The thesis deals with analysis of conceptual-methodological issues examined in the framework of post-keynesian economics. The author´s goal is to supply a solution to the problem of a definition of determinism/non-determinism for both deterministic and stochastic systems and also to the problem of the prevailing confusion which surrounds the notion of reversibility/irreversibility in both path-dependent and traditional-equilibrist systems. The author regards the determinism/non-determinism problem as essentially linked to the problem of a definition of fundamental uncertainty. The key issues are being identified in the "problem of a generator of endogenous shocks" and the "selection - creation problem". Finding solutions to these enables us to take a stand on the validity/invalidity of the classical dichotomy, in the eyes of the author. Davidson´s interpretation of ergodicity and O´Donnell´s critique of this are being presented and, drawing on the latter, along with Álvarez-Ehnts´ critique, the author rejects a simplifying pattern of Davidson´s, according to which neoclassical economics is based on the ergodic axiom. The author suggests a solution to the "selection - creation problem" consisting in distinguishing epistemological determinism from ontological determinism on the one hand, and epistemological determinism from epistemological non-determinism on the other hand. While selection is a characteristic feature of epistemological determinism and, in effect, the realm of "fundamental certainty", creation is referred to by the author as a characteristic feature of epistemological non-determinism, i. e., in effect, the realm of fundamental uncertainty. The author regards the "problem of a generator of endogenous shocks" a self-contradictory notion, based on the principle of causality and the law of non-contradiction, and suggests a solution to the problem consisting in rejection of the concept of shock endogeneity. At the same time, the author rejects Davidson´s "fundamental neoclassical article of faith" rhetoric, based on the first cause argument implied by the principle of causality. In opposition to Davidson, the author regards fundamental uncertainty being of a basically epistemological nature, consisting in our ignorance of the "ultimate law of change", the "Devine formula". Unlike O´Donnell, however, who puts stress on the element of epistemological uncertainty in his epistemological approach to uncertainty, the author also puts stress on the element of ontological certainty, consisting in our knowledge of the existence of the "Devine formula", apart from our epistemological uncertainty.

Can unfree people make themselves free? Some people are unfree because of the social and political conditions in which they find themselves. To become freer would require changing those conditions; yet changing them requires the exercise of freedom. So it seems like they must already be free in order to become free. Drawing on John Dewey, W.E.B. Du Bois, and B.R. Ambedkar, I argue that the unfree can make themselves free. Unfreedom involves external constraints and how those constraints shape people’s agency. Becoming freer involves coming to know, from the inside, how our agency has been shaped. We can change that shaping and in turn the social conditions. The problem of unfreedom is a vicious cycle. Social conditions constrain agency, which in turn further entrenches the social conditions. A virtuous cycle is possible. Agents can change their conditions, reducing the constraint on their agency, in turn enabling greater change. Conditions are unstable, and agents can take advantage of that instability.

This thesis investigates deep pushdown automata and introduces their modification called controlled deep pushdown automata. Distributed deep pushdown automata systems and parallel communicating deep pushdown automata systems are described. Their accepting power and properties are investigated and several variants are introduced. This thesis proves that the accepting power of one such variant of parallel communicating deep pushdown automata systems is equal to the accepting power of Turing machines. A method for syntactical analysis based on the previously introduced automata systems is described.

The thesis is about relation of society to its material environment including its cultural product which is architecture. This is the reason why it is using viewpoints of sociology of culture and art. The thesis focuses on the contemporary projective architecture and brings its characteristics having a relation to society. The main starting-point is uncritical nature of projective architecture. This nature is set into the historical development of the architectural styles of the twentieth century. The picture of development of those critical and uncritical phases is assembled with emphasis to their specific relation to society. In the conclusions the detected relation of projective architecture to the society is assembled to this development. It is compared with former stages. The conclusions say that the relation between society and architecture is strengthened, but on the other hand it is individualised and relativized too.

