Philosophy Commons^™

Country Report: The Teaching Of Philosophy In Singapore Schools, Steven Burik, Matthew Hammerton, Sovan Patra

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Singapore’s education system is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. In this report, we will focus on education at the primary, secondary, and junior college levels, and will not discuss the education offered in polytechnics (vocational colleges) and universities. We will also focus exclusively on Singapore’s public school system, which Singapore citizens are required to attend unless they are granted a special exemption. In addition to public schools, there are also international schools, which cater to the relatively large expatriate population in Singapore and typically offer a curriculum leading to the IB diploma. All public schools …

Deontic Constraints Are Maximizing Rules, Matthew Hammerton

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Deontic constraints prohibit an agent performing acts of a certain type even when doing so will prevent more instances of that act being performed by others. In this article I show how deontic constraints can be interpreted as either maximizing or non-maximizing rules. I then argue that they should be interpreted as maximizing rules because interpreting them as non-maximizing rules results in a problem with moral advice. Given this conclusion, a strong case can be made that consequentialism provides the best account of deontic constraints.

Agent-Relative Consequentialism And Collective Self-Defeat, Matthew Hammerton

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Andrew Forcehimes and Luke Semrau argue that agent-relative consequentialism is implausible because in some circumstances it classes an act as impermissible yet holds that the outcome of all agents performing that impermissible act is preferable. I argue that their problem is closely related to Derek Parfit's problem of ‘direct collective self-defeat’ and show how Parfit's plausible solution to his problem can be adapted to solve their problem.

Relativized Rankings, Matthew Hammerton

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

In traditional consequentialism the good is position-neutral. A single evaluative ranking of states of affairs is correct for everyone, everywhere regardless of their positions. Recently, position-relative forms of consequentialism have been developed. These allow for the correct rankings of states to depend on connections that hold between the state being evaluated and the position of the evaluator. For example, perhaps being an agent who acts in a certain state requires me to rank that state differently from someone else who lacks this connection. In this chapter several different kinds of position-relative rankings related to agents, times, physical locations, and possible …

Concerning Mostly Nonacademic Aspects Of My July 2006 Visit To Salzburg, Austria For The 6th International Whitehead Conference At Salzburg University, Theodore Walker

Perkins Faculty Research and Special Events

Here are travel notes concerning mostly nonacademic aspects of my July 2006 visit to Salzburg, Austria for the 6th International Whitehead Conference at Salzburg University. These travel notes supplement the book Whiteheadian Ethics: Abstracts and Papers from the Ethics Section of the Philosophy Group at the 6th International Whitehead Conference at the University of Salzburg, July 2006 (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2008) edited by Theodore Walker Jr. and Mihály Toth.

Aristotle's Account Of Time: A Moderate Realism, Pierre-Luc Boudreault

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation proposes an interpretation of Aristotle’s theory of time as a whole from a study of Physics IV. 10-14. It addresses interpretive issues and objections pertaining to Aristotle’s view about the nature of time, its existence, as well as its unity and universality. In response to these problems, the interpretation of some ancient and medieval commentators – Themistius, Simplicius, Philoponus, Albert the Great and in particular, Thomas Aquinas – is by and large defended against recent interpretations. It is argued that by defining time as “the number of movement with respect to the “before” and “after” (Phys. IV. …

Trinity Monotheism And Daniel Howard-Snyder's "Diminished Divinity Problem", Kevin Watson Jr.

The Corinthian

In this paper, I summarize and defend a model of the Trinity proposed by William Lane Craig and J.P. Moreland, which is called trinity monotheism. An important element of this model is that there are two ways to be divine; either one must be a proper part of the Trinity or the Trinity itself. I answer one objection in Daniel Howard-Snyder’s thorough critique of this model. He calls this objection the Diminished Divinity Problem and supposes that if the property of divinity is exemplified in two different ways, either by being a proper part of the Trinity or by being …

“How Could You Even Ask That?”: Moral Considerability, Uncertainty And Vulnerability In Social Robotics, Alexis Elder

