Aims This study aimed to investigate barriers in the observation of professional ethics during clinical care from a nursing viewpoint. Also, it examined the association between these barriers and nurse demographic variables. Methods A descriptive-analytic design was carried out on 207 nurses working in selected hospitals within an urban area of Iran in 2019. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire containing 33 questions that measured barriers to observation of professional ethics. The questionnaire measures three domains of management, environment and (...) individual care. Results In the management dimension, the most important barrier preventing observation of professional ethics was the shortage of personnel. For the environmental dimension, biological changes due to working on the nightshift, and for the individual care dimension, a lack of time were the most important barriers preventing observation of clinical ethics. Findings additionally highlighted a significantly inverse association between barriers to observing professional ethics and the male gender, participating in the ethics workshop and high work-level experiences. Conclusions It is suggested that nursing managers in hospitals correct and remove obstacles with careful planning and emphasis on principles and standards of care including environmental and managerial factors and training professional ethics to nurses. (shrink)

Contract cheating is a challenging problem facing higher and further education providers (HE and FE) worldwide. In the UK, contract cheating has been identified as a growing problem by the HEA and, more recently, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and the Department for Education. The high rate of contact cheating among students suggests that 8–9% of degrees awarded in the UK are unsafe. To address this issue, the current study with a new approach seeks to investigate student’s motivations, (...) experiences, and rationale for using contract cheating from their point of view. Collected data has been subjected to content analysis and the findings show different phases and drivers in this process. This study will help increase awareness among UK academics and education providers about the processes involved in contract cheating and propose a set of recommendations for the future. (shrink)

In the present work of intellect, we introduce a novel approach to selfhood, the Onto-Rhythmic Self, situated within a participatory ontology in which Consciousness and Time function not as substrates but as expressive modalities of Being. Through a comparative critique of Husserl’s transcendental ego and Dennett’s narrative self, we classify four axes of limitation: the Who of subjectivity, the How of temporal articulation, the What of ontological grounding, and the Why of existential necessity. To address these lacunae, we employ a (...) multi-layered method that combines comparative ontological analysis, phenomenological reflection, and expressive mapping. Such a method discloses the limitations of synthesis (Husserl) and simulation (Dennett). Instead, it articulates the self as a modulatory field of Being—a dynamic site where rhythm, resonance, and relational articulation converge. The outcome features that the Onto-Rhythmic Self is neither a transcendental subject nor a computational fiction, but an ontological inscription that discloses across neural, cultural, ecological, and quantum strata. Its implications extend across domains: philosophically, it reframes individuation as ontic emergence; clinically, it reorients therapy toward rhythmic re-attunement; and artistically, it reconceives creation as ontological modulation rather than symbolic representation. By restoring depth, relational presence, and semantic coherence to the discourse on selfhood, through the Onto-Rhythmic Self, we add a structurally rigorous and experientially faithful grammar of consciousness, which is a new mode of listening to the rhythm of Being. (shrink)

ABSTRACTAtiq Rahimi accepted the invitation to present his keynote Ecrire l’exile at the 2018 international workshop ‘Refugees in Literature, Film, Art and Media: Perspective on the Past and Presen...

This article examines the failure of recent political uprisings in post-revolutionary Iran through the framework of Peripheral Capitalist Realism (PCR), extending Mark Fisher's notion of ideological foreclosure. PCR describes a political-affective condition produced by the fusion of authoritarian governance, predatory accumulation, patrimonialism, and neoliberal rationality in a peripheral theocracy. Drawing on survey data from 332 educated, urban middle-class respondents and critical theory, the study argues that beyond state repression, the internalization of neoliberal values and absence of viable alternatives generate resignation (...) and affective withdrawal. Integrating Fisher's ideas of “reflexive impotence” and “privatization of stress” with Lauren Berlant's “cruel optimism” and Marxist analyses of peripheral capitalism, the paper shows how Iranian society embodies a distinctive capitalist realism shaped by its unique blend of Islamic theocracy and predatory economics. Empirical findings reveal precarious labor, psychological distress, and a pervasive desire to emigrate, indicating a socio-political atmosphere where systemic transformation appears increasingly unimaginable. (shrink)

