It is argued that physical (and not inherently psychical) properties are insufficient to constitute all else. Specifically they cannot constitute an instance (K1) of our knowledge that the number of existing things is at least one. This employs a new version of entry by entailment: Every fact as to the presence of a constituted trope is entailed by facts about the presence of the ontologically basic, where a property is ontologically basic if and only if the fact of its presence is not entailed (even allowing exhaustive definitions of all tropes in terms of their ultimate constituents) by facts about the presence of things non-identical to it. Existence is a mind-independent presence. Things can be present (to mind) as opposed to existing but must be accompanied by the presence of all of their parts and of anything else that their presence might entail. This includes some existing thing in the case that knowledge that something exists is present, since it is analytic that knowledge cannot be of what is not the case. Purely dynamical properties cannot exist apart from instances of some other property kind (on pain of regress as to what moves). Material properties can make a difference to cognitive states only in virtue of differences they can make to dynamical properties. Thus, any cognitive state present in some dynamical and material scenario must be present in an equivalent purely dynamical scenario, which cannot exist. Hence: 1) There can be no knowledge of existence, or thus trope K1, in a purely dynamical scenario. 2) There can thus neither be a trope K1 if only dynamical and material properties (and what they constitute) are present. So because there is a trope K1, there are one or more ontologically basic properties which are not dynamical or material. It is further argued that nothing ontologically basic is per se (directly and non-obscurely) conceivable except as psychicality or a categorical basis of a disposition to change or constancy (respectively, dynamism and materiality). Thus at least one ontologically basic property is either psychical or not per se conceivable. The latter proposition has less merit.

My project reflects upon our body's impermanence and our efforts to balance the enormity of the concept of mortality with living every day. It investigates the condition of being that one cannot permit oneself to know too often, that is, the condition of, inhabiting a body through which one engages meaningfully with the world as a conscious being, but aware that this body will die. Within this framework, I investigate concepts of consciousness, sentience, and impermanence. These are concepts that are not clearly delineated in experience. There is a need to grasp them by means of other concepts that are understood in clearer terms. Using the quotidian experiences of food preparation, eating and the domestic as metaphorical tools, I delve into these themes. As I worked with these ideas the wider possibilities, both material and conceptual became evident. I expanded the initial medium of food to encompass personal objects and daily bodily processes in my attempt to probe complicated feelings about the impermanence of my own body. The project matured into a closer examination of what could be read as signs in every day life, of my body's vulnerability to death. The specific areas of focus are: Skin, Reanimation of the inanimate, Mouth, Concepts of the internal, Organs, Offal, Transmogrification, Organic destiny. Beginning with the skin that we are encased in, I used my body as an armature to produce a facsimile of my own hollowed-out empty skin. In Reanimation of the inanimate, I explore the continuum from preserved food to fermented food investigating the development from food as organic material whose life had passed to food as organic material in which change is an indicator of ongoing life. In the section titled Mouth, I consider the concept of exploring the world with one's mouth and the notion of anti-food. Introduced in Concepts of the internal are three investigations of the internal human body: anatomical illustrations from the sixteenth century, a cinematic portrayal from 1966 that has included in its subtext a spiritual journey, and a current project in which the internal human body is seen as purely scientific data. In Organs I investigate the idea of ingesting 'properties of character' that can be culturally associated with internal organs and the possibility that such characteristics could permeate the person ingesting them. In the section titled Offal, I propose that the polarity of life and death inherent in food is most evident when eating a meal of offal. In Transmogrificaation, I consider the conundrum of my internal organs, that is, they are mine in fact they are 'me' and at the same time they are foreign to me. In this section, I also investigate the concept of my body as a conduit with the ability to transport and transform matter. Finally, in Organic destiny I posit the notion that as bodies we are an ongoing process, an accumulation of matter built up over time and that we are small participants in a much bigger phenomenon.

