In this comprehensive collection of essays, most of which appear for the first time, eminent scholars from many disciplines—philosophy, economics, sociology, political science, demography, theology, history, and social psychology—examine the causes, nature, and consequences of present-day consumption patterns in the United States and throughout the world.

Responding to serious environmental problems, requires urgent and fundamental shifts in our day-to-day lifestyles. This paper employs a qualitative, cross-cultural approach to explore people’s subjective self-reflections on their experiences of pro-environmental behavioral spillover in three countries; Brazil, China, and Denmark. Behavioral spillover is an appealing yet elusive phenomenon, but offers a potential way of encouraging wider, voluntary lifestyle shifts beyond the scope of single behavior change interventions. Behavioral spillover theory proposes that engaging in one pro-environmental action can catalyze the performance (...) of others. To date, evidence for the phenomenon has been mixed, and the causal processes governing relationships between behaviors appear complex, inconsistent and only partly understood. This paper addresses a gap in the literature by investigating accounts of behavioral spillover in three diverse cultural settings using qualitative semi-structured interviews. The analysis shows that while around half of participants overall who were questioned recalled spillover effects, the other half had not consciously experienced spillover. There were few significant differences across cultures, though some forms of spillover effects were reported more in some cultures than others. More environmentally-engaged participants across all three countries were significantly more likely to experience spillover than those who were less engaged. Accounts of within-domain spillovers were most commonly reported, mainly comprising waste, resource conservation and consumption-related actions. Accounts of between-domain spillover were very rare. Recollection of contextual and interpersonal spillover effects also emerged from the interviews. Our findings suggest that more conscious behavioral spillover pathways may be limited to those with pre-existing environmental values. Behavioral spillover may comprise multiple pathways incorporating conscious and unconscious processes. We conclude that targeting behavioral catalysts that generate more socially diffuse spillover effects could offer more potential than conventional spillover involving a single individual. (shrink)

This paper reports laboratory data for games that are played only once. These games span the standard categories: static and dynamic games with complete and incomplete information. For each game, the treasure is a treatment in which behavior conforms nicely to predictions of the Nash equilibrium or relevant refinement. In each case, however, a change in the payoff structure produces a large inconsistency between theoretical predictions and observed behavior. These contradictions are generally consistent with simple intuition based on the (...) interaction of payoff asymmetries and noisy introspection about others’ decisions. (shrink)

This book brings into view the most enduring and distinctive philosophical current in South African history—one often obscured or patronized as Afrikaner liberalism. It traces this current of thought from nineteenth-century disputes over Dutch liberal theology through Stellenbosch existentialism to the prison writings of Breyten Breytenbach, and examines related themes in the work of Olive Schreiner, M. K. Gandhi, and Richard Turner. At the core of this tradition is a defence of free speech in its classical sense, as a virtue (...) necessary for a good society, rather than in its modern liberal sense as an individual right. Out of this defence of free speech, conducted in the face of charges of heresy, treason, and immorality, a range of philosophical conceptions developed—of the self constituted in dialogue with others, of freedom as transcendence of the given, and of a dialectical movement of consciousness as it is educated through debate and action. This study shows the Socratic commitment to "following the argument where it leads," sustained and developed in the storm and stress of a peculiar modernity.  . (shrink)

Within a formal epistemic model for simultaneous-move games, we present the following conditions: belief in the opponents’ rationality, stating that a player believes that every opponent chooses an optimal strategy, self-referential beliefs, stating that a player believes that his opponents hold correct beliefs about his own beliefs, projective beliefs, stating that i believes that j’s belief about k’s choice is the same as i’s belief about k’s choice, and conditionally independent beliefs, stating that a player believes that opponents’ types choose (...) their strategies independently. We show that, if a player satisfies BOR, SRB and CIB, and believes that every opponent satisfies BOR, SRB, PB and CIB, then he will choose a Nash strategy. We thus provide a sufficient collection of one-person conditions for Nash strategy choice. We also show that none of these seven conditions can be dropped. (shrink)