This paper examines Ernst Cassirer’s philosophy of symbolic forms as a productive lens for understanding how children engage with objects in early childhood education. While traditional approaches—such as cognitivist theories, structuralism, post-structuralism, and posthumanism—each offer valuable insights, Cassirer’s theory is presented here as an integrative contribution that highlights the “symbolically pregnant” role of objects within cultural meaning-making systems including language, myth, art, science, and religion. From this perspective, children become active meaning-makers, creating reality through symbolic interaction with culturally embedded materials. (...) Rather than displacing other frameworks, this philosophical approach encourages educators to move beyond strictly skill-based interactions and to recognise the rich, multi-layered symbolic potential of objects in early learning environments—thus enriching the ongoing conversation about cultural agency and creative participation in childhood. (shrink)

_This article offers a utopian interpretation of Shiʿi doctrine of the Imāmate as manifested in devotional practices. Divided into three sections, the study follows Ernst Bloch’s notion of utopian consciousness, first by providing a broad account of his notion of religion, and, in the second section, offering a Blochian understanding of the doctrine of Imāmate as the utopian basis of devotional practices. The discussion identifies devotional performances as intimate everyday longings in the form of daydreams that presence the absent divine-like (...) figures of Imām, whose authority lies in concealed transcendence but is concretely experienced in the locality of a shrine and through textual performances of devotion and prayers. The final section examines the esoteric element of concealed transcendence in the devotional prayer text of the_ Keys to Paradise (Mafātīḥal-jina_̄_n)_,_ which was popular among (Imāmī) _Shi_ʿ_is for its miraculoussignificance during daily/nightly life_. (shrink)

Are actions that are morally good, morally goosd because God makes them so? Or does God urge humans to do them because they are morally good anyway? What is, in general, the relationship between divine commands and ethical duties? It is not an uncommon belief among theists that morality depends entirely on the will or commands of God: all moral facts consist exclusively in facts about his will or commands. Thus, not only is an action right because it is commanded (...) by God, but its conformity to his commands is what alone makes it right. An action is right solely because he commands it, and solely in virtue of his doing so. This view has come to be known as the „divine command theory of morality". This paper is devoted to a brief reconstruction of claims and controversies surrounding the theory, beginning with Plato's Euthyphro, which is the historical initiator of the debate and to a reconstruction of the various lines of argument that have been set forth to defend the theory. (shrink)

Volume 20, Issue 7, July 2020, Page W4-W6.

In the rapidly evolving field of wireless power transfer (WPT), achieving systems that combine efficiency with reliability is crucial. This paper presents a simulation-based approach using CST Studio Suite to optimize WPT systems for wireless battery chargers in electric bikes. The study fixes the size of both the transmitter and receiver coils, the spacing between turns, and the number of coil turns, with a set distance of 20mm between the transmitter and receiver coils. CST Studio Suite is employed to determine (...) the parameters of resonance capacitors and the optimal switching frequency to enhance WPT efficiency. This powerful simulation tool allows researchers and engineers to design resonance compensation circuits more effectively, optimizing power transfer efficiency. The simulation conducted with CST Studio Suite confirms its effectiveness in designing a WPT system, achieving an impressive peak efficiency of 99.61% at the resonant frequency. The paper demonstrates CST Studio Suite's capability to accurately predict WPT system performance by developing detailed electromagnetic models and fine-tuning simulation parameters to reflect real operating conditions. Iterative simulations resulted in optimized practices, validated by select results that highlight the method's effectiveness and showcase an optimal balance between system complexity and efficiency. These findings provide a strategic framework for future WPT system development, offering practical guidance for researchers and industry professionals aiming to advance WPT technology. (shrink)

What is the relationship between divine commands and ethical duties? According to the divine command theory of ethics, moral actions are obligatory simply because God commands people to do them. This position raises a serious question about the nature of ethics, since it suggests that there is no reason, ethical or non-ethical, behind divine commands; hence both his commands and morality become arbitrary. This paper investigates the scriptural defense of the divine command theory and argues that this methodology is wrong (...) as any interpretation of the text stands on a complex web of ethical and non-ethical presuppositions and as these presuppositions change so does the interpretation. (shrink)

