Values in Action: Simplicity, Completeness, and Carefulness in the Development of the Systematisations of Chemical Elements

This thesis demonstrates how three chemists – Dmitrii Ivanovich Mendeleev, Julius Lothar Meyer, and John Newlands – emphasised different values when developing their systematisations of the chemical elements in 1863-1875. While no chemist emphasised just one value in the course of establishing of their systematisations, I argue that Newlands elevated simplicity (“simple relation”), Mendeleev completeness (polnost’), and Meyer carefulness when systematising the elements. This thesis sets to show that values provide an illuminating framework to articulate the differences among the competing periodic systems, and give us a novel reading of the priority dispute concerning the discovery of the periodic system. By examining the role of values in the systematisation of the elements, this thesis seeks to give an example of an integrated history and philosophy of science (iHPS) approach to values. As integrating history and philosophy of science introduces some methodological challenges, I will start by arguing in favour the hermeneutic model to iHPS as articulated by Jutta Schickore (Ch.1). Chapters 2-5 are largely historical. Chapter 2 introduces historical background to the challenge of systematising the elements in the nineteenth century. I then demonstrate how Newlands (Ch.3), Meyer (Ch.4), and Mendeleev (Ch.5) emphasised different values in the course of developing their systematisations of the chemical elements. Chapters 6-8 are more philosophical. In chapter 6, I argue in favour of specific abstract characterisations of simplicity, completeness, and carefulness on the basis of the historical material presented in chapters 3-5. After arguing in favour of a specific understanding of values, I identify a distinct relationship between the chemists’ subsequent uses of the systems and their emphasis on specific values during the development of their systems. In particular, I argue that valuing of completeness contributed to Mendeleev’s use of the system for making predictions (Ch.7), whereas valuing of carefulness did much to support using Meyer’s system for error determination (Ch.8).Oskar Huttunen foundatio

How Mendeleev issued his predictions: comment on Andrea Woody

AbstractMuch has been said about the accuracy of the famous predictions of the Russian chemist Dmitrii Ivanovich Mendeleev, but far less has been written on how he made his predictions. Here we offer an explanation on how Mendeleev used his periodic system to predict both physical and chemical properties of little-known and entirely unknown chemical elements. We argue that there seems to be compelling evidence in favour of Mendeleev genuinely relying on his periodic system in the course of issuing his predictions—a point recently contested by Woody (in: Soler, Zwart, Lynch, Israel-Jost (eds) Science after the practice turn in the philosophy, history, and social studies of science, Routledge, Abington, 2014). In particular, by using the known properties of a number of near neighbours of the three entirely unknown elements (the so-called eka-elements), we seek to show how the very format of his table enabled it to function as a powerful tool for Mendeleev in arriving at his predicted values. We suggest that Mendeleev’s use of the periodic system in making his prediction gives an illuminative example of what Woody calls “theoretical practices” in science.</jats:p

Values in climate modelling: testing the practical applicability of the Moral Imagination ideal

There is much debate on how social values should influence scientific research. However, the question of practical applicability of philosophers’ normative proposals has received less attention. Here, we test the attainability of Matthew J. Brown’s (2020) Moral Imagination ideal (MI ideal), which aims to help scientists to make warranted value-judgements through reflecting on goals, options, values, and stakeholders of research. Here, the tools of the MI ideal are applied to a climate modelling setting, where researchers are developing aerosol-cloud interaction (ACI) parametrizations in an Earth System Model with the broader goal of improving climate sensitivity estimation. After the identification of minor obstacles to applying the MI ideal, we propose two ways to increase its applicability. First, its tools should be accompanied with more concrete guidance for identifying how social values enter more technical decisions in scientific research. Second, since research projects can have multiple goals, examining the alignment between broader societal aims of research and more technical goals should be part of the tools of the MI ideal

How do value-judgements enter model-based assessments of climate sensitivity?

