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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
91

Synthesis of amorphous metallic nanoparticles using a laser ablation process

Gutierrez, Jean-Gil Rémy 02 December 2013 (has links)
Amorphous metals have been discovered in 1960 and, because of their structures, exhibit very unique mechanical, magnetic and chemical properties that can have various applications. These properties qualify them as the potential material of the future. This work focuses on a new laser ablation technique to synthesize nanoparticles of amorphous metals from aqueous feedstock. One of the critical factors in the production of amorphous metal is the cooling rate used to synthesize them. The laser ablation of microparticle aerosol (LAMA) process used in this work, with a cooling rate estimated of 10¹² K/s, has all the characteristics required for the production of such metallic glasses. A Collison nebulizer is used to generate microdroplets of a nitrate solution containing the corresponding ratio of metals for the production of a Zr-Al-Ni based alloy. Once dried and conditioned, these microdroplets leave solid microparticles which are ablated by an excimer laser producing nanoparticles that are then filtered by virtual impaction. In order to characterize the nanoparticles obtained with this process nanoparticulate films produced by LAMA have been analyzed by optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) equipped with EDS. The results agree with a hypothesis that the films contain oxidized, amorphous metal on the surface of the films. When the films are thin, they are fully oxidized, and simultaneous segregation of Zr occurs to the surface. The hypothesis and the results are discussed. / text
92

Religionstheologie auf dem Prüfstand Jacques Dupuis im Dialog mit dem Zen-Meister Thich Nhat Hanh und dem Dalai Lama

Löffler, Alexander January 2009 (has links)
Zugl.: Louvain, Univ. Cath., Diss., 2009 u.d.T.: Löffler, Alexander: Jacques Dupuis' Religionstheologie auf dem Prüfstand
93

Desenvolvimento dos catalisadores Co/SBA-15 e Ru/Co/SBA-15 a partir das fontes de sílica. / Development of Co / SBA-15 and Ru / Co / SBA-15 catalysts from silica sources.

