Social Value Judgments Research Articles

THE PROBLEM OF MORAL AGENCY IN BIOART

The meaning of creating aesthetic value has been defined as an activity as an end in itself in the sense of not serving any other interest or human need. In this respect, art seems free of social value judgements and practical concerns. In parallel, an artist’s conflict with social values is accepted as normal in the name of the freedom of artistic expression. The risk of moralism causes a separation between ethics and aesthetic values. The discussion surrounding "moralism" and "artistic autonomy" revolves around the argument for a clear separation between art and ethics, or their integration with one another. Whereas moralism reduces aesthetic value to ethical value, autonomism claims autonomy of aesthetic and ethical values because of the legacy of ethical criticisms. In this respect, this article dwells on the limits of art’s moral agency by placing it outside the extreme divide between moralism and autonomism. For this aim, the claim that every artwork cannot necessarily be subjected to ethical judgement or agency, because not all artworks consist of propositional knowledge, will be eliminated. Second, considering the fact that nonpropositional artwork is immanent to the social networks that they emerge from and their mutual effects on these networks, it will be asserted that artwork as a fabrication of reality can be seen as responsible for its actions. The relationship between art and ethics when the subject matter is "living beings" will be assessed through a bioethical lens by analyzing notable examples of bioart. Does art have a responsibility to treat living beings? The use of biotechnology by artistic aims and the forms of how bioengineered life becomes an artistic medium can be seen as either a break from traditional art and an artistic revolution or an intervention to “natural” processes and destroy the perception of the nature-human relationship. To emphasize the moral responsibility of new media art involving biotechnologies, it is recommended to concentrate on their connection to the broader social-material field and their impact, in addition to the physical characteristics of these artworks or the medium through which they are presented. By examining the impact of these artwork on biotechnological networks and societal relationships, it is possible to trace their ethical and political effects and differentiate the boundaries of their moral agency within the realm of bioart.

The role of ethical and social values in psychosocial measurement

In the natural sciences, measurement is taken as a reliable source of knowledge because it requires a special kind of rigour. This is usually understood as an epistemic kind of rigour. We argue that in psychometrics, the science of measuring mental traits, attitudes, and experiences, the quality of knowledge supplied by measurement procedures must be established through ethical as well as epistemic justification. We reject views that restrict the role of ethics in measurement to guarding against potential harmful consequences and show that ethical and social value judgments are intrinsic to the design, validation, interpretation, and use of psychometric tools. We propose a five-step procedure called ‘ethical iterations’ that allows researchers, decision makers, and other interested parties to ensure that measurement practice is aligned with their aims and values. We substantiate our claims with evidence from our work with Foundry, a youth health organization in British Columbia, Canada.

Algorithms and heuristics of health technology assessments: A retrospective analysis of factors associated with HTA outcomes for new drugs across seven OECD countries

ContextPositive health technology assessment (HTA) outcomes can have important implications for equity, efficiency and timely patient access to novel therapies. Several outcomes and dimensions of benefit beyond utility feed into HTA processes. ObjectiveWe analyse a proprietary dataset of HTA outcomes in 7 countries, to (a) test whether HTA decision-making is grounded in welfarist or extra-welfarist approaches; and (b) empirically determine the factors associated with positive HTA outcomes, the time to achieve these and establish the magnitude of inter-country differences in assessment processes. MethodsData were extracted from publicly available HTA reports on drugs that received marketing authorisation between 2009 and 2018 (N = 1415). The outcomes of interest were the probability of positive HTA outcomes and the time-to-HTA outcome; these were examined with respect to clinical, regulatory, product- and disease-related, evidence uncertainty and contextual variables. Econometric models utilising survival analysis and multinomial logistic regression were specified. FindingsPositive HTA outcomes accounted for 87.3% of the sample (n = 1235), of which 71% (n = 1004) were restricted. Drugs with positive HTA outcomes were subject to clinical restrictions (n = 652, 46%), financial risk-sharing (n = 439, 31%) or had been rejected at least once (n = 282, 20%). Significant predictors of positive HTA outcomes were orphan drugs with cancer indications, high quality of evidence linked to clinical and economic evidence uncertainties which had been overcome, and contextual considerations, particularly innovativeness and unmet need. Comparative analyses revealed systematic differences between countries in their propensity to accept the same drugs, particularly oncology and orphan drugs. ConclusionsOur results are contextual and reinforce arguments in favour of explicitly accounting for social value judgements, establishing separate assessment frameworks for highly uncertain products, adopting risk mitigation strategies for novel therapies with early phase evidence, and sharing of HTA practices across settings. Lastly, HTA agencies have adopted an extra-welfarist approach to value assessment and resource allocation.

