The purpose of this thesis is to identify and discuss a problem in Peter Abelard's solution to the problem of universals. In Chapter 1, I present a brief account of Abelard's account of universals geared towards familiarizing the reader with the basic concepts and terminology involved in his solution In Chapter 2, I identify the problem I perceive with this account; namely that Abelard seems to be committed to two, incompatible, positions as regards whether or not it is possible for human beings to acquire knowledge of natures. In Chapter 3, I will examine the passages where Abelard addresses this tension. As we will see, he provides no satisfactory solution to this problem. At the end of Chapter 3, I will also examine the work of Peter King who, in his highly influential Ph.D thesis, suggests a reading of certain passages in Abelard that he thinks solves our problem. I will argue, however, that King's solution cannot be accepted as it relies on a mistaken translation of Abelard's Latin such that it misconstrues the passages King cites as evidence for his view.

The Ottawa Panhandlers' Union's use of nonviolent action provides a useful case to examine the relationship between nonviolence, power and truth. Dahl, La Boetie and Foucault's theories of power provide different perspectives from which to analyze the use of nonviolence by the OPU. Dahl and La Boetie's theories of power as capacity and consent respectively focus on the OPU's ability to force others to take particular actions, and choice in compliance in scenarios imposed by others. Alternately, Foucault's theory of power allows an examination of the union members' positions within power relations, and how tacit social understandings construct their knowledge of themselves and others. When the OPU's use of nonviolence is seen in this light, addressing positions within power relations, and identifying the tacit social understandings that construct them, become important elements in understanding nonviolent action. Keywords: Nonviolence, Power, Foucault, Truth, Panhandlers

Abstract not available.

Canada signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child twenty years ago, but a recent Senate study concludes that children's rights are not embedded in Canadian law, public policy, or the national psyche. This thesis identifies three ethical tensions about children's rights that hinder implementation of the Convention, and it asks if it is possible to develop a more robust ethical foundation to resolve them. Do children's rights protect their interests, their freedom, or some combination of both? What is the balance between the role of parents, the state, and young people themselves in realizing their rights? Can the tension between universal rights and respect for cultural and religious diversity in raising children be resolved? The study focuses on a core principle of the Convention, the Best Interests of the Child, which is identified as a primary consideration for all policies and decisions relating to children. It examines four approaches to application of this principle that try to resolve the basic tensions about children's rights but fall short. These are family autonomy, liberal paternalism, dynamic self-determination, and utilitarianism. Looking beyond theories of children's rights, this thesis argues that the capabilities framework articulated by Martha Nussbaum in Women and Development and the mutuality of rights theory articulated by Alan Gewirth in The Community of Rights can provide a stronger ethical foundation for children's rights. Gewirth's focus on prospective productive agency and Nussbaum's holistic approach to developing core capabilities provide greater ethical specification for the meaning of the best interests of children. Gewirth's Principle of Generic Consistency and articulation of the mutuality of rights and responsibilities provide a sound basis for a policy framework on children's rights. A clear focus on developing capabilities and what is most needful for human action can ethically ground guidelines for determining best interests and less adversarial processes to resolve conflicts between different interests.

A reading of the fathering discourses in the Canadian equality feminist communities and the profeminist fathering communities reveals conflicting interests and beliefs, despite a shared goal of "gender equality." This thesis argues that identity conflict theory, most often applied to intractable ethnic and religious conflict, is relevant to the epistemological conflict between equality feminist and profeminist fathering communities. Further to this, it is demonstrated that the literature on the reconciliation of identity conflict can illuminate the challenges and potential for the uptake of a feminist research model focused on reconciliation of this gender-based conflict. Movement along the path toward a reconciliation approach can be seen within equality feminist research communities. The use of a peace and conflict lens to examine gender conflict in Canada draws attention to work being done by reconciliation scholars. This work may provide a map for forward movement toward the reconciliation of gender issues.

Military chaplains of all countries are vehemently debating the issue of chaplains bearing arms. On both sides of the debate, various arguments are advanced which get to the very nature of the chaplain's role as non-combatant and minister of religion. However, there is not a consensus between military chaplaincies or even within military chaplaincies whether or not chaplains ought to carry weapons for their own protection or the protection of others especially in the present security environment. Within the Canadian Forces chaplains are expressly forbidden from ever bearing or using personal weapons in combat operations. This thesis analyzes the question of chaplains bearing and using personal weapons from an ethical standpoint. Three ethical views will be explored: J.J.C Smart's act utilitarianism, Alasdair Macintyre's virtue ethics, and Alan Gewirth's ethical rationalism. By using these three meta-ethical perspectives, the dialogue on chaplains bearing arms within the Canadian Forces can be advanced and policies re-evaluated.

Two options to human right protection for involuntary schizophrenic inpatients refusing treatment are compared: First, forced treatment until improvement in the illness makes commitment unnecessary, thus, emphasizing dispositional freedom; second, allowing treatment refusal even if it means long-term commitment, thus, emphasizing occurrent freedom. Reviews of relevant issues in psychiatry, Canadian legislation, neuroscience and mind-body issues prepare the ground for an analysis of the two approaches in the light of Gewirth's human rights philosophy. Gewirth examines the dilemma of capable agents using their occurrent freedom to limit their dispositional freedom. Appealing to the responsibility of community agents, he suggests a three-step process in which the second step involves a trial period of treatment. The process suggested by Gewirth resembles the first of the two options, and has the advantages of the treatment preventing irreversible deterioration, and the potential for earlier release with its increase in both personal and situational freedom.

Ethical theory must be applied in business for it to benefit society concretely. This thesis examines the problem of the relationship between theory and practice in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). After describing CSR, its evolution, and main theoretical approaches, we provide critical analyses of CSR theories, the academic literature (re: theory and practice), and Alasdair MacIntyre's views on the gap between moral theory and social practice. Key insights are: that CSR needs a robust and comprehensive ethical framework; that gains on the side of theory cannot be sought at the expense of application; and that CSR theory requires ethical tools both to understand and evaluate business practices, and to critically analyze the intersection between business and society. MacIntyre's ethical theory, his notion of a 'practice', and his analysis of how social practice distorts moral theory may be helpful in bridging the gap between theory and practice in CSR.

This project will be an examination of the concept of community as it relates to ethics in the works of Martin Heidegger and Jean-Luc Nancy. I will examine Heidegger's thought concerning community and ethics, then the reception of that thought in the secondary literature. I will then examine Nancy's thought concerning community and ethics and his thought's reception in the secondary literature. The critical portion of this project will be an evaluation of Nancy's critical relationship with Heidegger's thought. I will clarify and defend Nancy's arguments against Heidegger's thought. I will also support solution that Nancy proposes. Finally, I will attempt to resolve a criticism commonly launched against Nancy: that his thought fails to engage concrete politics precisely where is must. I will argue that Nancy's thought does indeed engage the concrete by encouraging the development of a praxis, comportment or lifestyle amongst its recipients. Nancy's thought engages us in a dialogue. This dialogue is something which can, and does, continue outside of our relationship with the texts we read, potentially affecting the way we relate to others in our everyday lives.

Abstract not available.