Cette recherche a consisté en le développement et la validation d'outils psychométriques servant à mesurer chez les étudiants une évolution dans les croyances épistémiques (c.-à-d. les croyances concernant les sciences, l'enseignement et l'apprentissage) et les attitudes épistémiques (c.-à-d. les conceptions, affects et valeurs envers des objets épistémiques comme la connaissance ou le savoir scientifique). Les valeurs et affects sont d'une importance primordiale dans l'éducation épistémologique, comme le sont les croyances ou les valeurs. Toutefois, ils semblent souvent négligés dans les approches pédagogiques ou dans la recherche. De plus, avant la présente recherche, il n'y avait pas d'instrument quantitatif fiable adapté au contexte français pour mesurer les croyances envers les sciences, l'enseignement et l'apprentissage. Pour ces raisons, nous avons développé dans la langue française un Questionnaire sur les Attitudes et les Croyances Epistémiques (QACE ou EBAI en anglais pour Epistemic Beliefs and Attitudes Inventory), qui est composé d'échelles de Likert et de différentiateurs sémantiques. Nous avons mené trois études. La première (Study 1) a été menée en France auprès de 283 étudiants pour explorer la structure de la première version du QACE (QACE1). Ensuite, cette version été utilisée pour évaluer l'impact de deux modules d'épistémologie sur les populations d'étudiants concernées. Les résultats ont indiqué une bonne consistance interne des échelles et leur capacité à mesurer des changements significatifs dans les attitudes et croyances épistémiques des étudiants. Dans une deuxième étude menée au Vietnam, nous avons examiné les propriétés psychométriques d'une traduction vietnamienne du QACE1 auprès de 228 étudiants ou professeurs (Study 2). Un résultat marquant est que les différentiateurs sémantiques se sont révélé être des outils novateurs simples et prometteurs pour mesurer les attitudes et croyances épistémiques. Cela peut être expliqué par leur robustesse psychométrique, leur forte sensibilité pour discriminer entre les groupes et la facilité avec laquelle on peut les adapter dans une autre culture. Troisièmement, la version préliminaire de l'instrument a été améliorée. Nous avons ensuite conduit en France une étude de validation de cette nouvelle version (QACE2) après de 729 étudiants (Study 3). Plusieurs construits théoriquement apparentés (comme le Epistemological Beliefs Inventory de Schraw et al., 2002; le Cognitive Complexity Indicator indiquant les position de Perry à partir du questionnaire Learning Environment Preferences de Moore, 1989; et l'échelle de dogmatisme de Shearman & Levine, 2006) ont été utilisés pour établir la validité du QACE2. Les résultats de la validation croisée sur les moitiés d'échantillons et de la fiabilité test-retest ont mis en évidence que le QACE2 est un outil fiable, stable et valide pour mesurer les croyances et attitudes épistémiques. Cette recherche a ouvert de nombreuses perspectives concernant, notamment, la vérification de la capacité du QACE2 à mesurer l'impact de modules d'épistémologie, la vérification de son adaptation à d'autres contextes francophones ou encore l'utilisation potentielle des différentiateurs sémantiques pour les recherches interculturelles sur l'épistémologie personnelle. / This research has focused on developing and validating psychometric tools to measure changes in university students' epistemic beliefs (i.e., beliefs about science, teaching, and learning) and epistemic attitudes (i.e., conceptions, affects, and values towards epistemic objects e.g., knowledge, scientific knowledge). Epistemic affects and values are of primary importance in epistemological education, as epistemic beliefs or conceptions do. However they seem to be often neglected in the pedagogical and research approaches. Moreover, before the present research, there was no reliable quantitative instrument to measure beliefs about science, learning and teaching specifically adapted to the French context. For these reasons, we developed the Epistemic Beliefs and Attitudes Inventory (EBAI), a set of Likert-type and semantic differential scales. We conducted three studies. The first study (Study 1) was conducted in France on 283 university students to explore the structure of the first version of the EBAI (EBAI1). The EBAI1 has then been used to evaluate the impact of two scientific epistemology related modules on the corresponding two students' populations. Results indicated robust internal consistencies of the scales and their ability to measure changes in students' epistemic beliefs and attitudes. In a second study, we preliminarily examined the psychometric properties of a Vietnamese translation