Theory Of Objects Research Articles

Subjectivism, Internalism, and Thomistic Theories of Value

Abstract: Welfare internalism holds that "for any intrinsic good φ for a person p , it must be the case that φ 'fits' p, resonates with p, fails to alienate p , and so forth." This "resonance constraint" is often employed in arguments against objectivist theories of well-being. Many philosophers argue that, because objectivist theories ground a person's good in sources other than that person's subjective attitudes, such theories fail to satisfy the resonance constraint. And because welfare internalism and the resonance constraint seem so plausible—at least to these philosophers—they therefore reject objectivist theories. A person's welfare or well-being is, they claim, subjective. I push back against such arguments. I argue that many objectivist theories can (and do) adopt the resonance constraint. Looking to a historical example—Thomas Aquinas—I argue that an objectivist can put forward a theory of value that preserves an affective/motivational link between a person and his good, without sacrificing the objectivity of value. I therefore claim that the argument from internalism, when waged against objectivist theories of well-being, generally fails. Moreover, I argue that this sort of internalist-objectivism can explain things that subjectivism cannot; for example, why we claim that φ is good for p despite p 's beliefs and actions suggesting the opposite, or why valuing is important for humans in the first place. In short, certain objective approaches to welfare—such as Thomas Aquinas'—are more plausible than their subjective counterparts.

A noetic account of explanation in mathematics

Abstract We defend a noetic account of intramathematical explanation. On this view, a piece of mathematics is explanatory just in case it produces understanding of an appropriate type. We motivate the view by presenting some appealing features of noeticism. We then discuss and criticize the most prominent extant version of noeticism, due to Inglis and Mejía Ramos, which identifies explanatory understanding with the possession of well-organized cognitive schemas. Finally, we present a novel noetic account. On our view, explanatory understanding arises from meeting specific explanatory objectives. We defend a cluster-concept account of explanatory objectives and identify four important subfamilies within the relevant network of resemblance relations. The resulting view is objectivist (in the sense that it takes explanatory success to be a matter of observer-independent fact), broader in scope than why-question-based accounts, compatible with empirical findings on experts’ explanatory judgments, and capable of generalizing (with appropriate provisos) to scientific explanation as a whole. It thus fulfills Friedman’s half-century-old demand for a general and objectivist theory, which accounts for the link between explanation and understanding.

INSTRUMENTALITY OF A WOMEN IN DAMSEL MOVIE (2024)

In the film Damsel (2024), directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, the traditional damsel in distress narrative is subverted by the character of Princess Elodie, who transforms from a passive pawn to an empowered individual. The film critiques societal structures that objectify women by exploring Elodie’s journey from being a tool in an arranged marriage and a sacrificial victim to confronting a dragon. This study aims to explore how the film portrays the instrumentalization of Elodie through qualitative descriptive methods, grounded in Nussbaum's theory of objectification, particularly the concept of instrumentality. As the result, the study identifies three forms of Elodie's instrumentalization: subjected to an arranged marriage, subjected to a life sacrifice, and subjected to a target for revenge. From these three forms of Elodie's instrumentalization, this film shows Elodie's gradual assertion of autonomy and rejection of the roles assigned to her, deconstructing conventional girl tropes and highlighting the broader implications of challenging patriarchal norms. The finding of the instrumentalization of Elodie in the film Damsel is shown to become more complex along with the resistance carried out to oppose the prevailing patriarchal norms.

An Approach to the State of the art of Variational Thought in First Grades of Schooling

This paper presents a retrospective and documentary study on elements associated with variational thinking, with the purpose of establishing how variational thinking has been developed in children in the first grades of school from the approach of TO. First, a review is made of some of the central categories for the Theory of Objectification (TO), with the purpose of analyzing subsequent research. Then, the main research developed on variational thinking in the early grades of schooling is described, from a Colombian and international perspective. Subsequently, some elements that are considered important to be considered in future research are proposed, in the light of the TO categories. Finally, some elements are proposed that show the importance of studying variational thinking from the early grades of schooling, as well as some elements to consider for such a study.