The Journal of Sociotechnical Critique

When it comes to social robotics (robots that engage human social responses via “eyes” and other facial features, voice-based natural-language interactions, and even evocative movements), ethicists, particularly in European and North American traditions, are divided over whether and why they might be morally considerable. Some argue that moral considerability is based on internal psychological states like consciousness and sentience, and debate about thresholds of such features sufficient for ethical consideration, a move sometimes criticized for being overly dualistic in its framing of mind versus body. Others, meanwhile, focus on the effects of these robots on human beings, arguing that psychological …

Autonomous Vehicles And The Ethical Tension Between Occupant And Non-Occupant Safety, Jason Borenstein, Joseph Herkert, Keith Miller

The Journal of Sociotechnical Critique

Given that the creation and deployment of autonomous vehicles is likely to continue, it is important to explore the ethical responsibilities of designers, manufacturers, operators, and regulators of the technology. We specifically focus on the ethical responsibilities surrounding autonomous vehicles that these stakeholders have to protect the safety of non-occupants, meaning individuals who are around the vehicles while they are operating. The term “non-occupants” includes, but is not limited to, pedestrians and cyclists. We are particularly interested in how to assign moral responsibility for the safety of non-occupants when autonomous vehicles are deployed in a complex, land-based transportation system.

Reconstructing Heritage: Places, Values, Attachment, Lisa Giombini

Contemporary Aesthetics (Journal Archive)

As natural catastrophes alter the environment, historical towns and other sites of heritage significance are at risk of being damaged, if not disrupted altogether. How should we confront the prospect of these disasters? And how are we to cope with the reconstructions that will be needed as these phenomena occur?

In this paper, I explore philosophical tools for thinking more deeply about the choices surrounding heritage conservation. Recent work in environmental psychology has investigated people’s emotional bond to places and how changes in a place’s structure may pose a threat to individual and social cohesion. Similarly, everyday aestheticians emphasize the …

Imagine: A Critical Examination Of Activist Methods, Lisa Kemmerer

Between the Species

Activists perpetually seek new methods for confronting, reducing, and ultimately ending animal/anymal exploitation. Powerful industries repeatedly work to shut down every means that activists adopt. Through creative analogy, this piece facilitates critical analysis of one of the contemporary movement’s most popular methods of direct action.

Owen Barfield Collection Finding Aid, Taylor University

Finding Aids

The Owen Barfield Collection features a variety of books and articles by and about Barfield. It also includes letters and manuscripts written by Barfield, as well as rare and first editions of his books.
Last Updated: August 29, 2022

Dorothy L. Sayers Collection Finding Aid, Taylor University

Finding Aids

The Dorothy L. Sayers Collection features a variety of rare books, pamphlets, and articles written by and about Sayers. These include multiple first editions of her poetry books, crime novels, and reflection on theology.
Last Updated: August 29, 2022

Charles Williams Collection Finding Aid, Taylor University

Finding Aids

The Charles Williams Collection features a variety of books and articles by and about Williams. It also includes letters and typescripts written by Williams, in addition to rare and first editions of his books.
Last Updated: August 29, 2022

Humans, Elves, And Greenland Sharks: Against Kagan’S Distributive Argument For Hierarchical Moral Status, Dustin R. Crummett

Between the Species

Shelly Kagan argues that “unitarianism,” the claim that animals and humans have equal moral status, has intuitively implausible distributive implications. I argue that Kagan’s reasoning can, with certain modifications, be applied equally well to undermine his own view, and that the responses Kagan can make to this modified reasoning are also available to the unitarian responding to Kagan’s original argument. Accordingly, Kagan cannot consistently hold his own view while also endorsing his main against unitarianism.

An Archaeology Of Contemporary Speculative Knowledge, Justas Patkauskas

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation investigates contemporary speculative knowledge grounded in the immanence episteme, which is struggling to emerge as a foundation for a new kind of absolute knowledge. Regarding method, I use Michel Foucault’s concept of archaeology, situating archaeology in the context of deconstruction. In general, by delineating the various differences and genealogies within immanence theory, I show that immanence is neither a monolithic homogeneity nor a schizophrenic multiplicity but a coherent, if troubled, ground for speculative thought.