of the EBAI1 in Vietnam with 228 participants, university students and teachers (Study 2). The results unravelled inadequacies of some scales to the Vietnamese context. One striking result is that the semantic differential scales appeared to be promising innovative and simple tools to measure epidemic attitudes and epistemic beliefs. We explain that by their strong psychometric properties, their high sensitivity in group discrimination, and the easiness to adapt them to another culture. Thirdly, the preliminary version of the instrument was revised for improvement and strengthening. We then conducted, in France, a validation study of this new version (EBAI2) among 729 students (Study 3). Several theoretically related constructs (e.g., general epistemological beliefs measured by the Epistemological Beliefs Inventory, Schraw et al., 2002; Cognitive Complexity Indicator indicating Perry's positions measured by the Learning Environment Preferences, Moore, 1989; and dogmatism measured by the Dogmatism Scale, Shearman & Levine, 2006) were used to establish the construct validity of the updated instrument (EBAI2). Results of double-split cross-validation and test-retest reliability showed a high reliability and temporal stability of the EBAI2. In summary, the findings supported that the EBAI2 is a reliable, stable and valid tool to measure epistemic beliefs and attitudes. This research opened many perspectives such as, for instance, checking for the EBAI2 ability to measure the impact of scientific epistemology related modules, checking for its adaptation to other francophone contexts, or using semantic differentials for cross-cultural researches in personal epistemology.

Com base nos pressupostos da psicologia sociocultural, da alfabetização científica, da antropologia social e dos estudos de sociologia e filosofia da Ciência, nesta dissertação buscamos analisar como as práticas epistêmicas da ciência mobilizadas no ensino e na aprendizagem de ecologia se relacionam com as práticas epistêmicas comumente utilizadas nos estudos científicos desenvolvidos nesse campo do conhecimento; e como o engajamento com tais práticas proporcionou aos estudantes a oportunidade de se apropriar de aspectos da cultura cientifica. Neste trabalhamos também procuramos compreender como o envolvimento em uma atividade investigativa sobre dinâmica populacional propiciou a formação de uma comunidade epistêmica de práticas, na qual estudantes e professora trabalharam de maneira coletiva e colaborativa, por meio do compartilhamento e validação de práticas socioculturais (as práticas epistêmicas), valores, critérios, procedimentos, explicações, ideias, argumentos, etc. Esta pesquisa foi conduzida como um estudo de caso qualitativo. Os dados analisados nesta pesquisa foram coletados por meio de gravações audiovisuais durante as aulas de biologia do primeiro ano do ensino médio (alunos com idades entre 15 e 16 anos) de uma escola pública estadual da cidade de São Paulo. As gravações audiovisuais foram transcritas, organizadas em unidades de análise e interpretadas por meio de rubricas/descritores das categorias de análise. Nossos resultados indicam que o compartilhamento de um objetivo em comum (responder à pergunta de investigação da atividade investigativa), o engajamento com as práticas epistêmicas e os processos de validação e legitimação de técnicas, ferramentas, conhecimentos, procedimentos e evidências, conduziram o grupo sala a um processo de constituir-se como uma comunidade epistêmica de práticas. Nesse processo destaca-se o papel da professora na avaliação e legitimação das proposições dos estudantes, promovendo a consolidação da comunidade e o estabelecimento de critérios para julgamento do que conta como dado, evidência e justificativa na atividade investigativa. Este estudo também trouxe evidências de como a natureza do conhecimento que tematiza a atividade didática influenciou na mobilização de práticas epistêmicas similares às empregadas nos estudos científicos sobre dinâmica de populações. As interações discursivas dos estudantes e da professora evidenciaram um engajamento com práticas epistêmicas muito similares às dos estudos ecológicos de dinâmica de populações, como a utilização e construção de gráficos que expressam a dinâmica da população ao longo do tempo e o estabelecimento de metodologias e técnicas de contagem e amostragem de indivíduos. / Based on the assumptions of sociocultural psychology, scientific literacy, social anthropology and the studies of sociology and philosophy of science, in this dissertation we seek to analyze how the epistemic practices of science mobilized in the teaching and learning of ecology are related to the epistemic