanza un error medio del 1.6%. No obstante, los modelos no lineales presentan restricciones para anticipar variaciones no características de las curvas de comportamiento, lo cual aumenta la probabilidad de una predicción errónea. Basado en lo anterior, la presente investigación propone un modelo de proyección de demanda de energía eléctrica utilizando redes neuronales que permita planear y responder al crecimiento del sistema. El estudio comienza documentando las metodologías actuales para el pronóstico de demanda de potencia máxima, así como las deficiencias actuales en los pronósticos utilizados. Como resultado se obtiene un nuevo modelo con la aplicación de redes neuronales utilizando el algoritmo Cascade-Forward Back Propagation en el software MATLAB R2017a. Se consideró como caso de estudio el Área Caribe del Sistema Interconectado Nacional (SIN) colombiano, los resultados obtenidos son exportados al software DigSILENT Power Factory 15.1.para someter el caso de estudio a prueba. Durante el proceso de comparación del modelo, se identificó que los datos obtenidos reflejan las características de comportamiento de la demanda con un margen de error aceptable igual al 0.5% comparados con los modelos de referencia utilizados. Finalmente se proponen recomendaciones técnicas y operativas para garantizar la seguridad en la operación del Área Caribe.Demand estimation models are used by organizations which are in charge of energy planning. Their primary function is focused on guaranteeing the supply of users from the available resources in generation, transport and interconnection. Long-term planning models typically use non-linear optimization techniques considering an error of no more than 5%. The reference model used by UPME in Colombia is limited to an average error of 1.6%. Non-linear models, however, are constrained in their ability to anticipate uncharacteristic variations in behavioral curves, which increases the probability of an erroneous prediction. Therefore on the above, this research proposes a model for forecasting the demand of electricity by using neural networks to plan for and respond to non-characteristic variations. The study first documents current methodologies for the prediction of maximum power demand, as well as the current deficiencies in the used forecasts, A new model is then formulated with the application of neural networks using the algorithm Cascade-Forward Back propagation in the software MATLAB R2017a. The Caribbean Area of the Colombian National Interconnected System (SIN) was considered as a case study. The results obtained are exported to the software DigSILENT Power Factory 15.1 to identify possible technical restrictions and propose improvements. During the model comparison process, it was identified that the data obtained reflects the characteristics of demand behavior with an acceptable margin of error equal to 0.5%

The Influence of Classroom Community and Self-Directed Learning Readiness on Community College Student Successful Course Completion in Online Courses

The relationships between community college students’ sense of community, student self-directed learning readiness, and successful completion of online courses were investigated using a correlational research design. Rovai’s Classroom Community Scale was used to measure classroom community, and the Fisher Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale was used to measure self-directed learning readiness, including three subscales of self-management, desire for learning, and self-control. The study participants were 205 students (49 males, 156 females; 131 White, 39 Black, 15 Asian, 10 Latino, 10 Multi-racial, 1 Native American) taking online courses during a summer term at a Texas community college. The research hypotheses were tested using Pearson r correlation coefficients between each of the seven independent variables (student learning, connectedness, classroom community, self-management, desire for learning, self-control, and self-directed learning readiness) and student successful course completion data. Contrary to prior study results, no association was found between students’ sense of community in online courses and student successful course completion. Although statistically significant differences were found between successful course completion and self-management (r = .258), desire for learning (r = .162), and self-directed learning readiness (r = .184), effect sizes were small suggesting a lack of practical significance. Possible reasons for the outcome of this study differing from prior research include relatively shorter semester length (summer term) during which data were collected and relatively smaller sample size

Influencia del Compromiso Organizacional sobre el Aprendizaje Organizacional de los docentes de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional “Francisco Morazán”

This document shows the results of the research conducted at the National Pedagogical University "Francisco Morazán" to determine the influence of Organizational Commitment on Organizational Learning. The sample consisted of 118 teachers from the Tegucigalpa campus. To measure variables, the questionnaire designed by Watkins and Marsick and the scale proposed by Allen and Meyer were used. The reliability of the instrument was determined by Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, obtaining 0.912 for the Organizational Learning variable, and 0.832 for Organizational Commitment one.The Pearson coefficient of determination was established to measure the effect of the independent variable on the dependent one, finding r = 0.718 and R2 of 0.516 to p =000<α: 0.05 values. The findings suggest that teachers committed to the institution contribute to the transformation processes and guide themselves to learn and improve their ability to do new things.Este documento muestra los resultados de la investigación realizada en la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional “Francisco Morazán” para determinar la influencia del Compromiso Organizacional sobre el Aprendizaje Organizacional. La muestra fue de 118 docentes de la sede de Tegucigalpa. Para medir las variables se utilizaron el cuestionario diseñado por Watkins y Marsick y la escala propuesta por Allen y Meyer. La confiabilidad del instrumento se determinó con el coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach, obteniendo 0.912 para la variable Aprendizaje Organizacional y 0.832 para Compromiso Organizacional. Se estableció el coeficiente de determinación de Pearson para medir el efecto de la variable independiente sobre la  ependiente, encontrando: r= 0.718y R2 de 0.516 a un valor p =000<α: 0.05. Los hallazgos sugieren que los docentes comprometidos con la institución contribuyen con los procesos de transformación de la misma y les conduce a aprender y mejorar su capacidad para hacer cosas nuevas

