Arguments In Favour Research Articles

Pre-syntactic impoverishment: Premature exponence in Harmonic Serialism

Impoverishment is a feature deletion operation that is standardly taken to require a post-syntactic approach to inflectional morphology (like, in particular, Distributed Morphology, as in Halle & Marantz 1993 ). Given that by now a lot of empirical evidence in support of such an operation has been accumulated, impoverishment can be viewed as a good argument in favour of the post-syntactic approach, given a Chomskyan Y-model of grammar in which inflectional morphology is considered an autonomous component of grammar (i.e., not subsumed under syntax proper). Against this background, the main goal of the present contribution is to show that a pre-syntactic approach to impoverishment becomes available if the complete well-formed sets of morpho-syntactic features that are required in any non-syntactic realizational approach to inflectional morphology (cf. Stump 2001 ; Inkelas 2016 ) are not given a declarative characterization (as is normally assumed), but arise incrementally, by iterated addition of features. On this view, pre-syntactic impoverishment is actually premature exponence brought about by late addition of context features, and the interaction between impoverishment and morphological exponence is not one of bleeding (as in post-syntactic approaches) but one of counter-feeding. The new concept of impoverishment is implemented in a pre-syntactic model of inflectional morphology developed in Müller (2020) , which is based on Harmonic Serialism, a derivational version of Optimality Theory (cf. Prince & Smolensky 2004 ). Finally, while pre-syntactic impoverishment is basically a mirror image of post-syntactic impoverishment, it turns out to be more restrictive since it ceteris paribus predicts that there is no impoverishment of inherent features: Features that are not added cannot be added late. I suggest that this prediction is confirmed by evidence from gender features and inflection class features.

Parliamentary debate and the construction of the national characteristics of Swedish parliamentarism

ABSTRACT This article examines how the characteristics of parliamentary debate were discussed in Sweden between the late nineteenth century and the Second World War, covering the period of parliamentary democratization and the interwar crisis of democracy. Focusing on the comments on the nature of parliamentary rebates in the printed press, as well as the ways in which MPs comment on debate while they speak in parliament, this article shows that there is a remarkable continuity in the ways in which Swedish parliamentary debate was viewed, as a compromising negotiation in parliamentary committees was elevated to a national characteristic of Swedish parliamentary culture both by the conservative critics of parliamentary democracy and the social democratic and liberal defenders of democracy. What was in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth centuries characteristically a conservative argument in favour of safeguarding the quality and independence of the working procedures of parliament against the consequences of democratization was in the 1930s turned into an argument against the threats that political extremism and totalitarian ideas posed to parliamentary democracy. The study shows that the Swedish style of parliamentary debate was continuously contrasted with the pro et contra style of debate in the British Parliament, which was deemed unsuitable to the Swedish constitutional tradition even if it sometimes gained support as an ideal type. The main examples of debates on parliamentary procedures discussed in the study deal with the question of open voting and the rights of the Speaker to regulate debates.

Can Experimental Political Philosophers be Modest in their Aims?

AbstractThe last two decades have seen an increasing interest in exploring philosophical questions using methods from empirical sciences, i.e., the so-called experimental philosophy approach. Political philosophy has so far been relatively unaffected by this trend. However, because political philosophers typically rely on traditional philosophical methods—most notably reflective equilibrium in a form which requires neither empirical examination of people’s considered beliefs nor experimental attention to psychological studies of the mechanisms affecting those beliefs—it is as proper a target of the standard challenges from experimental philosophers as any other philosophical discipline. Sometimes experimental philosophers modestly present their approach as a supplement to traditional philosophical methods. I argue that the arguments in favour of experimental philosophy are such that if they are sound, then the use of empirical methods should drastically change how political philosophy is done.

Selection of railway track superstructure design: Modern outlooks

The paper analyses the reasons for the current opinion that a higher mass of superstructure elements is necessary for railway track sections with higher traffi c density, speed and axial loads. With the help of known theories and the new one developed by the author that takes into account the time factor, it is proved that in terms of all the most signifi cant technical indicators the best solution within the realistic limits is to use lower-mass rails and reinforced concrete sleepers. The most essential argument in favour of the smaller mass of rails per unit length is the increased track stability produced by longitudinal compressive forces in rails. A reinforced concrete sleeper of a smaller mass has been proposed and tested that increases the resistance to shear in ballast across the track axis at least two times. For stable pressing of rails to sleepers by intermediate fasteners, elastic clips should be made of plate steel instead of bar steel. It is proposed to make a plate clip shaped as a ‘fish-bellied beam’. Specific examples of the proposed solutions for rails, reinforced concrete sleepers, and intermediate fastenings are given.