practices commonly used in the scientific studies developed in this field of knowledge; and how engaging with such practices has given students the opportunity to appropriate aspects of the scientific culture. In this work we also try to understand how the involvement in a inquiry activity about population dynamics led to the formation of an epistemic community of practices, in which students and teachers worked in a collective and collaborative way, through the sharing and validation of sociocultural practices (epistemic practices), values, criteria, procedures, explanations, ideas, arguments, etc. This research was conducted as a qualitative case study. The data analyzed in this research were collected through audiovisual recordings during biology classes of high school (students aged 15 to 16 years) of a state public school in the city of São Paulo. Audio-visual recordings were transcribed, organized into units of analysis and interpreted through descriptors of analysis categories. Our results indicate that the sharing of a common objective (answering the research question of the inquiry activity), the engagement with epistemic practices and the validation and legitimation processes of techniques, tools, knowledge, procedures and evidence led the group to a process of establishing itself as an epistemic community of practices. In this process, the role of the teacher in the evaluation and legitimation of the students\' proposals is highlighted, promoting the consolidation of the community and establishing criteria for judging what counts as data, evidence and justification in the inquiry activity. This study also provided evidence of how the nature of the knowledge that thematicised the didactic activity influenced the expression of epistemic practices similar to those used in scientific studies on population dynamics. The discursive interactions of the students and the teacher showed an engagement with epistemic practices very similar to those of the ecological studies of population dynamics, such as the use and construction of graphs that express the dynamics of the population over time and the establishment of methodologies and techniques of counting and sampling of individuals.

Democracy has been encountering an increasing number of critics. Whether it comes from a sympathy for autocrats, free-markets, or the more knowledgeable, this increasing democratic scepticism often takes an epistemic form. Democracy's critics argue that democratic procedures and institutions are unlikely to make good decisions or produce good outcomes in terms of justice or the common good, and should, therefore, be restricted if not completely rejected in favour of its more able alternatives. In the face of such scepticism, this thesis develops an epistemic theory of deliberative democracy. This theory has two principal aims. The first is to analyse and define the epistemic properties of deliberative democracy, and the second is to clarify the possible role epistemic values can play in a wider justification of democratic rule. In accordance with the first, the thesis analyses the ability of deliberative democratic institutions to make good or correct decisions in comparison to a broad range of prominent alternatives. These include traditional rivals such as autocracy and aristocracy, but also more modern and less considered alternatives such as free-markets, limited epistocracy and forms of technical calculation. Through these comparisons, it is argued that we have no good or clear epistemic reason to reject democracy. Deliberative democracy is found to be epistemically superior to many of its alternatives and epistemically equivalent to even its best competitors. The thesis, therefore, mounts a strong reply to democracy's epistemic sceptics. The analysis, however, also helps clarify which form of deliberative democracy is epistemically most valuable, pointing to the value systems approaches which give a prominent role to direct citizen deliberation. The epistemic theory of deliberative democracy also aims to clarify what role epistemic values can play in a wider justification of democratic rule. The thesis argues that deliberative democracy is epistemically superior to many of its rivals and no worse epistemically than even its best alternatives. This suggests that although epistemic values cannot mount a stand-alone defence of democracy, democrats would only be required to defend very weak non-epistemic values to produce a mixed justification. Far from being 'rule by the incompetent many' and therefore highly reliant on procedural values, the thesis will demonstrate that epistemic values can carry significant weight in an argument for democratic rule.

