Discussions

Summary  In their paper, ‘When are thought experiments poor ones?’ (Peijnenburg and David Atkinson, 2003, Journal of General Philosophy of Science 34, 305-322.), Jeanne Peijnenburg and David Atkinson argue that most, if not all, philosophical thought experiments are “poor” ones with “disastrous consequences” and that they share the property of being poor with some (but not all) scientific thought experiments. Noting that unlike philosophy, the sciences have the resources to avoid the disastrous consequences, Peijnenburg and Atkinson come to the conclusion that the use of thought experiments in science is in general more successful than in philosophy and that instead of concocting more “recherché” thought experiments, philosophy should try to be more empirical. In this comment I will argue that Peijnenburg’s and Atkinson’s view on thought experiments is based on a misleading characterization of both, the dialectical situation in philosophy as well as the history of physics. By giving an adequate account of what the discussion in contemporary philosophy is about, we will arrive at a considerably different evaluation of philosophical thought experiments.

For I am convinced that we now find ourselves at an altogether decisive turning point in philosophy, and that we are objectively justified in considering that an end has come to the fruitless conflict of systems. We are already at the present time, in my opinion, in possession of methods which make any such conflict in principle unnecessary. What is now required is their resolute application. (Schlick, ‘The Turning Point in Philosophy’, 1930/1959, p. 54).

     

Clinical Discussions

Abstract

According to its stated aims the International Forum of Psychoanalysis will especially promote presentations of clinical material and discussions of psychoanalytic methods and transactions. In order to live up to our objective we wish to introduce a special section devoted to this field, starting with this issue. It is our hope that the section will become a forum for a more lively exchange of experiences, observations and ideas than what is usually found in psychoanalytic journals. We therefore renew our call for papers suitable for the kind of discussion presented below. The question of confidentiality has, of course, to be carefully solved.     

Discussions on the large group

At the heart of this article are dialogues with three distinguished large group leaders: Patrick de Mare, Earl Hopper and Lionel Kreeger. They address, with Yvonne Agazarian, some of the major issues in leading large groups: terror and chaos, projective identification, annihilation anxiety, and the impact of size, structure, and boundary management on the potential for change and transformation in the large group. Also discussed are the twin heritage of both psychodynamic and sociological theory and the influence of psychoanalysis, basic assumption theory, information theory, general systems theory, and field theory on the current understanding of large group as the context for therapeutic change. The authors also introduce a theory of living human systems, which views the large group as one system in a hierarchy of isomorphic systems and identifies the subgroup as the fulcrum for change. From this systems-centered perspective, changing the structure and function of communication within subgroups simultaneously changes both the large group and the individual subgroup members.FAGPA is a consulting affiliate of Friends Hospital and maintains a private practice in Philadelphia. Dr. Agazarian has spent the last 30 years developing the theory of living human systems and systems-centered group and individual therapy.Frances B. Carter, M.S.S., is a consulting affiliate of Friends Hospital and maintains a private practice in Philadelphia.     

Discussions Dynamical Explanation in Cognitive Science

Summary  Applying the concepts of dynamical systems theory to explain cognitive phenomena is still a fairly recent trend in cognitive science and its potential and consequences are not nearly mapped out. A decade ago, dynamical approaches were introduced as a paradigm shift in cognitive science and in this paper I concentrate on how to substantiate this claim. After having considered and rejected the possibility that continuous time is the crucial factor, I present Kelso’s model of a near-cognitive phenomenon which invokes self-organization as the guiding principle. Then, the explanatory strategy implicit in this approach is explicated and its underlying assumption presented. Finally, I discuss how we should characterize this explanatory framework using the notion of emergence.     

有关司法介入医疗纠纷案件的探讨

司法程序是法律保障公民权益的最有效方式,在司法介入医疗纠纷案件时应当持有审慎的态度,坚持必要的原则,把握司法介入医疗纠纷案件的范围、时机,完善司法技术,注意司法处理结果的影响,以保证医疗纠纷案件的公正,并且最大限度避免司法程序带来的负面效应.     

Theosis and Baptist–Orthodox Discussions

Baptist–Orthodox discussions could take the shape of a continuous and constructive dialogue if their historical understandings of the Bible are investigated based on their specific perspectives on doctrine. Concretely, the idea of theosis, present in Greek Patristics and later used by the Eastern Orthodox Church as deification, can be investigated by Baptists in at least three distinct ways: as Christification, as participation, or as perichoresis. All these are prevalent in the works of contemporary Baptist theologians such as Dongsun Cho (United States), Paul Fiddes (United Kingdom), and Emil Barto? (Romania). Based on the foundation provided by theosis and its range of interpretations, the Baptist–Orthodox dialogue can be further strengthened by a series of common concerns such as apologetics, evangelism, politics, economics, social work, and education.     

The Use of Dream Discussions in Counseling

Dream discussions in counseling can aid in setting up and maintaining therapeutic contact with clients. The authors review the historical underpinnings of dreams and summarize several dream theories.     

Contemporary Discussions on Religious Minorities in Muslim Countries

An Islamic debate on human rights has been developing actively over recent decades. Within that debate there has been a more specific one on religious pluralism and the rights of religious minorities in Muslim society and the Islamic state. This article briefly reviews initial responses to the United Nations Charter and then sets a historical context, before looking in more detail at selected writers such as Muh?ammad Sal L ¥ m al-?Awwa, Rashid Al-Ghan nouchi and Syed Z. Abedin, each coming at the subject from different perspectives.     

宫颈癌普查与人文关怀

宫颈癌的发病率居女性恶性肿瘤的第二位,只要做到旱发现、早诊断、旱治疗,宫颈癌是一种可以预防和治愈的疾病.认真地做好宫颈癌的普查和随诊,能够降低宫颈癌的发病率和病死率.因为宫颈液基细胞学设备简单,方法便利,阳性检出率高,目前已成为基层医疗单位开展宫颈癌普查的重要手段.提倡宫颈癌的普查是对全社会育龄妇女健康的关怀,是医学人文精神的具体体现.全社会的妇女都应享有这种人文关怀.     

抑郁症的概念及分类研究历史

宫颈癌的发病率居女性恶性肿瘤的第二位,只要做到早发现、早诊断、早治疗,宫颈癌是一种可以预防和治愈的疾病。认真地做好宫颈癌的普查和随诊,能够降低宫颈癌的发病率和病死率。因为宫颈液基细胞学设备简单,方法便利,阳性检出率高,目前已成为基层医疗单位开展宫颈癌普查的重要手段。提倡宫颈癌的普查是对全社会育龄妇女健康的关怀,是医学人文精神的具体体现。全社会的妇女都应享有这种人文关怀。