Plausible Theory Research Articles

Adaptation and illness severity: the significance of suffering

Adaptation to illness, and its relevance for distribution in health care, has been the subject of vigorous debate. In this paper I examine an aspect of this discussion that seems so far to have been overlooked: that some illnesses are difficult, or even impossible, to adapt to. This matters because adaptation reduces suffering. Illness severity is a priority setting criterion in several countries. When considering severity, we are interested in the extent to which an illness makes a person worse-off. I argue that no plausible theory of well-being can disregard suffering when determining to what extent someone is worse-off in terms of health. We should accept, all else equal, that adapting to an illness makes the illness less severe by reducing suffering. Accepting a pluralist theory of well-being allows us to accept my argument, while still making room for the possibility that adaptation is sometimes, all things considered, bad. Finally, I argue that we should conceptualize adaptability as a feature of illness, and thereby account for adaptation on a group level for the purposes of priority setting.

Revisiting the phylogeny of the family Miridae (Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha), with updated insights into its origin and life history evolution

Heteroptera is one of the most successfully adapted groups on Earth and can be observed in almost every environment. Within the evolution of heteropteran insects, Miridae show remarkable diversity (>11,700 spp.), accounting for a quarter of all Heteroptera. However, their phylogeny is still unclear, and no plausible theory for the driving force of their diversification has been established. In this work, we provide new suggestions for the phylogeny of Miridae using a larger dataset than previous studies. In addition, we suggest an alternative evolutionary history based on newly calibrated divergence dates for Miridae and its subordinate groups, and present probable factors of the family’s success in terms of species diversity. The entire dataset comprises 16 outgroups and 188 ingroup taxa including all seven known subfamilies and 37 out of 45 known tribes. Each species is aligned as 3,577 bp with six molecular loci (COI, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA D3 region, H2A, and H3A). Among the molecular markers, we are the first to test histone genes (H2A, H3A) in Miridae. Our results raise the following points about phylogenetic relationships: i) The earliest group to diverge from Miridae was Monaloniini (Bryocorinae). ii) Bryocorinae and Cylapinae are polyphyletic, Deraeocorinae and Orthotylinae also rendered as non-monophyletic group. iii) Termatophylini and Coridromiini separated from Deraeocorinae and Orthotylinae respectively. iv) Four large tribes, Orthotylini, Phylini, Deraeocorini and Mirini are non-monophyletic. The results from our ancestral state reconstruction and divergence date estimation suggest the following: i) Miridae first diverged during the Late Jurassic (approx. 163.4 Mya), and the divergence dates of most subfamilies and tribes overlap with angiosperm radiation, which perhaps synergized their diversification. ii) Ancestral reconstruction results for Miridae reveal it to be predominantly phytophagous and diverge to oligophagy mainly in plant-tissue habitats, which could have allowed the mirids to select optimal tactics as plant-dwellers. iii) The common ancestor of Miridae originated among plant-dwellers mainly on Eudicots, and that tendency was largely maintained, but sporadic host shifts also occurred.

The 10 Elements of Agroecology interconnected: Making them operational in FAO’s work on agroecology

Since 2014, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has played a leading role in facilitating agroecology discussions and dialogues among many different regions and stakeholders. FAO’s engagement with agroecology as one promising way of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was confirmed in 2018 with the launch of the Scaling Up Agroecology Initiative. FAO’s function is of a dual but interconnected nature: that of normative operational work. This is reflected in FAO’s work on agroecology, which combines the normative and operational aspects to create synergies through their linkages, thus creating a policy bridge for transformation. Undergirding this work is the framework of the 10 Elements of Agroecology, which was approved by FAO Governing Bodies in November 2019 and has been expanded to include its use in visual narratives to describe plausible theories of change to facilitate food systems transformation. The 10 Elements serve as the foundation for the normative and operational aspects of the Scaling Up Agroecology Initiative (SUAI), which include various tools, knowledge pieces, projects, policy initiatives, and sharing platforms. Nowhere is this foundation of the 10 Elements clearer than in the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE), a tool for assessing the multidimensional performance of agroecology. TAPE relies upon the 10 Elements to characterize the level of agroecological transition of production systems in agriculture at scale and in time. Upon this snapshot of transition, criteria of quantitative performance are assessed. Recent utilization of TAPE across the globe has strongly shown how TAPE can help actors make data-driven decisions to elicit transformational change at all levels of the territory, when it is linked to the other aspects of the SUAI underpinned by the 10 Elements, thus effectively bridging policy and praxis.

