Wonders of Human Physiology from Tawhid Mofazal Perspective

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: Mankind as one of the most complex creatures has been the subject of many sciences. One of the sciences that consider growth and health parameters of body and circumstances of its activities is “physiology”. Also, there is a considerable amount of information about this topic in Islamic religious sciences and various sources, including the Quran and religious books of saints and religious leaders who have many things to say about this topic. The main objective of this study was to get a comprehensive view of the compatibility of science and religion.Method: In this study, comparison and analysis of content as well as library research were used. Various books related to fields of Islamic sciences and books on the field of physiology and medical and religious papers were examined. In this study, all the ethical issues were considered. Moreover, the authors declare no conflict of interest.Results: Findings showed that many of the cases related to field of physiology and medicine are stated in the complete religion of Islam by religious leaders, especially the Imams who have divine knowledge and they corroborate the science of the day.Conclusion: Comparative discussion around the physiology science in both religion and experimental sciences leads us to the conclusion that the religion as a source establishes doctrines, matches experimental science, and has a lot to share. This brings us to the relation between science and religion. There is no sharp contrast between these two categories and the relationship between science and religion is confirmed. It is also concluded that religious beliefs are effective in the medical physiology and experimental sciences. Consequently, steps must be taken to hold them together.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here

Mechanisms of Identity Construction among Members of Pyramid Schemes in Iran: A Critical Ethnography

Whereas the emergence of pyramid schemes exerted considerable impacts on people’s lives, up to now, far too little attention has been paid to the experiences of members from the sociological perspective, particularly in non-Western contexts. Therefore, this study illuminates social processes underlying participation in such schemes in a less studied social setting, Iran. This article also critically traces the social and psychological consequences of membership in pyramid schemes. We adapted a critical ethnographic approach, including participant observation of local branch offices, followed by 16 in-depth interviews with the former members of schemes. Our findings suggest that the practices deployed by the schemes lead to the building of social identity, namely, “superhuman,” mainly based on the misinterpretation of the real world. Finding the reality surrounded deliberately contrasted with the firms’ promises, the constructed identity fails, and members lose their social capital

Tell me what you are like and I will tell you what you believe in: Social representations of COVID-19 in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

This study analyzes the range and content of Social Representations (SRs) about the COVID-19 pandemic in 21 geographical zones from 17 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia (N = 4430). Based on Social Representations Theory, as well as the psychosocial consequences of pandemics and crises, we evaluate the perceptions of severity and risks, the agreement with different SRs, and participants’ Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) and Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA). Different sets of beliefs are discussed as SRs, together with their prevalence and association with contextual variables. Results show that severity and risk perceptions were associated with different SRs of the pandemic. Specifically, those focused on Emerging Externalizing zoonotic and ecological factors (the virus is due to Chinese unhygienic habits and the overexploitation of the planet), Polemic Conspiracies (the virus is a weapon), views of Elite and Mass Villains (the elites deceive us and profit with the pandemic), and Personal Responsibility (the neglectful deserves contagion) during the pandemic. Furthermore, most of the SRs are anchored in SDO and, more strongly, in RWA orientations. Additional meta-analyses and multi-level regressions show that the effects are replicated in most geographical areas and that risk perception was a consistent explanatory variable, even after controlling for demographics and ‘real risk’ (i.e., actual numbers of contagion and death). Results suggest that, while coping with and making sense of the pandemic, authoritarian subjects agree with SR that feed a sense of social control and legitimize outgroup derogation, and support punishment of ingroup lowstatus deviants.University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain

Sociopolitical consequences of COVID-19 in the Americas, Europe, and Asia: A multilevel, multicountry investigation of risk perceptions and support for antidemocratic practices

