Does the casual exclusion argument hold in a probabilistic setting?

My thesis examines Kim's Casual Exclusion Argument (CEA) as an argument against the existence of mental causation when examined from within an indeterministic setting. One of our best current scientific theories, that is, orthodox quantum mechanics, lead us to believe our world is indeterministic, more precisely, probabilistic. However, our best current or most orthodox philosophical views, that is, physicalism and causal closure sit at odds with the idea of mental causation given an aversion to overdeterminism and identifying the mental and the physical. If I am correct in my arguments then the CEA may only go through in deterministic worlds at least in its original form. I will therefore put forward a probabilistic analogue CEA. By examining the premises of this CEA I will argue that it doesn't hold. This is because I will argue that causal closure does not hold in probabilistic worlds. If my arguments are convincing then this means that one key argument against the existence of mental causation is overcome

Does the Causal Exclusion Argument Hold in a Probabilistic Setting? Assessing the Efficacy of Mental Causation in an Indeterministic World

My thesis examines Kim’s Causal Exclusion Argument (CEA) against the existence of mental causation of physical effects, which I ultimately argue is unsound. I generalise the CEA into probabilistic terms as I assume that we live in a probabilistic world. This is because orthodox interpretations of Quantum Mechanics are in principle probabilistic. I argue that the CEA, at least in its probabilistic form, is unsound because the analogue version of the causal closure premise is false. If the world is probabilistic then this opens the door for mental causes to `top up’ (or lower) the probabilities of further physical events occurring. Thus the mental can be causally efficacious. Secondly, I put forward a positive argument in favour of mental causation based on the natural kindhood of mental properties. Each mental state has a corresponding brain state, both of which could be conceptualised as a kind. I will argue that mental kinds are more natural (albeit imperfectly so) than their corresponding brain states and therefore that it is the mental rather than brain states which are the better candidates to feature in scientific laws. So, mental states have causal efficacy. This branch of the argument can apply to worlds whether they’re deterministic or probabilistic. Thus, even if the reader does not share my assumption that the world is probabilistic, or doesn't agree with my rejection of causal closure, there are still some reasons to doubt the soundness of even the original deterministic CEA

The treatment of depression and simple phobia through an interpreter in the North East of England : a case study.

A 35-year-old Middle Eastern woman, experiencing moderate depression compounded by animal phobia was referred to an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. Shared understandings were gradually developed using written functional analyses translated in session. Activity scheduling was integrated with graded exposure to increase access to positive reinforcement. Questionnaires and subjective data indicated a reduction in phobic avoidance and functioning increased. Despite the complexity of working as a triad, a positive therapeutic relationship was achieved with increased mutual cultural understanding. Indirect communication led to difficulties maintaining guided discovery and focus. There is limited evidence to support CBT when delivered through an interpreter. IAPT recommendations suggest staff reflect the community; the North East has one of the lowest foreign-born populations in the UK indicating that IAPT services may be ill prepared to work with ethnic minorities. Learning points for the therapist were: maintain simplicity, take time to formulate incorporation of cultural difference, and use transcultural interventions. The interpreter brought advantages; providing means of communication and understanding of cultural differences. Disadvantages were the potential for bias or lost information, increased time and complexity of delivering therapy. This case indicates a deficit in high intensity training and lack of literature to support therapists

Application of nearly linear solvers to electric power system computation

To meet the future needs of the electric power system, improvements need to be made in the areas of power system algorithms, simulation, and modeling, specifically to achieve a time frame that is useful to industry. If power system time-domain simulations could run in real-time, then system operators would have situational awareness to implement and avoid cascading failures, significantly improving power system reliability. Several power system applications rely on the solution of a very large linear system. As the demands on power systems continue to grow, there is a greater computational complexity involved in solving these large linear systems within reasonable time. This project expands on the current work in fast linear solvers, developed for solving symmetric and diagonally dominant linear systems, in order to produce power system specific methods that can be solved in nearly-linear run times. The work explores a new theoretical method that is based on ideas in graph theory and combinatorics. The technique builds a chain of progressively smaller approximate systems with preconditioners based on the system\u27s low stretch spanning tree. The method is compared to traditional linear solvers and shown to reduce the time and iterations required for an accurate solution, especially as the system size increases. A simulation validation is performed, comparing the solution capabilities of the chain method to LU factorization, which is the standard linear solver for power flow. The chain method was successfully demonstrated to produce accurate solutions for power flow simulation on a number of IEEE test cases, and a discussion on how to further improve the method\u27s speed and accuracy is included --Abstract, page iv