Patient and Public Involvement in Health Economics Modelling Raises the Need for Normative Guidance.

Patient and public involvement in health economics research and health technology assessment has been increasing for some time; however, patient and public involvement in health economics modelling is a more recent development. One reason to advance this type of involvement is to help appropriately manage the social and ethical value judgements that are required throughout model development and interpretation. At the same time, patient and public involvement in health economics modelling raises numerous practical and philosophical issues that invite discussion and debate. Recently, we attended an engagement event which invited patients, members of the public, researchers and decision-makers to discuss some of these issues. One priority that emerged in the discussion was to develop normative guidance for patient and public involvement in health economics modelling. In this article, we reflect on this goal from our own perspective, focusing on why normative guidance is needed and what questions that guidance should answer.

The importance of values for science

ABSTRACT This essay examines the important roles for values in science, from deciding which research projects are worth pursuing, to shaping good methodological approaches (including ethical concerns), to assessing the sufficiency of evidence for scientific claims. I highlight the necessity of social and ethical value judgements in science, particularly for producing properly responsible research. I then examine the implications of the need for values to inform scientific practice for public trust in science. I argue that values serve as a key basis for public trust in scientists, along with the presence of expertise and engagement in a well-functioning expert community, and that scientists should thus be more open about the values informing their work. This result holds whether the science at issue is a matter of consensus or still contested within the scientific community.

Occupy the semantic space! Opening up the language of better regulation

ABSTRACT Policy agendas are often cast in semantic constructions that portray them as universally desirable outcomes. These semantic constructions protect and reinforce the power of dominant coalitions and make it hard to pursue alternatives. The semantic space is entirely occupied by the dominant concepts. At the same time, within the dominant coalition, ideational conflict is muted by decontesting concepts. Drawing on political theory, I show the presence of this double act of reducing the semantic space and decontesting concepts with the case of ‘better regulation’. Then I briefly extend the argument to other terms such as policy coherence, agile governance, smart cities and social value judgements. The critical discussion of the implications of dominant language brings in transparency, allows other coalitions to articulate their vision in a discursive level-playing-field, and offers citizens the possibility to discuss what is really ‘better’ and ‘for whom’.

Türk Kültüründe Yönetsel Etik Olgusunun Kritik Kodları: Kutadgu Bilig Üzerinden Okumalar

The acceptability of the behaviors exhibited in the administrative sense depends on the social value judgments. Value judgments, in a sense, express cultural ethical codes. What behavior is meaningful when, how and why? The answers to the question reveal the ethical codes of a society in the cultural context. In this research, it is aimed to draw a conceptual portrait on the ethics value judgments related to the management phenomenon in Turkish culture. For this purpose, the Kutagu Bilig work of Yusuf Has Hacib, which is the first policy book of the Turks, has been examined and the author’s perspective and thoughts on ethical and unethical behaviors in the administrative sense have been tried to be described. Qualitative data analysis techniques were used to obtain the findings. In this context, 11 ethical behaviors and 9 unethical behaviors in managerial sense were determined by adhering to Yusuf Has Hacib’s use of concepts about management and the methodological features of the work. Although the findings have both exploratory and confirmatory qualities, it has been seen that the majority of the themes offer a very different perspective in terms of content, although there are names similar to the concepts in the existing literature. Therefore, it can be argued that the study provides complementary and enriching contributions to the literature.

Methodological Dilemmas of Political Science

The article identifies and analyses methodological dilemmas in Polish political science in the last fifty years. These dilemmas concern: the object of cognition – its existence and preferred research strategies, the development model of the discipline, methods in political science, methodological identity of political science, the essence of politics and what is political, empirical or theoretical character of political science, the possibility of formulating grand theories in political science, new subdisciplines in political science, political anthropology, individual agency and the ontological status of social groups, value judgments, and axiological neutrality of the researcher. The article concludes that Polish political scientists in the last fifty years have been advocating a complementary position that goes beyond concrete alternatives.