I draw attention to one of the most important sources of Kuhn’s ideas in Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Contrary to the popular trend of focusing on external factors in explaining Kuhn’s views, factors related to his social milieu or personal experiences, I focus on the influence of the books and articles he was reading and thinking about in the history of science, specifically, sources in the history of chemistry. I argue that there is good reason to think that the history (...) of chemistry had a profound influence on Kuhn’s thinking, and what is remarkable is that this has eluded our attention for so long. I also argue that his interest in the history of chemistry was due to the influence of James B. Conant and Leonard Nash. (shrink)

Whereas early threats are chosen before bargaining, late threats are determined after bargaining ended in conflict. Instead of exogenously imposing the timing of threats, these are derived endogenously as in indirect evolution or endogenous timing. Based on a duopoly market, we first derive the equilibrium for all possible constellations regarding the timing of threats. Our analysis surprisingly justifies the early timing of threats as suggested by Nash (1953).

In this paper, I argue for a conditional parity thesis: if we are agents with respect to our intentions, we are agents with respect to our beliefs. In the final section, I motivate a categorical version of the parity thesis: we are agents with respect to belief and intention. My aim in this paper is to show that there is no unique challenge facing epistemic agency that is not also facing agency with respect to intention. My thesis is ambitious on (...) two fronts. First, the parity thesis is a substantive thesis about the nature of belief and intention. I argue that there is a structural parity of belief and intention; the status of whether they are agential stands and falls together. Second, the parity thesis illuminates the nature of agency. It constrains what counts as a satisfactory account of agency: either we must accept agency of both belief and intention, or we must reject both. In the final section, I argue that we have prima facie reason to accept agency of belief and intention. Finally, I diagnose why there has been such resistance to epistemic agency. Epistemic agency is problematic, but its problems are problems with agency, not problems with epistemic agency. (shrink)

Born in 1918 in New York, awarded a doctorate in analytical chemistry (1944), Leonard K. Nash enjoyed a distinguished career at Harvard, holding a chair of chemistry from 1959 to 1986. Conducting research in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, Nash authored successful textbooks, some of which remain in print (e.g. Elements of Chemical Thermodynamics, and Elements of Statistical Thermodynamics).This essay describes the theory of science that Nash developed in a book he published in 1963, The Nature of the (...) Natural Sciences. The present author is of the view that Nash's neglected theory is worth retrieving, as one that is likely to kindle the interest of historians of metascience on several counts. Part of .. (shrink)

Objective We sought to understand ethics and education needs of emergency nurses and physicians in paediatric and adult emergency departments in order to build ethics capacity and provide a foundation for the development of an ethics education programme. Methods This was a prospective cross-sectional survey of all staff nurses and physicians in three tertiary care EDs. The survey tool, called Clinical Ethics Needs Assessment Survey, was pilot tested on a similar target audience for question content and clarity. Results Of the (...) 123 participants surveyed, 72% and 84% of nurses and physicians fully/somewhat agreed with an overall positive ethical climate, respectively. 69% of participants reported encountering daily or weekly ethical challenges. Participants expressed the greatest need for additional support to address moral distress, conflict management with patients or families and resource issues. Of the 23 reported occurrences of moral distress, 61% were associated with paediatric mental health cases. When asked how the ethics consultation service could be used in the ED, providing education to teams was the most desired method. Conclusions Nurses report a greater need for ethics education and resources compared with their physician colleagues. Ethical challenges in paediatric EDs are more prevalent than adult EDs and nurses voice specific moral distress that are different than adult EDs. These results highlight the need for a suitable educational strategy, which can be developed in collaboration with the leadership of each ED and team of hospital ethicists. (shrink)