If the divine will is not subject to any principle, and God controls all truths including moral truths, morality will be arbitrary at the deepest level. It will not be possible to offer any explanation of why God has willed certain actions rather than their contraries. Throughout the history of philosophical debate there have been many attempts to support the dependence of moral truths on God's command (or divine command theory) and at the same time to avoid this charge of (...) arbitrariness. In the West, one such an attempt has been made by Thomas V. Morris and Christopher Menzel (, hereafter M&M), who refer to their position as theistic activism. In this paper I will discuss their view and argue that: 1) their position does not satisfy the requirements of divine freedom, and that 2) to regard moral truths as necessary and unalterable is not adequate. (shrink)

Tracing the history of the Ottoman and Safavid empires back to the Middle Period of Islamic history, this article focuses on their origins in the chieftaincies and the hybrid cultural formations of the Anatolian regions. While considering the inter/intracivilizational historical context of their respective rise to power, it is argued that the structural makeup of the empires differed primarily in their disparate forms of Sufi-knightly cultures, identified here as knightly-heroic (Ottoman) and millenarian-populist (Safavid), which is essentially tied to two distinctive (...) types of tribal political organizations: frontierchieftaincy (Ottoman) and sectarian-chieftaincy (Safavid). Although the original Ottoman and Safavid chieftaincies, based on the militant Ghazi and Qizilbash orders, dissolved once the roaming bands of warriors were replaced by more settled military formations in the course of long-term state-building processes, the influence of their Sufi-knightly cultural heritages is still manifest in modern Iranian and Turkish societies. (shrink)

It is argued that (a) the question of ‘cultural logic’ is a valid inquiry for disciplines seeking to comprehend and compare mental processes across cultures, and (b) semiotics, as the science of studying signs and signification, is an appropriate means of approaching the question of cultural logic. It is suggested that a shift needs to be made in studying reasoning across cultures from the traditional value-oriented methods of judgment to a meaning-oriented assessment. Traditional methods of cross-cultural comparison are suggested to (...) be flawed in their attempt to develop a psychological account of why different cultural societies can draw different conclusions from ‘similar’ data, because they typically do not take into account the culturally-specific processes of ‘meaning’ and semiosis. These processes, it is argued, cause input data to develop differentially from one semiotic context to another. In other words, before reaching the cognitive processing level data is already shaped by the semiotic context, thus what is processed cognitively by two individuals in two cultural/semiotic contexts is no longer ‘the same.’ A semiotically conceived notion of cultural logic is therefore a crucial factor in any cross-cultural study of cognitive and psychological systems. (shrink)

Modern philosophers normally either reject the „divine command theory” of ethics and argue that moral duties are independent of any commands, or make it dependent on God's commands but like Robert Adams modify their theory and identify moral duties in terms of the commands of a loving God. Adams regards this theory as metaphysically necessary. That is, if it is true, it is true in all possible worlds. But Swinburne's position is unprecedented insofar as he regards moral truths as analytically (...) necessary. In this paper Swinburne's argument will be discussed and I will reveal some of the difficulties involved in categorising general moral principles as logical truths. (shrink)

In the present study, we introduce a transformative paradigm for understanding intelligence, consciousness, and reality. It integrates cognitive science, quantum cognition, metaphysical discourse, and scientific modeling into a fractal-based, unified framework. The “Fractal Consciousness Model” posits that “Consciousness and Time” are not passive dimensions but structural forces actively shaping reality through articulative alignment and resonance. Intelligence, rather than functioning as a computational process, “emerges through synchronization with structured awareness.” That is, it dissolves traditional distinctions between knowledge accumulation and active cognitive (...) structuring. Neuroscientific models are fundamentally challenged by the assertion that the brain is not an independent generator of thought but a “biological interface.” It functions as an “adaptive, relational system” rather than a storage-based repository. Time is reformed and reframed as a “non-flowing structural continuum,” where “cognition functions within fractal recursions” rather than linear chronology. Chaos, traditionally viewed as disorder, is reconceptualized as an “essential structuring force.” Therefore, it enables emergence, improvement, and “adaptive synchronization” rather than mere instability. By reframing agency, perception, and cosmic evolution within the present model, we advance novel approaches to scientific inquiry, cognitive theory, artificial intelligence, and epistemology. We aim to bridge metaphysical awareness with empirical methodologies. Human understanding, once constrained by archival cognition, is transitioning toward “deep participation within Being,” which embraces “engagement-driven intelligence” rather than retrieval-based knowledge systems. If “intelligence is ultimately a function of resonance” rather than accumulation, then the future of cognition will prioritize improvement over mere expansion, ushering in an era of “interconnected intelligence,” “fractal knowledge structuring,” and “participatory consciousness.”. (shrink)

