The central theme of this thesis is methodological pluralism in systems science: that is, how it might be possible to draw upon different systems methods that are traditionally thought to be based in incommensurable paradigms. The thesis is split into three sections. Section One begins by reviewing ideas about pluralism as they have been expressed in the literature on Critical Systems Thinking. This section also sets out the basic 'problem' pluralists have to deal with - that the approaches drawn upon are usually thought of as philosophically contradictory. An initial (partial) resolution of the problem is presented. Section Two takes a step back in order to examine why the focus upon pluralism is important. Here the social and ecological contexts of the debate are explored. It is discovered that many of the issues we are currently dealing with in systems science, especially complex global issues, can only be dealt with adequately through a pluralist research practice. Section Three looks at the implications of these social and ecological arguments for a pluralist systems science, and reexamines some of the philosophical ideas lying behind Critical Systems Thinking. Through this reexamination a different understanding of ontology begins to emerge. Having developed a set of interlinked arguments ranging from the ontological to the practical, the thesis concludes with an assertion that pluralism is actually necessary for the continued legitimation of systems science.

The study of the psychological experience of the personal body in the discipline of psychology, through the concept referred to as the body image, has its roots in neurology and psychoanalysis. This thesis begins with a review of body image research across three disciplines: neuroscience, psychoanalysis and psychology. The literature review places the work titled 'The image and appearance of the human body' by neurologist and psychoanalyst Paul Schilder (1935/1978) at the intersection of these three disciplines. Schilder's text described the organization of the body image as a dynamic and tri-dimensional structuralization. Since the midtwentieth century, psychological research has taken special interest in the body image as a topic for study. However, the paradigm guiding that research enterprise has transformed the holistic quality of Schilder's work, identified its organization as antiquated and often unsuitable for empirical research. This thesis argues that Schilder's theory is as relevant today as ever, and that psychology would benefit greatly from a re-consideration of its relevance to empirical study. To demonstrate the potential of Schilder's theory, the present study conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with women participating in three styles of movement and performance: contemporary dance, Middle-eastern dance (or belly dance) and aerobics (instructors). The investigation considered core propositions described by Schilder with respect to the role of movement and the body image, to explore structuralization from the point of view of procedural movement. The study sought also to examine the extent to which the findings might serve the development of theory on the body image. The findings established a priori and a posteriori themes, and these served to demonstrate how Schilder's theory provides a sound framework for empirical inquiry in psychology. The implications of the present study highlight the explanatory power of that theory, especially the way it illuminates a new perspective from which a fuller understanding of the role of the body image might be gleaned. Finally, the implications highlight the importance of the actual presence of the physical body in the construction of the body image, particularly the kinesthetic perceptual system, and underline the importance of re-visiting Schilder's theory in order to open up new opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

Thesis (Th. M.)--International School of Theology, 1989. / Abstract. "A journal article ..." Includes bibliographical references (leaves [18]-27).

Published also as Akademisk avhandling--Lund. / "Citerad litteratur": p. [vii]-viii.

Published also as Akademisk avhandling--Lund. / "Citerad litteratur": p. [vii]-viii.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1992. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-92).

Inaug.-Diss.--Halle. / Curriculum vitae. Description based on print version record.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on July 29, 2010). A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, [Department of] Philosophy, University of Alberta. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-192). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-192). Also available on the Internet.