A paradox in action? A critical analysis of an appreciative inquiry

A journey comprised of three paths is the metaphor through which I i) reflect and report on my involvement with four New Zealand primary school Boards of Trustees (BOTs) investigating the emancipatory potential that applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) may have on their governance processes, ii) analyse appreciative inquiry through application(s) of critical theory, with specific reference to the investigation above so as to deepen understanding of the research method, and iii) reflect on my personal development, as achieved through my engagement with participants and the research process. Stemming from an interest in improving school governance I was keen to identify current use of ICTs by BOTs and to work with them to identify potential applications. Appreciative inquiry with its focus on enhancing existing positive organisational attributes seemed to provide an appropriate structure for my investigation. At the back of my mind however, a concern was formulating: Does this method of research deliver the benefits the literature espouses? What influence would the positive orientation have on the research process and on the power dynamics within the research environment? Complementary streams of critical thinking and reflexivity were invoked to assist my analysis. Applications of ICTs which may appear 'helpful' to BOT governance processes are identified in this report. However, uncritical uptake of these applications may not necessarily be consistent with the emancipatory intentions I aspire to. Framed within Habermas' theory of communicative action, the potential colonisation of the BOT lifeworld by the system is considered. Domesticating influences may potentially constrain democratic processes at local school and societal levels. The participatory action research process undertaken facilitated a deepened understanding of governance for all involved. Identification of time and funding constraints indicates BOTs may be prevented from reaching their true potential. Attempts to enhance governance through additional applications of ICTs will be of minimal effect unless efforts are made to better understand and resource the governance efforts of Trustees. Purported empowerment of the community as mandated in the Education Act 1989 comes with a heavy cost, for schools and individuals. Care must be taken to ensure that 'efficiency' gains are not made at the expense of democratic processes. Critical analysis of appreciative inquiry as a research method highlights the influences of power and language use within the research process. Appreciative inquiry should be seen as a process for, rather than a master of change. The contribution of appreciative inquiry to organisational and personal transformation may be drawn from the ontological basis of the approach rather than from the technicalities of a specific form of implementation. I suggest the focus on what is 'good' be made more complex, to recognise that appreciation may also mean 'to know, to be conscious of, to take full and sufficient account of'. Application of an enhanced definition of appreciation has deepened my understanding of not only the situation under investigation but also the research process itself. Through my enhanced concept of 'appreciation' embedded and sometimes obscured influences were highlighted, better understood, and at times transformed to serve the emancipatory aspirations of participants. In keeping with the reflexivity mandated by my commitment to critical theory and action research, I applied this enhanced definition of appreciation to my personal development during my engagement with participants and the research process. My struggles to apply my chosen social constructionist and critical theory lenses to this work are evident in my attempts to work with the largely functionalist literature in this field and the influence of my undergraduate education. Recognising the theoretical and personal developments I gained as I travelled the three paths of my PhD journey, the scene is now set for me to challenge the predominance of functionalist, mechanistic metaphors which dominate organisational literature. In doing so, I seek an alternative approach to understanding organisational activity; and a new vocabulary through which I might extend my understanding, and negotiate new and emancipatory meaning(s) with others

A comparison of parenting of developmentally disabled and typically developing children

The aim of this study was to compare parenting, stress and problematic child behaviour in developmentally disabled (DD) and typically developing (TD) children across two child age groups. 115 parents (55 parents of DD children, 60 parents of TD children) participated in the study. Fifty-seven children were three-to five-years-old and 58 were nine- to 11-years-old. Measures used were Rickel and Biasatti's (1982) modification of Block's (1981) Child Rearing Practices Report, and the Parenting Stress Index Short Form (Abidin, 1995). Results showed that parents of DD children experienced more stress and found their children's behaviour more problematic than did the parents of TD children, for both younger and older age groups. No differences in parenting practices were found for the two parent groups but use of authoritative parenting style with age of child was different across parent groups. Possible reasons for this are explored

1855 and 1991 Surveys of the San Andreas Fault: Implications for Fault Mechanics

Two monuments from an 1855 cadastral survey that span the San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain have been right-laterally displaced 11.0 ± 2.5 m by the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake and associated seismicity and afterslip. This measurement confirms that at least 9.5 ± 0.5 m of slip occurred along the main fault trace, as suggested by measurements of offset channels near Wallace Creek. The slip varied by 2 to 3 m along a 2.6-km section of the main fault trace. Using radiocarbon dates of the penultimate large earthquake and measurements of slip from the 1857 earthquake, we calculate an apparent slip rate for the last complete earthquake cycle that is at least 25% lower than the late-Holocene slip rate on the main fault trace. Comparison of short-term broad-aperture strain accumulation rates with the narrow-aperture late-Holocene slip rate indicates that the fault behaves nearly elastically over a time scale of several earthquake cycles. Therefore, slip in future earthquakes should compensate the slip-rate deficit from the 1857 earthquake

Stratigraphic evidence for seven meters of dextral slip on the San Andreas fault during the 1857 earthquake in the Carrizo Plain

