In Defence of Modest Doxasticism About Delusions

Here I reply to the main points raised by the commentators on the arguments put forward in my Delusions and Other Irrational Beliefs (OUP, 2009). My response is aimed at defending a modest doxastic account of clinical delusions, and is articulated in three sections. First, I consider the view that delusions are in-between perceptual and doxastic states, defended by Jacob Hohwy and Vivek Rajan, and the view that delusions are failed attempts at believing or not-quite-beliefs, proposed by Eric Schwitzgebel and Maura Tumulty. Then, I address the relationship between the doxastic account of delusions and the role, nature, and prospects of folk psychology, which is discussed by Dominic Murphy, Keith Frankish, and Maura Tumulty in their contributions. In the final remarks, I turn to the continuity thesis and suggest that, although there are important differences between clinical delusions and non-pathological beliefs, these differences cannot be characterised satisfactorily in epistemic terms. \u

Dynamic Structure Factor of Liquid and Amorphous Ge From Ab Initio Simulations

We calculate the dynamic structure factor S(k,omega) of liquid Ge (l-Ge) at temperature T = 1250 K, and of amorphous Ge (a-Ge) at T = 300 K, using ab initio molecular dynamics. The electronic energy is computed using density-functional theory, primarily in the generalized gradient approximation, together with a plane wave representation of the wave functions and ultra-soft pseudopotentials. We use a 64-atom cell with periodic boundary conditions, and calculate averages over runs of up to 16 ps. The calculated liquid S(k,omega) agrees qualitatively with that obtained by Hosokawa et al, using inelastic X-ray scattering. In a-Ge, we find that the calculated S(k,omega) is in qualitative agreement with that obtained experimentally by Maley et al. Our results suggest that the ab initio approach is sufficient to allow approximate calculations of S(k,omega) in both liquid and amorphous materials.Comment: 31 pages and 8 figures. Accepted for Phys. Rev.

Flat Spacetime Vacuum in Loop Quantum Gravity

We construct a state in the loop quantum gravity theory with zero cosmological constant, which should correspond to the flat spacetime vacuum solution. This is done by defining the loop transform coefficients of a flat connection wavefunction in the holomorphic representation which satisfies all the constraints of quantum General Relativity and it is peaked around the flat space triads. The loop transform coefficients are defined as spin foam state sum invariants of the spin networks embedded in the spatial manifold for the SU(2) quantum group. We also obtain an expression for the vacuum wavefunction in the triad represntation, by defining the corresponding spin networks functional integrals as SU(2) quantum group state sums.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure

Ich schaff das doch sowieso nicht! Proaktivität und Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung im Kontext von irrationalen Kognitionen

In his Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy, Ellis presents irrational cognitions as a cause of dysfunctional behavior. Defined as irrational is, among other things, the belief that it would be simpler to be successful through passive behaviour rather than through perception of one’s own responsibilities and possibilities and consequently acting on them. This concept of rationality resembles the personality dimensions proactivity and self-efficacy which are analyzed in particular in business psychological contexts. Hence it is assumed, that irrationality is related negatively to proactivity and self-efficacy. To examine these hypotheses two groups of subjects answered clinically validated irrationality scales as well as questions either about proactivity or self-efficacy. Negative correlations between irrationality and both dimensions were found. This connection can be demonstrated in particular for negative self appraisal, a sub-dimension of irrationality. Quasi-experimental comparisons between extreme groups and comparisons with additional items concerning belief of control confirm these interrelationships.In seiner Theorie der Rational-Emotiven-Verhaltenstherapie stellt Ellis irrationale Kognitionen als Ursache dysfunktionaler Verhaltensweisen dar. Als irrational definiert wird unter anderem die Überzeugung, dass es einfacher sei, durch Passivität erfolgreich zu sein als durch Wahrnehmung und Umsetzung eigener Verantwortung und Möglichkeiten. Dieses Rationalitätskonzept ähnelt den insbesondere wirtschaftspsychologisch untersuchten Persönlichkeitsdimensionen Proaktivität und Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung. Daher wird vermutet, dass Irrationalität in negativer Weise mit Proaktivität und Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung zusammenhängt. Zur Überprüfung dieser Hypothese beantworteten zwei Probandengruppen klinisch validierte Irrationalitätsskalen sowie zusätzlich entweder Fragen zur Proaktivität oder zur Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung. Es zeigen sich negative Zusammenhänge zwischen Irrationalität und beiden Dimensionen. Insbesondere für negative Selbstbewertung, eine Subdimension der Irrationalität, kann diese Verbindung aufgezeigt werden. Quasiexperimentelle Extremgruppenvergleiche und Vergleiche mit zusätzlichen Items zu Kontrollerwartungen bestätigen diese Zusammenhänge

Mit welchem Wort soll ich´s benennen? Eine lexikalische und korpusbasierte Analyse deutscher Verben