Com base nos pressupostos da psicologia sociocultural, da alfabetização científica, da antropologia social e dos estudos de sociologia e filosofia da Ciência, nesta dissertação buscamos analisar como as práticas epistêmicas da ciência mobilizadas no ensino e na aprendizagem de ecologia se relacionam com as práticas epistêmicas comumente utilizadas nos estudos científicos desenvolvidos nesse campo do conhecimento; e como o engajamento com tais práticas proporcionou aos estudantes a oportunidade de se apropriar de aspectos da cultura cientifica. Neste trabalhamos também procuramos compreender como o envolvimento em uma atividade investigativa sobre dinâmica populacional propiciou a formação de uma comunidade epistêmica de práticas, na qual estudantes e professora trabalharam de maneira coletiva e colaborativa, por meio do compartilhamento e validação de práticas socioculturais (as práticas epistêmicas), valores, critérios, procedimentos, explicações, ideias, argumentos, etc. Esta pesquisa foi conduzida como um estudo de caso qualitativo. Os dados analisados nesta pesquisa foram coletados por meio de gravações audiovisuais durante as aulas de biologia do primeiro ano do ensino médio (alunos com idades entre 15 e 16 anos) de uma escola pública estadual da cidade de São Paulo. As gravações audiovisuais foram transcritas, organizadas em unidades de análise e interpretadas por meio de rubricas/descritores das categorias de análise. Nossos resultados indicam que o compartilhamento de um objetivo em comum (responder à pergunta de investigação da atividade investigativa), o engajamento com as práticas epistêmicas e os processos de validação e legitimação de técnicas, ferramentas, conhecimentos, procedimentos e evidências, conduziram o grupo sala a um processo de constituir-se como uma comunidade epistêmica de práticas. Nesse processo destaca-se o papel da professora na avaliação e legitimação das proposições dos estudantes, promovendo a consolidação da comunidade e o estabelecimento de critérios para julgamento do que conta como dado, evidência e justificativa na atividade investigativa. Este estudo também trouxe evidências de como a natureza do conhecimento que tematiza a atividade didática influenciou na mobilização de práticas epistêmicas similares às empregadas nos estudos científicos sobre dinâmica de populações. As interações discursivas dos estudantes e da professora evidenciaram um engajamento com práticas epistêmicas muito similares às dos estudos ecológicos de dinâmica de populações, como a utilização e construção de gráficos que expressam a dinâmica da população ao longo do tempo e o estabelecimento de metodologias e técnicas de contagem e amostragem de indivíduos. / Based on the assumptions of sociocultural psychology, scientific literacy, social anthropology and the studies of sociology and philosophy of science, in this dissertation we seek to analyze how the epistemic practices of science mobilized in the teaching and learning of ecology are related to the epistemic practices commonly used in the scientific studies developed in this field of knowledge; and how engaging with such practices has given students the opportunity to appropriate aspects of the scientific culture. In this work we also try to understand how the involvement in a inquiry activity about population dynamics led to the formation of an epistemic community of practices, in which students and teachers worked in a collective and collaborative way, through the sharing and validation of sociocultural practices (epistemic practices), values, criteria, procedures, explanations, ideas, arguments, etc. This research was conducted as a qualitative case study. The data analyzed in this research were collected through audiovisual recordings during biology classes of high school (students aged 15 to 16 years) of a state public school in the city of São Paulo. Audio-visual recordings were transcribed, organized into units of analysis and interpreted through descriptors of analysis categories. Our results indicate that the sharing of a common objective (answering the research question of the inquiry activity), the engagement with epistemic practices and the validation and legitimation processes of techniques, tools, knowledge, procedures and evidence led the group to a process of establishing itself as an epistemic community of practices. In this process, the role of the teacher in the evaluation and legitimation of the students\' proposals is highlighted, promoting the consolidation of the community and establishing criteria for judging what counts as data, evidence and justification in the inquiry activity. This study also provided evidence of how the nature of the knowledge that thematicised the didactic activity influenced the expression of epistemic practices similar to those used in scientific studies on population dynamics. The discursive interactions of the students and the teacher showed an engagement with epistemic practices very similar to those of the ecological studies of population dynamics, such as the use and construction of graphs that express the dynamics of the population over time and the establishment of methodologies and techniques of counting and sampling of individuals.