Relational egalitarianism and moral unequals

Relational egalitarianism and moral unequals

Towards a legally plausible theory of judicialization in the European Union

ABSTRACT This article examines the development of judicialization literature in the EU arguing that – in spite of the obvious advantages of inter-disciplinary collaboration – scholarship on judicialization in law and political science is drafting apart in the 21st Century. While early political science research on the European Courts found theoretical inspiration in legal research, law and political science have increasingly diverging epistemological and methodological starting points. As the article argues, using prominent papers, this results in both disciplines producing partial accounts of judicial change with limited external validity. The article concludes by offering routes to improving the inter-disciplinary foundations of judicialization research.

How to Express Implicit Attitudes

Abstract I argue that what speakers mean or express can be determined by their implicit or unconscious states, rather than explicit or conscious states. Further, on this basis, I show that the sincerity conditions for utterances can also be fixed by implicit states. This is a surprising result, which goes against common assumptions about speech acts and sincerity. Roughly, I argue that the result is implied by two plausible and independent theories of the metaphysics of speaker meaning and, further, that this is a robust basis on which to make an inference, with a fair degree of confidence, about the relationship between expression and implicit attitudes.

Rockets and Feathers in the Gasoline Market: Evidence from South Korea

This study analyzes how changes in oil prices are transmitted to gasoline prices in Korea. We attempt to identify the main causes of the observed price asymmetry and offer plausible theories by investigating price transmission at different levels of the distribution process. Retail prices react faster to increases in the Singapore spot market prices than decreases. We also find asymmetry in the price transmission from spot gasoline to wholesale gasoline, but in the opposite direction. Additionally, there is little evidence of asymmetry in the pass-through from wholesale prices to retail prices. Therefore, the observed asymmetry of retail prices is due mainly to the transmission of prices from spot gasoline to retail gasoline, and theories related to the cost of search for consumers seem to be the most relevant in explaining the asymmetry. Finally, the results indicate that the asymmetric pricing results in a substantial loss to consumers.

The neutral theory of conceptual complexity

AbstractPhilosophical studies of complex scientific concepts are predominantly “adaptationist,” arguing that conceptual complexity serves important purposes. This is a historical artifact. Having had to defend their views against a monist presumption favoring simpler concepts, pluralists and patchwork theorists felt compelled to show that complexity can be beneficial. This neglects an alternative possibility: Conceptual complexity is largely neutral, persisting simply because it does little harm. This article defends the neutral theory of conceptual complexity in two forms: (a) as a plausible theory in its own right and (b) as a useful foil for adaptationist arguments.

Why the delay in recognizing terrestrial obligate cave species in the tropics?

“Nothing could possibly live there!” They believed. Indeed, until recently, few specialized cave- adapted animals were known from volcanic, tropical, or oceanic island caves, and plausible theories had been put forward to explain their absence. But assume nothing in science! One must illuminate, explore, and survey habitats before declaring them barren. Our understanding of cave biology changed dramatically about 50 years ago following the serendipitous discovery of cave-adapted terrestrial arthropods in Brazil and on the young oceanic islands of the Galápagos and Hawai‘i. These discoveries and subsequent studies on the evolutionary ecology of cave animals have revealed a remarkable hidden fauna and created new sub- disciplines within biospeleology. Biological surveys of caves in other regions have continued to expand our understanding of the evolution, adaptation, and ecology of the subterranean biome. We now predict that, rather than being relicts trapped in caves by changing climate, many animals actively colonized caves and adapted to exploit food resources wherever there were suitable subterranean voids. The physical environment in caves can be determined with great precision because the habitat is buffered by rock. Furthermore, the bizarre adaptations displayed by obligatory cave animals are similar across many taxonomic groups. These two characteristics make caves nearly ideal natural laboratories for studying evolution and ecology. However, to the untrained researcher, caves can appear hostile and dangerous, and in fact, fieldwork in caves requires a unique marriage of athletic ability and science. In other words, cave research is exciting! In this contribution, I describe the exploration, discovery, and research in tropical caves and describe the factors that delayed the recognition of a significant tropical cave fauna.