Critical Genealogy, Comprehension, and Explanation in Leibniz’s Critique of Bayle on Cosmic Dualism

The main aim of this paper is to provide an account of Leibniz’s engagement with the doctrine of cosmic dualism in his Theodicy, i.e., the view that there are two distinct fundamental principles that are responsible for the existence of the created world, one good and the other evil. Leibniz’s discussion is primarily a response to arguments in favour of cosmic dualism that he finds in the writings of Pierre Bayle. However, in addition, he presents a genealogical argument that appears to be intended to provide reasons to reject the view. The paper also contains a critical discussion of Leibniz’s case, and finishes by drawing attention to some issues which arise that are worthy of further consideration.

Preconception carrier screening in couples seeking in vitro fertilization: exploring the patient perspective

Research questionWhat is the level of understanding, and what are the attitudes and considerations regarding preconception carrier screening (PCS) among patients seeking in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)? DesignA mixed methods design was used. Nine interviews were conducted with couples or individual partners (N = 16) who had an intake for IVF/ICSI in the two years prior to this study. A questionnaire was completed by 115 participants. No actual PCS was offered. ResultsAll interviewed couples expressed a positive attitude towards PCS, and over half of the respondents would pursue or seriously consider pursuing PCS if possible. Some couples falsely believed that PCS could identify a cause for their fertility problems and increase their chances of conceiving. The desire to make an informed reproductive decision was the most important argument in favour of PCS. The primary argument against PCS was the apprehension of being confronted with reproductive dilemmas. The longer the delay in their IVF/ICSI treatment required to perform PCS, the more couples would be inclined to decline screening. Participants preferred receiving information about PCS from a medical specialist at an early stage in their IVF/ICSI treatment. ConclusionAlthough attitudes towards PCS were generally positive, some concerns were raised about treatment delays and potential reproductive dilemmas, and some couples had misconceptions about the purpose of screening within the context of their IVF/ICSI treatment. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring the information and counseling to the specific needs of IVF/ICSI patients.

Is endurantism the folk friendly view of persistence?

AbstractMany philosophers have thought that our folk, or pre-reflective, view of persistence is one on which objects endure. This assumption not only plays a role in disputes about the nature of persistence itself, but is also put to use in several other areas of metaphysics, including debates about the nature of change and temporal passage. In this paper, we empirically test three broad claims. First, that most people (i.e. most non-philosophers) believe that, and it seems to them as though, objects persist by enduring rather than perduring. Second, that most people have a view of change on which enduring but not perduring objects count as changing. Third, that one reason why the folk represent time as dynamical is because it seems to them, and they believe that, they endure through time. We found no evidence to support these claims. While there are certainly plenty of ‘folk’ endurantists in the population we tested, there are also plenty of ‘folk’ perdurantists. We did not find robust evidence that a majority of people believed that, or it seemed to them as though, objects endure rather than perdure. We conclude that many arguments in favour of endurantism that appeal to folk beliefs about, or experiences of, persisting objects and change rest on views about those beliefs and experiences that are empirically unsupported. There is no evidence to suggest that endurantism is the folk friendly view of persistence, and so we should stop treating it as such without argument.

SETTING AND EXAMINATIONS WITH HIGH STAKES IN GENERAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS: A SOCIO-PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS

The article examines the socio-philosophical foundations of the debate about the appropriateness of high-stakes exams and setting in general education systems. The arguments “for” and “against” that are most often used in the discussion are analysed. It is shown that the answer to the question of the appropriateness of high-stakes examinations and setting can be framed as an ethical choice between fairness and efficiency. D. Rawls’s mental argument “the veil of ignorance” and its logical consequences are presented as a possible universal argument in favour of justice. The conclusion emphasises the philosophical nature of key debates about the education policy.