Tradicionalmente se ha argumentado que el mecanismo inferencial denominado inferencia a la mejor explicación (ime) es un arma letal en favor del realismo científico (rc). Tal idea ha sido presumiblemente motivada por la estructura asignada al argumento más célebre empleado por los defensores del rc, a saber, el argumento del no milagro, de acuerdo con el cual, en palabras de Putman, “el realismo es la única filosofía que no hace del éxito de la ciencia un milagro”. Sin embargo, el presente (...) trabajo se propone demostrar que es perfectamente posible aplicar una ime que conduzca a una conclusión antirrealista científica con el sencillo expediente de modificar ciertos supuestos metafísicos que están a la base del argumento. (shrink)

In the course of examining the origin of evil in the De malorum subsistentia, Proclus reproduces a position that considers the maleficent (world-)soul as cause of evil. The same entity is held to co-govern the material realm alongside the beneficent world-soul. While scholarship tends to associate the testimonium with Plutarch (and Atticus), this survey shows why Numenius of Apamea is a much more probable candidate. The discussion concludes with further proposals for a new edition of Numenius, including possible traces of (...) Numenius in Iamblichus’ On Soul and Porphyry's On the Faculties of Soul. (shrink)

Though largely a silent observer throughout his Vitae philosophorum, Diogenes Laertius comes to the fore in his proem to refute the popular belief in a barbarian origin of philosophy. This study examines his defencecum-critique in detail and offers some reflections on its sources and intended audience. It will be argued that Diogenes employs four distinct and partly incompatible arguments to counter sentiments that ultimately can be traced back to the Old Academy and early Peripatos but by Diogenes’ time had gained (...) widespread circulation among Stoics and Platonists as well as Jews and Christians. The analysis thus reshapes our perception of Diogenes by showing that he consciously positioned himself within a controversial discourse, not only by relating the views of others but by advancing his own convictions with novel arguments. (shrink)

Background: The families of brain-dead patients have a significant role in the process of decision making for organ donation. Organ donation is a traumatic experience. The ethical responsibility of healthcare systems respecting organ donation is far beyond the phase of decision making for donation. The principles of donation-related ethics require healthcare providers and organ procurement organizations to respect donor families and protect them against any probable harm. Given the difficult and traumatic nature of donation-related experience, understanding the outcomes of donation (...) appears crucial. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the outcomes of organ donation for the families of brain-dead patients. Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study to which a purposeful sample of 19 donor family members were recruited. Data were collected through holding in-depth semi-structured interviews with the participants. Data analysis was performed by following the qualitative content analysis approach developed by Elo and Kyngäs. Findings: The main category of the data was “Decision to organ donation: a challenge from conflict to transcendence.” This main category consisted of 10 subcategories and 3 general categories. The general categories were “challenging outcomes,” “reassuring outcomes,” and “transcending outcomes.” Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the regional ethical review board. The ethical principles of informed consent, confidentiality, and non-identification were used. Conclusion: Donor families experience different challenges which range from conflict and doubtfulness to confidence, satisfaction, and transcendence. Healthcare providers and organ procurers should not discontinue care and support provision to donor families after obtaining their consent to donate because the post-decision phase is also associated with different complexities and difficulties with which donor families may not be able to cope effectively. In order to help donor families achieve positive outcomes from the tragedy of significant loss, healthcare professionals need to facilitate the process of achieving confidence and transcendence by them. (shrink)

Conventional portrayals of Thales of Miletus as the first natural philosopher (phusiologos) often revolve around his materialist cosmology with water as the principle (archē) of all things. This paper reconstructs a lesser-known and largely lost late ancient tradition that saw in Thales a metaphysician who anticipated a vaguely proto-Neoplatonic theology. It then argues that such late ancient reinterpretations constitute the missing link between the classical image of Thales and his reception in Islamic doxographies, particularly in the Arabic ps.-Ammonius. Thus, by (...) closely examining the Greek and Latin evidence that paved the way for Thales Arabus, this paper advances two conjectures: (1) the metaphysically charged reading of Thales predates the advent of the Graeco-Arabic translation movement (and creatively expounds on the Aristotelian evidence), and (2) ps.-Ammonius ultimately relies on a lost Greek Vorlage, preserved through the Neoplatonizing (likely Syriac-Christian) currents of late antique apologetics and syncretism. (shrink)

