Ontological Aspect Research Articles

The Layer Cake Model of the World and Non-Reductive Physicalism

Abstract In this paper I argue that non-reductive physicalism (NRP) continues to rely on the ontological aspect of the layer cake model of the world (LCM). NRP is a post-unity account of the relationship between phenomena in the world in the sense that it has been developed in response to the perceived failure of the unity of science thesis. The LCM constitutes a framework for the organisation of phenomena in the world. It articulates the idea that phenomena in the world are organised into levels. Specifically, that phenomena are layered into distinct, hierarchical levels of organisation. Historically, the unity of science thesis and the LCM have been intertwined; the LCM being the framework within which a unity of science might be possible. My argument will demonstrate that, despite a move away from unity of science positions, the LCM persists in post-unity accounts. In order to argue for this thesis, I present a close analysis of Oppenheim & Putnam's classic presentation of the LCM; picking out the principle of hierarchic compositionality which, I argue, captures the ontological aspect of the LCM. I then demonstrate how NRP continues to rely upon the principle and, as a result, continues to support the ontological aspect of the LCM. This result is significant. It shows that whilst the rejection of the reductionist aspect of the thesis has served as the basis for post-unity positions these positions do not engage directly with the framework within which reduction might be facilitated - the LCM. Furthermore, it demonstrates that pluralist or disunity accounts of the relationship between phenomena in the world will also have to engage directly with the framework of the LCM in order to avoid being merely anti-reductionist.

ОНТОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ АСПЕКТ ИСТИНЫ И СВОБОДЫ

ОНТОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ АСПЕКТ ИСТИНЫ И СВОБОДЫ

Reveal genes functionally associated with ACADS by a network study

Establishing a systematic network is aimed at finding essential human gene–gene/gene–disease pathway by means of network inter-connecting patterns and functional annotation analysis. In the present study, we have analyzed functional gene interactions of short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase gene (ACADS). ACADS plays a vital role in free fatty acid β-oxidation and regulates energy homeostasis. Modules of highly inter-connected genes in disease-specific ACADS network are derived by integrating gene function and protein interaction data. Among the 8 genes in ACADS web retrieved from both STRING and GeneMANIA, ACADS is effectively conjoined with 4 genes including HAHDA, HADHB, ECHS1 and ACAT1. The functional analysis is done via ontological briefing and candidate disease identification. We observed that the highly efficient-interlinked genes connected with ACADS are HAHDA, HADHB, ECHS1 and ACAT1. Interestingly, the ontological aspect of genes in the ACADS network reveals that ACADS, HAHDA and HADHB play equally vital roles in fatty acid metabolism. The gene ACAT1 together with ACADS indulges in ketone metabolism. Our computational gene web analysis also predicts potential candidate disease recognition, thus indicating the involvement of ACADS, HAHDA, HADHB, ECHS1 and ACAT1 not only with lipid metabolism but also with infant death syndrome, skeletal myopathy, acute hepatic encephalopathy, Reye-like syndrome, episodic ketosis, and metabolic acidosis. The current study presents a comprehensible layout of ACADS network, its functional strategies and candidate disease approach associated with ACADS network.

Abraham Abulafia's Mystical Theology of the Divine Name and its Philosophical Revision in Walter Benjamin

The thirteenth century kabbalist Abraham Abulafia held Hebrew to be the divine language, designed by God as an ontological aspect of reality. Through meditating on and deconstructing names into their letters, one could then engage in the process of reunifying reality into the primordial Name of God, the Tetragrammaton. This paper offers an original analysis, aligning Abulafia with Walter Benjamin's writings on language wherein the world speaks itself phenomenally to human beings, who must take an active role in translating this silent speech. Here the human, as name-giver, is finalizer of reality; by translating base phenomena into named entities humanity elevates them into a new realm, beyond the merely real into the true. This epistemic-soteriological theory speaks to common speculative questions about language and the world, offering a new way of understanding how human beings can come to know the world as-it-is, and as-it-should-be; a way that is philosophical, yet based firmly in Medieval Jewish theology.

Системное описание страха смерти

The paper presents a systemic description of the fear of death incorporating the following five basic aspects of its study in psychology: anthropologic, gnoseological, axiological, praxeological and ontological. Content analysis of each aspect is built upon theoretical research. Thus, the anthropological aspect is reviewed through the prism of various studies on the differences in experiencing the fear of dying throughout the history of mankind and throughout an individual's life. The gnoseological aspect is revealed through the issues of bio¬logical and social determination of the fear of death realized in explorations of its conscious and subconscious components explored in psychology. The axiological aspect is considered through its orientation (internal and external) and content components reflecting the basic values of an individual that are either destroyed or created by the idea of death. The praxeological aspect represents ways of coping with the fear of death, including various defence mechanisms. The ontological aspect is regarded as the integral one depicting the role of the fear of death in human development and its contributions to the formation of personality.