Since the post-positivist turn in critical political theory, many scholars of political science have tried to reimagine the discipline through feminist, Marxist, and postcolonial critiques. However, even critical scholars often overlook that all forms of critique are aesthetic- as is the mainstream of political science that they criticize. Despite these proliferating critiques, much of political science is still shaped by a robust epistemological orientation towards scientific aspirations, which I describe as a scientific epistemic mode. The argument of this thesis is that the dominance of a scientific epistemic mode in political science orients this discipline erroneously against aesthetic receptivity and production. The relationship between political science and aesthetics is often characterized by affects of discomfort and shame, so that aesthetic qualities in research are associated with unscientific, and therefore illegitimate outcomes. The claim that aesthetics is not suited to the study of politics is longstanding, but not necessarily legitimate. Rather than conceive of aesthetics and science as essentially opposed, this thesis considers how this dualism can be understood as a discursive formation. The notion of aesthetics as a threat to science exists as far back as Plato’s Republic, where poetry is banished for the sake of philosophy. Contra Plato, Kant acknowledges aesthetics as a relevant epistemic mode in The Critique of Judgment, but determines aesthetics to be irreconcilable with a reason-based, scientific epistemology. Finally, in The Birth of Tragedy Nietzsche’s reading of Attic Tragedy suggests that, like the figures of Dionysus and Apollo, aesthetics and science can be thought of as two forces in a relation of productive antagonism rather than mutual exclusion or domination. In response to the naturalized, scientific epistemic mode in political science, an aesthetic epistemic mode acknowledges the fusion of aesthetics and science in the production of political analysis. Following Isabelle Stengers, this thesis tries to slow down the sense that aesthetics is inferior, excluded and dominated by science, suggesting that political science begin to cultivate a receptive awareness of its own aesthetic value. In making aesthetics a legitimate focus in political science, an aesthetic epistemic mode is practised by seeking out relevant questions rather than demanding immediate, “scientific” answers. / Graduate / 0615 / 0422 / anctil.laura@gmail.com

À partir d'une analyse de la science contemporaine comme état de pluralité scientifique, nous nous intéressons à la situation épistémologique particulière qu'est la mise en œuvre de cet état de pluralité, c'est-à-dire à la pluralité scientifique en action, sous la forme de projet de relations entre disciplines scientifiques distinctes. Nous définissons la relation disciplinaire comme une relation d'interaction volontaire entre différents chercheurs issus de disciplines et/ou de spécialités différentes, autour d'un problème commun, pour lequel leurs compétences épistémiques spécifiques sont requises. Dans ce but, nous associons une réflexion théorique à une d'un terrain propice : le LabEx IMU (Laboratoire d'Excellence de l'Intelligence des Mondes Urbains) et les projets scientifiques qui émergent en son sein, à partir de disciplines aussi distinctes que les sciences informatiques, l'archéologie, la biologie, sociologie, philosophie, etc. L'étude de pluralité scientifique en action veut également dire : telle que la pluralité scientifique est pratiquée. Notre objectif est de mobiliser les ressources philosophiques ( philosophie des sciences générale, pragmatisme, épistémologie sociale, philosophie empirique) pour rendre compte de la dimension proprement épistémique de ces projets, c'est-à-dire leur objectif de connaissance. Dans ce but, nous analysons le contexte de spécialisation disciplinaire dans lequel des situations d'interactions émergent, en considérant que bien que cette spécialisation soit le plus souvent justifiée épistémique, d'autres dynamiques scientifiques apparaissent comme nécessaires. Nous défendons la thèse suivante : ces interactions sont des réponses à la nécessaire tension à l'unité dans la science, tout en étant devant être considérées sur un plan épistémologique comme des tentatives de mise en ordre non théoriques, qui anticiperaient ce que la science qui devrait être. Pour préciser ce que sont les projets de relation disciplinaire, nous nous intéressons à la condition de la science qui les rend possible (division du travail scientifique ; communauté scientifique), ainsi qu'aux moyens d'instruire philosophiquement de telles situations, en mobilisant