RODRIGUES, Jocielys Jovelino. 23 March 2018 (has links)
Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-03-23T19:48:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JOCIELYS JOVELINO RODRIGUES - TESE PPGEQ 2015..pdf: 2539318 bytes, checksum: 88878182929175962ca411ac34f42556 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-23T19:48:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JOCIELYS JOVELINO RODRIGUES - TESE PPGEQ 2015..pdf: 2539318 bytes, checksum: 88878182929175962ca411ac34f42556 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Capes / Este trabalho teve como objetivo, desenvolver peneiras moleculares utilizando fontes de sílica convencional (TEOS) e alternativa (cinza da casca de arroz), utilizá-las como suportes para catalisadores de Cobalto destinados à síntese de FischerTropsch, e também, investigar o efeito da introdução de rutênio como promotor na reação acima mencionada. Preparou-se a SBA-15 a partir de um gel com composição molar: 1.0 FONTE DE SÍLICA: 0.017 P123: 5.7 HCl: 193 H2O. Os catalisadores foram preparados pelo processo de impregnação úmida utilizando solução de 0,1 M de (Co(NO3)2.6H2O). Na sequência, foi incorporado o promotor rutênio usando solução aquosa de 0,1M de Cloreto de Rutênio (RuCl3xH2O). As amostras foram caracterizadas por DRX, EDX, TG/ATD, MEV, MET, RTP e adsorção física de N2. A reação de Fischer-Tropsch foi conduzida em reator leito de lama durante 6 horas de reação a 240oC e pressão de 20 bar, utilizando uma relação molar H2/CO = 1. A obtenção da SBA-15 utilizando fontes de sílica convencional e alternativa pôde ser confirmada pelos difratogramas, com destaque para a SBA-15 obtida com a fonte alternativa cinzas da casca de arroz, resíduo agrícola produzido em longa escala e que praticamente não tem aplicação comercial. Os difratogramas dos catalisadores na faixa angular de 0-8º mostraram que após a impregnação dos metais e calcinação, não ocorreram modificações na estrutura hexagonal dos materiais mesoporosos, observando-se os picos principais da fase do SBA-15. As análises de adsorção física de N2 das peneiras moleculares SBA-15 (CCA) e SBA15 (TEOS), mostram isotermas com perfil do tipo IV e histerese H1, características de materiais mesoporosos. As análises térmicas das peneiras moleculares SBA-15 (TEOS) e SBA-15 (CCA) indicaram a eliminação do direcionador (Pluronic) no processo de calcinação. As áreas superficiais específicas dos catalisadores diminuem e o volume de poro varia, devido ao bloqueio parcial dos poros pelo cobalto e pelo promotor rutênio, mas a estrutura da peneira molecular SBA-15 não é alterada. Os perfis de RTP dos catalisadores das séries Co/SBA-15 e Ru/Co/SBA-15 permitiram verificar a presença de picos distintos que pode ser causado pela redução dos óxidos de cobalto. A MET mostrou espécies de cobalto na forma esférica com tamanho de 20 nm, e após a co-impregnação com rutênio, houve uma melhor dispersão dessas espécies de cobalto resultando em partículas menores com tamanho médio de 10 nm. Os resultados obtidos a partir da síntese de FischerTropsch pelos catalisadores, apresentaram altas seletividades a hidrocarbonetos C5+ de alto valor agregado, bem como, verificou-se que a co-impregnação do promotor rutênio no catalisador Co/SBA-15, favoreceu o aumento da seletividade para hidrocarbonetos C5+ e diminuiu a seletividade para metano, com destaque para o desempenho do catalisador 20%Co/0,5%Ru/SBA-15 preparado com as cinzas da casca de arroz. / The aim of this work was to prepare the mesoporous molecular sieve SBA-15 using conventional silica sources (TEOS) and alternative (Ash rice husk) and uses them as support for cobalt catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch process. And investigate the introduction of ruthenium as a promoter. It was prepared SBA- 15 from a gel of molar composition : 1.0 silica source : 0.017 P123 : 5.7 HCl : 193 H2O. The catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation process using 0.1 M solution (Co(NO3)2.6H2O) (Vetec). Following ruthenium promoter was incorporated using 0.1 M aqueous solution of ruthenium chloride (RuCl3xH2O). The samples were characterized by XRD, EDX , TG/DTA, SEM, TEM, TPR and adsorption of N2. The Fischer-Tropsch reaction is conducted at 240 °C , pressure of 20 bar using a molar ratio H2/CO = 1, on a slurry reactor for a reaction time of 8 h. Obtaining the SBA -15 silica using conventional sources and alternative could be confirmed by X ray diffraction , with emphasis on the SBA -15 obtained with the alternative source of rice husk ash , a residue of agriculture abundant and cheap that is usually discarded. The XRD patterns of the catalysts in the angular range 0-8º showed that after impregnation and calcination of the metal changes did not occur in the hexagonal structure of mesoporous materials , observing the main peaks of the phase of SBA -15. The physical adsorption of N2 analysis of SBA -15 molecular sieves (CCA) and SBA -15 (TEOS) show with type IV isotherm profile and H1 hysteresis characteristics of mesoporous material. The thermal analysis of SBA -15 molecular sieves (TEOS) and SBA -15 (CCA) indicated the elimination of the template (Pluronic) in the calcination process. The specific surface areas of the catalysts decreases , and the pore volume changes due to partial blockage of the pores by cobalt and ruthenium promoter, but the structure of SBA -15 molecular sieve is not changed. TPR profiles of the catalysts of the series Co /SBA- 15 and Ru /Co /SBA -15 evidenced the presence of distinctive peaks that can be caused by the reduction of cobalt oxides. TEM showed cobalt species on spherical 20 nm in size, and after co- impregnation with ruthenium was a better dispersion of these cobalt species resulting in particles with average size smaller than 10 nm. The results obtained from the Fischer- Tropsch the catalysts showed high selectivity to hydrocarbons C5+ of high value, and it was found that co- impregnation of the ruthenium promoter in the Co catalyst /SBA -15 promoted the increase of selectivity to C5+ hydrocarbons and decreased the selectivity to methane, highlighting the performance of the catalyst 20 % Co/0.5 % Ru/SBA-15 prepared with the ashes of the rice husk .
94

Abordagem metodológica envolvendo tensiometria e determinação da curva de retenção de água num solo de textura média / Methodological approach involving tensiometry and determination of the water retention curve in a medium texture soil