The Seville Statement on Violence rejected the view that violence and war were in any way rooted in human nature and proclaimed that they were merely a cultural artifact. This paper points out both the valid and invalid parts of the statement. It concludes that the potential for both war and peace is embedded in us. The human behavioral toolkit comprises a number of major tools, respectively geared for violent conflict, peaceful competition, or cooperation, depending on people’s assessment of what (...) will serve them best in any given circumstance. Conflict is only one tool—the hammer—in our diverse behavioral toolkit. However, all three behavioral strategies are not purely learned cultural forms. This naive nature/nurture dichotomy overlooks the heavy and complex biological machinery that is necessary for the working of each of them and the interplay between them. They are all very close under our skin and readily activated because they have all been very handy during our long evolutionary past. At the same time, they are variably calibrated to particular conditions through social learning, which means that their relative use may fluctuate widely. Thus, state authority has tilted the menu of human choices in the direction of the peaceful options in the domestic arena, and changing economic, social, and political conditions may be generating a similar effect in the international arena. (shrink)

This paper proposes a taxonomy to systematise the diverse ways in which Platonists appropriated foreign concepts and terminology. Through a case study, it demonstrates that Platonists did not merely replicate foreign notions but rather assimilated them into their own framework. It argues that such appropriations were justified from a Platonist perspective. Platonists accorded absolute epistemic authority to Plato, and they hence conceived of all truthful beliefs as inherently Platonic, whether in nature or origin.

The increasing societal emphasis on physical appearance, particularly influenced by social media, has led to a significant rise in demand for aesthetic dentistry procedures. This study aims to explore the ethical dimensions of marketing practices and the phenomenon of overtreatment in cosmetic dental procedures, highlighting the implications for patient care and professional integrity. A systematic literature review was conducted across four databases, yielding an initial 76 articles. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 articles were selected for analysis. The review (...) focused on ethical considerations, marketing practices, and overtreatment in aesthetic dentistry, employing narrative synthesis to extract relevant data. The findings indicate that social media is a primary driver of patient expectations, often prioritizing aesthetic outcomes over health considerations. This trend raises ethical concerns about informed consent and autonomy. The commodification of dental care, fueled by aggressive marketing strategies, has resulted in a notable increase in overtreatment, where unnecessary procedures are performed to satisfy commercial pressures and idealized beauty standards. The review highlights a lack of robust ethical guidelines governing marketing practices in aesthetic dentistry, exacerbating these issues. The study underscores the urgent need for clear ethical frameworks to guide dental practitioners in balancing patient welfare with business interests. Recommendations include the implementation of ethics education in dental curricula, the development of comprehensive ethical guidelines, and fostering open communication between practitioners and patients. These measures are essential for enhancing informed decision-making and ensure that patient care remains the priority in aesthetic dentistry. (shrink)

El artículo analiza la noción de “Inferencia a la Mejor Explicación” (IME), inicialmente propuesta por Gilbert Harman y posteriormente desarrollada por Peter Lipton. La IME sugiere que, a partir de ciertos datos y creencias de fondo, se infiere la explicación más satisfactoria. Lipton introduce dos criterios clave para esta selección: “likeliness” (probabilidad) y “loveliness” (encanto explicativo). La “likeliness” se relaciona con la verdad, mientras que la “loveliness” se refiere a la comprensión potencial que ofrece una explicación. A menudo, la explicación (...) más probable no es la más esclarecedora; inversamente, la explicación que presenta un alto encanto explicativo puede no ser la más probable. Esto resalta la necesidad de una adecuada elucidación de la noción de “loveliness” para comprender mejor cómo funciona la IME. Este trabajo propone conectar la loveliness liptoniana con el concepto griego de “λógos” (lógos) tal como lo emplea Platón en algunos de sus diálogos. Se argumenta que esta vinculación es un camino prometedor para recuperar la objetividad en la aplicación de la IME, respondiendo así a la clásica objeción de Hungerford sobre la aparente subjetividad involucrada en la selección de la mejor explicación. Finalmente, se justifica la conveniencia de cruzar las nociones de λógos y “loveliness” a través de lo que Platón llamó “explicaciones causales” (αιτíσς λογισμóς). (shrink)