Les fouilles effectuées au cours de ces dernières dizaines d’années, ont modifié profondément le tableau qu’on se faisait de la préhistoire chinoise. Au début du xxe siècle, les savants les plus connus pouvaient encore mettre en doute l’existence d’une époque néolithique chinoise — mais depuis lors, l’activité de l’archéologie a mis à jour un vaste matériel et paléolithique et néolithique. Le présent article, extrait du premier volume d’une histoire économique et sociale de la Chine, donne une vue d’ensemble du matériel (...) nouvellement acquis et cherche à le mettre en valeur pour une considération sociologique.L’homo pekinensis, l’ancien habitant de la Chine paléolithique du Nord connaissait le feu ; il se servait d’instruments et d’armes en pierre travaillée. Aux deux degrés de son évolution de chasseur primitif et de chasseur évolué, correspondent deux degrés de perfection de ces instruments. Il semble bien que les prisonniers aient été tués (et mangés?) sans distinction d’âge et de sexe. Les chasseurs ne sauraient que faire du travail d’esclave.Vers la fin de l’époque néolithique chinoise se produisit un épanouissement que la rare perfection de la céramique „rouge“ et „noire“ indique assez bien. La filiation somatique de l’homo pekinensis et du Chinois des époques ultérieures est probable ; il semble hors de doute que l’homme de l’époque néolithique soit du même type que celui de la Chine historique. Primitivement, l’agriculture (à la houe) était faite par les femmes, qui en même temps confectionnaient à la main — par la suite au moyen d'une plaque très simple — la céramique,,rouge“ ; les hommes continuaient à s'occuper de la chasse et de la pêche. Dès lors apparaît, encore qu'assez vaguement, une civilisation démocratique et paysanne, caractérisée probablement par des éléments matriarchaux. Vers l'époque de la céramique „noire“ se produit la transition vers l'élevage et à la céramique qui connaît alors le tour de potier — ces deux sortes de travaux incombent aux hommes. L'agriculture se fait plus intense, c'est peut-être ici qu'il convient de supposer les premiers débuts de la construction de terrasses et de l'irrigation. Les esclaves trouvent un emploi, une différenciation sociale se produit, c'est l'origine des villes. La société agraire primitive fait place à un ordre nouveau. Celui-ci s'exprime socialement parlant par une noblesse de clan primitive, politiquement par l'État.Les découvertes les plus récentes de l'archéologie chinoise apportent de nombreuses preuves pour l'évolution telle qu'elle vient d'être esquissée. L'analyse des mythes archaïques et des contes populaires de la Chine confirme, par la suite, au moyen de l'anthropologie ce que l'étude avait jusqu'ici rendu hautement probable par les méthodes de l'archéologie.Die Ausgrabungen der letzten Jahrzehnte haben das Bild der chinesischen Frühgeschichte grundlegend geändert. Während noch zu Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts führende Gelehrte die Existenz eines chinesischen Neolithikums bezweifelten, hat seither die Tätigkeit der Archäologie sowohl paläolithische wie neolithische Funde in grosser Reichhaltigkeit zutage gefördert. Der vorliegende Aufsatz — Sektion I des ersten Bandes einer Wirtschafts-und Sozialgeschichte Chinas — gibt einen Überblick über das neu gewonnene Material und sucht es sozialwissenschaftlich auszuwerten.Homo pekinensis, der (früh) altsteinzeitliche Bewohner Nordchinas kannte das Feuer ; er benutzte Werkzeuge und Waffen aus behauenem Stein. Zwei Stufen der Bearbeitung seiner Geräte deuten zwei Stufen seiner ökonomischen Entwicklung an, die des „niederen“ und des „höheren“ Jägertums. Gefangene scheinen ohne Unterschied von Alter und Geschlecht getötet (und verzehrt?) worden zu sein. Jäger haben für Sklavenarbeit keine Verwendung.Reich entwickelt ist Chinas (spätes) Neolithikum, dessen „rote“ und „schwarze“ Töpferei von seltener Vollkommenheit ist. Der Zusammenhang des homo pekinensis mit den späteren Chinesen ist somatisch wahrscheinlich, die Zugehörigkeit der Bewohner des chinesischen Neolithikums zu dem geschichtlichen Chinesentum scheint ausser Zweifel. Ursprünglich wurde offenbar der Ackerbau (Hackbau) von Frauen betrieben, die zugleich mit der Hand — und später mit einem einfachen Drehrad — die „rote“ Töpferei herstellten, während die Männer fortfuhren zu jagen und zu fischen. Das Bild einer primitiven demokratischen Dorfkultur mit vermutlich mutterrechtlichen Zügen wird andeutungsweise sichtbar. Es folgt zur Zeit der „schwarzen“ Töpferei der Übergang zur von Männern betriebenen Viehzucht und zu einer mit der Töpferscheibe von Männern durchgeführten Töpferei. Der Ackerbau wird intensiver, die ersten Anfänge von Terrassenbau und Bewässerung liegen vielleicht hier. Sklaven werden verwendbar, soziale Differenzierung tritt ein. Städte entstehen. Die primitive Agrargesellschaft verwandelt sich in eine Ordnung neuer Art, deren sozialer Ausdruck ein primitiver Clan-Adel, deren politischer Ausdruck der Staat ist.Die jüngsten Entdeckungen auf dem Gebiete der chinesischen Archäologie erbringen zahlreiche Beweise für einen derartigen Entwicklungsgang. Die Analyse von Chinas archaischen Mythen und Volkserzählungen bestätigt im Fortgang der Untersuchung mit den Mitteln der Anthropologie, was die hier gebotene Darstellung mit den Methoden der Archäologie bereits in hohem Grad wahrscheinlich gemacht hat. (shrink)