Helio Henrique Soares Franco 02 March 2015 (has links)
A agricultura demanda grande quantidade de água para a produção de alimentos e fibras. Técnicas que determinem e monitorem a dinâmica da água no solo são importantes para promover o uso correto e consciente desse recurso natural. Diante do exposto, a tensiometria é uma ferramenta eficiente na determinação da dinâmica da água em solos agrícolas, podendo ser utilizada em conjunto com sensores de capacitância para a caracterização da curva de retenção de água no solo. Contudo, apesar de práticos, erros associados à instalação e às características das cápsulas podem comprometer a precisão dos tensiômetros. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo testar a influência do uso de lama de solo no momento da instalação, bem como o formato e condutância hidráulica de cápsulas de tensiômetros de punção sobre o potencial matricial da água no solo, tendo-se como referência tensiômetros com manômetro de mercúrio. Também, se objetivou determinar a curva de retenção de água no solo com base nos dados obtidos por tensiometria e de um sensor de capacitância. Os resultados mostram que o formato das cápsulas de cerâmica e a lama de solo influenciaram as determinações do potencial matricial, ao contrário da condutância hidráulica das cápsulas. A lama de solo é indicada na instalação de tensiômetros com manômetro de mercúrio e de punção. As curvas de retenção diferiram quanto aos sistemas de aquisição (manômetro de mercúrio ou tensímetro); no entanto, o modelo ajustado não foi sensível em distinguir diferenças entre os tratamentos quanto ao formato das cápsulas ou uso de lama de solo. De modo geral, ocorreu uma subestimativa dos ajustes das curvas de retenção para os tensiômetros de punção, o que pode levar a interpretações errôneas das curvas de retenção de água no solo quando determinadas por meio desses instrumentos. / The agriculture demand large amounts of water for food and fiber production. The techniques used to determine and monitor the water dynamics in the soil are important to promote the correct and conscious use of this natural resource. Given the above, the tensiometry is an efficient tool for the determination the water dynamics in soils, which can be used in conjunction with capacitance sensors to characterize the water retention curve in the soil. However, although practical, errors associated with the installation and the characteristics of the capsules may compromise the accuracy of tensiometers. This study aimed to test the influence of the use of soil slurry during the tensiometer installation, the format and hydraulic conductance of the capsules from puncture tensiometers on the matric potential of soil water, taking as reference tensiometers equipped with mercury manometers. In addition, aimed to determine the soil-water retention curve based on data obtained by tensiometry and a capacitance sensor. The results shows that the format of the ceramic capsules and the use of the slurry influenced the measurements of matric potential, as opposed to hydraulic conductance of the capsules. The soil slurry is recommended for tensiometers equiped with mercury manometer and puncture tensiometers. The retention curves differed among the acquisition systems (mercury manometer or tensimeter); however, the fitted model was not sensitive enough to distinguish differences between treatments for the format of the capsules or the use of soil slurry. In general, there was an underestimation of the retention curve for puncture tensiometers, which can lead to erroneous interpretations of the soil-water retention curve when determined by these instruments.
95

Variabilidade espacial e temporal do fitoplâncton na zona de arrebentação da praia do Cassino (RS, Brasil): relação com os depósitos de lama e nutrientes dissolvidos

