Biologically, pain is neither intrinsically good nor bad, but is a communication mechanism designed to serve organismal ends. Pain for any given person at any given time should be evaluated on the basis of “success” (or not) in serving those purposes. Yet, the physiological, psychological, and cultural complexity of the experience makes moral consideration of pain complicated. This is especially the case with infants in pain. The competence of the infant as a “decision maker” cannot, of course, be assumed. Even (...) if the child “thinks” about pain, an epistemological barrier exists in that the child cannot clearly communicate about the pain experience. Furthermore, any expressions of pain from the child may be necessary for diagnosis. Just coercion criteria provide a means of evaluating when and to what extent pain in infants should be controlled under the authority of surrogate decision makers. (shrink)

William J. Ferrero was born in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts during "the Crash" of 29, and spent his entire life there. Willie, as he is better known, is a devoted member of the town and has a reputation for helping people. Not strange then that he was voted Rotarian of the Year and later named "Citizen of the Year." Organizing youth programs in sports for the young people and creating the Rotary Summer Concerts for seniors are some of his proud accomplishments. (...) Knowing his nature, it is easy to understand why he became so involved with the Tourette Syndrome awareness program. Using Pepper Belle as a vehicle to help children and people was his brain child and it has proven to be very successful. He dedicates this book to those suffering from Tourette Syndrome so their lives may be filled with peace, love and the understanding of those fortunate to be blessed with good health. (shrink)

A lot of Indian research is replicative in nature. This is because originality is at a premium here and mediocrity is in great demand. But replication has its merit as well because it helps in corroboration. And that is the bedrock on which many a fancied scientific hypothesis or theory stands, or falls. However, to go from replicative to original research will involve a massive effort to restructure the Indian psyche and an all round effort from numerous quarters. The second (...) part of this paper deals with the essence of scientific temper, which need not have any basic friendship, or animosity, with religion, faith, superstition and other such entities. A true scientist follows two cardinal rules. He is never unwilling to accept the worth of evidence, howsoever damning to the most favourite of his theories. Second, and perhaps more important, for want of evidence, he withholds comment. He says neither yes nor no. Where will Science ultimately lead Man is the third part of this essay. One argument is that the conflict between Man and Science will continue till either of them is exhausted or wiped out. The other believes that it is Science which has to be harnessed for Man and not Man used for Science. And with the numerous checks and balances in place, Science will remain an effective tool for man's progress. The essential value-neutrality of Science will have to be supplemented by the values that man has upheld for centuries as fundamental, and which religious thought and moral philosophy have continuously professed. (shrink)

Though quite short, the Edwardian era included a number of developments of critical importance for the interactions of science and technology. It saw the emergence of three really fundamental innovations in physics—relativity theory with its proof of the equivalence between mass and energy, quantum theory, and the disintegration of atomic nuclei. These have profoundly affected practical affairs as well as revolutionizing natural philosophy. Prominent amongst the many advances in applied science were the conquest of malaria, the mastery of aviation, the (...) beginnings of electronics and wireless telegraphy, and the production of synthetic fertilizers by chemical industry. Successes and frustrations in British contributions to these striking changes in science and technology have an impact on history which is still being worked out. (shrink)

Analytical account of eastern and western thinkers.

The subject matter of this book pertains to the philosophy of science as much as to epistemology. More than three quarters of it is devoted to a discussion of Bachelard. The author takes himself to be in the tradition of Marx reading Hegel: he offers a materialist reading of idealist thinkers, leading toward his own vision of "historical materialism." Even for the English speaking reader who might be put off by the book’s ideological components, there is a fine opportunity here (...) to investigate at close-hand some recent philosophical currents in France, those set in motion by Bachelard. (shrink)