The dialectic between knowledge, knowing, and concept in the theory of objectification

The theory of objectification (TO) is a theory of learning that seeks to foster conceptually rich, and critical, inclusive, and democratic pedagogical practices. The conception of these practices is based on a new understanding of learning as a cultural-historical process. In turn, the theoretical formulation of learning is anchored in a conception of knowledge that departs from the accounts of rationalists and (new and old) empiricists. The purpose of this article is to offer an overview of knowledge and learning as conceived in the TO. This overview is, of necessity, philosophical, as it addresses a problem that has often been overlooked in educational research: the ontological problem of the nature of knowledge – such as mathematical and scientific knowledge. The philosophical overview presented here is based on a specific philosophy that inspires the theory of objectification: dialectical materialism. Drawing on this philosophy, I theorize learning as a social, embodied, affective, semiotic, and material process where individuals encounter knowledge. In this encounter knowledge manifests itself in sensible practical and material activity through what it is called here knowing and concept. As argued in this article, knowledge, knowing, and concept are three modes of existence of a same entity that is invoked in the movement of learning.

The Phenomenon of Body Shaming Among Students at Dehasen University, Bengkulu

Body Shaming is physical violence that has an impact on psychology or mentality that can affect a person's life, both for individuals and groups. The large number of perpetrators who lead to body shaming causes negative impacts on victims, including depression, sadness and shame, and even withdrawal from social interactions. This study aims to determine the phenomenon of body shaming among students at Dehasen Bengkulu University. The type of research used in this research is descriptive qualitative. Based on the research results, researchers analyzed the phenomenon of body shaming among female students at Dehasen University Bengkulu through a critical approach to the theory of objectification of women. In this study the research informants were students at Dehasen University, Bengkulu City, who had shapes in the Body Shaming category, such as fat, tall thin, short fat (bontet), black skin, spotty faces. Through analysis of the data that has been obtained, researchers found that the act of body shaming experienced by the informant was the result of intersection between students, both classmates and close friends. The researcher saw that some informants experienced body shaming and had different impacts, namely creating the habit of monitoring their bodies regularly on themselves, feeling embarrassed, feeling insecure, becoming stressed thinking about this talk and distancing themselves from friends.

CHALLENGING OBJECTIFICATION THROUGH ALTERNATIVE BEAUTY CONCEPTS IN THE FILM I FEEL PRETTY (2018)

Beauty ideals that primarily focus on physical attributes play the role of a cultural milieu in which women are vulnerable to objectification. Such a cultural force gives rise to the importance of investigations on literature, such as films, as a cultural product as well as a cultural shaper in which women are portrayed and represented through their narrative, characters, and more. This study is a qualitative descriptive study on the film I Feel Pretty that applies the feminist theory of objectification. It aims to explore the portrayal of Renee Bennett, the main character, in dealing with objectifying beauty ideals and how such phenomena are challenged in the film. The results found that Renee Bennett experiences objectification by others, self-objectification, and objectifying others under the context of appearance-focused beauty concepts. However, the film challenges such objectifying beauty concepts by introducing alternatives that focus on internal qualities or non-physical attributes, such as self-confidence, intelligence, and health. Thus, the film is a critique towards the existing beauty ideals that glamorize the physique, and it encourages a shift of focus from external to internal qualities that support women’s mobility and well-being.

Contributions to the aesthetics of St. Augustine

The following article aims to resolve the fundamental question referring to the way ideas exist in Augustine’s epistemology and also to familiarize the reader with con­temporary interpretations of this issue. When framing his objectivist theory, Augustine drew on ancient traditions and the Bible, referring to deliberations on astronomy, cosmol­ogy and maths among others. In order for a work of art to be beautiful, it is necessary for human reason to perceive the right proportions in it, but their perfection does not depend solely on details and harmonious selection of parts, but also on something that links all these components to a mental idea. For Augustine, number is the principle of all things, but not in the sense of an arche, but in the sense of its presence in every being for example, the unity that the mind admires and of which it is itself an image. Its essence and meaning can only be found in God and therefore He is the first creator and greatest artist giving inspiration to all the arts. The thinker of Thagaste defined ideas as unalterable forms of things. In his view, all creation bears a certain trace of resemblance to God. That leads to a conclusion in the light of which every being is a greater or lesser implementation of the rules of res intelligibiles. The harmony of nature is of similar importance to him, as well as the beauty of the human body and mind. Facing the question of the ontological meaning of beauty author upholds its objectivity alongside other transcendental properties of being. Unity, equality, number, rhythm, proportion and order constitute the core elements of his aesthetics. The significance of Augustine’s doctrine lies in the fact that immaterial ideas enable achieving perfection in spiritual life, and hence bring us closer to the Creator.

