Individual Autonomy Research Articles

Innovative navigation: a smart cane solution with GPS, GSM, and real-time image capture

Our article presents the design, study, and implementation of a smart cane aimed at enhancing the autonomy and safety of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The solution is built around an Arduino board, integrated with various sensors and modules, to provide real-time tactile and auditory feedback to the user. Utilizing a combination of basic and advanced technologies, this smart cane detects obstacles at varying distances, triggering sound and vibration alerts to assist the user in navigation. Beyond these essential functions, the cane offers advanced features such as real-time image capture and obstacle recognition through the ESP32-CAM module. Additionally, the system is equipped with a GSM module that facilitates emergency communication by sending SMS messages with the user’s GPS location, obtained via the Neo-6M GPS module. These technological enhancements improve user safety by streamlining obstacle detection and enabling remote assistance when needed. The primary objective is to create a comprehensive solution that not only detects and avoids obstacles but also provides visual information and supports communication with caregivers or emergency services. By doing so, the smart cane contributes to a higher degree of independence and an improved quality of life for blind and visually impaired individuals.

Discrimination experiences of transgender individuals in healthcare: an interview study on the perspective of health professionals specializing in the treatment of transgender individuals

BackgroundExperiences of discrimination in healthcare lead to poorer mental and physical health for transgender individuals. There is evidence that trans-specialists, i.e. health professionals specializing in transgender care, are an important source of discrimination experienced by transgender individuals in healthcare. In this qualitative interview study, we explored the reasons for this possibly surprising finding by analyzing subjective views of trans-specialists on various issues related to discrimination of transgender individuals.MethodsWe conducted 20 semi-structured, qualitative, exploratory interviews with healthcare professionals specializing in transgender care. Interview questions were developed based on an extensive literature analysis and results of previous research on the topic. The interviews were conducted online, were digitally recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted using the methods of content analysis and thematic analysis.ResultsThe interviewees had great difficulty giving a consistent definition of the concept of gender identity. Most of them saw it as a self-determination of a transgender individual. Although herewith emphasizing the autonomy of transgender individuals, most trans-specialists felt that they had to be convinced of their patient’s transsexuality to carry out treatment. Most trans-specialists reported having had doubts about whether some transgender individuals were suffering from gender incongruence or not. There was also ambiguity among interviewees about whether transsexuality is a mental illness.ConclusionsWe were able to identify specific topics that can cause discrimination experiences on the part of transgender individuals in their contact with trans-specialists. These include the vagueness of the construct of gender identity and the ambivalence between respect for the autonomy of transgender individuals and the validation of the diagnosis “transsexuality”. Also, uncertainties regarding the classification of transsexuality as a mental illness can lead to experiences of discrimination. Furthermore, our results imply that trans-specialists might remember own discriminatory behavior less than it actually took place. Our results can contribute to the development of specific measures to avoid discrimination experiences of transgender individuals in contact with trans-specialists. These should include a reflection on one’s own gender identity and training on mechanisms of discrimination.

The Impact of Leadership Styles, Cultural Dimensions and Values on Academic Leaders

This study investigates the cultural dimensions, values, and leadership styles of school leaders in Indian K-12 and European schools, specifically focusing on cross-cultural differences. The objective is to explore how leadership styles and cultural orientations differ between Indian and European school leaders and to examine how these variations impact organizational culture and decision-making processes. A non-experimental quantitative research design was employed, utilizing standardized instruments such as the Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-Form 6S), OCTAPACE, and the Scale of Individual Cultural Values (CV) to measure leadership styles and cultural dimensions. Data were collected from 165 Indian leaders across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as 156 European leaders from Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and others, using purposive and convenience sampling methods. Independent t-tests and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) were used to compare the two regions' leadership styles and cultural orientations. The findings reveal that Indian school leaders predominantly demonstrate transformational and laissez-faire leadership behaviors, influenced by hierarchical structures prioritizing collective goals and authority delegation. Indian leaders scored higher on openness, trust, and collaboration dimensions, which align with collectivist and hierarchical cultural norms. In contrast, European leaders emphasized confrontation, authenticity, and individual autonomy, reflecting a preference for more egalitarian and individualistic decision-making approaches. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of how leadership and cultural values shape educational practices in different contexts.