In Chapter 1, I define deconstruction as a broad philosophical project concerned with the order of knowledge and the University and its disciplines. I …

Damnatio Memoriae: On Deleting The East From Western History, Koert Debeuf

New England Journal of Public Policy

The story we read in books about the Renaissance tells us that Petrarch and Poggio rediscovered the books of antiquity that had been copied for centuries in medieval abbeys. The re-introduction of Greek science and philosophy, however, began in the twelfth century but occurred mainly in the thirteenth century. These works were first translated into Syriac and Arabic in the eighth and ninth centuries and stored in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. There they were read, used, and commented on by Arab philosophers, of whom the most famous was Averroes (1126–1198), who lived in Cordoba. The translation of his …

Perceived Benefits And Barriers To Participation In Exercise Among Jordanian University Students, Khaldoun Hamdan

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

Insufficient physical activity is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases, therefore; the purpose of this study is to examine university students’ perceived exercise benefits and barriers. This cross-sectional descriptive study used Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale to examine perceived benefits and barriers to exercise among a convenience sample of 517 university students in Jordan. Participants reported significantly higher perceived barriers to exercise than perceived benefits from exercise. The most important perceived barrier to exercise was “I am too embarrassed to exercise”. Moreover, “I will live longer if I exercise” and “exercising increases being accepted by others” were the most important perceived …

Project Management: A Help Or Hindrance A Collaborative Research, Ayman Abu-Rumman

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

This small-scale mixed method study explored perceptions of how different project management approaches and tools are used by those working in industry and within academia, and how this may impact on collaborative research projects given their distinct and unique nature. The study also aimed to generate suggestions for how collaboration between industry and academia could be strengthened in the future. Underpinned by a phenomenological perspective, a survey and interviews were conducted with a sample of Jordanian professionals from different industry and academic organisations who had previous experience of working on collaborative research projects. The study identified, consistent with other studies, …

Build A Job Satisfaction Scale From The Views Of Aau Academic Staff In According With The Item Response Theory, Mohammed Marshoud

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

The study aimed to build a job satisfaction scale from the views of AAU academic staff in according with the item response theory, where the population study consisted of all academic members at Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) for the year (2018/2017), and they approximately reach (257) academic members, the sample consisted of (154) academic members, which constituted 60 of the original study population, (92) males and (62) females who were randomly selected. The study tool was designed and built based on theoretical literature and scales on measuring job satisfaction at universities. the study tool consisted of (60) items which were …

The Level Teachers’ Knowledge In Public Education For Learning Disabilities Students In Regards Of Variables In Kuwait, Ahmad Saeedy

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

Knowledge, Teachers, learning difficulties, Kuwait, Training Experience

Review Of The Curving Techniques To Evaluate University Test Scores: A Critical And Analytical Study, Afif Rahma, Sophie Barguil

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

This study presents a critical review of the proposed mathematical methods for curving students scores. Through the presentation of these methods, the study attempts to ask key questions such as: the causes of dispersion in the tests results, the criteria and principles on which the curving methods are based, the limits of application of these methods. The study also attempts to examine the role of the cognitive level of the student, the subjective factors related to the process of learning and teaching, the conditions of admission and registration in the university programs, and the impact of the above on the …

The Impact Of Using The Electronic Barcode Test Via Smartphone In The Achievement Of The Graduate Students In The Achievement Of The Graduate Students In The Faculty Of Educational Sciences At Amman Arab University And Their Attitudes Towards It., Jehad Almomani, Moen Alnasraween

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of using barcode via smartphone in the achievement of graduate students in the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Amman Arab University and their attitudes towards it. The sample of this study is consisted of (63 male and female students studying the statistics in the scientific research course at the Faculty of Educational Sciences in the second semester of the academic year (2018-2019). The sample was selected in an intentional manner and it was divided randomly into two groups; one is experimental and the other one is control. To achieve the goal of this …

Human Resources Planning And Its Effect On The Application Of Total Quality Management Of Jazan University, Zakyeh Arishi, Ikhlas Altarawneh