Revealing the Strong Functional Association of adipor2 and cdh13 with adipoq: A Gene Network Study

In the present study, we have analyzed functional gene interactions of adiponectin gene (adipoq). The key role of adipoq is in regulating energy homeostasis and it functions as a novel signaling molecule for adipose tissue. Modules of highly inter-connected genes in disease-specific adipoq network are derived by integrating gene function and protein interaction data. Among twenty genes in adipoq web, adipoq is effectively conjoined with two genes: Adiponectin receptor 2 (adipor2) and cadherin 13 (cdh13). The functional analysis is done via ontological briefing and candidate disease identification. We observed that the highly efficient-interlinked genes connected with adipoq are adipor2 and cdh13. Interestingly, the ontological aspect of adipor2 and cdh13 in the adipoq network reveal the fact that adipoq and adipor2 are involved mostly in glucose and lipid metabolic processes. The gene cdh13 indulge in cell adhesion process with adipoq and adipor2. Our computational gene web analysis also predicts potential candidate disease recognition, thus indicating the involvement of adipoq, adipor2, and cdh13 with not only with obesity but also with breast cancer, leukemia, renal cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer. The current study provides researchers a comprehensible layout of adipoq network, its functional strategies and candidate disease approach associated with adipoq network.

Mundanidad, significatividad y habla. Dimensiones proto-lingüísticas de la significación en "Ser y Tiempo"

En el marco de una investigacióngeneral, que se ocupa de la concepción del pensamiento como respuesta a un proceso de emergencia dela significación, la hipótesis de este trabajo supone el lenguaje originariocomo el acaecer de una interpelación significativa precedente a todaintencionalidad, que abre el horizonte de significado dentro del cual se muevenel pensamiento y el lenguaje entendido como sistema de signos. En la vertiente ontológicarepresentada por Heidegger, que se considera parcialmente en este artículo, lasformulaciones fenomenológicas identifican la significación anterior al lenguajearticulado –o significación proto-lingüística- con un acaecimiento ontológico. Estas líneas se referirán alos análisis heideggerianos de Ser yTiempo, para reiterar sus descripciones del acaecer del mundo en laperspectiva de la interpretación de este acaecer como significación originariade la que derivan la emergencia del lenguaje y sus significados.

Face and Personality: the Ontological Aspect

Addresses the issues of the relationship between face and personality that are both of eternal duality and unity, which may be described in the terms of opposition “Myself - the Other.” The Face and Personality are not identical but inseparable. In the history of thought, the ambivalence of relationship between face and personality developed from a natural individual and personal medieval paradigm through rationalist identification of appearance and personality towards the existential relativity

Face and Personality: the Ontological Aspect

Deals with the image of animal, which is one of the most topical in contemporary art. Nowadays, animal imagery becomes a new source of creativity. It makes artists search for new forms of expression and produces new topical issues. The author analyses the role of animality in contemporary art and its relation to the problem of corporeality.

Becoming a caring nurse – A Nordic study on students' learning and development in clinical education

The aim of this study was to elucidate the meaning and deepen the understanding of student learning and development in becoming a nurse. Data were collected from focus group interviews with students from three different universities and analysed using a phenomenological–hermeneutical method. The comprehensive understanding of student learning and development in becoming a nurse resulted in two constituents: the prerequisites for learning and development, and itineraries for learning and development. The prerequisites consisted of a caring relationship as the foundation for learning and development, and will and motivation for learning and development. The itineraries for learning and development involved pushing boundaries through challenges and support, and of a synthesis of theory and praxis through reflection. Caring relationships can be seen as the foundation for student learning and development and as a prerequisite for becoming a nurse. Learning is not merely a skills-acquisition procedure but a transforming experience for students, who feel that their whole existence has been altered. It is time to move beyond examining student learning and development merely from an epistemological perspective and start focussing on the ontological aspect of learning, on the processes of transformation and becoming a nurse.