Sabarmati and its connection with the Harappan port Lothal and the Nal corridor: A study using multi-sensor data, cloud-computing and multi-platforms

Lothal is situated approximately 30 km inland from the Gulf of Khambhat on the western coast of India in Gujarat. It served as a bustling port during the Bronze Age Harappan period (2600 BCE to 1900 BCE) and was connected to a series of Harappan production and distribution centres dotted along the Gulf of Kachchh and the Rann of Kachchh. Artefacts of foreign nature found in Lothal attest to its intercultural trade relation. Further, Lothal is renowned for its well-preserved brick-walled dockyard and warehouse. However, different views for and against the dockyard are available in archaeological literature. This study revisits the dockyard theory from the landscape perspective and integrates information extracted from early maps, multi-spectral and multi-temporal satellite data of different spatial resolutions, and Digital Elevation Models to understand the larger context of the palaeolandscape around Lothal, including both fluvial and coastal areas. The findings offer fresh perspectives on the hydrographic dynamics of the region, highlighting an evident direct connection between Lothal and the former course of River Sabarmati, one of the major rivers in Gujarat that currently flows 20 km east of Lothal. The reconstruction of the palaeolandscape, both fluvial and coastal, complements and verifies certain interpretations related to the dockyard theory, partially bridging the ‘credibility gap’ in the broader discussion and strengthening the arguments in favour of the dockyard theory. Additionally, the study underscores the significance of integrating various types of geospatial data to understand past landscapes. Further investigation of the reconstructed palaeolandscape, particularly the complex hydrographic network including rivers and creeks, of this historically important region has the potential to contribute to new insights into existing archaeological and geomorphological interpretations and may guide us about the past human adaptation to the natural dynamics.

Punishment Moralism

AbstractIn this paper, I try to reconcile the vulgar (normative) definition of punishment with the positivistic (purely descriptive) definition that separates the ethics of punishment from its definition—punishment positivism. I will argue that although the vulgar definition has critical issues, this does not mean that we should stop using normative concepts in the definition of punishment. I will attempt this reconciliation by considering one of the prime arguments in favour of punishment positivism—namely, definitional stop—and show why it doesn't work. I will proceed by presenting a functional argument in favour of what I call punishment moralism: the idea that punishment should be considered as a response to perceived wrongdoing. This definition, while using normative concepts, still remains descriptive. In this way, I hope to be able to solve the problem of both views by combining their insights.

Equal per capita carbon dividends and the waste objection

ABSTRACT Recycling carbon revenues as Equal Per Capita Carbon Dividends (ECDs) is thought to neutralise the two main objections to carbon pricing, namely that it is regressive and that it hinders the poor from meeting basic needs. This article focuses on the waste objection to carbon pricing plus ECDs. If the rationale for ECDs is to protect the consumption of the worst off, why pay carbon dividends to the rich as well? I examine three different normative arguments in favour of ECDs. First, the argument of common ownership of the atmosphere, which can be based on both libertarianism and isolationist egalitarianism. Second, the argument that the rich are net contributors to ECDs through their carbon taxes. Third, a consequentialist argument focusing on the pragmatic advantages of ECDs, especially in terms of social acceptability and low information costs. I conclude that none of these arguments can provide a normative justification for ECDs.

Courtship, Honeymoon, and Stabilisation? Military Expenditures of New NATO Member Countries Before and After the 1999–2020 Enlargements

ABSTRACT As a result of the 1999, 2004, 2009, 2017 and 2020 enlargements, the number of NATO members increased from 16 to 30, with the alliance including 14 new countries in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Southern and Eastern Europe. The different times at which individual countries joined the alliance allow assessing the effect of the accession process and the accession itself on the long- and short-run level of military expenditures of the countries involved. By using the difference in differences method in this article, it has been demonstrated that in a period of 1-3 years prior to the accession the military expenditures of countries applying for the alliance membership are significantly higher by approx. 0.1-0.2 percentage points of the GDP. In the years following the accession to the alliance, military expenditures level out as the increases of military expenditures are statistically insignificant. An increase in military expenditures prior to the accession is more pronounced in the Balkan states than in the countries of NATO’s Eastern Flank. Estimation results suggest that being a member of the alliance has a positive effect on the level of military expenditures, which constitutes an argument in favour of a lack of the free-riding among new NATO countries.

