Le débat de la pertinence existentielle de la théodicée. Positions, enjeux et éclairages sur les rapports entre théorie et pratique

Dans les années 1980, deux auteurs, Kenneth Surin et Terrence W. Tilley, ont amorcé un débat quant à la pertinence existentielle de la théodicée, en critiquant fortement l’entreprise de cette dernière. Leurs positions ont provoqué de vives réactions dans l’arène universitaire, celles-ci s’avérant soit favorables, soit défavorables à la théodicée. L’article expose les positions des principaux protagonistes du débat et propose quelques réflexions sur le thème des rapports entre théorie et pratique qui s’y dégage. À l’horizon de ce débat se dessine une vision binaire des choses, que l’auteur critique pour dénouer les impasses actuelles dans lesquelles celui-ci semble être plongé.In the 1980s, scholars Kenneth Surin and Terrence W. Tilley inaugurated the debate of the existential relevance of theodicy through a firm criticism of the latter enterprise. Their positions triggered a number of reactions, both favourable and unfavourable toward theodicy, on the academic scene. This article presents the main positions of that debate and reflects on the relationships between theory and practise that stem out of it. Underlying this debate lies a binary vision of things which the author criticizes in order to surmount the pitfalls in which the debate seems to be put

Le débat de la pertinence existentielle de la théodicée

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal

What is technology adoption? Exploring the agricultural research value chain for smallholder farmers in Lao PDR

© 2019, Springer Nature B.V. A common and driving assumption in agricultural research is that the introduction of research trials, new practices and innovative technologies will result in technology adoption, and will subsequently generate benefits for farmers and other stakeholders. In Lao PDR, the potential benefits of introduced technologies have not been fully realised by beneficiaries. We report on an analysis of a survey of 735 smallholder farmers in Southern Lao PDR who were questioned about factors that influenced their decisions to adopt new technologies. In this study, we have constructed measures or states of adoption which identify key elements of an adoption decision-making nexus. Analysis was conducted to statistically group explanatory factors of adoption. The key explanatory factors represented attributes of the farmer, the factors considered when undertaking production decisions and elements of the agricultural value chain that present as opportunities or constraints. We describe the combination of farmer’s personal attributes, perceptions of the value chain, and the introduction of new technologies by external actors as an “agricultural research value chain”, where agricultural research activities intervene to derive greater benefits for local farmers. A generalised linear model, via Poisson (multiple) regression analysis on the identified explanatory factors, was applied to explore how they influence adoption measures and we found several significant relationships

Effect of sulphur and calcium nitrate on methane production by goats fed a basal diet of molasses supplemented with Mimosa ('Mimosa pigra') foliage

Four weaned crossbred goats (Bach thao x local female), with an initial body weight of 10.5± 2.5 kg and 4-5 months of age, were assigned to a 2*2 factorial design in a 4*4 Latin square to compare the effect on rumen methane emissions, digestibility and nitrogen balance on a basal diet of molasses and Mimosa ('Mimosa pigra') foliage, supplemented with NPN from calcium nitrate or urea, and sulphur (0.8%) from sodium sulphate. Supplementing the basal diet with calcium nitrate led to a reduction in the methane/carbon dioxide ratio in the eructed breath of the goats compared with control animals supplemented with urea. The addition of sodium sulphate to the diet also reduced the methane/carbon dioxide ratio, with the two supplements having additive effects. Added sulphate increased both digestibility of crude protein and N retention. These criteria were not affected by the NPN source

Users’ Satisfaction with Prosthetic and Orthotic Assistive Devices in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A Cross-sectional Study

Purpose: User satisfaction with assistive devices is a predictor of use and an important outcome measure. This study evaluated client satisfaction with prosthetic and orthotic assistive devices and services in three provinces in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Method: A cross-sectional study was done, using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology questionnaire. The sample was drawn from the client register of three of the five Rehabilitation Centres in the country which are under the Ministry of Health’s Centre for Medical Rehabilitation. Clients were eligible if they had received their device in the 12 months prior to the study. Based on the number of registered clients, the sample size was calculated as 274 with a 95% confidence interval, with the final sample N = 266. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were also conducted (N = 34). Results: Most of the assistive devices were in use at the time of the survey and were reported to be in good condition (n = 177, 66.5%). The total mean score for satisfaction (services and device combined) was 3.80 (SD 0.55). Statistically significant differences were observed in satisfaction between gender and location of residence. Effectiveness and comfort were rated as the two most important factors when using a device; at the same time, these were the most common reasons for dissatisfaction and sub-optimal use. Conclusion and Implications: Clients were quite satisfied with the assistive device and services provided, yet many reported barriers to optimal device use and difficulties in accessing follow-up services. There is a need to examine how prosthetic and orthotic devices can be improved further for better comfort and ambulation on uneven ground in low-resource contexts and to address access barriers

Users' satisfaction with prosthetic and orthotic assistive devices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: User satisfaction with assistive devices is a predictor of use and an important outcome measure. This study evaluated client satisfaction with prosthetic and orthotic assistive devices and services in three provinces in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Method: A cross-sectional study was done, using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology questionnaire. The sample was drawn from the client register of three of the five Rehabilitation Centres in the country which are under the Ministry of Health’s Centre for Medical Rehabilitation. Clients were eligible if they had received their device in the 12 months prior to the study. Based on the number of registered clients, the sample size was calculated as 274 with a 95% confidence interval, with the final sample N = 266. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were also conducted (N = 34). Results: Most of the assistive devices were in use at the time of the survey and were reported to be in good condition (n = 177, 66.5%). The total mean score for satisfaction (services and device combined) was 3.80 (SD 0.55). Statistically significant differences were observed in satisfaction between gender and location of residence. Effectiveness and comfort were rated as the two most important factors when using a device; at the same time, these were the most common reasons for dissatisfaction and sub-optimal use. Conclusion and Implications: Clients were quite satisfied with the assistive device and services provided, yet many reported barriers to optimal device use and difficulties in accessing follow-up services. There is a need to examine how prosthetic and orthotic devices can be improved further for better comfort and ambulation on uneven ground in low-resource contexts and to address access barriers

Acceptance of New Land-Use Activities by Hmong and Khmu Ethnic Groups: A Case Study in Northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) to address climate change has historically included little evaluation of how heterogeneous local communities respond to REDD+ interventions and new land-use activities. We assessed differences in the acceptance of new land-use activities as a function of livelihoods of the Hmong and Khmu ethnic groups in northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic, where REDD+ was implemented between 2011 and 2018. Our socioeconomic data, collected by a questionnaire-based survey and focal group discussions, showed that the Hmong more effectively incorporated support from REDD+ than the Khmu because the Hmong owned grazing land. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the capabilities and characteristics of each ethnic group when implementing new land-use activities (i.e., designing and implementing alternative livelihoods) within a target area to ensure distributional equity in heterogeneous communities. Such a consideration should be included in land-use policy and also be a part of the social safeguards in the land-use sector