Verbs either describe factual activities relating to objects (e.g. to plant) or interpersonal activities (e.g. to praise). These interpersonal verbs can be subdivided in action verbs (e.g. to hit) and state verbs (e.g. to admire). For action verbs as well as for state verbs it can be differentiated, if they induce either causal attributions to the subject (e.g. to hit, to frighten) or to the object (e.g. to punish, to admire) of the interaction. Previous linguistic and psychological research has predominantly used identical vocabularies from a small section of the whole language repertoire. Furthermore a comprehensive systematisation of Germen verbs based on the classification described above is still missing. To assess frequency estimates of these verbtypes for the whole language, an integrating analysis of different corpora of German language is conducted for the first time. Data record included more than 10 000 verbs. Frequency analyses confirm a dominance of factual activities compared to interpersonal verbs and within interpersonal verbs a dominance of action verbs. The resulting corpus can be used for representative analyses of interpersonal verbs and attributional analyses of linguistic data.Verben beschreiben entweder sachbezogene Vorgänge (z.B. anpflanzen) oder interpersonale Ereignisse (z.B. loben). Diese interpersonalen Verben können in Handlungs- (z. B. schlagen) und Zustandsverben (z.B. bewundern) unterteilt werden. Sowohl für Handlungs- als auch für Zustandsverben kann unterschieden werden, ob sie Kausalattributionen auf das Subjekt (z.B. schlagen, ängstigen) oder auf das Objekt(bestrafen, bewundern) der Interaktion auslösen. Bisherige sprachpsychologische Untersuchungen haben überwiegend identische Vokabeln aus einem kleinen Ausschnitt des Gesamtvokabulars verwendet. Auch fehlt eine umfassende Systematisierung deutscher Verben hinsichtlich der dargestellten Klassifikation. Um erstmals Häufigkeitsangaben der Verbverteilungen der gesamten Sprache zu erhalten, wird eine Analyse unterschiedlicher deutscher Verb- und Textkorpora durchgeführt, aus der ein Datensatz mit insgesamt über 10 000 Verben resultiert. Häufigkeitsanalysen belegen eine Dominanz sachbezogener im Vergleich zu interpersonalen Verben und innerhalb interpersonaler Verben eine deutliche Überzahl von Handlungsverben. Der erstellte Korpus erlaubt sprachlich repräsentative Analysen interpersonaler Verben, Aussagen zur sprachlichen Repräsentation interpersonaler Ereignisse und attributionstheoretische Analysen sprachlicher Daten

Atomic layering at the liquid silicon surface: a first- principles simulation

We simulate the liquid silicon surface with first-principles molecular dynamics in a slab geometry. We find that the atom-density profile presents a pronounced layering, similar to those observed in low-temperature liquid metals like Ga and Hg. The depth-dependent pair correlation function shows that the effect originates from directional bonding of Si atoms at the surface, and propagates into the bulk. The layering has no major effects in the electronic and dynamical properties of the system, that are very similar to those of bulk liquid Si. To our knowledge, this is the first study of a liquid surface by first-principles molecular dynamics.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PR

Ontology: Use and abuse

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/110.1007/978-3-540-79860-6_2Revised Selected Papers of 5th International Workshop, AMR 2007, Paris, France, July 5-6, 2007This paper is a critical analysis of the use of ontology as an instrument to specify the semantics of a document. The paper argue that not only is a logic of the type used in ontology insufficient for such a purpose, but that the very idea that meaning is a property of a document that can be expressed and stored independently of the interpretation activity is misguided. The paper proposes, in very general lines, a possible alternative view of meaning as modification of context and shows that many current approaches to meaning, from ontology to emergent semantics, can be seen as spacial cases of this approach, and can be analyzed from a very general theoretical framework

Laparoscopic mesh-augmented hiatoplasty without fundoplication as a method to treat large hiatal hernias

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with additional fundoplication is a commonly recommended standard surgical treatment for symptomatic large hiatal hernias with paraesophageal involvement (PEH). However, due to the risk of persistent side effects, this method remains controversial. Laparoscopic mesh-augmented hiatoplasty without fundoplication (LMAH), which combines hiatal repair and mesh reinforcement, might therefore be an alternative. METHODS: In this retrospective study of 55 (25 male, 30 female) consecutive PEH patients, the perioperative course and symptomatic outcomes were analyzed after a mean follow-up of 72 months. RESULTS: The mean DeMeester symptom score decreased from 5.1 to 1.8 (P < 0.001) and the gas bloating value decreased from 1.2 to 0.5 (P = 0.001). The dysphagia value was 0.7 before surgery and 0.6 (P = 0.379) after surgery. The majority of the patients were able to belch and vomit (96 and 92 %, respectively). Acid-suppressive therapy on a regular basis was discontinued in 68 % of patients. In 4 % of patients, reoperation was necessary due to recurrent or persistent reflux. A mesh-related stenosis that required endoscopic dilatation occurred in 2 % of patients. CONCLUSIONS: LMAH is feasible, safe and provides an anti-reflux effect, even without fundoplication. As operation-related side effects seem to be rare, LMAH is a potential treatment option for large hiatal hernias with paraesophageal involvement

Context as a non-ontological determinant of semantics

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/110.1007/978-3-540-92235-3_11Proceedings of Third International Conference on Semantic and Digital Media Technologies, SAMT 2008, Koblenz, Germany, December 3-5, 2008.This paper proposes an alternative to formal annotation for the representation of semantics. Drawing on the position of most of last century’s linguistics and interpretation theory, the article argues that meaning is not a property of a document, but an outcome of a contextualized and situated process of interpretation. The consequence of this position is that one should not quite try to represent the meaning of a document (the way formal annotation does), but the context of the activity of which search is part. We present some general considerations on the representation and use of the context, and a simple example of a technique to encode the context represented by the documents collected in the computer in which one is working, and to use them to direct search. We show preliminary results showing that even this rather simpleminded context representation can lead to considerable improvements with respect to commercial search engines