la notion d'enquête chez Peirce et Dewey, notamment dans le lien qu'elle permet entre sens commun et enquête scientifique. À l'encontre de plusieurs approches de l'interdisciplinarité, qui cherchent à définir un niveau d'interaction satisfaisant, nous proposons de rendre compte de la multiplicité des interactions épistémiques au sein de la science et de développer des moyens d'analyse susceptible de représenter ces situations. Dans ce but, nous revalorisons la place des disciplines, afin de justifier le fait que ces projets sont principalement la poursuite d'une science normale par d'autres moyens. Nous analysons également en quoi ces projets doivent être considérées comme une bonne manière de faire de la science, fondés en premier lieu par leur excellence épistémique. D'autres valorisation deviennent alors possibles : comme commensurabilité aux phénomènes, comme confrontation à des problèmes pratiques et comme maximisation de la culture et des valeurs scientifiques. En confrontant ces analyses à notre terrain d'étude, nous développons des catégories analytiques susceptibles de représenter les situations d'interactions, en proposant une typologie des relations disciplinaires ainsi qu'une étude plus globale des projets de relations disciplinaires en eux-mêmes. Nous terminons notre étude par l'analyse de différents projets du LabEx IMU, en leur appliquant les catégories de représentation précédemment développées. / From an analysis of contemporary science as a state of scientific plurality, we study the particular epistemologic situation of the implementation of this state of plurality, that is to say the scientific plurality in action, as it takes form into projects of relationships between distinct scientific disciplines. We define disciplinary relationship as a volunteer relation of interaction between different searchers from different scientific disciplines/specialites around a common issue, for which their specific epistmemic competences are required. In this goal, we associate a theoric reflexion with a fieldwork : the study of the Labex IMU - (Laboratoire d'Excellence de l'Intelligence des Mondes Urbains ; Excellence Laboratory of the Intelligence of Urban Worlds) within which scientific projects emerge, from disciplines as different as computer science, archeology, biology, sociology, philosophy and so on. Thus, the study of the scientific plurality in action means : as the plurality is practised. Our objective is to use philosophical ressources (general philosophy of science, pragmatism, social epistemology, empirical philosophy) to describe the epistemic dimension of these projects, that is to say their objective of knowledge. With this objective in mind, we analyse the origin of this state of diversity through the problem of disicplinary specialization, by showing that, even if these specialization is most of the time justified, other dynamics appears necessary. We defend the following these : these interactions are answers to the necessary tension toward the unity of science, and they must be considered from an epistemologic point of view as non-theoric set in order attempts which would anticipate the science that must be. To specify what are the projects of disciplinary relationships, we study at firt the scientific condition that makes it possible (scientific work division ; scientific community), and the means to analyse philosophically such situations, by engaging the notion of inquiry of Peirce and Dewey, in particular the link that it allows between common sens and scientific inquiry. On opposition to several interdisciplinarity approaches, which seek to define a satisfactory level of interaction, we propose to investigate the multiplicity of epistemic interactions in science and to develop analytical means to represent such situations. Thus, we accord more status to disciplines, in order to justify the fact that these projects are a mere continuation of normal science by other means. We analyse also how these projects must considered as good science, founded in epistemic excellence at first place. Other valorisations becomes possibles : as commensurability to phenomenons, as a confrontation to pratical issues and as a maximisation of scientific culture and values By confronting these analysis to our fieldwork, we develop analytical categories capable to represent the situations of interactions, by proposing a typology of disciplinary relationships and a more globla study of the projects of disciplinary relationships in their own. We finish our study by the analysis of several projects of the LabEx IMU, by apling to them the representational categories previously developped.

No description available.