Piedras, Fernanda Reinhardt January 2012 (has links)
Tese(doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós–Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, 2012. / Submitted by Cristiane Gomides (cristiane_gomides@hotmail.com) on 2013-11-19T12:24:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 fernanda.pdf: 1386021 bytes, checksum: e67fec86c13546d730d06a2d26086f69 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Angelica Miranda (angelicacdm@gmail.com) on 2013-11-20T21:40:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 fernanda.pdf: 1386021 bytes, checksum: e67fec86c13546d730d06a2d26086f69 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-11-20T21:40:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fernanda.pdf: 1386021 bytes, checksum: e67fec86c13546d730d06a2d26086f69 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Na zona de arrebentação de praias arenosas e expostas ocorrem acumulações de diatomáceas, as quais são importantes produtores primários. Visando entender se existe uma variação espacial e temporal do fitoplâncton na zona de arrebentação da Praia do Cassino, foram analisadas semanalmente cinco estações no período de deposição lama (maio a julho de 2009), e posteriormente (agosto de 2009 a abril 2010) três estações quinzenalmente ao longo de 21 km. As relações entre variáveis ambientais e a composição e biomassa do fitoplâncton foram comparadas, verificando-se que a deposição de lama influenciou a transparência da água, mas não foi detectada diferença significativa entre os valores médios de nutrientes e de clorofila a nas estações ao longo do ano. As diatomáceas foram dominantes, destacando-se a contribuição de cêntricas unicelulares do microplâncton e Skeletonema spp., e das penadas Asterionellopsis glacialis e Pseudo-nitzschia sp. Porém, a densidade de A. glacialis encontrada neste ano foi menor do que em anos anteriores, enquanto os gêneros planctônicos Skeletonema e Pseudo-nitzschia apareceram em alta densidade. Em laboratório foram realizados experimentos curtos com enriquecimento de nutrientes inorgânicos dissolvidos testando-se ao todo sete proporções de silicato, nitrato e fosfato, com objetivo de determinar sua influência sobre as microalgas da Praia do Cassino. Como resultado, a biomassa fitoplanctônica exibiu um aumento significativo nos tratamentos com adição de nitrato, independentemente da proporção adicionada, indicando que o nitrato é o nutriente mais importante no controle da biomassa e do crescimento das diatomáceas da Praia do Cassino. / In the surf zone of exposed sandy beaches significant accumulations of diatoms occur, which are important primary producers. In order to determine the spatial and temporal variability of phytoplankton in the surf zone, five and three stations were studied in the period with mud deposition (weekly sampling, May to July 2009) and without (every two weeks, August 2009 to April 2010), respectively, along 21 km of Cassino Beach. The relationships among environmental variables and phytoplankton composition and concentration were compared. The influence of mud was evident on the water transparency, but not on the mean values of nutrients and chlorophyll a. The diatoms were dominant, emphasizing the contribution of the unicellular centric microplankton and Skeletonema spp., and the pennates Asterionellopsis glacialis and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. However, the density of A. glacialis found in this study was lower than in previous years. Moreover, the planktonic species Skeletonema and Pseudo-nitzschia appeared in high density. In laboratory, short experiments were performed with dissolved inorganic nutrient enrichment by testing seven proportions of silicate, nitrate and phosphate, in order to determine their influence on the microalgae from Cassino Beach. In both experiments, density showed a significant increase (mainly diatoms) in the treatments with nitrate addition, regardless of the proportion added, showing that nitrate is the most important nutrient controlling diatoms density and growth at the sandy Cassino Beach.
96

ProduÃÃo de Hidrocarbonetos atravÃs da SÃntese de Fischer-Tropsch utilizando Catalisadores de Fe/K / Production of hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis of using catalysts of Fe / K