THE PORTRAYAL OF FEMALE VILLAINS: A REPRESENTATION STUDY ON CRUELLA

The portrayal of female villains in media and movies has evolved significantly, as evidenced through the lens of Stuart Hall's representation theory and film analysis concepts. Traditionally confined to one-dimensional roles perpetuating gender stereotypes, contemporary cinema showcases multi-dimensional characters like those in Cruella, challenging societal norms and defying traditional gender expectations. By employing narrative and non-narrative film analysis techniques, these characters are revealed as agents of subversion and empowerment, embodying a new archetype of female villains characterized by individual agency and autonomy. However, despite this progress, the lingering impact of gender stereotypes persists, influencing how female villains are depicted on screen. Thus, ongoing critical analysis and advocacy for more diverse and authentic representations of women in media remain crucial.

Existential Buddhism: embracing life's uncertainties and finding meaning within

This study explores the profound questions surrounding the pursuit of Nirvana in Buddhism, examining whether it arises from the cycle of rebirth, present suffering, or future pain as depicted in early Buddhist scriptures. It also investigates the potential convergence of Buddhism with existentialism, a philosophy emphasizing individual experience, freedom, responsibility, and life’s inherent uncertainties. The primary inquiry examines whether Buddhism can harmonize with existentialist perspectives, which emphasize individuality amidst life’s enigmas. This research comprehensively investigates the reasons driving individuals in mainstream Buddhism to seek Nirvana, delving into their quest for liberation, and emphasizes the existential essence of Buddhism. Finally, It explores the plausibility of an alternative form of Buddhism that incorporates existential philosophy. Using a literature analysis approach with a thematic focus, this study critically examines the writings of prominent Buddhist scholars, existential philosophers, and researchers on the intersection of Buddhism and existentialism. The analysis reveals that Buddhists aspire for Nirvana to escape the cycle of suffering and find solace and serenity. Moreover, the juxtaposition of Buddhism and existentialism offers a fresh perspective, highlighting individual autonomy and choice in confronting life’s complexities, and providing an early Buddhist account of existential nature. By deepening the understanding of how mindfulness and meditation connect to core Buddhist principles, this research fosters more authentic engagement with Buddhist practices, enriching personal well-being. This research has vital implications for understanding the pursuit of meaning and liberation from suffering amidst life’s chaos, challenging conventional perceptions of Buddhism, and elucidating potential alignments with existential thought, inviting further research.

The Impact of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia on Individual's Autonomy: a Scoping Review.

The purpose of this study was to identify, map, summarize, and clarify the existing literature on the effects of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) an individual's autonomy across all types of dementia diagnoses. The study aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between BPSD and a decrease in a person's autonomy, as this relationship is important for improving dementia care through effective interventions. To achieve this goal, a scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews checklist. The inclusion criteria were: (i) population: participants with a clinical diagnosis of any type of dementia; (ii) concept: examining the relationship between one or more neuropsychiatric symptoms or BPSD and the individual's autonomy; (iii) context: the progress of any type and any stage of dementia. The database search yielded 74 records, of which 41 fully met the pre-established eligibility criteria. Most studies in this review focused on participants with Alzheimer's disease and analysed their functional abilities. Most studies in this review showed significant outcomes regarding the impact of BPSD on a person's autonomy. The main BPSD investigated in the studies were depression, apathy, irritability, agitation, aggression, disinhibition, and lability. Apathy had a recurrent association with reduced autonomy in persons with dementia, while depression and psychosis were also found to have an impact on individuals' autonomy.

Dampak Transformasi Era Digital Terhadap Manajemen Sumber Daya Manusia Dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja Personel TNI-AD di Lingkungan Koramil Rungkut Surabaya

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of digital transformation on human resource management in improving the performance of TNI-AD personnel in the Koramil Rungkut Surabaya environment. A qualitative phenomenological approach to understand the impact of digital transformation on human resource management (HR) and the performance of TNI-AD personnel at Koramil Rungkut Surabaya. The research subjects were selected through purposive sampling, involving 10 to 15 personnel with different experiences in implementing digital technology. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, followed by an analysis process that included data reduction, theme grouping, and interpreting experiences. To ensure the validity of the data, the researcher applied triangulation of sources and methods and member checking with key informants. Digital transformation at Koramil Rungkut Surabaya has significantly influenced human resource management (HR) through increased operational efficiency and development of personnel capabilities. Digitalization in reporting and task management accelerates administrative processes, while technology-based training provides flexibility in competency development. In addition, digital technology encourages decentralization of organizational structures, accelerates communication, and increases individual autonomy in decision making. In the future, the role of digital technology will be increasingly important in helping the Indonesian Army face dynamic and complex modern challenges.