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

This study aims to examinethe effect of Human Resources Planning on the application of Total Quality Management at Jazan University. It aims to demonstrate the actuality of Human Resources Planning practices and process the application of Total Quality Management in Jazan University. The study adopts the descriptive analytical approach by using self-administrated questionnaire as a data collection method. The questionnaire was distributed to a convenient proper sample out of (100) top management level at human resources officials, and quality officials in Colleges of Arts and Sciences in Al-Ardha and Samtah, College of Education in-Arts Departments in Sabya, Academic Institution for …

Goal Orientation Driving To Study By The Students Institute Science And Technical Physical And Sports Activities In Souk Ahras University, Algeria, Bensayah Samir

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

The purpose of the study was to know the level of goal orientation Driving to study by the students of institute science and technical physical and sports activities in Souk Ahras University, as the differences between them according to the variables of the sex, the level of study and the specialty. For that, the researcher used the descriptive analytical method and has distributed a questionnaire (Elliot & Charch 1997) to a simple of 72 students, then he statistically treated the results using the software spss. We found that students have a high level goal orientation and that there are no …

Harmonization Between The Outputs Of Community Colleges And The Labor Market In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia /Community College In Hafr Al-Batin As A Sample Model, Leena Alkhlewi

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

This study aims to provide a methodology proposed to achieve harmonizing between the Graduates of community colleges and the Saudi labor market needs. The researcher uses the descriptive survey method. A questionnaire is made to collect credible and acceptable data, whose basic study sample is faculty members in Community Service College in Hafr Al-Batin, which are 32 members. Researcher has got 26 answers, and this study has been applied during academic year 2018G, 1439H. the most prominent results are that there is a high degree agreement of harmonizing between theoretical and applied courses, and that courses of Community College in …

The Degree Of Commitment Of The Faculty Members In The Faculty Of Arts And Sciences In Al-Ahliyya Amman University To The Basic Rules In Building Objective Tests, Attributed To Some Variables, Awnieh Sawalha, Asmaa Al Omary

Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies البلقاء للبحوث والدراسات

This study aimed to determine the degree of commitment among faculty members of the Art and Science faculty at Al Ahliyya Amman University to the basic rules in the construction of objective tests of 4 various types; true or false, filling the blank, multiple choice questions, comparison question. And weather the commitment degree is affected by different variables like years of experience and speciality. The study sample consisted of 41 faculty members, who were chosen intentionally from different specialties in the art and science faculty of the 2017/2018 academic year. The researchers developed a tool to measure the degree of …

Building Bridges: Epistemic Violence And Mother–Daughter Pedagogies From The U.S.–Mexico Border, Tanya J. Gaxiola Serrano, Elvia Serrano

Journal of Critical Scholarship on Higher Education and Student Affairs

Living in the U.S.–Mexico borderlands, residents have intimately learned about the impact of the militarized policing of the physical border on their lives. While not often discussed, the policing transcends the border institution and targets the ways of knowing of People and Immigrants of Color. This essay features pláticas between two Mexican women educators from the border, la frontera, to challenge epistemic violence on the lives of U.S. Chicanas/Latinas. Intergenerational pedagogies of a mother–daughter dyad from the Tijuana–San Diego region serve as exemplars of the survival and resistance found in the borderlands. The narratives highlight their unique experiences, one as …

Notes From The Editor, Rory J. Conces

International Dialogue

Notes from International Dialogue's Editor-in-Chief, Rory J. Conces for Volume 10.

Aspects Of Counterterrorism: New Approaches To Countering Terrorism: Designing And Evaluating Counter-Radicalization And De-Radicalization Programs; Hacking Isis: How To Destroy The Cyber Jihad; Inside Al-Shabaab: The Secret History Of Al-Qaeda’S Most Powerful Ally, Kenneth Christie

International Dialogue

Terrorism and the term ‘jihadism’ have become a global phenomenon, a product of modernity and globalization which shows no sign of abating. The number of radicalized young people in Western and non-Western countries who are willing to travel overseas in the cause of jihad and violent extremism has increased significantly since 9/11. In the 20 years since the largely driven U.S. counter-terrorism efforts began in response, jihadism in force and numbers has risen at least by fourfold in terms of the numbers of Sunni jihadist fighters in the field from the Middle East to North Africa, Afghanistan and beyond according …