Francisco Edson Mesquita Farias 07 March 2007 (has links)
CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A reaÃÃo de sÃntese de Fischer-Tropsch tem merecido grande atenÃÃo pelo seu interesse tecnolÃgico e cientÃfico. Este interesse està associado a conversÃo do gÃs natural em produtos lÃquidos de alta qualidade (gasolina e diesel) e elevado valor agregado. No presente trabalho à descrito a metodologia empregada na sÃntese e caracterizaÃÃo de catalisadores de ferro usados na sÃntese de Fischer-Tropsch, com Ãnfase nos catalisadores suportados em sÃlica e catalisadores industriais (utilizados na sÃntese de amÃnia) promovidos com potÃssio e cobre. Pretende-se com esta discussÃo, identificar possÃveis vias para o desenvolvimento de catalisadores mais ativos e seletivos, variando a composiÃÃo do promotor estrutural para fins de otimizar a distribuiÃÃo dos produtos em fraÃÃes de hidrocarbonetos especÃficos (gasolina, diesel e graxa). A reaÃÃo foi conduzida em um reator de leito de lama. O estudo seguiu um planejamento experimental do tipo fatorial quadrado com ponto central e os resultados foram analisados baseados na metodologia dos grÃficos de superfÃcie de respostas. Os efeitos das diferentes condiÃÃes operacionais (temperatura e pressÃo) e dos diferentes teores de potÃssio na distribuiÃÃo dos produtos lÃquidos foram comparados baseados nos cromatogramas, nÃmero mÃdio de carbono (Nn) e no grau de dispersÃo dos produtos. Para todos os catalisadores de ferro empregados neste trabalho, observou-se um aumento no Ãndice que representa o comprimento da cadeia de hidrocarboneto (Nn) com o aumento do teor de potÃssio. Indicando um maior grau de polimerizaÃÃo para os catalisadores de ferro suportados com 18K em ralaÃÃo aos outros (12K, 6K e industrial). Os resultados mostram que, para catalisadores suportados, em pressÃes elevadas (25 e 30atm) favorecem a produÃÃo de graxa, enquanto a seletividade para hidrocarbonetos lÃquidos à favorecida a baixa pressÃo (20atm) e baixa temperatura (240ÂC). Para os catalisadores industriais, observou-se um aumento na fraÃÃo graxa em baixas temperaturas (240-255ÂC) e elevadas pressÃes (30atm). Contudo, os resultados de todas as corridas para o catalisador suportado e o industrial promovido e nÃo-promovido apresentaram quantidades significativas de n-parafinas com no mÃximo 35 Ãtomos de carbono que pode ser causados atravÃs das limitaÃÃes geomÃtricas e espaciais dentro dos poros do catalisador que tambÃm podem explicar o motivo pelo qual o Ãndice de dispersÃo da distribuiÃÃo de hidrocarbonetos serem mais baixos para um maior nÃmero de carbonos mÃdio. / The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has been focus of attention of the scientific and industrial community. This interest is related to the conversion of natural gas into high quality liquid products, such as gasoline and diesel, which have high commercial value. In this work the methodology applied to synthesize and characterize iron-based catalyst used in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was described. Emphasis was given to catalysts supported in silica and to industrial catalysts (used in the synthesis of ammonia) impregnated with potassium and copper. The catalysts were tested to identify more active and selective catalysts, changing the amount of structural promoter in order to optimize the product distribution of specific hydrocarbons (gasoline, diesel, wax). The reaction was carried out in a slurry phase reactor. The experiments followed a 22 factorial experimental planning with central point and the results were analyzed based on the surface response methodology. The effects of the operating conditions (temperature and pressure) and of the amount of potassium in the catalyst on the liquid product distribution were compared based on the chromatographs, number average number of carbons (Nn) and distribution dispersion. In all iron based catalyst used in the research, the number average number of carbons (Nn) increased with increasing amount of potassium in the catalyst formulation. This result indicates that the catalyst with 18 K supported in silica showed the highest degree of polymerization in comparison with all other catalysts produced in this research. The results showed that for the catalyst supported in silica high pressures (25 to 30 atm) favor the production of wax, while higher selectivity towards liquid fuels was favored by low pressure (20 atm) and low temperature (240ÂC). For the industrial catalyst, an increase in the wax cat was observed at low temperatures (240-255ÂC) and high pressures (30 atm). The experiments carried out with the both catalysts (silica-supported and alumina-supported) have presented significant amounts of n-paraffins with a maximum of 35 carbons and low dispersion of the product distribution which can be caused by space limitations within the catalyst pores.
97

Kritická diskursivní analýza výpovědí karmapů optikou Inglehartova konceptu postmaterisalistických hodnot / Comparison of Karmapas statements by critical discourse analysis in the light of postmaterialistic values concept defined by Inglehard

Doubková Brodská, Barbora January 2012 (has links)
This dissertation is mainly focused on schism in the Karma-kagjü school. The death of the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje († 1981), the head of Kagjüpa plunged Karma-kagjü school to inner struggle for power and prestige. Enmity was making progress slowly and hiddenly. Situation graded in clandestine fashion and culminated in 1992 when Ogyen Trinley Dorje was enthroned in Tibet as 17th Karmapa. Some of the regents had doubt about him being the Karmapa and consequently enthroned their own candidate for 17th Karmapa. This act entirely divided the Karma-kagjü school. The primary motive and goal of my dissertation is to find presence of materialistic or postmaterialistic values defined by Ronald Inglehart (Inglehart 1997) in interviews given by 17th Karmapas. I'm looking for difference in values and my methodical instrument is critical discourse analysis. After comparison of interviews of both 17th Karmapas I find the difference in their values. My conclusion is that when Ogyen Trinley Dorje has more materialistic values than Trinley Thaye Dorje. This dissertation contains history of Tibet, history of Buddhism in Tibet and foreign relation interference in practice of Buddhism in Tibet (China and Mongolia). In addition I describe political situation of Tibet and Tibetan exile government which interfere in...
98