Pharmacotherapeutic Considerations on Telomere Biology: The Positive Effect of Pharmacologically Active Substances on Telomere Length.

Telomeres are part of chromatin structures containing repeated DNA sequences, which function as protective caps at the ends of chromosomes and prevent DNA degradation and recombination, thus ensuring the integrity of the genome. While telomere length (TL) can be genetically inherited, TL shortening has been associated with ageing and multiple xenobiotics and bioactive substances. TL has been characterised as a reliable biomarker for the predisposition to developing chronic pathologies and their progression. This narrative review aims to provide arguments in favour of including TL measurements in a complex prognostic and diagnostic panel of chronic pathologies and the importance of assessing the effect of different pharmacologically active molecules on the biology of telomeres. Medicines used in the management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, schizophrenia, hormone replacement therapy at menopause, danazol, melatonin, and probiotics have been studied for their positive protective effects against TL shortening. All these classes of drugs are analysed in the present review, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms involved.

McDowell’s overlooked argument for disjunctivism - realism, self-consciousness, and knowledge

McDowell’s defence of disjunctivism is often portrayed as starting from a controversial epistemological access-internalism, which he fails to support in his writings. This paper critiques such interpretations and presents an alternative reading of McDowell’s argument in favour of disjunctivism. Taking outset in McDowell’s early debate with Michael Dummett, it is shown why disjunctivism is a consequence of McDowell’s realism combined with his acceptance of the Fregean claim that Sense determines reference. It is argued that even within the modest approach to meaning theories which McDowell favour, disjunctivism is a necessary requirement for a defence of realism. This approach means that, rather than starting from controversial epistemological convictions, McDowell’s disjunctivism motivates the adoption of access-internalism, as it enables truth-ensuring experiential support for our thoughts. Hence, while I deny that disjunctivism follows from premises about the nature of knowledge, I agree with McDowell that the landscape of our debate about knowledge may be irrevocably altered once we accept disjunctivism.

Are generics quantificational?

The standard view about generic generalizations is that they have a tripartite quantificational logical form involving a phonologically null quantificational expression called ‘Gen’. However, proponents of the cognitive defaults theory of generics have forcefully rejected this view, instead arguing that generics express the default generalizations of our cognitive system, and, as such, they are different in kind from quantificational generalizations. While extant criticism of the cognitive defaults theory has focused on the extent to which it is supported by the empirical evidence, there has been little discussion of a neglected, albeit essential, theoretical argument in its defence, namely, that generics cannot be quantificational because they lack a central logical property of quantifiers: isomorphism invariance. This paper addresses this lacuna by considering and rejecting this argument. Consequently, an essential argument in favour of the cognitive default theory is found wanting.

Assessment-Relevant Stimuli and Judging of Writing Performances – From Micro-Judgments to Macro-Judgments

The contemporary practice of rating writing performances is grounded in an approach known as judging, which is done to avoid paying conscious attention to discrete elements in texts. Instead, it involves accounting for the overall impression made by a writing performance. However, studies have indicated that while this may be true on a conscious level, the concrete stimuli in texts still preconsciously influence the forming of such overall impressions. What is left largely unnoticed is that most assessment-relevant stimuli require the use of judging to be perceived as such. This implies that an overall, macro-judgment of a writing performance (expressed normally as a score) comprises individual (and largely preconsciously generated) micro-judgments coming together into a complex and non-linear combination-count. The paper presents an argument in favour of such a composition of judgments, demonstrates it empirically by means of a case study, and then discusses the wider consequences of this different perspective on judging.

A Case for Old Frisian Vowel Balance as Prosodically-driven Vowel Reduction

Abstract Drawing on data from the Old Frisian Riustring manuscripts, modern Frisian dialects, as well as older and more modern Scandinavian dialects and languages, this article argues for two points: first, that Vowel Balance is ultimately a reduction process, and second, that a foot-based analysis can account for Vowel Balance. In Old Frisian, i and u appear after light stems while e and o are found after heavy and polysyllabic stems; in some other languages and dialects, vowels after heavy and polysyllabic stems are reduced supporting an interpretation of e and o as reduced allophonic variants of i and u respectively. Two caveats can be made for arguments in favour of interpreting Vowel Balance as a reduction process, namely the case of trimoraic Vowel Balance in disyllabic words, and the reinterpretation of the contrast between i~e in Old Frisian as a means of marking the prosodic contrast between stem size. These caveats help clarify how prosody can shape stems both in terms of additional manifestations of Vowel Balance, and extending the vowel alternations based on light-heavy stem contrast to words which would not have otherwise undergone Vowel Balance.