Philosophers argue that many choices in science are influenced by values or have value-implications, ranging from the preference for some research method’s qualities to ethical estimation of the consequences of error. Based on the argument that awareness of values in the scientific process is a necessary first step to both avoid bias and attune science best to the needs of society, an analysis of the role of values in the physical climate science production process is provided. Model-based assessment of climate sensitivity is taken as an illustrative example; climate sensitivity is useful here because of its key role in climate science and relevance for policy, by having been the subject of several assessments over the past decades including a recent shift in assessment method, and because it enables insights that apply to numerous other aspects of climate science. It is found that value-judgements are relevant at every step of the model-based assessment process, with a differentiated role of non-epistemic values across the steps, impacting the assessment in various ways. Scrutiny of current philosophical norms for value-management highlights the need for those norms to be re-worked for broader applicability to climate science. Recent development in climate science turning away from direct use of models for climate sensitivity assessment also gives the opportunity to start investigating the role of values in alternative assessment methods, highlighting similarities and differences in terms of the role of values that encourage further study

Editorial:the shadowlands of science communication in academia — definitions, problems, and possible solutions

Science communication is an important part of research, including in the geosciences, as it can benefit society, science, and make science more publicly accountable. However, much of this work takes place in “shadowlands” that are neither fully seen nor understood. These shadowlands are spaces, aspects, and practices of science communication which are not clearly defined and may be harmful with respect to the science being communicated or for the science communicators themselves. With the increasing expectation in academia that researchers should participate in science communication, there is a need to address some of the major issues that lurk in these shadowlands. Here the editorial team of Geoscience Communication seeks to shine a light on the shadowlands of geoscience communication and suggest some solutions and examples of effective practice. The issues broadly fall under three categories: 1) harmful or unclear objectives; 2) poor quality and lack of rigor; and 3) exploitation of science communicators working within academia. Ameliorating these will require: 1) clarifying objectives and audiences; 2) adequately training science communicators; and 3) giving science communication equivalent recognition to other professional activities. By shining a light on the shadowlands of science communication in academia and proposing potential remedies, our aim is to cultivate a more transparent and responsible landscape for geoscience communication—a transformation that will ultimately benefit the progress of science, the welfare of scientists, and more broadly society at large

Which factors prevents outdoor pedagogy in nature-oriented subjects : from a teacher’s perspective

Utomhusundervisning har flera positiva och meningsfulla effekter på elevers lärande och skolprestationer. I en autentisk miljö genom ett utforskande arbetssätt ökar elevers nyfikenhet till naturvetenskap. Lärare verkar värdesätta utomhusundervisningens potential men det finns faktorer som hindrar dem att använda och utveckla sin utomhuspedagogik. Syftet med kunskapsöversikten är att utforska frågan närmare angående vad som kännetecknar, utifrån aktuell forskning, vilka de hindrande faktorerna är att bedriva och utveckla utomhuspedagogiken inom de naturorienterande ämnena, utifrån ett lärarperspektiv. För att få fram översiktens syfte användes frågeställningen: Vad kännetecknar aktuell forskning om vilka faktorer som hindrar lärare från att bedriva utomhuspedagogik inom de naturorienterande ämnena? Med hjälp av sökord och urvalskriterier identifierades sju artiklar ur två olika databaser, Primooch ERIC (ProQuest). Artiklarna analyserades genom att de lästes och kartlades för att få en övergripande översikt över deras innehåll. Liknande ord, meningar och passager ur artiklarna sammanfördes under samlingsbegrepp. Samlingsbegreppen bildade faktorer som lärare anser hindra dem att använda och utveckla sin utomhuspedagogik. Flera hindrande faktorer framträdde utifrån de utvalda artiklarna. Analysen visade att det finns organisatoriska och ekonomiska faktorer som hindrar. Den aktuella skolkulturen samt vilket stöd som ges av skolledning och rektorer till sina lärare visade sig vara en påverkansfaktor. Det visar sig finnas ett visst samband mellan lärarens egen komfortnivå och attityd gentemot mängden utomhusundervisning de utför. Lärare anser sig ha bristfälliga kunskaper hur de ska implementera utomhusundervisningens innehåll till rådande läroplan och kursmål. Kunskapsbristerna anses enligt lärarna att komma av för lite erfarenhet av utomhusundervisning under deras lärarutbildnin

Suomalaisten suun omahoidon edistäminen videon avulla : ohjausvideon tekeminen Mänttä-Vilppulan suun terveydenhuoltoon

Opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena oli tuottaa yhteistyökumppanille video, joka sisältää ydintietoa eriikäisten suomalaisten suun terveydestä ja omahoidon toteutuksesta. Tavoitteena on edistää eriikäisten suomalaisten suun terveyttä ja saada asiakkaat motivoitumaan oikeanlaiseen ja parempaan suun omahoitoon. Tavoitteena on lisäksi lisätä asiakkaiden tietoisuutta ravintotottumuksien, mekaanisen suun puhdistamisen, tupakoinnin, nuuskan,lääkkeiden ja proteesien vaikutuksista suun terveyteen. Teoreettinen viitekehys koostuu suomalaisten suun terveydentilasta ja siinä ilmenevistä ongelmakohdista eri ikäryhmittäin sekä suun terveyteen ja omahoitoon vaikuttavista tekijöistä.Toiminnallisen opinnäytetyön tuotoksen tueksi opinnäytetyössä käsiteltiin hyvän ohjausvideon kriteereitä ja terveyden edistämistä digitalisaation näkökulmasta. Opinnäytetyön keskeisiksi ongelmiksi muodostuivat:mitkä ovat eri ikäryhmien suun terveyden ongelmakohdat, mihin asioihin eriikäisten tulee kiinnittää huomiota toteuttaessaan hyvää suun omahoitoa ja millainen on hyvä ohjausvideo kaikenikäisille asiakkaille. Terveys 2011 -tutkimuksen valossa voidaan sanoa, että suomalaisten suun terveys on parantunut vuoteen 2000 verrattuna;suositusten mukainen hampaiden harjaus on lisääntynyt,tupakoimattomuus on yleistynyt ja hampaattomuus on vähentynyt. Kuitenkin tutkimusten ja viimeaikaisen uutisoinnin perusteella voidaan todeta, että kaikissa ikäryhmissä on edelleen parannettavaa;erityisesti lasten ja nuorten aikuisten hammasterveys huolestuttaa. Väestössä myös ikääntyneiden osuus kasvaa jatkuvasti ja samoin omia hampaita omaavien ihmisten määrä. Jotta suun terveyttä pystyttäisiin ylläpitämään korkeaan ikään asti, terveyden edistämiseen täytyy nyt panostaa. Näin estettäisiin suun terveyden romahtaminen ja sen vaikutukset yleisterveyteen. Terveydenhuollossa resursseja on käytettävissä rajoitetusti, jolloin digitaalisen aikakauden hyödyntäminen myös terveyden edistämisessä on kustannustehokasta. Opinnäytetyössä syntynyttä videotuotosta tullaan hyödyntämään myös muissa suun terveydenhuollon organisaatioissa asiakkaiden omahoidon tukemiseksi ja parantamiseksi.The purpose of this thesis was to produce a video for our collaborator. It was to include key facts about the current state of the oral health of Finns and self-care instructions. The aim is to improve the oral health of Finns of all ages and to motivate customers to use correct and better self-care methods. The aim is also to increase customer knowledge about the oral effects of diet, mechanical cleaning of the mouth, tobacco products, medication and dentures. The theoretical framework consists of addressing the current state and issues of the oral health of Finns by age groups and factors affecting oral health and self-care. To support the final output of our practice-based thesis, the text deals with the criteria of a successful instructional video and digital health promotion. The key questions of this thesis comprised of: what are the oral health issues of different aged people, what people of various ages should keep in mind while implementing good oral self-care and what would a good instructional video be like for people of all ages. Based on the national study” Terveys 2011”, we can conclude that the oral health of Finns has improved since the year 2000. Brushing teeth, according to recommendations, has increased, smoking and toothlessness has decreased. However, it can be said that, according to studies and recent news, there is still much to be done in all age groups, especially among children and adolescents. The proportion of the elderly is increasing as are the people holding on to their permanent teeth. Health promotion is currently of paramount importance to help maintain people’s oral health well into old age. It would prevent the deterioration of oral health conditions and its effects on general health. Health care resources are limited which makes utilizing digital interventions cost effective. The resulting video will also be used by other oral health care organizations to support and improve the self-care of their patients

Työhyvinvoinnin haasteet akuuttihoitotyössä : työhyvinvointia edistävät ja ehkäisevät tekijät