(THIS PAPER NEEDS A CORRECTION) Satisfaction is a complex concept which has a key role in each individual’s everyday life and impacts their behavior. Abraham Maslow (1943) suggested a framework [1] to study human motivation, which was a starting point towards developing the quality of life(QOL) theory. On that article, he described a hierarchy of human needs, that is generally consist of fundamental needs which are required for human survival, and environment dependent ones, like society, safety and etc. In this (...) study, we are trying to represent a tangible mathematical model for assessing the sense of need for water in terms of the available source of water. On this very subject, M. Joseph Sirgy [2] states that ”From a human developmental perspective, QOL goals can be defined as satisfaction of human developmental needs in a community or society”. Accordingly, in the first section we propose a model for the water needs of an individual. In the second section, we continue the discussion by checking the behavior of the model on a given population, and each time by assuming that we have two out of three involved factors, we try to suggest an estimation for the other one. (shrink)

In the proem to his Platonic Theology, Proclus appropriates the language of mystery rites to cast Plato as a divinely inspired hierophant to whom absolute epistemic authority should be accorded. He thus elevates Plato’s philosophical teachings to the status of revealed truth and legitimises his own exegetical endeavour as a divine concern. Proclus further extends such authority to a carefully curated network of like-minded Platonist exegetes, among whom he subtly positions himself and his teacher Syrianus. Through a detailed analysis of (...) the proem, this study explores how Proclus construes the history of Platonic succession by embedding it within a broader account of both the history of theological truth and divine revelation. (shrink)

This essay argues that the ongoing genocide in Palestine must be understood as part of a broader historical continuum of neocolonial violence and indigenous resistance across the Middle East. It challenges hegemonic conceptual framings of genocidal violence that dominate academic and public discourse in the Global North by discussing how they obscure the structural entanglement between genocidal violence and neocolonial interventions in the region. Grounding its analysis in a perspective from the Iranian Independent Left, the essay highlights a longstanding tradition (...) of resistance that has confronted not only imperialist and neocolonial powers but also regional ethno-religious despotisms. The essay advances three central claims. First, hegemonic frameworks of genocide rely on idealized binaries of victims and saviours, erasing the political agency of the oppressed. Second, these frameworks conceal the role of neocolonial interventions in producing and sustaining genocidal warfare. Third, dismantling these structures requires centring the ethics and politics of indigenous liberation movements across the region. The essay, rather than offering abstract solidarity, amplifies a critical voice grounded in the region’s enduring struggles and calls for a radical rethinking of how genocide, resistance, and liberation are theorized and confronted. (shrink)

This article argues that contrary to its humanitarian semblance, state-controlled refugee protection is a project of substantial violence, and that the violence of refugee protection is continuously disseminated through and across a wide range of unlikely actors and institutions. Drawing on Avery Gordon and Franz Fanon, I show that the violence of refugee protection makes itself known in its haunting effects on those who come in contact with it in various capacities: those who carry through the work of refugee protection, (...) such as refugee claim decision makers, lawyers and support workers, are plagued by psychological ailments that manifest in periodical burnouts, anxiety, melancholy, alcohol abuse, and unrelenting moral and emotional dilemmas. These ailments reveal the violence of refugee protection not just in relation to refugees, who are often construed as the exclusive subjects of violence, but also towards non-refugees who come into contact with “protection” work. (shrink)

According to the prevalent scholarly opinion, Eudorus of Alexandria supposes two interrelated levels within the same metaphysical hierarchy: one transcendent principle (to hen) at the highest level and two opposing principles (monas and aoristos dyas) at the subjacent level. This paper presents an alternative interpretation, arguing that Eudorus’ report, in fact, involves two different explanations regarding the first principle(s): one strictly monistic and the other dualistic. Eudorus holds the former approach (the so-called highest teaching, which is particularly influenced by Platonic (...) henotheism) to represent the pinnacle of Pythagorean metaphysics according to which the latter, secondary teaching ought to be construed. In the final analysis, interpreting dualism through the lens of henology results in a somewhat idiosyncratic yet Pythagoreanising account of a Monad and Dyad that are, if understood as principle, identical to the One. (shrink)