"Yo esto lo encuentro divertido" : estrategias satíricas en manual del perfecto deportado de Luis Felipe Angell, Sofocleto

Antúnez de Mayolo Kou, Gabriel 21 August 2014 (has links)
Manual del perfecto deportado (1974) es un monólogo satírico escrito por Luis Felipe Angell, Sofocleto, en donde el autor explica de manera cómica cómo es el proceso de la deportación latinoamericana de los gobiernos autoritarios y cómo debe afrontar el lector en esa situación. Sobre esto, postulo que la obra de Angell es una crítica social hacia todos los sujetos que participan en este proceso y que a su vez, reafirma la capacidad de agencia del narrador frente a esta sociedad para asegurar su superioridad. Mi metodología consiste en analizar los fragmentos cómicos del texto sobre la base de la teoría del humor y comicidad, así como la teoría sobre los manejos del poder. La tesis está dividida en tres capítulos, cada uno enfocado a un tipo de personaje distinto. El primer capítulo se centra en el personaje del Gobierno, en donde demuestro que el narrador tiene como intención transformarlo en un personaje deshumanizado y mecánico para demostrar su dominio frente a él. El segundo apartado está centrado en la sociedad y cómo evita revelar sus verdaderas intenciones a los deportados, y cómo el protagonista se aprovecha de ello. En el último capítulo analizo la figura del deportado mismo y propongo que esta es mostrada cómo un personaje débil en la narración para poder realzar la superioridad del narrador. Finalmente, en las conclusiones finales explico que la obra de Angell demuestra cómo el proceso de deportación ha perdido su poder de reforma y rebeldía y se ha convertido, más bien, en parte del sistema autoritario que realiza la acción. Así, la crítica y el chiste creado por esta situación es una forma de incentivar el cambio en estos sujetos para que asuman su individualidad.
99

Foreign policy, public diplomacy and the media : the case of South Africa, with specific reference to the denial of visas to the Dalai Lama

Van der Westhuizen, Sanet 06 1900 (has links)
This study illustrates the link between foreign policy, public diplomacy and the media, with reference to the South African Government’s refusal in 2009 and 2011 to issue visas to the Dalai Lama. The research question is: How do the South African media frame foreign policy and how do administrators react to this actuality? As there seems to be a void in South African international political communications, this is where this study purports to contribute. The aim is to investigate how the media frames foreign policy, specifically regarding the case study. Therefore, the media, human rights and foreign policies, and the diplomatic practices of the South African government are studied. The objective is not necessarily to prove or disprove the causal effect of media and public opinion on foreign policy but rather to illustrate the interaction between these elements in the case of the South African government’s denial of visas to the Dalai Lama. / Political Sciences / M.A. (International Politics)
100

Toward a Buddhist Philosophy and Practice of Human Rights

Kelley, Christopher January 2015 (has links)
The 14th Dalai Lama-Tenzin Gyatso (DL) has expressed strong support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). While this may seem to be consistent with his outspoken promotion of basic "human values" and "universal responsibility" (Piburn, 2002), there is an unresolved metaphysical conflict between his endorsement of the UDHR and concomitant ideas like "inherent dignity" and "inalienable rights," on the one hand, and, on the other, his espousal of the Buddhist "Middle Way" or "Centrist" (Madhyamaka) thesis that all phenomena (i.e., persons, things, and ideas like "human rights") lack "intrinsic existence" (svabhāva). In this dissertation I argue that an "unforced consensus" (Taylor 2011) on rights can be achieved through an application of the Madhyamaka interpretation of the "two truths" (dvasatya; bden pa gnyis). Metaphysics, however, is only one dimension of the Madhyamaka account of reality. There is an equally (if not more) important "cognitive dimension" that pertains to how one sees and interacts with the world (Westerhoff, 2009). I believe this can be effectively applied to an analysis of the psychology of human rights foundationalism (i.e., the mindset that reifies rights). The DL believes that ultimately the safeguarding of human rights culture depends on a cognitive shift at the individual level. I explore the philosophical implications of this belief, and I contend that it is consistent with the concept of human development and education in the UDHR. I conclude that Tibetan Buddhist ideas and practices can potentially help bridge the divide between human rights foundationalism and anti-foundationalism in a manner that reinvigorates the utility of the UDHR, and yet does not philosophically yield to an essentialist world-view.

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