Hoitohenkilökunnan työhyvinvointi on yksi merkittävimmistä hoidon laatuun vaikuttavista tekijöistä. Akuuttihoidossa työskentelevät sairaanhoitajat kokevat liian suurta työkuormitusta, stressiä sekä fyysistä, psyykkistä ja emotionaalista pahoinvointia. Opinnäytetyön tarkoitus oli kuvailla työhyvinvoinnin haasteita akuuttihoitotyössä, työhyvinvointia edistäviä ja ehkäiseviä tekijöitä. Työn tavoitteena oli hyödyntää etsittyä tietoa akuuttihoitotyön erityispiirteistä ja niiden vaikutuksista työhyvinvointiin sekä saada luotettavaa tietoa työhyvinvoinnin kehittämiseksi. Tämä opinnäytetyö toteutettiin kuvailevalla kirjallisuuskatsauksena. Kirjallisuuskatsaus on systemaattinen menetelmä, jonka avulla kehitetään erityisesti tieteenalan teoreettista ymmärrystä sekä arvioidaan olemassa olevaa tutkimustietoa. Opinnäytetyöhön haettiin tietoa kotimaisista ja kansainvälisistä tietokannoista, kuten; Cinahl, Pubmed ja ProQuest Central. Mukaan valikoitui yhteensä 13 tutkimusta, joista kaksi oli suomenkielisiä ja 11 kansainvälisiä. Aineiston analyysi toteutettiin induktiivisen sisällönanalyysin periaatteita noudattaen. Aineistolähtöisessä sisällönanalyysissä vastaus tutkimustehtävään saadaan yhdistelemällä käsitteitä alaluokista yläluokkiin ja lopulta pääluokkaan asti. Opinnäytetyön tulokset jaettiin kolmeen kategoriaan; yksilöön, työyhteisöön ja organisaatioon liittyviin tekijöihin. Tuloksista voidaan todeta, että erityisesti yksilö- ja organisaatiotason tekijöillä on merkittävin rooli työhyvinvoinnin kokemuksessa akuuttihoitotyössä. Tuloksista kävi ilmi, että nämä kaikki kategoriat vaikuttavat edistävästi ja ehkäisevästi työhyvinvoinnin kokemukseen akuuttihoitotyössä. Sairaanhoitajien työhyvinvointia on kuitenkin tärkeää tutkia säännöllisin väliajoin työn kuormittavuuden näkökulmasta, jotta erilaisia parannuksia osataan tehdä ajoissa.One of the most significant factors affecting work quality is well-being at work among the health care professionals. Nurses working in acute care experience weaker physical, mental and emotional well-being with excessive workload and stress. The purpose of this thesis was to describe the challenges of well-being at work in acute care with promotive and preventive factors. The aim of this thesis was to exploit the information found on the special features of acute work and their effects on well-being and in addition to obtain reliable information for the development of wellbeing at work. This study was conducted as a descriptive literature review. Literature review is systematic method used to develop the theoretical understanding of the field of science and to evaluate research data existing. We used domestic and international databases such as Cinahl, Pubmed and ProQuest central. A total of 13 research articles were selected, two of which were Finnish and 11 internationals. We analyzed the data according to the principles of inductive content analysis. The answer to the research question is obtained by combining concepts from the lower class to upper class and eventually to the main class. The result of this thesis shows that factors affecting to work well-being in acute care can be divided to three main categories: individual factors, work community factors and organizational factors. Especially individual and organizational factors have the most significant role in the experience of work well-being in acute care. The results lead to the conclusion that all three main categories affect to the experience of work well-being in acute care. However, it is important to study nurses’ wellbeing from the perspective of workload to make improvements of well-being at work in acute care

How Mendeleev issued his predictions: comment on Andrea Woody

AbstractMuch has been said about the accuracy of the famous predictions of the Russian chemist Dmitrii Ivanovich Mendeleev, but far less has been written on how he made his predictions. Here we offer an explanation on how Mendeleev used his periodic system to predict both physical and chemical properties of little-known and entirely unknown chemical elements. We argue that there seems to be compelling evidence in favour of Mendeleev genuinely relying on his periodic system in the course of issuing his predictions—a point recently contested by Woody (in: Soler, Zwart, Lynch, Israel-Jost (eds) Science after the practice turn in the philosophy, history, and social studies of science, Routledge, Abington, 2014). In particular, by using the known properties of a number of near neighbours of the three entirely unknown elements (the so-called eka-elements), we seek to show how the very format of his table enabled it to function as a powerful tool for Mendeleev in arriving at his predicted values. We suggest that Mendeleev’s use of the periodic system in making his prediction gives an illuminative example of what Woody calls “theoretical practices” in science.</jats:p