There are three different uses of the term 'information' in ordinary language: in the restricted sense, it means diverse types of material objects, such as data or documents ('information as thing'); alternatively, the term is used as in reference to the act of informing or becoming informed ('information as process'), or to equate to knowledge ('information as knowledge'). Each of these connotations represents a legitimate view of information in its own right, being equally significant to information-intensive organisations. The literature lacks studies that approach information from an integrative viewpoint, however. The purpose of this study was to explore and develop the notion of 'information governance' as an integrative, systemic approach to information in the context of research organisations. Soft Systems Methodology was used in a case study involving the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. Qualitative data was gathered through in-depth interviews with researchers and information/knowledge managers, followed by a thematic, two-level analysis. From a 'macro level' of analysis (the wider Brazilian agricultural research system) it was found that, to solve increasingly complex research problems, collaborative, multidisciplinary networking is needed. On the other hand, competitive forces are continuously emanating from the systems of research steering, funds and resources' allocation, quality control, and recognition and reward. This conflict inhibits the collaborative sharing of 'information as thing' and 'as knowledge', disturbs internal communication flows and contributes to low levels of synergy and cross-departmental partnerships, ultimately affecting research outcomes. At a 'meso level' (the local practices and culture of agricultural knowledge production), different epistemic cultures were identified (named in vitro, in situ and in silico research), which respond differently to the opposing forces of collaboration and competition. Based on a deep understanding of the agricultural research system and underlying epistemic cultures, a framework for effective governance of information was developed. Action to improve the governance of information at Embrapa would involve nurturing an information culture that supports collaborative work. Given that interactions between researchers are determined by their individual pursuits and struggles, this would require a change in the corporate system of performance evaluation and reward, according to the different epistemic cultures.

Some of the attributes of a perfect being (e.g. first cause, necessary being, intelligent creator) are established on the basis of theological arguments such as the cosmological and the teleological. At the deepest level, these theological arguments are based on principles of rational psychology such as simplicity and sufficient reason. Moreover, belief that the perfect being is the moral omnipotent God is an act of trust and thus based on the rational psychology of trust. Theists in the Abrahamic tradition subscribe to first cause/necessary being/intelligent creator theology and must therefore remain faithful to any psychological principles (simplicity, sufficient reason, trust) that are the rational grounds for believing in the existence of their God. But such faithfulness results in a deep tension within Judeo-Christian theism. For example, a Christian theist who believes in the Trinity must at the same time remain faithful to the principle of simplicity that rejects the Trinity. Because simplicity is the rational basis for the deeply cherished attributes of the Christian God (first cause/necessary being/intelligent creator), it is argued that faithfulness to psychological principles such as simplicity discipline Christian theistic belief, in particular the belief in the Trinity. Examples of this nature offer a framework for a similar disciplining of Islamic hermeneutics on the basis of rational psychology. Muslim interpreters tend not to systematically engage in the philosophy of religion, and for this reason do not explicitly articulate the psychological principles that gave them their theistic Muslim identity. As a result, they deviate from such principles when it comes time to interpret the original sources of Islam (Quran and Sunna). Consistency is one of the demands of rationality, and it is inconsistent to assume principles in arriving at a theistic Muslim identity and then subsequently fail to apply those principles consistently to the task of textual interpretation.

<p>Students hold a number of personal theories about education that influence motivation and achievement in the classroom: theories about their own abilities, knowledge, and the learning process. Therefore, college instructors have a great interest in helping to develop adaptive personal theories in their students. The current studies investigated whether specific messages that instructors send in college classroom might serve as a mechanism of personal theory development. Across 2 studies, 17 college instructors and 401 students completed surveys assessing their personal theories about education at the beginning and end of college courses. Students and instructors reported hearing and sending many messages in the classroom, including instructor help messages, conciliatory messages, uncertainty in the field messages, differential ability messages and generalized positive and negative feedback. Between-class and within-class differences in message reports were associated with students’ personal theories at the end of their courses, controlling for initial personal theories. Students’ initial personal theories were also related to the messages students reported hearing. The findings demonstrate the utility of assessing non-content messages in college classrooms as potential mechanisms for changing students’ personal theories in college. Implications for research and practice are discussed.</p> / Dissertation