Objectification and belittling of Sibyl Vane in Oscar Wilde’s Novel The Picture of Dorian Gray

The purpose of the study is to locate elements of feminism in Oscar Wild’s novel ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’. It is argued that the male characters are the main focus of the story, while the female characters are treated as supporting characters. Through their gaze and words, the male characters objectify and denigrate the female characters. Females are regarded as nothing more than pretty faces for pleasure-seeking. Elements of objectification are highlighted in the novel by employing the theory of objectification. An in-depth examination of the novel through the lens of objectification theory reveals the shocking reality of male characters treating female characters, particularly Sibyl Vane, as objects. It is concluded that men in the novel treat women brutally. They are either regarded as fools or empty pots. They are treated as something that can be bought, sold, and replaced rather than as a human being with autonomy and subjectivity. Furthermore, other studies could be conducted on the same while applying different linguistic approaches such as pragmatics, critical discourse analysis (CDA) etc.

Objectifying Women: A Comparative Feminist Study of Mere Paas Tum Ho (2019) and A Doll’s House (1923)

Aim of the Study: This paper explores the status of women in the patriarchal Pakistani and English societies as created by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and Henrick Ibsen in their respective plays Mere Paas Tum Ho (MPTH) and A Doll’s House respectively. Methodology: The research is qualitative and analytical in nature. The study analyzes discourse of the plays’ main characters, Shahwar and Helmer, by selecting such dialogues and phrases which refer to physical objects instead of human being. The selected population includes the female characters in Pakistani and British literary works. Using the Judgmental Sampling the Researchers selected two dramas. The primary source of the data collected for this study is drama itself. The researchers selected two primary sources in data. The secondary data includes, journals, articles, websites and dramas. Further, the study has used Textual Analysis as a research method for the data analysis. Findings: Male protagonists of both the plays undermine the power of women who want to grow independently and indiscriminately. By applying theory of objectification, this qualitative study finds that the objectified and commodified women face challenges in their personal, social and marital lives. The study also shows that the works share the common literary effort to highlight women’s exploitation in multiple societies. Conclusion: This study adds to the existing feministic interpretation of A Doll’s House by comparing it with the Pakistani screen play and categorizing the selected characters as “objectifiers” and objects. Though, the paper analyses the plays from feminist perspective, it differentiates the research by taking the plays’ interpretation beyond the understanding of the text as the mere feminist voice in favor of women’s’ rights.

Transitions Between Domains of Activity as “Domestications of the Eye” for the Learning of Mathematics with GGBot

We present a theoretical study that allows us to attempt framing in an embodied perspective the effectiveness of the drawing robot GGBot in the learning of geometry. The aim of the article is to set the intertwining of activity, semiotics, perception, and knowledge at the crossover of Radford’s theory of objectification (TO) and Borba and Villareal’s notion of humans-with-media. Such a crossover is articulated in four building blocks: (1) processes of objectification and the role of semiotic means of objectification, where we state that digital artifacts such as the GGBot change the topology of the semiotic means of objectification; (2) cognition is sensuous and learning is a process of domestication of the eye, where perception is theoretically shaped by the interaction with GGBot; (3) GGBot and humans-with-media, where we outline new thinking collectives and their modes of activity; (4) domestication of the eye triggered by transitions between domains of activity. Each building block of our theoretical discussion is empirically anchored to four episodes involving primary school students’ learning geometrical figures using the GGBot. To conclude, we focus on two basic concepts of geometrical thinking that unfold in the shift between domains.

Reviewing the theory of objectification: a Vygotskian perspective on knowing and becoming in mathematics teaching and learning, by Luis Radford

Reviewing the theory of objectification: a Vygotskian perspective on knowing and becoming in mathematics teaching and learning, by Luis Radford

Some Aspects of D. Uznadze’s Concept of Objectification

When D. Uznadze’s Theory of Set is viewed from the perspective of formation stages, the Theory of Set, per se, and objectification theory are distinguished from each other. In general, theory of objectification aims to explain participation of conscious processes in the formation and functioning of unconscious set and the role of unconscious set in the formation and functioning of conscious processes. Such a perspective implies that the theory of unconscious set and the theory of objectification are two indispensable constituents of an integrate, general psychological Theory of Set. The given article attempts to prove once again the appropriacy of like approach and further elaborate on objectification as a main category of Theory of Set.