El paradigma económico de la educación desde la teoría de Eric A. Hanushek

This essay analyzes the paradigms of Eric A. Hanushek on the economics of education. Initially, it addresses the relationship between human capital and sustained economic growth in countries, that is, how the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is strongly related to the improvements in the cognitive abilities of its population, as well as the economic benefits Potential that should motivate governments to improve the quality of educational institutions and thus foster major reforms. In addition, it states that an effective strategy for the development of countries should not only focus on statistics on children entering schools or the number of children who acquire the next higher grade, but also on improving the cognitive skills measured through Of international math and science tests. Based on evidence, Hanushek argues that the quality of education measured by students’ cognitive abilities in international tests is substantially more important than the mere amount of education, therefore it is argued that investing large amounts of GDP in education does not Ensures economic growth; To achieve this, we must focus on the factors that are determinant for the achievement of the quality of education.Este ensayo analiza los paradigmas de Eric A. Hanushek sobre la economía de la educación. Inicialmente, aborda la relación del capital humano con el crecimiento económico sostenido de los países, es decir, cómo el Producto Interno Bruto (PIB) se encuentra fuertemente relacionado con las mejoras de las habilidades cognitivas que posee su población, asimismo, plantea los beneficios económicos potenciales que deberían motivar a los gobiernos a mejorar la calidad de las instituciones educativas y por tanto propiciar las grandes reformas. Además, establece que una estrategia eficaz para el desarrollo de los países no solo debería centrarse en las estadísticas sobre los niños que ingresan a las escuelas o la cantidad de niños que adquieren el grado inmediato superior, sino también en mejorar las habilidades cognitivas medidas a través de las pruebas internacionales de matemáticas y ciencias. Basado en evidencia, Hanushek sostiene que la calidad de la educación medida por las habilidades cognitivas que los estudiantes obtienen en las pruebas internacionales, es sustancialmente más importante que la mera cantidad de educación, por lo tanto, plantea que invertir grandes cantidades del PIB en educación no asegura el crecimiento económico; para lograrlo, se debe incidir en los factores que son determinantes para el logro de la calidad de la educación

El gerencialismo académico y sus implicaciones en la construcción de la identidad académica de los docentes: Un estudio de caso en una universidad de Honduras

This research is a qualitative case study that was carried out at the National University of Forest Sciences of Honduras and aimed to analyze the implications of the new managerialism in the academic identity of teachers. 30 teachers participated in the study, 15 of them carry out teaching tasks and have an administrative position and 15 who are exclusively dedicated to teaching. Using an in-depth semi-structured interview, the constructs of academic identity and managerialism were deepened. In the results, the category of academic identity was identified, composed of the notion of academics as researchers and academics as teachers, as well as the schism of academic identities with identities of managed academics, academic managers and multifunctional teachers; At the level of managerialism, the various indicators of this were evidenced. It is concluded that academic managerialism pushes teachers to prioritize those activities for which they will be evaluated, which influences their teaching performance and scientific production. Although all teachers perceive the introduction of managerialism, it has particularly relevant implications for teachers who perform an administrative function. There is a reconceptualization of the traditional functions of the universityLa presente investigación es un estudio de casos de corte cualitativo que se llevó a cabo en la Universidad Nacional de Ciencias Forestales de Honduras y tuvo como objetivo analizar las implicaciones que tiene el nuevo gerencialismo en la identidad académica de los docentes. En el estudio participaron 30 docentes, 15 de ellos realizan labores de docencia y tienen cargo administrativo y 15 se dedican exclusivamente a la docencia. Utilizando una entrevista semiestructurada se profundizó en los constructos de identidad y gerencialismo académicos. En los resultados se identificó la categoría de identidad académica, compuesta por la noción de académicos como investigadores y como docentes, asimismo, se identificó un cisma de las identidades académicas, las identidades de académicos gestionados, gerentes académicos y docentes multifuncionales se presentaron en la investigación. A nivel del gerencialismo se evidenciaron la presencia de indicadores de desempeño, demandas del mercado, estructura organizacional y un enfoque de eficiencia. Se concluye que el gerencialismo académico estimula a los docentes a priorizar aquellas actividades por las cuales serán evaluados, lo cual influye en su desempeño docente, la producción científica y reconfigura su identidad. Si bien todos los docentes perciben elementos del gerencialismo, se encontró que tiene implicaciones particularmente relevantes para los docentes que cumplen una función administrativa y dejó en evidencia la presencia de una reconceptualización de las funciones tradicionales de la universidad