Thought-action fusion (TAF) is the phenomenon whereby one has difficulty separating cognitions, particularly those that are intrusive and disturbing, from their corresponding behaviors. Recent work has suggested that TAF is malleable and amenable to change. The current study examined the effects of three different psychoeducational interventions on thought-action fusion, anxiety, thought suppression, magical thinking, and responsibility cognitions. Assessments were conducted both immediately following the interventions and after a two-week period. Results indicated that individuals who received a cognitive-based intervention that targeted irrational thoughts had significantly lower TAF scores than individuals who received an intervention that discussed thoughts from a non-evaluative framework and individuals in the control group, both immediately following the intervention and at the two-week follow-up. As hypothesized, all groups experienced a significant decrease in anxiety between the post-intervention and follow-up assessments; however, there was a trend towards significance for those who were exposed to the cognitive-based intervention to experience a greater decrease in anxiety than those in the control group. The cognitive-based intervention group was the only group that did not experience a significant increase in thought-suppression from baseline to post-intervention, and was also the only group to experience an increase in both frequency of and belief in low-responsibility thoughts from baseline to follow-up. No significant group differences were found for the construct of magical thinking. Implications are discussed.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / This dissertation is a prolegomenon to the study of (1) the early philosophy of Horatio Willis Dresser (1866-1954) as it relates to New Thought and (2) the philosophical foundations of New Thought as they relate to Dresser. New Thought is a philosophical-religious movement which originated in the United States in the nineteenth century. While it seeks to provide a complete approach to life, its primary field of emphasis has been healing by nonphysical means. New Thought's background is provided by the ancient tradition tradition of religious healing, American philosophy largely of the nineteenth century, and speculation inspired by phenomena produced by mesmerism, also known as animal magnetism [TRUNCATED]

A thought experiment by Avicenna known as the Flying man presents a hypothetical man in the air who is not aware of the existence of his body but simultaneously is aware of himself. A common objection to the Flying Man accuses Avicenna of committing an epistemic and logical fallacy known as the Masked Man. This paper analyses the two most recent interpretations of the Flying Man thought experiment, where each interpretation attempts to understand the main argument which Avicenna poses through the thought experiment.  On one hand, I will examine Peter Adamson and Fedor Benevich’s interpretation, which rejects previous criticisms of the Flying Man with an emphasis on Avicenna’s philosophy of essences. I will, on the other hand, present Jari Kaukua’s interpretation; a response to Adamson and Benevich’s interpretation with two closely related objections. The last section of this paper discusses and evaluates the scholars’ debated points and offers a more charitable interpretation of the Flying Man through my suggestive indicative method.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / This research was formulated within the framework of psychoanalytic theory and deals with the grammatical structure of primary-processing thinking investigated in a particular stae of weakened ego controls (alcohol intoxication). In line with Freud's and Rapaport's formulations on cognitive processes, two types of thinking are differentiated: Primary-process thinking (ideation) and secondary-process thinking (thought). Ideation is characterized as autistic, egocentric, and affect-laden. It is oriented to the immediate present, and does not consider past experiences or future possibilites. It lacks spatial, temporal, and causal organization, does not concern itself with the relations of time and space, and fails to make a definite estimation or evaluation of events and external reality. It is undifferentiated, diffuse, and vague. Since it abides by the laws of syncretic mechanisms, it manifests itself in symbolic forms and when expressed in speech, it is fragmented and disorganized. According to psychoanalytic theory, the primary thought processes can be observed in states of weakened ego controls, such as dreams, psychosis or sometimes neurosis [TRUNCATED]

Many current theories (e.g., individualism, materialism, relativism, etc.) exalt individual freedom as an absolute. They ignore the voice of universal truth as a principle of conscience and instead place conscience underneath individual choice. The concept of individual freedom in this way is influencing the conscience of many young Vietnam people to make decisions that destroy and jeopardize moral human life (e.g., abortion, transgender, same-sex marriage, murder, etc.). Educating young people to see themselves as God’s children by forming their conscience is an urgent obligation for the Vietnamese Catholic Church. Thus, my PSP is to follow past practices of the Church’s faith tradition as well as developing new resources that specially address the situation of the younger generation in Vietnam. To accomplish this, I intend to work with the presbyterate to cultivate a culture of reconciliation to help young people restore a sensitivity of guilt within one’s conscience. I also intend to work with the parents within my diocese to cultivate a culture of love where the younger generation can first flourish before tackling social and cultural challenges.

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