Neutral Monism and Conceptions of Historiosofical Synthesis as Methodology of History

Examination of issues related to the methodology of history is important in connection with discussions of the theoretical component of historical knowledge. We consider that the methodology of history is an aggregate of philosophical, historical, and universal scientific conceptions, which can be presented as an integrated system with aspects and levels. There are ontological, epistemological, and axiological aspects of historical methodology. From the ontological perspective, researchers are trying to define the historical reality and the way how this reality evolves. Ontological aspect consists of doctrines of being (low-level), universal scientific theories, including theories of evolution (mid-level), historiosophical conceptions of world history (top-level), special historiosophical and general historical conceptions (additional and special methodology). The aim of this article is to find what doctrines of being and what historiosaphical conceptions of the world history may be considered as constructive methodology of history in the framework of its ontological aspect nowadays. For this purpose, we examine ontological doctrines and historiosaphical conceptions of the world history and determine what kinds of them are consistent with the key principles of evolution of great open systems, established by synergetics as a modern theory of evolution. We prove that evolutionary version of neutral monism and conceptions of historiosothical synthesis collocate with the key principles of synergetics to the gratis extend. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n8p146

The New Public Management In Transition Countries- Public Sector Decentralization And Local Governance Reform In Kosovo

Public administration management in most developing countries is changing rapidly through reform processes with respect to public service delivery and the stimulation of economic growth. That change, in general is affected by the need for policy reform, has resulted in different structural public management reforms known as decentralization and ‘the new public management’, reflecting a movement away from the old values and norms of public administration management. This paper discusses the issue of local government reform processes in Kosovo in parallel with the new public management processes in the country. Local government reform has been and is a priority of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, and as such, it has gone through various stages of its evolution. In other words, special emphasis should be put also on the achievements, progress, challenges and difficulties of local government reform processes. As such, this paper reflects the ontological aspect of the new public management approach in local government reform in the Republic of Kosovo, starting from the development stages of this extensive process up to the current situation, including falls and downs of this process. Therefore, this paper reflects empirically (through research) the current status of local government in Kosovo, as well as the difficulties faced by the local government. As a result of the elaboration of this paper, we have come to the conclusion that local government has made a significant progress since the end of the war. However, much remains to be done in this regard, especially in terms of: transparency, accountability, citizen participation in decision-making, and many other processes, which further strengthen local democracy in the country.

シャアラーニーの完全人間論

This paper discusses ‘Abd al-Wahhāb al-Sha‘rānī’s theory of the Perfect Man (insān kāmil), and examines his contribution to the history of Islamic thoughts. Sha‘rānī (d. 1565) was a Sufi thinker in Ottoman Egypt who belonged to the school of Ibn ‘Arabī (d. 1240). The focus of this paper is to analyze how Sha‘rānī inherited and developed Ibn ‘Arabī’s theory. The Perfect Man, as it is argued by Ibn ‘Arabī, refers to one who has attained unity with God and thereby attained the supreme state in Sufism. According to Ibn ‘Arabī, man was made in the image of God before the beginning of God’s creation of other creatures and therefore is capable of manifesting each of the names and attributes of God. The Perfect Man as a locus of God’s manifestation can synthesize two truths about God: God’s transcendence (tanzīh) and immanence (tashbīh), and God as the One and the many. The presence of the Perfect Man is important because he unifies the cosmos and keeps it one. This metaphysical theory of the Perfect Man taught by Ibn ‘Arabī was inherited by his followers. Many of them discussed the concept from the ontological point of view. However, Sha‘rānī, besides explicating the Perfect Man from the ontological aspect, developed it further by translating it into the social context. He developed the idea of the Perfect One (al-kāmil), who, according to Sha‘rānī, witnessed the source of the law (‘ayn al-sharī‘a) through a mystic experience. The various opinions of various people were originally derived from this source of the law. Thus, according to Sha‘rānī, the Perfect One can solve tensions that exist in society, since the Perfect One realizes the source of the law, into which opposing opinions can be ultimately resolved. Sha‘rānī thought that the splits of society into various parties can be unified through such a person. As this paper shows through its analysis, the Perfect Man and the Perfect One are the same concepts. Both hold within them the plane of God’s names and attributes and unify various dichotomies in the world. However, while the Perfect Man unifies the cosmos, the Perfect One unifies the society. attempted to contextualize the metaphysical-ontological concept of the Perfect Man in order to meet the needs of the society of his time. This paper concludes that, by applying Ibn ‘Arabī’s theory to this world, Sha‘rānī played an important role in further spreading Ibn ‘Arabī’s thoughts among the people of the Arab world.

