Birth Of Philosophy Research Articles

The Birth of Philosophy in Poetry

The Birth of Philosophy in Poetry

Management of anticipated and actual shoulder dystocia: Interpreting the literature

Shoulder dystotia is a rare but serious obstetric complication that can result in significant neonatal and maternal morbidity and in costly litigation. Conflict exists in the literature regarding definition, incidence, predictability and preventability, relationship to neonatal injury, and appropriate management models. Anticipatory clinical interventions for potential shoulder dystocia have included ultrasound assessment of macrosomia; elective induction of labor; elective caesarean section; altered place of birth; and generous episiotomy/episioproctotomy. The authors note that these interventions often conflict with client desires and nurse-midwifery philosophy of birth, generate significant risks and costs in themselves, and do not address the poor predictability of shoulder dystocia. In recent literature, the safety and efficacy of maternal position change maneuvers (such as McRoberts maneuver, hands-knees position, and squatting) have been presented as methods to resolve most cases of shoulder dystocia. Despite the success of these more benign, external maneuvers, the episiotomy mandate remains in nearly all obstetric and midwifery texts and handbooks (1–8) and journal references (9–19). A literature review of related professional disciplines was undertaken to study these conflicts and to identify support for applying a philosophy of minimal, appropriate intervention to the complex issue of shoulder dystocia.

“Reproducing the World”: Mary O'Brien's Theory of Reproductive Consciousness and Implications for Feminist Incarnational Theology

AbstractMary O'Brien has inspired a vigorous reexamination of the concept and practices of reproduction. Her philosophy of birth reclaims this central female experience from the existentialist category of unconscious immanence. This article sketches O'Brien's theory and suggests how her reappraisal of reproductive process sheds light on the contradictions in traditional messages about biological difference, the nature of women, and the meaning of motherhood. It illustrates its claim by reading one such message, John Paul II'sMulieris Dignitatem, in light of O'Brien's work, and argues that using the bio-social process of reproduction as an analytic tool helps overcome dualisms and can further feminist insights into incarnation as a dynamic principle of creation. It invites further reflection on embodiment, birth, and motherhood as theological concepts.

Our Astronomical Column

RELATIVITY AND THE DAYTON MILLER EXPERIMENTS.—The issue of the Nineteenth Century for October contains an article on this subject by Prof. H. Wildon Carr. The article is largely of a philosophical character and emphasises the great change that relativity has brought about in our outlook on the phenomena of the universe. Interesting parallels are drawn with the Copernican revolution, and with the birth of philosophy in ancient Greece. There is also an explanation of the theory in non-technical language. Incidentally, Prof. Carr gives 5000 miles per minute as the earth's orbital speed: it should be 1110.