Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2009. / Open access. Includes bibliographical references (p. 124-127). Print copy also available.

My aim in this thesis is to explain how a non-reductionist metaphysics can accommodate the causal relevance of the psychological and of the special sciences generally. According to physicalism, all behavior is caused by brain-states; given "folk-psychology", behavior (such as the waving of my hand) is caused by some psychological state. If psychological states are distinct from brain states (event dualism), then our behavior is overdetermined and this, it is claimed, is unacceptable. I argue that this consequence is not unacceptable. I claim that our explanatory practice should guide our ontological commitment. If we can offer true explanations that appeal to more than one event (or property), then we are committed to overdetermination for the event explained. I argue that accepting overdetermination is not absurd and that we can give an adequate account of causal relevance for psychological and other supervenient properties. The result is a partial defense of both property and event pluralism. Recent work by Davidson, Fodor, Jackson, Kim, Pettit and Yablo receives explicit and critical discussion.

Thesis--Münster. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 337-347).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 338 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 316-338). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis--Münster. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 337-347).

No description available.

Contemporary views on the aesthetics of nature fall into two opposing schools of thought; the cognitive school where philosophers such as Allen Carlson believe that science can explain everything about the aesthetics of nature, and the non-cognitive where, for example, Arnold Berleant maintains that science is a sufficient though not a necessary condition for the aesthetic appreciation of nature. Berleant and others of his kind contend that an engaged multi-sensuous relationship with nature will manifest the required experience. Empathy with nature, specifically primal empathy is the focus of this research, but empathy can only be experienced from a phenomenological perspective. I have walked over two hundred miles in over 70 Florida state parks, including an autumn trip to Vermont and back. During this journey I came to experience a personal connection (empathy) with nature that I now believe is grounded in holism and a methodology of the sublime leading to the beautiful. The main conclusions derived from this research are: self-realized individuals will experience the connection I speak of more quickly than those who are not, and the genius nature artist through a creative act grounded in primal empathy can reveal the Ideas or Forms of nature to those who would otherwise never experience them. This research also concludes that empathy with nature, specifically primal empathy, is a new element that can reduce the cleft and help unify the two opposing views. / by Robert L.J. Axberg. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

This thesis examines the psycho-spirtual transormations of the journey towards Wholeness. Two questions presented themselves asking "What are the actual themes that emerge from the stories of those on a journey" and "What are the transformational experiences encountered along a journey towards Wholeness?" A phenomenological hermeneutic research format was used to investigate and understand the particular themes that emerged from the co-researchers stories. This methodology allowed the researcher to approach the phenomenon being investigated with respect and sensitivity in honouring the actual lived experiences of the co-researchers. Under this framework, research interviews were conducted with nine co-researchers; seven men and two women, which produced a set of narratives depciting the lived experiences of those on a journey towards Wholeness. Through a hermeneutical analysis of the deep meanings embedded within each narrative a collection of sub-themes were arranged and from them nine major themes emerged. They included: 1) vulnerable beginnings, 2) a journey into the unkown, 3) journeying through relationships, 4) a turbulent encounter with ourselves, 5) the guru-disciple relationship, 6) exposing the root of suffering, 7) the end of seeking, 8) radical understanding, and 9) luminous impersonal existence. A summary of the findings was provided along with a look at the limitations of this study and the implications this study has in the counselling relationship. It is clear that the powerful experience of letting go to separate self existence, conventional notions of space and time, and the journey altogether leads to the understanding of Wholeness right here, right now. / vii, 177 leaves ; 28 cm.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Dept. of Philosophy, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 406-412).

Thesis (M.Arch.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-97). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.