Contrary to common folk and expert theory, the human self is not unitary. There is no Cartesian theatre or homunculus functioning as a metaphorical overlord. Rather, it is an abstractum gleaned from a person�s experiences-a centre of narrative gravity (Dennett 1991). Experiences are a person�s cognisance of her ventures in life from a particular unique perspective. In perspectivising her experiences, the person imputes a certain structure, order, and significance to them. Events are seen as unfolding in a certain inherently and internally coherent way characterised by causality, temporality, or intentionality, etc. In other words, a person�s self emerges out of her innumerable narrativisations of experience, as well as the different protagonist roles she plays in them. Her behaviours in different situations can be understood as different life-narratives being foregrounded, when she is faced with different stimuli different experiences/events present. In real life, self-reflective discourse frequently alludes to a divided, partitive self, and the experiences/behaviours that it can engage in. In academic study, this concept of the divided and narrative-constructivist self is well-represented in disciplines ranging from philosophy (e.g., Dennett 1991, 2005), developmental psychology (e.g., Markus & Nurius 1986; Bruner 1990, 2001; Stern 1994), cognitive psychology (e.g., Hermans & Kempen 1993; Hermans 2002), neuropsychology (e.g. Damasio 1999), psychiatry (e.g., Feinberg 2001), to linguistics (e.g., McNeil 1996; Ochs & Capps 1996; Nair 2003). Depending on the particular theory, however, emphasis is often placed either on its divided or its narrative-constructivist nature. This thesis argues, however, that the two are coexistent and interdependent, and both are essential to the self�s ontology. Its objectives are therefore: (i) to propose a partitioned-narrative model of the self which unifies the two perspectives by positing that the partitioned-representational (Dinsmore 1991) nature of narratives entails the partitioned structure of the self; and (ii) to propose that the partitioned-narrative ontology of the self is what enables and motivates much of our self-reflective discourse and the grammatical resources for constructing that discourse. Partitioning guarantees that a part of the self, i.e., one of its narratives, can be selectively attended to, foregrounded, objectified, and hence talked about. Narrativity provides the contextual guidance and constraints for meaning-construction in such discourse. This claim is substantiated with three application cases: the use of anaphoric reflexives (I found myself smiling); various usages of proper names, including eponyms (the Shakespeare of architecture), eponymic denominal adjectives (a Herculean effort), etc.; and partitive-self constructions which explicitly profile partitioned and selectively focal narratives (That�s his hormones talking). When analysed using the proposed model, these apparently disparate behaviours turn out to share a common basis: the partitioned-narrative self.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Bowling Green State University, 2007. / Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 100 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Although a lot of information is available from our environment at every moment, only a small part gives rise to a conscious percept. It is then legitimate to wonder which mechanisms are involved in the perception phenomenon. On the basis of which processes will a sensory stimulation be perceived consciously? What happens to the stimulations that are not consciously perceived? The work presented in this thesis aims to bring some elements of response to these two questions in the auditory modality. Through different behavioral and electroencephalographic studies, we suggest that knowledge could have a top-down facilitatory influence on high-level as well as on low-level (like detection) processing of complex auditory stimulations. The stimulations we have some knowledge about (phonologic or semantic) are more easily detected than the stimulations that contain neither phonologic nor semantic information. We also show that the activation of the knowledge influences the perception of subsequent stimulations, even when the context is not perceived consciously. This is evidenced by a subliminal semantic priming effect and by modifications of the neural oscillations in the beta frequency band associated with lexical processing of stimulations that were not consciously categorized. Hence, auditory perception can be considered as the product of the continuous interaction between the context set by the environment and the knowledge one has about specific stimuli. Such an interaction would lead listeners to preferentially perceive what they already know. / Tandis que de nombreuses informations sont disponibles dans notre environnement à chaque instant, toutes ne donnent pas lieu à une perception consciente. Il est alors légitime de se demander quels mécanismes entrent en jeu dans le phénomène de perception. Sur la base de quels processus une stimulation sensorielle sera-t-elle perçue de façon consciente ? Que deviennent les stimulations qui ne sont pas perçues consciemment ? Ce présent travail de thèse vise à apporter des éléments de réponse à ces deux questions dans la modalité auditive. À travers plusieurs études utilisant des approches comportementales mais aussi électroencéphalographiques, nous suggérons que les connaissances pourraient exercer une influence top-down facilitant les hauts comme les bas niveaux de traitement (comme la détection) des stimulations auditives complexes. Les stimulations pour lesquelles nous avons des connaissances (phonologiques et sémantiques) sont mieux détectées que les stimulations ne contenant ni caractéristique phonologique ni caractéristique sémantique. Nous montrons également que l'activation des connaissances influence la perception des stimulations ultérieures, et ce, même lorsque le contexte n'est pas perçu consciemment. En effet nous avons pu mettre en évidence un effet d'amorçage sémantique subliminal et nous avons observé des modifications neuronales oscillatoires dans la bande de fréquence bêta concomitante au traitement lexical de stimulations non catégorisées consciemment. L'ensemble des perceptions auditives ne serait alors que le produit d'une interaction permanente entre le contexte environnemental et les connaissances, ce qui nous conduirait à percevoir préférentiellement ce que nous connaissons déjà.

This qualitative study looks at the learning that takes place during activism. Throughout this work, learning is conceptualized as the ongoing formation of critical consciousness rather than the acuqisition of skills for the purpose of securing menial employment. Furthermore, critical consciousness is seen to develop through the nonlinear interplay of thoughts and actions. This investigation uses the life history method to explore the learning of five Iranian women throughout decades of struggle against repressive social structures. It focuses on questions of motivation for activism, formation of critical consciousness, and activism in diaspora. At the theoretical level, this study criticizes current learning theories while its educational implications place critical consciousness as the goal of radical adult education. On a practical level, this investigation records successful political study groups and suggests such groups as models for sites of radical adult education.

This qualitative study looks at the learning that takes place during activism. Throughout this work, learning is conceptualized as the ongoing formation of critical consciousness rather than the acuqisition of skills for the purpose of securing menial employment. Furthermore, critical consciousness is seen to develop through the nonlinear interplay of thoughts and actions. This investigation uses the life history method to explore the learning of five Iranian women throughout decades of struggle against repressive social structures. It focuses on questions of motivation for activism, formation of critical consciousness, and activism in diaspora. At the theoretical level, this study criticizes current learning theories while its educational implications place critical consciousness as the goal of radical adult education. On a practical level, this investigation records successful political study groups and suggests such groups as models for sites of radical adult education.