Criminal Proof: Fixed or Flexible?

Abstract Should we use the same standard of proof to adjudicate guilt for murder and petty theft? Why not tailor the standard of proof to the crime? These relatively neglected questions cut to the heart of central issues in the philosophy of law. This paper scrutinises whether we ought to use the same standard for all criminal cases, in contrast with a flexible approach that uses different standards for different crimes. I reject consequentialist arguments for a radically flexible standard of proof, instead defending a modestly flexible approach on non-consequentialist grounds. The system I defend is one on which we should impose a higher standard of proof for crimes that attract more severe punishments. This proposal, although apparently revisionary, accords with a plausible theory concerning the epistemology of legal judgments and the role they play in society.

Revisiting causality using stochastics on atmospheric temperature and CO 2 concentration

Revisiting causality using stochastics on atmospheric temperature and CO ₂ concentration

Comprehensive advances in the synthesis, fluorescence mechanism and multifunctional applications of red-emitting carbon nanomaterials.

Red emitting fluorescent carbon nanomaterials have drawn significant scientific interest in recent years due to their high quantum yield, water-dispersibility, photostability, biocompatibility, ease of surface functionalization, low cost and eco-friendliness. The red emissive characteristics of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials generally depend on the carbon source, reaction time, synthetic approach/methodology, surface functional groups, average size, and other reaction environments, which directly or indirectly help to achieve red emission. The importance of several factors to achieve red fluorescent carbon nanomaterials is highlighted in this review. Numerous plausible theories have been explained in detail to understand the origin of red fluorescence and tunable emission in these carbon-based nanostructures. The above advantages and fluorescence in the red region make them a potential candidate for multifunctional applications in various current fields. Therefore, this review focused on the recent advances in the synthesis approach, mechanism of fluorescence, and electronic and optical properties of red-emitting fluorescent carbon nanomaterials. This review also explains the several innovative applications of red-emitting fluorescent carbon nanomaterials such as biomedicine, light-emitting devices, sensing, photocatalysis, energy, anticounterfeiting, fluorescent silk, artificial photosynthesis, etc. It is hoped that by choosing appropriate methods, the present review can inspire and guide future research on the design of red emissive fluorescent carbon nanomaterials for potential advancements in multifunctional applications.

Personal ethical settings for driverless cars and the utility paradox: An ethical analysis of public attitudes in UK and Japan.

Driverless cars are predicted to dramatically reduce collisions and casualties on the roads. However, there has been controversy about how they should be programmed to respond in the event of an unavoidable collision. Should they aim to save the most lives, prioritise the lives of pedestrians, or occupants of the vehicle? Some have argued that driverless cars should all be programmed to minimise total casualties. While this would appear to have wide international public support, previous work has also suggested regional variation and public reluctance to purchase driverless cars with such a mandated ethical setting. The possibility that algorithms designed to minimise collision fatalities would lead to reduced consumer uptake of driverless cars and thereby to higher overall road deaths, represents a potential "utility paradox". To investigate this paradox further, we examined the views of the general public about driverless cars in two online surveys in the UK and Japan, examining the influence of choice of a "personal ethical setting" as well as of framing on hypothetical purchase decisions. The personal ethical setting would allow respondents to choose between a programme which would save the most lives, save occupants or save pedestrians. We found striking differences between UK and Japanese respondents. While a majority of UK respondents wished to buy driverless cars that prioritise the most lives or their family members' lives, Japanese survey participants preferred to save pedestrians. We observed reduced willingness to purchase driverless cars with a mandated ethical setting (compared to offering choice) in both countries. It appears that the public values relevant to programming of driverless cars differ between UK and Japan. The highest uptake of driverless cars in both countries can be achieved by providing a personal ethical setting. Since uptake of driverless cars (rather than specific algorithm used) is potentially the biggest factor in reducing in traffic related accidents, providing some choice of ethical settings may be optimal for driverless cars according to a range of plausible ethical theories.