Advanced design for CO2 compressors in industrial applications

Distribution centers, ware houses, food processing plants - CO2 applications in industrial scale are increasingly becoming the focus of operators, OEM’s and the refrigeration industry. Applications with 2 MW cooling capacity are no longer a rarity. Installations with the required capacity of up to 4 MW split between several systems with up to 65 compressors operate successfully. The convincing arguments in favour of the carbon dioxide installations are: lower safety requirements, less space for the machine room and good seasonal energy efficiency compared to installations with ammonia. Following the development of this trend BITZER designed compressors with eight cylinders for industrial applications. The main focus of the development was besides the usually high operational safety, efficiency, capacity regulation and a low oil carry over rate. This publication gives an overview of the system solutions applied in industrial scaled applications with carbon dioxide as refrigerant. Based on this, the paper describes the design of a new generation of compressors and its potential for industrial applications. It is not intended as a competitor to ammonia system solutions, but rather as an additional solution that is sustainable and based on a natural refrigerant.

The Promising Potential of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Therapies

The outstanding properties and chemistry of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) are not sufficiently understood due to their relatively complex systems and transient properties. In this paper, we tried to present a detailed review of the applications of CAP in modern medicine, highlighting the biochemistry of this phenomenon. Due to its unique characteristics, CAP has emerged as a promising tool in various medical applications. CAP, as a partially—or fully ionized—gas-retaining state of quasi-neutrality, contains many particles, such as electrons, charged atoms, and molecules displaying collective behaviour caused by Coulomb interactions. CAP can be generated at atmospheric pressure, making it suitable for medical settings. Cold plasma’s anti-microbial properties create an alternative method to antibiotics when treating infections. It also enhances cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, leading to accelerated tissue regeneration. CAP can also be a powerful tool in anti-tumour therapies, stem cell proliferation, dental applications, and disease treatment, e.g., neurology. It is our belief that this article contributes to the deeper understanding of cold plasma therapy and its potential in medicine. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the potential of this relatively novel approach as a promising treatment modality. By covering a range of various biomedical fields, we hope to provide a comprehensive overview of CAP applications for multiple medical conditions. In order to gain further insight into the subject, we attempted to gather crucial research and evidence from various studies, hopefully creating a compelling argument in favour of CAP therapy. Our aim is to highlight the innovative aspects of CAP therapy where traditional methods may have limitations. Through this article, we intend to provide a convenient reference source for readers engaged in the examination of CAP’s potential in medicine.

Surrogacy in the United States: analysis of sociodemographic profiles and motivations of surrogates

Research questionSurrogacy is a process that uses human-assisted reproductive technology whereby a woman agrees to carry and deliver a child on behalf of another individual or couple. It is becoming increasingly popular in Western countries. In many European countries, there are political and social debates on how surrogacy should fit into their legal frameworks. One of the main questions on which the arguments in favour and against surrogacy are based is women's autonomy to decide to become surrogates of their own free will. The social actors opposed to its regulation (radical feminism and ultra-conservative Catholicism) converge in their approach by questioning women's autonomy to make decisions about their own bodies while ignoring altruistic motivations and prosocial behaviour. DesignThis quantitative study was performed with n=231 participants in the US, given the country's long history of surrogacy, to help clarify the profile of the women who become surrogates, their power of decision and their motivations. ResultsThe descriptive and the multivariate cluster analyses show that women who become surrogates earn above the average income for their state, have a high level of education, have health insurance, are employed, and decide to become a surrogate for pro-social/altruistic reasons. ConclusionsIn contrast to the premise of both radical feminism and ultra-conservative Catholicism, one of the main conclusions indicates that altruism and empathy towards others are the primary motivations for participating in surrogacy processes, and that a woman's decision to become a surrogate is not motivated by social conditioning relating to poverty or social status.