Eğitim Yönetiminde Sosyal İzolasyonla İlgili Yapılan Araştırmaların İncelenmesi

Abstract In this study, it is aimed to contribute to the literature on the subject by referring to the research, research and studies conducted both at home and abroad in parallel with the theoretical framework of the concept of social isolation in educational management in the context of the cause-effect relationship. The factors that cause social isolation, especially in educational institutions and other organizations, are subject to organizational and environmental classification. In a manner of educational administration, management style, past experiences, the size of the institution, communication channels, the structural form of the social fabric, working conditions, job descriptions, individual behaviors, attitudes and value judgments is situated between individual and organizational factors that are causing social isolation. Apart from this, the economic structure, cultural texture, trade union organizations, mass media and legal regulations in the context of education management constitute the factors that cause environmental and structural social isolation. Key Words: Education Management, Social Isolation, Literature Researches

Literature Review of Studies about Violence at School and Recommendations for Teachers

Abstract Introduction: Violence is a very complex and particular concept and it is difficult to make a precise definition, since acceptable and unacceptable behaviour patterns for each society vary according to social norms, time and value judgments of what harms that society. School violence results in students’ loss of concentration, poor academic success, bunking of courses, and depression. Violence is a global problem, solution depends on an integrated approach in which educators, parents and learners work together. Considering negative consequences of violence, reduction or even prevention of violence at school will not only increase quality of education and training, but also support education process to become more productive. The aim of this review is to examine studies on school violence in literature, to determine causes of violence at school and present suggestions for solutions. This type of study may also have the potential to shed light on future work on violence in schools. For this reason, the purpose of this study is to examine the studies on violence at school and to present a review on violence prevention. Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the studies on violence at school in the literature and to compile the measures that can be taken to reduce violence in line with the recommendations stated in these studies. Violence is defined psychologically or physiologically as the unintentional negative action or force. Methods: Considering the criteria of the study as a result of the preliminary examination, 66 articles were excluded and 42 articles were included in the study. Content analysis method was used to analyse the studies. First of all, data were coded and themes were formed. In order to confirm themes and codes researcher and a co-observer studied together. Conclusions: As a result of the evaluation of studies on violence at school, the themes of gender inequality, personal factors, school organization and evaluation were reached. In studies conducted to prevent violence in the educational environment, it is stated that it is important to listen to students, to value students, to understand them, to provide a democratic environment in the school, to take measures in accordance with the different dynamics that direct the school, and to establish a strong bond between the school and the society and stakeholders. Suggestions of studies to prevent violence at school are explained in the themes of understanding, teachers’ dedication, acting together, collecting, recording data, early intervention, teacher training programs, positive school environment, improving students’ personal skills.

Health technology assessment criteria as drivers of coverage with managed entry agreements: a case study of cancer medicines in four countries

BackgroundManaged entry agreements (MEAs) continue to emerge in health technology assessment (HTA)-based decision-making, to address evidentiary uncertainties arising therein. Evidence on the HTA criteria that influence MEAs' uptake remains scarce. This study explores the HTA criteria that determine (i) if an HTA funding decision will be listed with conditions (LWC) other than a MEA, or with a MEA as a condition (LWCMEA), and ii) the MEA type implemented (i.e., financial, outcomes based, or combination).MethodsHTA reports of all oncology medicines approved since 2009 in Australia, England, Scotland, and Sweden were searched to capture the clinical/economic evidence uncertainties raised in the decision-making process, the Social Value Judgements (SVJs) considered therein and the final coverage decision. Binary and multinomial logit models captured the probability (odds ratio (OR)) of a coverage decision being LWCMEA vs. LWC, and of the MEA being financial, outcomes based, or combination, based on the HTA criteria studied. Results23 (12%) LWC and 163 (88%) LWCMEA decisions were identified; 136 (83.4%) comprised financial, 10 (6.2%) outcomes based and 17 (10.4%) combination MEAs. LWCMEA decisions were driven by economic model utilities' uncertainties (7.16 < OR < 26.7, p < .05), and the innovation (8.5 < OR < 11.7, p < .05) SVJ. Outcomes based contracts were influenced by clinical evidence (OR = 69.2, p < .05) and relevance to clinical practice (OR = 26.4, p < .05) uncertainties, and rarity (OR = 46.2, p < .05) and severity (OR = 23.3, p < .05) SVJs. Financial MEAs were influenced by innovation (8.9 < OR < 9.3, p < .05) and societal impact (OR = 17.7, p < .0001) SVJs.ConclusionsThis study provides an empirical framework on the HTA criteria that shape payers' preferences in funding with MEAs, when faced with uncertainty.