Descartes on Necessity and the Laws of Nature

This paper is on Descartes’ account of modality and, in particular, his account of the necessity of the laws of nature. He famously argues that the necessity of the “eternal truths” of logic and mathematics depends on God’s will. Here I suggest he has the same view about the necessity of the laws of nature. Further, I argue, this is a plausible theory of laws. For philosophers often talk about something being nomologically or physically necessary because of the laws of nature, but this necessity is thought to be metaphysically contingent. However, they struggle to explain how the laws could be genuinely necessary while being metaphysically contingent. The chief advantage of Descartes view, I argue, is that God’s will can plausibly explain both the necessity of the laws (because God made them necessary) and the contingency of the laws (because God could have done otherwise). So, Descartes’ theistic account of laws provides a plausible explanation, perhaps the best explanation, of the contingent-necessity of laws of nature.

Money laundering as a transnational business phenomenon: a systematic review and future agenda

Purpose Money laundering continues to emerge as a transnational phenomenon that has harmful consequences for the global economy and society. Despite the theoretical and practical magnitude of money laundering, international business (IB) research on the topic is scarce and scattered across multiple disciplines. Accordingly, this study aims to advance an integrated understanding of money laundering from the IB perspective. Design/methodology/approach The authors conduct a systematic review of relevant literature and qualitatively analyze the content of 57 studies published on the topic during the past two decades. Findings The authors identify five streams (5Cs) of research on money laundering in the IB context: the concept, characteristics, causes, consequences and controls. The analysis further indicates six theoretical approaches used in the past research. Notably, normative standards and business and economics theories are dominant in the extant research. Research limitations/implications The authors review the literature on an under-researched but practically significant phenomenon and found potential for advancing its theoretical foundations. Hence, the authors propose a 5Cs framework and a future agenda for research and practice by introducing 21 future research questions and two plausible theories to help study the phenomenon more effectively in the future. Practical implications In practical terms, the study extends the understanding of the money laundering phenomenon and subsequently helps mitigating the problem of money laundering in the IB environment, along with its harmful economic and societal impacts. Originality/value The authors offer an integrative view on money laundering in the IB context. Additionally, the authors emphasize wider discussions on money laundering as a form of mega-corruption.

Justification Without Excuses

AbstractArguably, the original conception of epistemic justification comes from Descartes and Locke, who thought of justification deontologically. Moreover, their deontological conception was especially strict: there are no excuses for unjustified beliefs. Call this the “classical deontologist” conception of justification. As the original conception, we ought to accept it unless proven untenable. Nowadays, however, most have abandoned classical deontologism as precisely that—untenable. It stands accused of requiring doxastic voluntarism and normative transparency. My goal is to rescue classical deontologism from these accusations. I show how, given a specific form of internalism coupled with a plausible theory of epistemic blame, we can be blameworthy for all of our (non-exempt) unjustified beliefs without transparency or voluntarism. The result is that the classical deontological conception of justification should regain its privileged status.