This paper addresses the question of whether Artificial Intelligence can have intentionality. This question is part of a larger discussion of whether or not Artificial Intelligence can ever be 'conscious'. Ultimately, I come to the conclusion that while we can see how intentionality can be transferred, it has yet to be shown that intentionality can be created within Artificial Intelligence. To begin, I define intentionality. I then discuss the Turing Test (Alan Turing, "Computing Machinery and Intelligence" and the Chinese Room (John R. Searle, "Minds, Brains, and Programs"). I conclude by expressing my own opinions and where I believe Artificial Intelligence will be in the near future.

The main purposes of this study were to explore civic consciousness, citizen participation and the influential factors of students of Taipei¡¦s community universities. This study adopted the questionnaire-survey approach. 553 students from six Taipei¡¦s community universities were randomly sampled by the researcher. The instrument for the study: ¡§the Questionnaire of Community Universities Students¡¦ Civic Consciousness and Citizen Participation¡¨ were developed by the researcher and included two scales, one was ¡§the Scale of Civic Consciousness¡¨ and the other was ¡§the Scale of Citizen Participation.¡¨ The methods for data analysis were descriptives, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson product-moment correlation, canonical correlation, and multiple stepwise regression. The following five findings were concluded: 1. Students of Taipei¡¦s community universities had high civic consciousness, but their citizen participation showed the medium participation only. 2. The civic consciousness of students of Taipei¡¦s community universities differed in terms of respondents¡¦ personal variables and community- university variables. 3. The citizen participation of students of Taipei¡¦s community universities differed in terms of respondents¡¦ personal variables and community- university variables. 4. There was significant correlation between students¡¦ civic consciousness and citizen participation they showed. 5. The personal variables, community-university variables and civic consciousness of students of Taipei¡¦s community universities could be effective predictors for students¡¦ level of citizen participation. Finally, some suggestions were raised to the community universities, the students of community universities, and future research.

Chichin District of Kaohsiung City not only embraces the harbor coastal space of natural water coast resources, but also owns rich human historic sites, delicious seafood cuisine, etc. To most of the local residents or tourists, the district all along has tremendous tourist charm. In order to attract more tourists to visit this district and meet the residents¡¦ eager requests for recreation, in recent years Kaohsiung municipal government has been positively developing diversified tourist facilities and items in this district in expectation for promotion of people¡¦s satisfaction on the overall tourist recreational experience. Therefore, a deep understanding of the residents¡¦ or tourists¡¦ satisfaction, extent of recognition and background difference towards the tourism development of the district is an important subject when taking options in the keenly competitive tourist environment in future. And this investigation can also provide a reference for the relevant departments to plan for their future direction and to review their work for improvement. This research mainly investigates from three aspects: ¡§community conscious-ness,¡¨ ¡§recognition towards the impact of tourism development¡¨ and ¡§participation attitude and environmental residential experience,¡¨ etc. of the Chichin residents of Kaohsiung. In studying the Kaohsiung municipal government¡¦s urging for tourism development of Chichin District, the research meanwhile gives an understanding on the residents¡¦ concentration of community consciousness, their attitude towards the development of tourism and their residential experience, etc. The results of the research can also provide more appropriate strategies for the Kaohsiung municipal government in positioning the future tourism development of Chichin District of Kaohsiung City by using the effective resources. The results of the research show that over the ¡§analysis on residents¡¦ participation attitude and environmental residential experience,¡¨ the residents currently residing in this district mostly gave such reasons for their residence as ¡§residing here generation after generation,¡¨ ¡§friends and relatives mostly living in this district¡¨ and ¡§relationship of work,¡¨ etc. The ratio of these factors is 75.2% of the tested samples. In this way, the researcher can interpret the situation that among these residents, being different from those of other districts, there established tight kinship and friendship. And they are helpful to the concentration of community consciousness. At the same time we can learn from the results of the research that there is an obvious correlation between ¡§sex,¡¨ ¡§residing alley¡¨ in the attributes of the residents¡¦ basic background, and ¡§high or low group of social consciousness,¡¨ and ¡§high or low group of recognition of tourism development impact¡¨ respectively. After analysis on the results of this research, it is suggested that the actions that the relevant administrative departments should take are: 1.¡§Reserve of resources,¡¨ including the confirmation for establishment of a system for tourism attraction in Chichin District of Kaohsiung City, a unification of the things and rights of management so as to avoid excessive development, etc. 2. ¡§Community development,¡¨ an effective use of the properties of the generally high community consciousness among the residents of Chichin, and a maintenance of high extent of concentration through the assistance by the third department. Finally, this research also mentions that if the angle is changed by taking the experience and recognition of residents as a reference for planning the development of the district, then perhaps the optimal effects can be acquired from development.