Agua-cuerpo-territorio/Water-body-territory

This paper applies cuerpo-territorio (body-territory) to aquatic space through the bilingual concept of agua-cuerpo-territorio/water-body-territory. Based on a 2018 article that I wrote in Spanish and titled “Espacios acuáticos desde una descolonialidad hemisférica feminista” [Aquatic space from a decolonial and feminist hemispheric perspective], I will further develop the concept of water-body-territory that brings together literature on cuerpo-territorio (body-territory) and agua-territorio (water-territory) resulting in a bilingual term agua-cuerpo-territorio/water-body-territory. This implies that I will translate parts of the mentioned article from Spanish to English while situating it within hemispheric debates on the individual and collective body autonomy in aquatic space. Agua-cuerpo-territorio/water-body-territory will further the conceptual discussions that cuerpo-territorio has garnered across the Americas in feminist academic and activist settings on embodiment and decolonial feminist geography methodologies, in particular the relationship between water and the embodiment of collective death. Moreover, as I will make the case in this paper, this translation process is a praxis of decolonial feminist geopolitics that can engage with debates on collective bodily autonomy for the Americas.

Radical care in displacement: Rohingya women’s activism amidst neoliberal humanitarianism and repression

ABSTRACT This paper examines the activism and care work of Rohingya women in displacement settings, focusing on grassroots efforts in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps and transnational advocacy by diaspora activists. Drawing on 43 in-depth interviews and applying a feminist ethics of care framework, we argue that these women's activism constitutes a form of radical care that challenges both neoliberal humanitarian practices and repressive state policies. Rohingya women activists forge networks of solidarity and empowerment that extend beyond conventional humanitarian interventions, providing emotional support and shared experiences that contribute to the social ecology of care for refugee women. Their grassroots work contests the neoliberal emphasis on individual self-reliance, instead highlighting the vital role of relational care in fostering collective resilience. However, these activists face significant risks from multiple sources, including state repression, community backlash, and online harassment. They employ strategies such as ‘strategic invisibility’ and digital activism to navigate these dangers. Despite the transformative potential of their work, it remains systematically undervalued, leaving activists vulnerable to burnout and depletion. By centering the experiences and agency of Rohingya women, this study reveals a complex landscape of resistance, care, and empowerment, offering insights into how refugee women create change amidst intersecting forms of oppression.

Ethics of Privacy in Cybersecurity: Protecting Individual Autonomy through Technology

Ethics of Privacy in Cybersecurity: Protecting Individual Autonomy through Technology

The Difference Between Passive Subjects and Autonomous Actors: Proposing an Orientation Toward Consent in Library and Information Science

To participate in most aspects of society, individuals are constantly required to share their data. From students in LIS courses to patients forced to enter information into third party software to check into medical appointments, we all have to “consent” to live our lives. While we are presented with consent forms full of legalese constantly, opportunities to opt out are rare. This critical essay posits that to prepare our students to become ethical members of information professions, LIS educators must center consent as a core ethical value. Using a scoping review approach, we explore consent as a distinct topic in LIS literature. We then propose an orientation towards consent that can center human rights, individual autonomy, and care in LIS work.

Rethinking Mahjar Literature and the Arab Nahḍah: Jubrān’s Critical Intervention

Abstract This paper foregrounds the ways in which Jubrān Khalīl Jubrān represents and addresses the project and concept of the Nahḍah. It demonstrates how the Arab renaissance is represented and engaged in Jubrān’s work as a polyvocal and contested space in which the particular and the universal dialectically and creatively intersect. Equally, it argues that a constant emphasis on individual and collective moral autonomy (al-istiqlāl al-maʿnawī) undergirds Jubrān’s Nahḍawī vision. Serving as the premise of creative aesthetic production, moral autonomy transforms the role of the poet from a crafter (ṣāniʿ) into a creator of a new mode of thinking/being in the world. It also functions as the sine qua non of original national and civilizational awakening, which is conceived of beyond traditionalism and westernization. This Nahḍawī engagement at once underlies and straddles poetics and politics, forcing us to re-evaluate Jubran’s role as a renaissance intellectual within and beyond the frameworks of literary Romanticism and postcolonialism.

Busy Ethic: A Validation of a Popular Concept.