A migráció szociológiája 3.0

Aim: The aim of the review of Endre Sik's book "The Sociology of Migration 3.0" is to present new ideas and values summarizing the changes in the research and theoretical approach to migration.Methodology: In preparing the book review, I have endeavoured, through the comparative content analysis carried out, to provide a readable description of the new findings and conclusions that differ from the findings of the previous two books.Findings: The author presented the thematic comparison in his previous books and the book under review as a separate elements, presenting the new elements that can be read as separate novae. With characteristic wisdom and direct simplicity, the author shows that this book is part of a process, a partial reinterpretation of the accelerated global social phenomenon, the antecedents of which were presented in his two previous books. The author has lived up to expectations by updating the processes, events and theoretical approaches he has previously analysed with research findings and references.Value: The global social process of migration, researched and described by the author of the book, is presented with research findings and additions, interviews, which make the book newly identifiable as a seminal work in the literature on migration. It succeeds in describing the phenomenon, the characteristics of its migration patterns in the period following the mass irregular immigration of 2015, in a way that is comprehensible to non-migration researchers, and also presents current social value judgments.

Contiguous Governance of Synchronic and Diachronic Changes for the Use of Genome Editing Technologies

Genome editing technologies are increasingly coming under scrutiny, based on various social value judgments in biomedical research, clinical care, and public health. A central cause of this sociotechnical tension is that these technologies are capable of precisely and easily creating genome-modified organisms and human cells and tissues. To exemplify a general framework for a national governance system of genome editing technologies, we first look at the regulatory dynamics in Japan. Second, we expose the potential tension between national and international debates and directions for the global harmonization of genome editing technologies. Third, underpinning these two perspectives, we propose contiguous governance as a novel model of the governance of emerging biotechnologies from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives. These perspectives, derived from genome editing technologies, can contribute to a better understanding and consideration of future regulations and governance systems.

WOMEN'S LABOR FORCE, WOMEN'S EMPLOYEMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR SUPPORT

Women's involvement in business life and better understanding of the concept women's labor force can be attributed to the Industrial Revolution that emerged in the UK in the 18th century. With the industrial revolution, the world has started to change, whereby it is suggested that demand for labor force has emerged, and women and men play an important role in meeting those demands. An entrepreneur can be defined as the person who gathers production factors to realize the production of economic good and services to meet the needs. Realizing every entrepreneurial activity within a certain plan and schedule is an integral part of laying the foundation of a healthy enterprise. Otherwise, it is possible for many enterprises to encounter undesired situations such as bankruptcy or closure and losing all existing savings because of financial and technical problems within the business cycle. It has been suggested that the continuous low rate of women's employment cannot be associated with a single reason. However, largely, the obstacles in women's employment can be listed as follows: traditional family structure, social value judgments, gender-oriented division of labor, weakness of the demand structure for women's work, low volume of employment in the society, rural-to-urban movement of migration, disintegration in agricultural production structure, low level of women's education and especially in professional areas, fertility of women, motherhood, deinstitutionalization of housework and childcare, and lack of mechanisms that facilitate introduction of women into the labor market. In Turkey, numerous institutions and organizations support women's entrepreneurship. Apart from moral support, institutions also provide financial support for women. Some examples of these institutions are KAGİDER, TOBB, KOSGEB, Chamber of Industry, Chamber of Commerce, local administrations, and Entrepreneurship Foundation etc.

Kvantitativni problem za teorije disfunkcije i bolesti

Many biological functions allow for grades. For example, secretion of a specific hormone in an organism can be on a higher or lower level, compared to the same organism at another occasion or compared to other organisms. What levels of functioning constitute instances of dysfunction; where should we draw the line? This is the quantitative problem for theories of dysfunction and disease. I aim to defend a version of biological theories of dysfunction to tackle this problem. However, I will also allow evaluative considerations to enter into a theory of disease. My argument is based on a distinction between a biological and a clinical perspective. Disease, according to my reasoning, is restricted to instances that fall within the boundaries of biological dysfunctions. Responding to the quantitative problem does not require arbitrary decisions or social value-judgements. Hence, I argue for a non-arbitrary, fact-based method to address the quantitative problem. Still, not all biological dysfunctions are instances of disease. Adding a clinical perspective allows us to prevent the potential over-inclusiveness of the biological perspective, because it restricts the boundaries of disease even further.

