In this position paper, we have used Alan Cooper’s persona technique to illustrate the utility of audio- and video-based AAL technologies. Therefore, two primary examples of potential audio- and video-based AAL users, Anna and Irakli, serve as reference points for describing salient ethical, legal and social challenges related to use of AAL. These challenges are presented on three levels: individual, societal, and regulatory. For each challenge, a set of policy recommendations is suggested.

A previous observational study suggested that when faced with a partner with its back turned, chimpanzees tend to move around to the front of a non-attending partner and then gesture — rather than gesturing once to attract attention and then again to convey a specific intent. We investigated this preference experimentally by presenting six orangutans, five gorillas, nine chimpanzees, and four bonobos with a food begging situation in which we varied the body orientation of an experimenter with respect to the (...) subject and the location of the food. These manipulations allowed us to measure whether subjects preferred to move around to face E or to use signals to attract her attention before they begged for food. Results showed that all species moved around to face E and then produced visual gestures, instead of using tactile/ auditory gestures behind E to call her attention. Species differences were apparent particularly when the food and E were in different locations. Unlike gorillas and orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos produced their gestures in front of E in all conditions, including that in which subjects had to leave the food behind to communicate with her. Implications of these results are discussed in the context of the evolution of social cognition in great apes. (shrink)

A previous observational study suggested that when faced with a partner with its back turned, chimpanzees tend to move around to the front of a non-attending partner and then gesture — rather than gesturing once to attract attention and then again to convey a specific intent. We investigated this preference experimentally by presenting six orangutans, five gorillas, nine chimpanzees, and four bonobos with a food begging situation in which we varied the body orientation of an experimenter with respect to the (...) subject and the location of the food. These manipulations allowed us to measure whether subjects preferred to move around to face E or to use signals to attract her attention before they begged for food. Results showed that all species moved around to face E and then produced visual gestures, instead of using tactile/ auditory gestures behind E to call her attention. Species differences were apparent particularly when the food and E were in different locations. Unlike gorillas and orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos produced their gestures in front of E in all conditions, including that in which subjects had to leave the food behind to communicate with her. Implications of these results are discussed in the context of the evolution of social cognition in great apes. (shrink)

Recent arguments claim that behavioral science has focused – to its detriment – on the individual over the system when construing behavioral interventions. In this commentary, we argue that tackling economic inequality using both framings in tandem is invaluable. By studying individuals who have overcome inequality, “positive deviants,” and the system limitations they navigate, we offer potentially greater policy solutions.

Supercommentary on Sāṅkhyakārikā of Iśvarakr̥ṣṇa, with Kalā Hindi commentary by Kedāranātha Tripāṭhī, on Sankhya philosophy.

Classical text on Advaita Vedanta philosophy; includes commentaries and supercommentaries.

On the fundamentals of Indic philosophical system.

Study of Yatīndramatadīpikā, treatise on Viśiṣṭādvaita metaphysics and epistemology by Śrīnivāsācārya, Son of Govindācārya, active 17th century.

Study of classical commentary on Sāṅkhyakārikā of Īśvarakr̥ṣṇa, work on the fundamentals of Sankhya philosophy.

Works on the refutation of some fundamentals of Advaita philosophy.

Study of a classical commentary on Sāṅkhyakārikā of Īśvarakr̥ṣṇa, basic work on Sankhya philosophy.

Sanskrit text with autocommentary on Advaita philosophy by Kr̥ṣṇapaṇḍita, 18th century: based on rare manuscripts.

Anonymous treatise of the Mīmāṃsā school in Indic philosophy, presenting tradition of Prabhākaramiśra, 7th cent.

Supercommentary on Tarkasaṅgrahadīpikā, an autocommentary of Annambhaṭṭa on Tarkasaṅgraha, treatise on the fundamentals of Nyaya philosophy.

Polemical Advaita treatise, with a 16th century commentary, against Jayatīrtha's Nyāyasudhā, 13th century super-commentary on Madhva's Aṇuvyākhyāna, Dvaita commentary of Bādarāyaṇa's Brahmasūtra, basic work of Vedanta.

Study of classical commentary on Sāṅkhyakārikā of Īśvarakr̥ṣṇa, work on the fundamentals of Sankhya philosophy.

Interpretation of Tattvārthasūtra, work on Jaina doctrines and philosophy by Umāsvāti, 2nd century author.

Critical edition of Sanskrit text on Jaina epistemology; Sanskrit text with Hindi translation.

Comprehensive work on Jaina philosophy and doctrines.

Treatise, with commentary, on Viśiṣṭādvaita metaphysics and epistemology.

Introductory treatise on Viśiṣṭādvaita metaphysics and epistemology.

"Traduction d'un des plus complets traités de Hatha-yoga qui nous soit parvenu, précédée d'une étude sur les différentes formes de yoga dans les traditions shivaïte et tantrique, accompagnée d'une traduction du commentaire sanskrit "Clair de lune" par Brahmânanda.

Analytical study of 'Pramāṇa' in Mīmāṃsā philosophy in the light of Śāstradīpikā by Pārthasārathimiśra, active 11th century.

Treatise on Brahmasūtra of Bādarāyaṇa, treatise on Vedanta philosophy; includes complete text of Brahmasūtra.

Critical edition of Sanskrit text on Jaina epistemology; Sanskrit text with Hindi translation.

Five treatises on Purvamimamsa and Nyaya philosophy; critical editions.