The busy ethic for retirement, as proposed by Ekerdt (1986), is a prescriptive norm that esteems an occupied, active lifestyle. This research is a first attempt to measure the busy ethic in a standardized way and apply it to a population-based sample. Objectives are: to examine whether a busy ethic is affirmed by retirees; to test busy ethic endorsement by different segments of the retired population; and to examine whether endorsement is associated with selected activities. We developed a scale measuring the busy ethic for a survey among 1,143 Dutch retirees. We tested two sets of hypotheses about social factors that might explain subscription to a busy norm: a hypothesis about modernization (i.e., individual autonomy from social control) that would reduce busy ethic endorsement and a hypothesis about differential exposure to expectations. Greater consent to the busy ethic was associated with circumstances that enable active lifestyles (perceived income adequacy, self-reported health), that raise one's social value (education), and that entail more social connectedness (religious service attendance). Busy ethic agreement was positively associated with engagement in paid work, productive social activities, and group recreation. We found substantial endorsement of the importance of activity for oneself and others. The idealization of a busy retirement as a good retirement may be a seeming way for retirees to defer old age. At the same time, a prescriptive norm of activation may put strain on older adults who are less capable of conforming.

Dilemma of Individualism and Freedom in Neoliberal Understanding

There is a clear tension in the neoliberal approach to individualism and freedom. Focusing on the process of individualization and individual self-determination in markets, neoclassical approaches recognize that individuals are committed to social mobility and responsibility to act within market rules on, individual autonomy and the ability to set self-determined goals appear to be limited to market participation. The market is seen as an inherently dynamic system developed over time. According to Hayek, individualism refers to social progress and conformity to society. The aim of this paper is to respectfully examine the apparent inconsistencies and limitations of how individual freedom and choice have been conceptualized by neoliberal thinkers, through an analysis of the works of Hayek and Friedman. Neoliberal policies articulate the notion of free will and question the definition of freedom from a purely economic perspective. By further examining these nuances, the study hopes to reflect on the personal and societal political implications associated with neoliberalism’s more limited understanding of self-government and voluntarism. Finally, an examination of balanced perspectives can add to the ongoing discussion on how best to organize social policies that maximize individual dignity and collective well-being in the long run at in a constructive manner.

Adolescent autonomy to make a ‘catastrophically bad’ decision informed by religious beliefs: To respect or protect?

This article examines the Australian case law in which medical treatment has been authorised against the wishes of a Gillick competent adolescent, in circumstances where the adolescent’s decision to refuse treatment has been informed by their religious beliefs. We analyse three factors that have shaped the Australian jurisprudence – medical evidence regarding the adolescent’s prognosis and risk of death; the role of religion in adolescents’ medical treatment decision-making; and the adolescent’s own views and wishes – to expose arguably uncomfortable, value-laden judicial attempts to achieve a ‘nice balance’ between the sanctity of human life and individual autonomy. We argue for greater judicial transparency about when, if ever, an adolescent’s Gillick competence will be respected in refusal of medical treatment cases shaped by the adolescent’s faith.

Debts of Gratitude in Cross‐Cultural Perspective: Confucian and Western Ethics

ABSTRACTThis article examines the contrasting conceptions of gratitude in Early Confucian and Western philosophy. It focuses on a key difference: the presence of the notion of ‘debts of gratitude’ in Western thought and its absence in Confucianism. We explore how this difference is rooted in contrasting ethical outlooks and values. Western philosophy often conceives of gratitude as a duty of reciprocation, furthering the values of social equality and individual autonomy. By contrast, Early Confucians viewed gratitude as proper acknowledgement that strengthens social relationships that are part of an ongoing collective project, spanning generations. This view reflects the importance of values such as community, harmony, and ritual propriety in Confucianism. Unlike the Western context, in the Early Confucian social world, there was no role for ‘debts of gratitude’ to play. There were no Confucian values that ‘debts of gratitude’ would help to realize, or would be responsive to, in the way that debts of gratitude further the values of equality and independence in the West. We conclude by noting that some Western philosophers express ideas about gratitude in collaborative contexts that align with Confucian ideas, suggesting some shared elements between Confucian and Western ethical outlooks.

Introduction to the Special Issues

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping our world. As AI systems become increasingly autonomous and integrated into various sectors, fundamental ethical issues such as accountability, transparency, bias, and privacy are exacerbated or morph into new forms. This introduction provides an overview of the current ethical landscape of AI. It explores the pressing need to address biases in AI systems, protect individual privacy, ensure transparency and accountability, and manage the broader societal impacts of AI on labor markets, education, and social interactions. It also highlights the global nature of AI's challenges, such as its environmental impact and security risks, stressing the importance of international collaboration and culturally sensitive ethical guidelines. It then outlines three unprecedented challenges AI poses to copyright and intellectual property rights; individual autonomy through AI's “hypersuasion”; and our understanding of authenticity, originality, and creativity through the transformative impact of AI-generated content. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of ongoing critical vigilance, imaginative conceptual design, and collaborative efforts between diverse stakeholders to deal with the ethical complexities of AI and shape a sustainable and socially preferable future. It underscores the crucial role of philosophy in identifying and analyzing the most significant problems and designing convincing and feasible solutions, calling for a new, engaged, and constructive approach to philosophical inquiry in the digital age.