Values and inductive risk in machine learning modelling: the case of binary classification models

I examine the construction and evaluation of machine learning (ML) binary classification models. These models are increasingly used for societal applications such as classifying patients into two categories according to the presence or absence of a certain disease like cancer and heart disease. I argue that the construction of ML (binary) classification models involves an optimisation process aiming at the minimization of the inductive risk associated with the intended uses of these models. I also argue that the construction of these models is underdetermined by the available data, and that this makes it necessary for ML modellers to make social value judgments in determining the error costs (associated with misclassifications) used in ML optimization. I thus suggest that the assessment of the inductive risk with respect to the social values of the intended users is an integral part of the construction and evaluation of ML classification models. I also discuss the implications of this conclusion for the philosophical debate concerning inductive risk.

Value judgments in a COVID-19 vaccination model: A case study in the need for public involvement in health-oriented modelling

Scientific modelling is a value-laden process: the decisions involved can seldom be made using ‘scientific’ criteria alone, but rather draw on social and ethical values. In this paper, we draw on a body of philosophical literature to analyze a COVID-19 vaccination model, presenting a case study of social and ethical value judgments in health-oriented modelling. This case study urges us to make value judgments in health-oriented models explicit and interpretable by non-experts and to invite public involvement in making them.

Laughter in early China: The Zhuangzi and beyond

AbstractTraditionally, in both East and West, laughter, and in particular its causes, have been studied under the category of humour. However, ideas on and practices of laughter itself have been largely ignored. This paper intends to lead readers beyond the topic of humour and focus on the act of laughter in the Zhuangzi as a starting point for the study of laughter in early China. It examines frequently ignored areas, such as how laughter draws readers into the text; how it functions to exclude people with different social value judgements; how it is used as a tool to challenge political power; how it serves rhetorical functions as a means to construct a conversation among people of different social or political status; and how it is used as an important signal and marker for a change of perspective. By examining questions such as: “What are the types of laughter?”, “What are the functions of laughter?”, and “How does laughter operate in different situations, and between different persons?” we can see a new idea of laughter in the Zhuangzi with multi-layered philosophical significance. Using the Zhuangzi as a case study, we can envision a series of well-crafted, intentional practices of laughter for various purposes throughout early Chinese texts.

Health Economists on Involving Patients in Modeling: Potential Benefits, Harms, and Variables of Interest.

BackgroundPatient involvement in health economics modeling has been advocated on numerous grounds, including as a way to better manage social and ethical value judgments in the modeling process. However, some have pointed to potential risks and variables that could influence the overall benefit of involvement. To inform future research, there is a need to generate knowledge on potential benefits, harms, and variables relevant to patient involvement in health economics modeling.MethodsThis analysis used data from a qualitative study in which 22 health economists were asked their views on the possibility of involving patients in the modeling process. Using qualitative methods, the authors organized participants' responses into theory-driven categories (“potential benefits”, “potential harms”, “variables of interest”) and identified data-driven themes and subthemes within those categories.ResultsFindings point to potential benefits and harms to the model, modeler, patient, and modeling process. Variables of interest relevant to future research included patients' specific roles, modeler and patient characteristics, the goals of modeling, dynamics among participators, and features of high-level procedures. The findings raise a number of specific questions that may be fruitful to explore in future research on patient involvement in health economics modeling.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40273-021-01018-5.

EMOTIONAL NARRATIVES OF WOMEN WRITERS OF THE SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL PERIOD

Ayşe Zekiye, Hayriye Melek ,Şehbenderzade Pakize,Salime Servet Seyfi and Safiye Vefik who are takes place between women writers of the Second Constıtutıonal Period. In their fictional texts, generally emotionality that puts women at the center is intence. In these works that written by women writers about women using the women's point of view, are told sad or tragic stories of virtuous,innocent and beautiful women. In this work, Bir Pederin Hatası of Ayşe Zekiye, Zühre- i Elem of Hayriye Melek, Nihal of Şehbenderzade Pakize, Bir Hatıra-i Pejmürde of Salime Servet Seyfi, Muhaberât-ı Hakikiye of Sadiye Vefik that have been written in the Second Constitutional Period and these are an example of emotional novel, have been selected subject of study. It will be examined whether the person, subject and themes seen in the santimental novel are included in these works or whether there are features of aesthetic items. It is stated that the sentimental novel mostly focuses on life of a sensitive and emotional woman. Thematically, it describes the conflict between the heroine's individual desires and social value judgments. The narratives are resolved in the context of clashes of fictional women or their torments. Also, it will be determined that how authors deal with women's issues and whether they include a new type of woman by fictional work. Keywords: Conflict, conflicting duties, light touch, tableu, sentimental novel, woman writer