Contemporary problems associated with the notion of determinism are focused by this symposium in three major areas of inquiry--philosophy, physical science, and law and moral responsibility. Determinism in modern physics is capably analyzed by a number of eminent contributors; but with respect to its significance for a philosophy of nature, little that is new or suggestive emerges from this analysis. The distinction between "hard" and "soft" determinism and its implications in legal and moral contexts provoke the most valuable part of (...) the discussion.--J. F. D. (shrink)

An introduction to the author's conception of Ganzheitlichkeit and Terminalkausalität, and the first part of an inquiry into the relevance and adequacy of this conception for three different types of phenomena--atomic, biodynamic, and neural. The concept of Terminalkausalität is proposed as a basis on which the theoretical dualism of modern physics, and particularly the problems associated with the uncertainty relation, may be overcome. Further, this concept suggests the principles by which the various natural sciences may be unified. --J. F. D.

In this paper, we discuss the macroscopic quantum behavior of simple superconducting circuits. Starting from a Lagrangian for electromagnetic field with broken gauge symmetry, we construct a quantum circuit model for a superconducting weak link (SQUID) ring, together with the appropriate canonical commutation relations. We demonstrate that this model can be used to describe macroscopic excitations of the superconducting condensate and the localized charge states found in some ultrasmall-capacitance weak-link devices.

The statistical properties of a single quantum object and an ensemble of independent such objects are considered in detail for two-level systems. Computer simulations of dynamic zero-point quantum fluctuations for a single quantum object are reported and compared with analytic solutions for the ensemble case.

Ontologies are being used by information scientists in order to facilitate the sharing of meaningful information. However, computational ontologies are problematic in that they often decontextualize information. The semantic content of information is dependent upon the context in which it exists and the experience through which it emerges. For true semantic interoperability to occur among diverse information systems, within or across domains, information must remain contextualized. In order to bring more context to computational ontologies, we introduce culture as an essential (...) concept for information science. Culture helps to focus our attention on and make meaning of relevant extrapersonal structures and their qualities and dimensions that comprise the context and background of the world. In our approach, culture is integral to the study of semantics and, consequently, the study of ontologies and information technologies. The meaning we make of entities and phenomena in the world is always shaped by our cultural experience. If we understand culture as the emergent interplay of intrapersonal cognitive structures and extrapersonal structures of the world, then the notion of cognitive and cultural schemas becomes essential to understanding ontology and the ways in which we might achieve authentic semantic interoperability among diverse information systems. We explore the nature of ontologies and reconceptualize them as cultural schemas. Our proposal is an alternative to the historical path from philosophical ontology to computational ontologies as one that adheres primarily to the notion of ontology as a categorization and classification system. The obvious implication for ontology as categorization is that there is a single objective world that exists and that it can be described as entirely separate from the person observing it. We draw upon Heidegger’s examination of ontology to ground ontology in a phenomenological perspective, enabling it to remain flexible and adaptable and to accommodate context. (shrink)

Introduction: Variation across research ethics boards in conditions placed on access to medical records for research purposes raises concerns around negative impacts on research quality and on human subject protection, including privacy.Aim: To study variation in REB consent requirements for retrospective chart review and who may have access to the medical record for data abstraction.Methods: Thirty 90-min face-to-face interviews were conducted with REB chairs and administrators affiliated with faculties of medicine in Canadian universities, using structured questions around a case study (...) with open-ended responses. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded manually.Results: Fourteen sites required individual patient consent for the study to proceed as proposed. Three indicated that their response would depend on how potentially identifying variables would be managed. Eleven sites did not require consent. Two suggested a notification and opt-out process. Most stated that consent would be required if identifiable information was being abstracted from the record. Among those not requiring consent, there was substantial variation in recognising that the abstracted information could potentially indirectly re-identify individuals. Concern over access to medical records by an outside individual was also associated with requirement for consent. Eighteen sites required full committee review. Sixteen allowed an external research assistant to abstract information from the health record.Conclusions: Large variation was found across sites in the requirement for consent for research involving access to medical records. REBs need training in best practices for protecting privacy and confidentiality in health research. A forum for REB chairs to confidentially share concerns and decisions about specific studies could also reduce variation in decisions. (shrink)