Unjust enrichment in law and equity

In Moses v Macferlan, Lord Mansfield used money had and received, a common law money count, to provide relief in a case where an action’s outcome failed to align with the actor’s intention. In the First Restatement of Restitution, Warren Seavey and Austin Scott gathered together all cases, quasi-contractual and equitable, under the single principle that ‘a person who has been unjustly enriched at the expense of another is required to make restitution to the other.’ These two influential acts of fusion between common law and equity have caused a great deal of confusion in the scholarship and jurisprudence on unjust enrichment. With the fundamental differences between quasi-contract and equitable unjust enrichment obscured, scholars and judges have struggled to find the single principle or core case that unifies liability in what is now called the law of unjust enrichment. I argue that we can resolve the puzzles of unjust enrichment by rejecting the fusionist claims that started them all – that is, by distinguishing cases of quasi-contract (the common law money counts) from cases of equitable unjust enrichment – and by recognizing that each has a distinctive normative foundation. Quasi-contract, like other common law doctrines, is grounded in respect for the freedom and equality of agents conceived as beings with the capacity for free choice. Quasi-contract is concerned with the objective significance of external acts like requests and agreements on terms; it is not concerned with the frustration of the plaintiff’s particular purpose in acting. Equitable unjust enrichment, like other equitable doctrines that attend to mistakes, expectations, and intentions, is grounded in concern for individual autonomy. It recognizes that a court, as a public institution attuned to law’s self-imposability, cannot enforce an alienation of property with indifference to the way in which it may fail as an expression of the individual’s purposes and reasons for action.

Ethics of Organ Donation and Transplantation: Toward Self-Sufficiency.

Organ donation, intersecting medical necessity and ethical responsibility, calls for policies respecting individual autonomy while aiming for societal selfsufficiency. This article evaluates various government policies, emphasizing the ethical use of nudges in decision-making and the potential impact on autonomy. We argue that, while some policies might be coercive, others may inadvertently disrespect autonomy through subtle influences on decisionmaking. To reach self sufficiency in organ donation and transplantation and to keep adherent to medical ethics, especially informed consent, and gift of life campaigns, governments must determine the legal procedures by which their residents are registered, or can register, as organ donors. Provided that governments recognize that people have a right to determine what happens to their organs after they die, there are 4 feasible options to choose from: optin, opt-out, mandated active choice, and voluntary active choice. This article investigated the ethics of these policies' use of nudges and pokes to affect organ donor registration ways, rules, and rates. We argue that the use of nudges in this context is morally problematic. It is disrespectful of people's autonomy to take advantage of their cognitive biases since doing so involves bypassing, not engaging, their rational capacities. We conclude that, although mandated active choice policies are not problem free, they are coercive; after all, voluntary active choice, opt-in, and opt-out policies are potentially less respectful of people's autonomy since their use of nudges could significantly affect people's decision making.

A Fault-Tolerant Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Framework for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles–Unmanned Ground Vehicle Coverage Path Planning

In this paper, we introduce a fault-tolerant multi-agent reinforcement learning framework called SERT-DQN to optimize the operations of UAVs with UGV central control in coverage path planning missions. Our approach leverages dual learning systems that combine individual agent autonomy with centralized strategic planning, thus enhancing the efficiency of cooperative path planning missions. This framework is designed for high performance in environments with fault uncertainty detected and operational challenges such as interruptions in connectivity and compromised sensor reliability. With the integration of an innovative communication system between agents, our system appropriately handles both static and dynamic environments. Also, we introduce similarity-based shared experience replay to attain faster convergence and sample efficiency in the multi-agent system. The architecture is specially designed to respond adaptively to such irregularities by effectively showing enhanced resilience in scenarios where data integrity is impaired due to faults or the UAV faces disruptions. Simulation results indicate that our fault tolerance algorithms are very resilient and do indeed improve mission outcomes, especially under dynamic and highly uncertain operating conditions. This approach becomes critical for the most recent sensor-based research in autonomous systems.