In the last century and in the first decades of the present century the historians of India laid stress on the isolation of the subcontinent by the mountains and seas surrounding her on all sides and cutting her off as a separate universe. The progress of modern research has shown how mistaken this view was. We now see the true facts much more clearly than ever. The mountain barriers, though formidable at many points, are broken by gaps which have always (...) allowed a considerable intercourse across the frontiers on the northwest as well as the northeast and at some points due north as well. By her position in the center of the littoral of the Indian Ocean, India enjoyed ample facilities for communication by sea with the countries lying to her west and east, and we now know that she and her neighbors availed themselves of these facilities from time immemorial. The Indian Ocean was navigated freely from very early, even prehistoric, times, and there was a series of lively maritime exchanges—migratory, commercial, and cultural—among the peoples of Africa, India, and Indonesia, or more generally Southeast Asia. Western Asia and the lands adjoining the Levant also took, from the beginning, a prominent part in this commerce of goods and ideas between India and the world. It is the aim of this paper to trace briefly the ancient contacts between India and the Western countries to the time when the rise and spread of Islam and the Islamic impact on India ushered in a new epoch. (shrink)

At the beginning of the study of physical phenomena, the idea of "force" was widely used to explain the non-stationarity of observed phenomena, such as the movement of bodies. However, as mechanics and physical theories developed, the force notions gained own formal definitions and names, without the use of the term "force". So, the concept of kinetic energy arose instead of "vis viva", and "current" instead of "current strength" ets. Additionally, a number of new physical theories have been formulated without (...) the use of force concept. As a result, different types of forces have gradually been replaced by other more important concepts, such as energy and action, which are closely linked to fundamental physical principles. It is interesting to note that the general trend in the development of civilizations has been a shift from unrestricted power (expressed in the thesis "might makes right") to its subordination and incorporation into a legal framework. This is similar to the evolution of physics, which has seen the notion of force become eliminated or subordinated to more general principles and laws. (shrink)

Background and objectives Conscientious refusal of abortion has been discussed widely by medical ethicists but little information on practitioners' opinions exists. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued recommendations about conscientious refusal. We used a vignette experiment to examine obstetrician-gynecologists' (OB/GYN) support for the recommendations. Design A national survey of OB/GYN physicians contained a vignette experiment in which an OB/GYN doctor refused a requested elective abortion. The vignette varied two issues recently addressed by the ACOG ethics committee—whether the (...) doctor referred and whether the doctor disclosed their objection to the abortion. Participants and setting 1800 OB/GYN randomly selected physicians were asked to complete a mail survey containing the vignette. The response rate was 66% (n=1154) after excluding 40 ineligible cases. Measurement Physicians indicated their approval for the vignette doctor's decision. Main results Overall, 43% of OB/GYN physicians responded that the conscientious refusal exercised by the vignette physician was appropriate. 70% rated the vignette doctor as acting appropriately when a referral was made. This dropped to 51% when the doctor disclosed objections to the patient, and to 12% when the doctor disclosed objections and refused to make a referral. Consistent with previous research, males were more likely to support disclosure and refusal to refer. Highly religious physicians supported non-referral but not disclosure. Conclusion OB/GYN physicians are less likely to support conscientious refusal of abortion if physicians disclose their objections to patients. This is at odds with ACOG recommendations and with some models of the doctor–patient relationship. (shrink)