Evolution of the Indian population through the ages

The Indian subcontinent is synonymous with increased genetic diversity essentially attributed to migratory forces. Many theories that provide different perspectives regarding the current nature of the Indian subpopulation have been proposed. Each of these theories is equally insightful albeit contradictory in nature. Thus, there is ambiguity in terms of tracing the course taken by individuals forming the Indian subpopulation. A comparative analysis of the pre-existing hierarchal caste system and primitive Europeans, matrilineal factors, and increased incidence of population bottlenecks gives an insight into plausible theories that could have led to infringement across the borders of the Indian subcontinent. The Aryan exodus forms the crux of various migratory theories along with analysis of ancient DNA and Y-chromosome which are indicative of external infusion into the Indian gene pool. Thus, this review is a retrospective analysis based on concrete evidence generated from studies undertaken to map the evolution of population in the Indian context.

Laughter: A signal of ceased alarm toward a perceived incongruity between life and stiffness

Main aim of this study is to determine what causes humor, and secondarily, to find out why rhythmic laughter is its expression. In this review, we have analyzed the characteristics of humor and laughter, their effects on health and social behavior, and their correlations with several areas of the brain. Then, we have described the features of laughter, its rhythmic shape and its correlations with other rhythmic human behaviors. We have noticed that the most plausible theory for humor is that of incongruity/resolution, where a) an incongruous event or object provokes a sense of wonder, and b) it is followed by something that reassures the bystanders about its innocuity; but c) not all incongruities provoke humor, but just those that introduce something stiff and stereotyped into a vital and fluid event. What this study adds to what is known, is that not all incongruities produce humor, but only those between a living process and any stereotipy or stiffness we find in it. Laughter is the stigmatization of this unnatural incongruity, through its loud and rhythmic shape, as a sort of signal of ceased alert after the shock induced by what seems hazardous to the fluidity of life.

History and significance of tropical cave biology

“Nothing could possibly live there!” They said. Indeed, until recently, few specialized cave-adapted animals were known from volcanic, tropical, or oceanic island caves, and plausible theories had been put forward to explain their absence. But assume nothing in science! One must illuminate, explore, and survey habitats before declaring them barren. Our understanding of cave biology changed dramatically about 50 years ago following the serendipitous discovery of cave-adapted insects and other terrestrial arthropods in lava caves on the young oceanic islands of the Galapagos and Hawai‘i. The discovery and subsequent studies on the evolutionary ecology of cave animals have revealed a remarkable hidden fauna and created new sub-disciplines within biospeleology. Biological surveys of caves in other regions have confirmed the results developed in Hawai‘i. We now predict that, rather than being relicts trapped in caves by changing climate, animals actively colonized caves and adapted to exploit food resources wherever there were suitable subterranean voids. The physical environment in caves can be determined with great precision because the habitat is buffered by rock. Furthermore, the bizarre adaptations displayed by obligate cave animals are similar across many taxonomic groups. These two characteristics make caves nearly ideal natural laboratories for studying evolution and ecology. However, to the untrained researcher, caves can appear hostile and dangerous, and in fact, fieldwork in caves requires a unique marriage of athletic ability and science. In other words, it is exciting! Join me on a virtual tour of exploration, discovery, and research in caves during the past half-century.

A systematic review on Post-Cold War Eastern European Patterns Led by Constructivism

This article will explain the reasons why the former European socialist countries chose to embrace the West after the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, and the post-Cold War Eastern European Patterns Led by constructivism. This will find a more plausible theory in the theory of international relations to explain what happened in a specific area in this specific historical period. Literature review is applied in this article to explore definitions of theories and specific policies and data across countries. This article uses some authoritative books on international relations, as well as materials from the World Trade Organization. Some of these materials are the most targeted data provided by the International Trade Organizations to indicate the policy tendency of former Yugoslav countries. In the article, the cases from different regions point out that constructivism is the most reasonable explanation for the former European socialist countries to embrace the West after the dramatic change in Eastern Europe. The article will provide some more specific policy trends in the history of the region for the situation in Eastern Europe that has gradually heated up in recent times. Under the influence of constructivism, the vast majority of former socialist countries in Eastern Europe invariably adopt pro-Western behaviors. There are many reasons for constructivism to become the mainstream theory of diplomacy in Eastern Europe, including the legacy of history and the influence of the "Iron Curtain".