Reasons underlying retractions of papers authored by the Iran-affiliated highly cited researchers have not been documented. Here, we report that 229 of the Iran-affiliated researchers were listed by the Clarivate Analytics as HCRs. We investigated the Retraction Watch Database and found that, in total, 51 papers authored by the Iran-affiliated HCRs were retracted from 2006 to 2019. Twenty-three of the 229 HCRs had at least one paper retracted. One of the listed HCRs had 22 papers retracted; 14 of the 23 (...) had only one paper retracted. Among the 51 retracted papers, three had been authored by two female authors. Eight retracted papers had international co-authorships. The shortest and longest times from publication to retraction were 20 and 2610 days, respectively. Of the 51 papers, 43 had a single reason for retraction, whereas eight had multiple reasons. Among the 43 papers, 23 were retracted due to fake peer-review, eight were duplications, six had errors, four had plagiarism, and two were labelled as “limited or no information.” Duplication of data, which is easily preventable, amounted to 27%. Any publishing oversight committed by an HCR may not be tolerated because they represent the stakeholders of the scientific literature and stand as role-models for other peer researchers. Future policies supporting the Iranian academia should radically change by implementation of educational and awareness programs on publishing ethics to reduce the rate of retractions in Iran. (shrink)

Action research and reflective thinking can enhance learning since both processes provide students with the opportunities to step back and think about how they actually solve problems. While there is a robust academic inquiry on reflection practices and AR in the educational setting, investigating learners’ reflections through AR practices can shed more light on related research. This study implemented reflective journal writing through AR and aimed to investigate the participants’ views about reflective journal writing, the effects of journal writing on (...) RT development, and the learners’ grammar use in writing. Eighty language learners formed the two experimental and control groups of the study. The possible relationship between the RT level and participants’ final exam was checked. Analyses of the participants’ journals, the semi-structured interview, the questionnaires’ results, and the final exam scores were considered. The findings showed that the participants had positive views about journal writing, and they could enhance their level of RT as well as their grammar use in writing; nevertheless, no relationship between the RT level and final exam scores of the participants was found. The methodology and the results of the study could be conducive to welcoming alternative methods of teaching and assessment that encourage the learners’ reflective practices and active engagements in language classes. (shrink)

The debate over group selection shows no signs of abating. If existent, group selection is likely to have significantly reinforced prosocial and altruistic behavior. This article is theoretical and argues that there have been some major lacunae in the debate as concerns humans. The traits that are most uniquely and universally human—such as prolonged rearing of dependent offspring, the family, large-scale, tribal networks, and cultural-linguistic diversity and exclusivity—have been largely overlooked. These most salient and mutually reinforcing human specifics vastly increased (...) individuals' stake in and commitment to ancestral tribal groups. Tribal members were in the same boat, and risked massive fitness loss if it were sunk. This suggests that group selection existed and was much stronger among humans than among any other animal species. (shrink)

A característica mais notável da filosofia renascentista foi também o que tornou sua assimilação pela história da filosofia tão difícil: a interação entre forma e conteúdo, entre ideia e sua expressão. Tal resulta da tentativa de realizar outra inter-relação que lhe é ainda mais essencial: aquela entre teoria e prática, pensamento e ação. Nos Ensaios de Montaigne, o método constitui antes de tudo um estilo de vida: a linguagem é aí o meio pelo qual a implicação entre mundos externos e (...) internos, o eu e a realidade - assim entre intelecto e sensibilidade, arte e natureza, fato e valor, identidade e alteridade etc. - busca tornar-se evidente, permitindo a percepção de seu permanente remodelar recíproco. The most remarkable characteristic of Renaissance philosophy was also what made its assimilation by History of Philosophy so difficult: the interaction between form and content, between idea and its expression. This results from trying to achieve another inter-relationship which is even more essential: that between theory and practice, thought and action. In Montaigne's Essays the method is primarily a lifestyle: there the language is the means by which the implication between external and internal worlds, self and reality - and so between intellect and sensibility, art and nature, fact and value, identity and otherness, etc - seeks to become apparent, allowing the perception of its permanent reciprocal remodeling. (shrink)