Although different social crises may eventually favor undemocratic and authoritarian forms of governance, at some point, such antidemocratic practices require the support of a significant part of the population to be implemented. The present research investigates how and whether the COVID-19 pandemic might have favoured greater support for antidemocratic governmental practices, on the premise of regaining control and security. Using data from 17 countries (N = 4364) and national-level indicators (i.e., real number of contagions and deaths, and sociopolitical indicators), we test how the risk of contagion and death from COVID-19, along with personal orientations (i.e., social dominance orientation [SDO], right-wing authoritarianism [RWA], and perceived anomie) motivate authoritarian and antidemocratic practices. Results from multilevel models indicate that risk perception and perceptions of political instability predict a wish for stronger leadership, agreement with martial law, and support for a controlling government especially when SDO and RWA are high, while more egalitarian and less conservative people agree less with these authoritarian measures in spite of the levels of risk perception. We discuss the implications for these findings for future research on similar but also dissimilar external events (natural disasters, war, or terror incidents) and the consequences for societies with higher authoritarian tendencies.Fil: Pizarro, José J.. Universidad Católica del Norte; Chile. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Cakal, Huseyin. Keele University; Reino UnidoFil: Méndez, Lander. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Zumeta, Larraitz N.. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Gracia-Leiva, Marcela. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Basabe, Nekane. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Navarro-Carrillo, Ginés. Universidad de Jaén; EspañaFil: Cazan, Ana Maria. Transilvania University of Brasov; RumaniaFil: Keshavarzi, Saeed. Independent Researcher; IránFil: López López, Wilson. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Yahiiaiev, Illia. Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; UcraniaFil: Alzugaray Ponce, Carolina. Universidad Santo Tomas; ChileFil: Villagrán, Loreto. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Moyano Díaz, Emilio. Universidad de Talca; ChileFil: Petrović, Nebojša. University of Belgrade; SerbiaFil: Mathias, Anderson. Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila; MéxicoFil: Techio, Elza M.. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Wlodarczyk, Anna. Universidad Católica del Norte; ChileFil: Alfaro-Beracoechea, Laura. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Ibarra, Manuel L.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Michael, Andreas. University of Cyprus; ChipreFil: Mhaskar, Sumeet. O.p. Jindal Global University; IndiaFil: Martínez Zelaya, Gonzalo. Universidad Viña del Mar; ChileFil: Bilbao, Marian. Universidad Alberto Hurtado; ChileFil: Delfino, Gisela Isabel. Universidad Pontificia Comillas; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Carvalho, Catarina L.. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Pinto, Isabel R.. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Mohsin, Falak Zehra. Karachi School Of Business And Leadership; PakistánFil: Espinosa, Agustín. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; PerúFil: Cueto, Rosa María. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; PerúFil: Cavalli, Stefano. Scuola Universitaria Professionale Della Svizzera Italiana; ItaliaFil: da Costa, Silvia. Universidad de Zaragoza; EspañaFil: Amutio, Alberto. Universidad Andrés Bello; Chile. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Alonso Arbiol, Itziar. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Páez, Darío. Universidad Andrés Bello; Chil

شگفتی‌های فیزیولوژی انسانی از دیدگاه توحید مفضّل

Background and Objective: Mankind as one of the most complex creatures has been the subject of many sciences. One of the sciences that consider growth and health parameters of body and circumstances of its activities is “physiology”. Also, there is a considerable amount of information about this topic in Islamic religious sciences and various sources, including the Quran and religious books of saints and religious leaders who have many things to say about this topic. The main objective of this study was to get a comprehensive view of the compatibility of science and religion. Method: In this study, comparison and analysis of content as well as library research were used. Various books related to fields of Islamic sciences and books on the field of physiology and medical and religious papers were examined. In this study, all the ethical issues were considered. Moreover, the authors declare no conflict of interest. Results: Findings showed that many of the cases related to field of physiology and medicine are stated in the complete religion of Islam by religious leaders, especially the Imams who have divine knowledge and they corroborate the science of the day. Conclusion: Comparative discussion around the physiology science in both religion and experimental sciences leads us to the conclusion that the religion as a source establishes doctrines, matches experimental science, and has a lot to share. This brings us to the relation between science and religion. There is no sharp contrast between these two categories and the relationship between science and religion is confirmed. It is also concluded that religious beliefs are effective in the medical physiology and experimental sciences. Consequently, steps must be taken to hold them together.سابقه و هدف: انسان؛ یکی از پیچیده‌ترین مخلوقاتی که نمود «فتبارک الله احسن الخالقین» است، موضوع بسیاری از علوم قرار گرفته است. یکی از علومی که به بررسی انسان ازجهت عوامل رشد و حیات و چگونگی فعالیت اعضای بدن می‌پردازد، «فیزیولوژی» است. از سوی دیگر بررسی انسان از این منظر در علوم دینی اسلامی هم صورت گرفته است و منابع مختلف دینی ازجمله قرآن و کتب باقی‌مانده از معصومان و بزرگان دینی نیز به آن پرداخته‌است. هدف اصلی این پژوهش رسیدن به دیدی جامع نسبت به امکان تطابق علم با دین و درک جدانبودن این دو مقوله از یکدیگر است. روش کار: روش این پژوهش تطبیق و تحلیل مطالب و مراجعه به کتابخانه است و برای اجرای آن، از کتاب‌های مختلف حوزه‌ی علوم اسلامی و کتب مربوط به دانش فیزیولوژی و پزشکی و مقالات حوزه‌ی‌ دینی و پزشکی استفاده شده است. در این پژوهش همه‌ی موارد اخلاقی رعایت شده است. علاوه‌براین، نویسندگان مقاله هیچ‌گونه تضاد منافعی گزارش نکرده‌اند. یافته‌ها: یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد بسیاری از مواردی که در حوزه‌ی علم فیزیولوژی و پزشکی به آنها اشاره شده، بزرگان دین اسلام، به‌ویژه امامان معصوم (ع) که دارای علم الهی و عصمت بالغه هستند نیز به آنها اشاره کرده‌اند، که با علوم روز منطبق است. نتیجه‌گیری: بحث مقایسه‌یی درباره‌ی علم فیزیولوژی در دو حوزه‌ی علوم تجربی و دینی، نشان می‌دهد که دین (منبعی که دارای آموزه‌های وحیانی است)، با علم تجربی منطبق است و در حوزه‌ی علوم تجربی نیز حرفی برای گفتن دارد. این امر موجب می‌شود در حوزه‌ی ارتباط علم و دین به تعارض‌های کامل بین این دو مقوله قائل نباشیم و ارتباط بین این دو را بپذیریم که این امر منجر می‌شود در بُعد پزشکی، فیزیولوژی و علوم تجربی عقاید دینی را مؤثر بدانیم و گام‌های بلندی برای ارتباط تنگاتنگ بین آنها برداری