Traces of Guilt, Identity, Security, and Existence in Harold Pinter's the Caretaker

The action of the play takes place in a junk-filled room of a tumble-down house and the other rooms need “a lot of doing” (Hern, 1982:21). Inner guilt is a cry for, identity, security and existence. In The Caretaker, all these terms are defined by the relationship among Davies, Aston and Mick. The sense of guilt is underlined by the lack of identity positions and, to an extent, by their clinging reliance on physical objects. It is significant that we are not introduced to the characters by way of a formal exposition. This would imply that they are familiar and known from the beginning. The sense of guilt does not only belong to Davies’ own inner world but to the world outside also. The expulsion of Davies from the Paradise has uprooted him not only in the ontological aspect but also in the psychological respect. Davies himself is not an innocent victim but a victimizer too. He is a victim of a system, which gives him a name but forces him to use another. He combats injustice with inertia and self-righteousness. This article aims at analyzing the traces of guilt, security, identity, and existence in Harold Pinter's famous play, The Caretaker.

Dalyvavimo principas Platono ir Aristotelio filosofijoje : ontologinis aspektas ir analogijos iškilimas

The article aims at the analysis of the notion of participation which is considered the main principle of unity of the universe in Platonic thought. The notion of participation (methexis), according to the Aristotelian tradition, is commonly hold to be of mathematic origin, meaning commensurability or proportion (analogy). The bond between participation and imitation (mimēsis) also allows seeing the origin of both notions in theatrical practice of Ancient Greece, with which Plato was closely affiliated. In Platonic philosophy the participation connects two levels of reality – that of an idea and that of a phenomenon. In the visible world a phenomenon or an appearance takes the place of an idea both from the ontological point of view – having its being (that it is) and essence (what it is) as participated in the being of an idea, whose essence actually is the essence and identity of a thing, and from the epistemological point of view – being knowable only because of its relationship with an idea. Both aspects are presented in the well known image of the “Platonic triangle” in the dialogue Phaedrus. In the article the ontological aspect of this relation is investigated. The history of philosophy knows the issue of participation mainly from Aristotle’s critique, presented in his Metaphysics. In this view participation is merely a synonym of imitation, used by Plato to express how we are able to give to a particular thing a common concept or a definition which at ones unites it with the similar things and separates it from the different ones. So, an “idea” in which a thing participates is merely a common concept and not a “separate” reality in the world. [...]

Worldview Consequences оf the Uncertainty Principle in Dynamics of Complex Systems

This article reveals the ontological and ideological aspect of the principle of uncertainty based on a study of scientific and philosophical ideas of scientists and naturalists.

КОМП’ЮТЕРНІ ОНТОЛОГІЇ – ТЕХНОЛОГІЧНА ОСНОВА ФОРМУВАННЯ ОСВІТЯНСЬКИХ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНИХ РЕСУРСІВ

Описуються підходи, моделі та засоби формування систем знань з метою подальшого розвитку освітянських інформаційних ресурсів. Розглянуто онтологічний аспект проектування баз знань навчального призначення. Визначаються онтологічні моделі, засоби лінгвістичного, структурного та функціонального аналізу та побудови описів об’єктів навчальних дисциплін. Проведення досліджень у вказаному напрямку передбачає вирішення актуальних проблем підвищення ефективності використання освітянських інформаційних ресурсів на основі застосування сучасних інформаційно-комунікаційних технологій за допомогою засобів дистанційного доступу до розподілених систем знань.

The Extraordinary Categorical Imperative

Many political theorists assume that Kant’s categorical imperative can only present itself to politics epistemologically—that is, as a test or procedure for acquiring more certain knowledge of duties. This study retrieves the ontological aspect of the categorical imperative by showing that the Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals is a conversion narrative. In the Groundwork Kant describes a transformative encounter with the categorical imperative as a principle that discloses our (ordinarily concealed) ontological condition. This encounter opens a new mode of being characterized by the feeling of awe. In its ontological aspect, the categorical imperative discloses human freedom and demands an unflagging thoughtfulness, but offers no material guidance about duties. When understood in both its ontological and epistemological aspects, the categorical imperative offers a rich portrait of human responsibility and can help illuminate the ethical stance appropriate to politics without becoming a standard to be imposed upon politics.

Cosmos and creativity: Man in an evolving universe as a creative, aesthetical agent — some Peircean remarks

Any great new theoretical framework has an epistemological and an ontological aspect to its philosophy as well as an axiological one, and one needs to understand all three aspects in order to grasp the deep aspiration and idea of the theoretical framework. Presently, there is a widespread effort to understand C. S. Peirce's (1837–1914) pragmaticistic semeiotic, and to develop it by integrating the results of modern science and evolutionary thinking; first, producing a biosemiotics and, second, by integrating it with the progress in cybernetics, information science, and system theory to create a cybersemiotics.

The Attribute of the Moral Subject presented in the Curriculum of Moral Studies focusing on Its Ontological Aspect

The Attribute of the Moral Subject presented in the Curriculum of Moral Studies focusing on Its Ontological Aspect