Contemporary problems associated with the notion of determinism are focused by this symposium in three major areas of inquiry--philosophy, physical science, and law and moral responsibility. Determinism in modern physics is capably analyzed by a number of eminent contributors; but with respect to its significance for a philosophy of nature, little that is new or suggestive emerges from this analysis. The distinction between "hard" and "soft" determinism and its implications in legal and moral contexts provoke the most valuable part of (...) the discussion.--J. F. D. (shrink)

A collection of essays by a British master of Marxism, this book ranges over a wide variety of related topics--ethics, human rights, social theory, ideology, religion, and philosophy. The essays are reprints or adaptations of previous articles and addresses, and are unified by the author's sympathetic interpretation of Marxist thought. Especially instructive and timely is a chapter on Sartre and Marxism.--J. F. D.

A paperbound edition of an excellent interpretative study, originally published in 1950. Though the bibliography and index are considerably abridged in the present edition, the text is complete and has been improved by numerous minor revisions prepared by the author.--J. F. D.

This final work of the late Prof. Brightman was virtually complete at his death; however the editors have written four additional chapters and part of a fifth, basing their work on other writings of the author. The result is a lucid, unified account of the personalist position.--J. F. D.

In the tradition of Kant, Bergson, and Whitehead, the author analyzes the fundamental concepts of biology in terms of their relation to time. By virtue of distinctions between objective and subjective time, and between causal unities and teleological wholes, the author presents a uniquely dualistic theory of biology in which the notion of teleology can be properly applied only to man, and purpose is exhibited only by the higher animals which possess a partly subjective time structure. --J. F. D.

An introduction to the author's conception of Ganzheitlichkeit and Terminalkausalität, and the first part of an inquiry into the relevance and adequacy of this conception for three different types of phenomena--atomic, biodynamic, and neural. The concept of Terminalkausalität is proposed as a basis on which the theoretical dualism of modern physics, and particularly the problems associated with the uncertainty relation, may be overcome. Further, this concept suggests the principles by which the various natural sciences may be unified. --J. F. D.

A fresh, constructive inquiry into the metaphysics of knowledge and the principles of order by which the various disciplines are related and integrated. As the basis of this inquiry, the author provides a defense of metaphysical realism and intentional logic, in opposition to the reductive tendencies which he finds exemplified in naturalism, idealism, nominalism, and the "postulational" ontologies of such thinkers as Whitehead. The aim of the work is a natural classification of knowledge, based on kinds of evidence and subject (...) matter, and on an understanding of the manner in which each discipline presupposes the others.--J. F. D. (shrink)

Since philosophy follows science in the modern age. Macmurray holds, the emergence of psychology demands a reformulation of the theory of the Self. In the past physics has led to a substance view of the self and biology to a theory of the self as organism; psychology, as a science of human behavior forms the groundwork for a metaphysics of agency which includes the theoretical and the organic, but as derivative, not as primary modes. These Gifford Lectures are provocative and (...) persuasive, and their historical arguments are subtle and illuminating.--J. F. D. (shrink)

The thirteen essays of this collection converge on the theme of authority in an effort to analyze its general theoretical characteristics, to evaluate its historical development, and to propose solutions to contemporary social, political, and legal problems. Hannah Arendt's contribution, "What was Authority?" best expresses the awareness, reflected in several of the other essays, of a crisis in the understanding and acceptance of authority as a significant concept in political theory; and Carl J. Friedrich and Bertrand de Jouvenel provide perceptive (...) constructive attempts to grasp the nature of authority.--J. F. D. (shrink)

A desultory caricature, ostensibly socialist in tenor, of a well-known theory of justice.--J. F. D.

There is no pretension here of discussing "art in general," or of forcing aesthetic categories on a uniquely "unphilosophic" art. The author, following an inquiry into the existential modes of concrete works of art, skillfully develops solutions to the vexing problems of individuality, identity, and authenticity of paintings. His realistic analysis of the creation of paintings, of their complex causal elements, suggests the conclusion that paintings are not imitations or reflections of nature, but are themselves natural objects. This conclusion necessitates (...) a fundamental distinction between paintings and pictures, and by virtue of this distinction the author seeks to overcome many of the "metapictorial" problems posed by religious and social art and especially by the "abstract" revolution in modern art. His case for modern painting and for its relevance for philosophic inquiry is both penetrating and enlightening.--J. F. D. (shrink)