The Application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and its Relationship with Improvement in Teaching and Learning

AbstractRapid progress of information and communication technologies is considered as one of the key factors of change in humankind society. The main impact of ICT in education can be seen in improving the capabilities of instructors, changing the educational structure, creating opportunities for greater and more comprehensive learning, enhancing educational quality and improving teaching skills. Due to this dramatic effect, this study has sought to investigate the influence of technology involved in teaching and learning. In order to gather information, a questionnaire containing six sections (personal data, software knowledge, skills and attitude, university atmosphere and self-confidence) was used. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire had already been calculated. Statistical population, including faculty members of the branches of Islamic Azad University in Fars Province, and statistical sample were selected through random-cluster. The results showed that: There was statistically significant relationship (p =0/01) between university atmosphere and faculty members’ self-confidence. There was not a significant statistical difference between female and male instructors in respect to software knowledge, skill and attitude. There was significant difference of .002 between assistant professors and instructors in respect to software attitude

Testing social identity models of collective action in an Iranian environmental movement

The social identity model of collective action (SIMCA) and the encapsulation model of the social identity of collective action (EMSICA) are well-known models that have been applied to protest action. The current study tests the predictive value of the core constructs in the models (social identification, perceived injustice and group efficacy) in a peaceful pro-environmental program. Specifically, we sought to answer whether the two models provide equally good accounts of (self-reported) past participation and of intended participation. To do so, we conducted a survey of 382 participants of a sustained environmental collective action program (Nature Cleaners) in Iran. Our findings underlined the important role of social identification in predicting environmental action. The results also showed that SIMCA was more relevant for intentions to participate, whereas paths specified by EMSICA better predicted past participation. The results provide a demonstration of the applicability of collective action models to the domain of pro-environmental action in the Iranian cultural context where collective action is rarely studied. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of studying collective action in a wider range of situations and contexts

Formation of Hatred Emotions Toward Afghan Refugees in Iran: A Grounded Theory Study

Most studies on refugee-host relations focus on attitudes toward refugees based on ethnic and religious differences. In the current research, we focus on how negative attitudes toward refugees are formed in a non-Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic context between followers of the same faith. Specifically, we explore the social processes in work to build negative emotions against Afghan refugees in a societal context, Iran, that bears considerable cultural and historical similarities to Afghan society in comparison to the other nations as the host. Adopting the grounded theory approach, 22 in-depth interviews were carried out with Iranians who expressed highly negative emotions toward Afghans in a city, Shiraz, which is home to a large Afghan community. Beyond identifying the process underlying negative emotions, that is, hate, our findings show Afghanophobia as the core reversible social process. Accordingly, despite the counterprocesses, Afghanophobia resists positive changes, particularly during antagonistic intergroup encounters