Females’ Objectification of Others in Eugene O’Neill’s Strange Interlude and Desire Under the Elms

Men’s objectification of females is a common subject in literature but women’s objectification of others is a less common issue. This study aims to investigate the extent to which the main female characters in O’Neill’s two selected plays objectify others. Nina, the heroine of Strange Interlude and Abbie, the heroine of Desire Under the Elms are objectifiers of other people. This study focuses on three elements of Nussbaum’s theory of objectification: instrumentality, fungibility and ownership. Results indicate that these female characters have objectified others by following the above mentioned elements of objectification theory. The study concludes that the two female characters are objectifiers of others as they do not want to lose their domineering status. Keywords: female characters, O’Neill, instrumentality, fungibility, ownership.

Objectification of Women: Islamic Insight

Islam as a religion of peace ensures provision of equal rights to all the humans irrespective of their gender. Women not only enjoy the liberty of life within the parameters of values as laid by the Quran and Sunnah but at the same time, they also own the right of self-respect, esteem and treatment as humans. Treating women as mere objects for sex, or as mere “other” which devoid them of their due rights is strictly prohibited in Islam. The paper in hand highlights that how objectification of women is condemned by Islamic theology with special reference to Martha Nussbaum’s theory of Objectification being applied on Daniyal Mueenuddin’s Short Story, Saleema. However, it is pertinent to mention that the paper only concerns feudal cultures and thus, it is not a representative of the entire Pakistani society.

Need for Communitarian Ethics in Mathematics Teaching-Learning in Engineering Careers

This article presents some reflections on ethics in mathematics classes in engineering majors. We conceptualize ethics as the forms of relationship with the other or the otherness forms. Once the production and learning of mathematics are conceived as processual events that occur in concrete human practice, ethics is considered an inescapable element to consider, as the theory of objectification suggests. In the first part, this study addresses a brief contextualization of the relationship between mathematics teaching and learning and engineering from an ethical point of view. Then, an approach to Radford's theory of objectification and its ethical position is presented. In the third part, this study addresses an instrument design that allowed to explore preliminarily in a group of university mathematics professors the types of ethics applied in the classrooms. The fourth part of the article focuses on the analysis of the responses. Finally, we present some reflections and suggestions for future studies.

Interpreting difficulties in the learning of algebraic inequalities, as an emerging macro-phenomenon in Large Scale Assessment

ABSTRACT In this paper we interpret pervasive difficulties with second degree inequalities as a macro-phenomenon emerging from Large Scale Assessment. In line with the theory of reification, we link common students’ difficulties to approaches they use that undermine the intertwining of processes and the ensuing emergent mathematical objects. To frame the movement from process to object, we network the theory of objectification with Duval’s semio-cognitive approach. We conclude that students’ difficulties can be traced back to a disruption of the dialectical movement between process and object. Thus, the students lose the link to meaning, rooted in mathematical activity, and handle semiotic transformations out of the object-sign relation. Such a phenomenon is conceived as a macro-phenomenon emerging from the Italian educational system.

Teaching and Learning of Geometry as a process of Objectification: conditions and obstacles to argumentation and proof. The role of natural language, specific language, and figures

This paper examines some examples (taken from research conducted over the years) that show students’ linguistic attitudes in geometry tasks. The examples are framed within the Theory of Objectification with reference to the notion of sensuous cognition, semiotic means of objectification and levels of generality. We show the struggle students live, at higher levels of generality, in intertwining natural language, specific language and the spontaneous use of geometrical figures, bound to perception and kinaesthetic activity. Within the networking paradigm, we coordinate the Theory of Objectification and Duval’s semio-cognitive approach to frame the interplay between the ideal and the material that occurs in geometrical argumentations and proofs.

Comparing the views of the theory of objectification and the onto-semiotic approach on the school algebra nature and learning

Comparing the views of the theory of objectification and the onto-semiotic approach on the school algebra nature and learning

Despair as a Threat to Meaning: Kierkegaard’s Challenge to Objectivist Theories

The question of meaning in life has enjoyed renewed attention in analytic discourse over the last few decades. Despite the apparently “existential” quality of this topic, existential philosophy has had little impact on this re-energized conversation. This paper draws on Kierkegaard’s The Sickness unto Death in order to challenge the objectivist theory of meaning in life. According to that theory, a meaningful life is one replete with objective goods. Kierkegaard, however, exposits four forms of the spiritual sickness he calls despair that are compatible with the possession of objective goods. If this account is convincing, it poses a challenge to the objectivist view, suggesting that a subjective contribution is also necessary to fully account for meaning in life. By a process of negative inference, this paper concludes by sketching out what this subjective contribution might look like and suggests the term “authenticity” in order to capture this subjective element of a meaningful life.