The thesis is about relation of society and its material environment - architecture. It focuses on current architecture and its characteristics with relation to society. The emphasis is placed on influence of constructions, interaction with users and transmission of meanings. The thesis is characterizing contemporary architecture using theories of Marshall McLuhan. Today's architecture is distinguished by projective character which enables higher participation of users than former architectural traditions. New interconnection of society and architecture appears. It is characterized by higher degree of interaction. At the same time, higher relativization, individualization and virtualization of meanings emerge. Currently, architecture is cool medium through the lens of Marshall McLuhan theories. It is characterized by low definition. On the other hand, former architectural traditions were hot mediums with high definition. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

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This master's thesis is a grounded theory study of the development of the Internet as a tool for political action in Japan by groups and individuals producing web pages on the issue of history textbook reform. Through the analysis of 14 in-depth interviews, a framework is developed for understanding the role the Internet has taken in political action in Japan. As activists utilize the Internet in political activism, the Internet appears to be developing into an anchor for continuing political activism. For activists, the Internet is a central point of reference for both mass communication and interpersonal communication activities. The model indicates that the political alignment of an activist is an important factor in determining his or her preference for either interpersonal or mass communication on the Internet. Activists on the left tend to use the Internet as a tool for interpersonal communication and coordination, while activists on the right tend to view the Internet as a tool for mass persuasion. The model of Internet activism developed in the thesis is also compared with models of communication derived from theories of technological determinism and social shaping of technologies. Consistent with technological determinist ideas, the Japanese case demonstrates that as activists rely on the Internet, other media show signs of becoming content for the new medium. However, the Japanese case also shows that pre-existing needs and the political framework of an activist have a strong shaping effect on Internet use, indicating the importance of a social shaping of technologies approach.

In this novella the main character, David Crumm, is getting older and decides not to wait around and die on his frozen ranch, but to retire to warmer climates. He leaves everything with his daughter, gets in his truck and drives south with his dog. In Florida, he accidentally hits and kills a migrant woman on her bicycle. The woman has a young son who survives the accident and, through a number of converging factors, David is compelled to personally take the boy back to his relatives in Nicaragua. The book then deals with David's experiences as he heads farther south, picking up more passengers along the way including his old friend Tom, on the run from the law; Frank, a strange American ex-patriot; and a beautiful tourist in Acapulco named Sheila.

The purpose of this investigation and research project has been to discover the answers to certain problems connected with the religious philosophy of the Latter-day Saint people of a given geographical area, through appropriate research methods and procedures. The problems to be answered are as follows:(1) What is the philosophy of religion of these people as it pertains to predestination and fatalism?(2) Does the philosophy of these people tend to be fatalistic, especially as it is reflected in their concept of the role of fate or God or providence in certain life and death situations?(3) What is the established doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it pertains to free will or free agency and fatalism or predestination in general, and more especially, what is the doctrine of the Church with reference to a special kind of fatalism, being appointed to die at a particular time. More specifically, does the doctrine of the Church hold to the concept that when a person dies it is because his time was up and the Lord took him in death according to a pre-arranged plan?(4) Is the religious philosophy of the people of the survey area out of harmony with the established doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?(5) If the religious philosophy of these people is out of harmony with the doctrine of the Church to which they belong, does this constitute a heresy?The major thesis problem to be solved in connection with this work, properly and formally stated is as follows: This thesis will be the consideration of a possible heretical trend developing in the religious philosophy of the Latter-day Saint people of a given geographical area.

Thesis (M.A. (Communication Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The use of communication technologies has brought changes to our daily ways of doing things. Youth use technology for different purposes at different locations. As technology grows everyday with various advantages, its benefits come along with some disadvantages. Road accidents are one of the major problems that South Africa experiences. The focus of this study was to explore the danger of texting and driving and its potentials for road accidents. This research focused on the negative impact of technology, mainly technological distraction, while driving. Broadly, this research looks at the social and cultural impact of texting and mobility, with specific focus on distracted driving. This study is significant in the social analysis of technology use and distraction; this significance is made more important considering that there is very limited study of this social issue in South Africa. The always-available communication culture (such as texting while driving) should be viewed as a problematic phenomenal. For data collection, the researcher conducted a survey with adults and youth drivers to explore the perceptions and attitudes of drivers towards cell phone use, texting and driving. The researcher also conducted roadside observations of drivers to investigate the occurrence of distracted driving due to technology use, and interviews were conducted with Traffic Officers to share their professional experience on observing incidences of texting and driving. The study reveals that technology use, texting and driving is a common problem among young drivers, while adults tend to be more careful and engage less in this activity. Aspect of the findings of the study shows that 60% of drivers report that they have sent a text while driving. Moreover, the study explores ways of curbing cell phone use texting and driving on South African roads. There should be more research on distracted driving and technology use, so that more suggestions on how to curb technology use while driving can be offered