The smallest geomorphic offsets along a 35 km section of the San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain vary from 7 to 10 m. Our three-dimensional excavation of alluvial deposits a few km southeast of Wallace Creek confirms that at least 6.6 to 6.9 m of dextral slip occurred there during the latest large earthquake, in 1857. Dates on detrital charcoal suggest that the last event prior to the 1857 earthquake occurred before a date within the range A.D. 1305 to 1623. The 3-m range in smallest offsets along this portion of the fault may reflect either a 3-m variation in slip along the San Andreas in 1857, or 2 to 3 m of slip during an event prior to 1857. Observations made after the recent Landers earthquake are compatible with the hypothesis of large, local variations in slip during a single earthquake, but do not explain the cause of such variations. Off-fault dextral rotations would be one plausible explanation. However, paleoseismic data in the Carrizo Plain are too sparse to allow rejection of the alternative hypothesis that slip in the event prior to 1857 was only 2 to 3 m, an amount of slip which would be several times too small to fit a time-predictable model

An independent evaluation of The Filter

Existing Research In 2009, a comprehensive review of evidence relating to young people and smoking was published. Few studies were identified which focused specifically on smoking prevention or cessation interventions for young people, and the majority of the existing evidence focused on school-based programmes. We searched for Cochrane reviews and peer reviewed literature from 2009-2015. There was little research on the acceptability and effectiveness of training professionals who work with young people to deliver smoking prevention and cessation messages. There was also a dearth of evidence regarding the effectiveness of direct youth involvement in smoking prevention and cessation programmes. Evidence relating to online health promotion and young people focused primarily on educational programmes involving highly structured content, with very little evidence regarding a less formal approach. Research design A multi-faceted process evaluation of The Filter was undertaken. First, tweets sent to or from The Filter Twitter account were subjected to thematic analysis. Second, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with The Filter staff, professionals who had undergone training from The Filter and young people who had either interacted with The Filter online or as part of face-to-face workshops. Finally, surveys were developed based on the findings of the interview study, which asked professionals and young people about their experiences of all elements of The Filter programme. Results: Training for professionals working with young people The Filter training team reported that initially they designed and delivered training based on the key tobacco topics identified in Wales. This was later amended, to include smoking cessation training, and bespoke training packages. Professionals who took part in interviews reported that they valued this flexible approach to training courses and had put some of the techniques they had learnt into practice in their work with young people. This was found to be the case by professionals who took part in the online survey. Professionals also reported that the training was relevant, enjoyable and gave them new knowledge about smoking. 5 Results: Youth development, education and smoking cessation support The Filter developed a workshop-based approach to transmitting tobacco control and smoking cessation messages, which was delivered to small groups of young people in their own communities. The Filter staff reported that delivering these sessions was unproblematic, and all respondents identified a very strong rapport between The Filter staff and young people. The range of activities included in workshops was also identified as a key way of sustaining interest from young people, and visual aids were identified as particularly engaging. Some young people suggested that their interaction with The Filter had changed their planned behaviour in relation to smoking, or encouraged them to cut down or quit if they were existing smokers. Results: Online health promotion The Filter team shared tobacco control messages via a wide range of online platforms. They have achieved some level of success in terms of reach on The Filter website and potential reach on Twitter and Facebook. However, it was not possible within the confines of this research to understand if these users fit within the target demographic for the intervention, and how much overlap there was between The Filter face-to-face services and online services. The Filter staff reported that the intervention was deliverable by using a flexible approach, including the use of multiple and changing online platforms. It was not possible to understand how acceptable this intervention was to young people, as only one of The Filter’s followers agreed to take part in an online interview, and only 11 respondents to the online survey had interacted with the online resources. The evaluation of social media based interventions has been acknowledged to be a challenging area (Bailey et al., 2015) and this low response does not mean that the intervention is not reaching the targeted individuals, but that the individuals were not willing to take part in a brief evaluation. Conclusion To carry out this evaluation, we were given full access to The Filter team and their contacts in order to gather samples for the interviews and surveys. The Filter team were adaptable in their approaches to training and the use of social media over the course of the project, ensuring smoking cessation and prevention information was maintained as up to date and relevant. Professionals noted the rapport the Filter Team developed with young people was excellent. Training was high quality and professionals were able to use what they had learned from The Filter when working directly with young people. Young people liked the visual aspects of The Filter and they preferred the informal youth work approach to school based sessions on smoking. The use of The Filter social media platforms and online resources was encouraging, showing maintained growth over the course of evaluation period. Online resources were reported to be used by the majority of professionals taking part in the evaluation, however, engaging young people in the evaluation of The Filter via social media proved challenging. The data in this evaluation suggests that The Filter is a service which is feasible to deliver. The methodology of this evaluation did not allow us to examine the effectiveness of The Filter in terms of smoking prevention or cessation