Justifying inference to the best explanation as a practical meta-syllogism on dialectical structures

This article discusses how inference to the best explanation (IBE) can be justified as a practical meta-argument. It is, firstly, justified as a practical argument insofar as accepting the best explanation as true can be shown to further a specific aim. And because this aim is a discursive one which proponents can rationally pursue in—and relative to—a complex controversy, namely maximising the robustness of one’s position, IBE can be conceived, secondly, as a meta-argument. My analysis thus bears a certain analogy to Sellars’ well-known justification of inductive reasoning (Sellars, In: Essays in honour of Carl G. Hempel, 1969); it is based on recently developed theories of complex argumentation (Betz, In: Theorie dialektischer Strukturen, 2010a).     

Ordering our world: An examination of time in autobiographical memory

In two studies people judged the order in which two real-world events occurred. Ordering performance was better for events that were recent or widely separated in time. Ordering performance was also consistently related to predicted event memorability and to the amount of processing given to an event during encoding. Ordering performance was not consistently related to the person-typicality, pleasantness, or emotional intensity of the events, and was also not related to whether the two events judged came from the same thematic category. These results suggest that memory for event order is not entirely reconstructed from event content. We suggest that the self-concept may sometimes serve as an implicit timekeeper in autobiographical memory.     

Petitio principii and circular argumentation as seen from a theory of dialectical structures

This paper investigates in how far a theory of dialectical structures sheds new light on the old problem of giving a satisfying account of the fallacy of petitio principii, or begging the question. It defends that (i) circular argumentation on the one hand and petitio principii on the other hand are two distinct features of complex argumentation, and that (ii) it is impossible to make general statements about the defectiveness of an argumentation that exhibits these features. Such an argumentation, in contrast, has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. “Petitio principii”, this paper thence suggests, is one name for, in fact, a multitude of different and quite complex dialectical situations which require specific analysis and evaluation.     

A Progression to Transfer RIRD to the Natural Environment

Response interruption and redirection has been shown to be effective for decreasing vocal stereotypy, but treatment effects in the natural environment have yet to be documented in the literature. A recent review indicated the paucity of studies that implemented response interruption and redirection during typically occurring activities or for sessions longer than 5–10 min. One method to promote generalization across settings may be stimulus control procedures. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the progression of the intervention from a highly structured to a more natural setting, and across longer durations. We also investigated the extent to which a signal could acquire stimulus control over stereotypy. Although we were unable to bring stereotypy under the inhibitory control of a signal alone, we maintained low levels of stereotypy in the natural environment and ultimately extended sessions up to 30 min. Clinical implications and areas for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using joint activity schedules to promote peer engagement in preschoolers with autism

We assessed the use of a joint activity schedule to increase peer engagement for preschoolers with autism. We taught 3 dyads of preschoolers with autism to follow joint activity schedules that cued both members of the pair to play a sequence of interactive games together. Results indicated that joint activity schedules increased peer engagement and the number of games completed for all dyads. Schedule following was maintained without additional prompting when activities were resequenced and when new games were introduced for 2 of the 3 dyads.     

Evaluation of a Measure of Self-Esteem Based on the Concept of Unconditional Self-Regard

A measure of unconditional self-regard (USR) derived from Rogerian (client-centered) theory was evaluated in four studies. Results indicated that USR was highly reliable and was strongly related to other measures of self-esteem and negatively related to depression, anxiety, and symptoms of psychological distress. The measure was significantly related to the control and commitment dimensions of psychological hardiness but not to its challenge dimension. Evidence for discriminant validity was provided by findings that USR was unrelated to social desirability or private self-consciousness. Finally, female students'self-regard was significantly related to the unconditional positive regard they reported receiving from their mothers. Other correlations between self-regard and perceived regard from others, although nonsignificant, were often large in absolute value. Implications for counseling interventions are discussed.     

A Radically Orthodox Reformer: J. G. Hamann as a Metacritic of Enlightenment and Secularization

The purpose of this article is to shed light on the mysterious figure of J. G. Hamann and to distill his chief contributions to modern theology. To this end it begins with the puzzling question of his style, which, far from being incidental, leads directly into the core concerns of his authorship. Subsequent sections examine his theological aesthetics, which was appropriated by Hans Urs von Balthasar, and his metacritique of secular reason, which has been appropriated in the English‐speaking world most notably by John Milbank and theologians associated with Radical Orthodoxy. It concludes with a brief portrait of Hamann as an ecumenical sign for the times.     

Mere Metaphysics: An Ecumenical Proposal

This is the second part of an essay that appeared in Modern Theology in October, 2018, entitled “After Heidegger and Marion: The Task of Christian Metaphysics Today.” Whereas the first part made a case for the importance of metaphysics to Christian theology (specifically in the form of an analogical, proto‐Christological metaphysics), and hinted at its ecumenical potential, the point here is twofold: first, to provide a more detailed argument for analogical metaphysics as the kind of metaphysics Christianity in fact implies; secondly, to elaborate its ecumenical potential – now, though, more specifically, with regard to the Christian East. Whereas the previous essay sought to overcome while respecting the difference between Catholic analogy and Reformed dialectics by arguing for a dialectical analogy as the proper form of Christian metaphysics, here the specific task is to show a formal compatibility between the analogical metaphysics of the Christian West and the sophiological metaphysics of the Christian East. Accordingly, the goal is to show that there is such a thing as a mere metaphysics – a common metaphysics – of the Christian tradition, notwithstanding real differences and mutually enriching emphases.     

Suicidal behavior and firearm access: results from the second injury control and risk survey

The association between home firearms and the likelihood and nature of suicidal thoughts and plans was examined using the Second Injury Control and Risk Survey, a 2001-2003 representative telephone survey of U.S. households. Of 9,483 respondents, 7.4% reported past-year suicidal thoughts, 21.3% with a plan. Similar proportions of those with and without a home firearm reported suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Among respondents with suicidal plans, the odds of reporting a plan involving a firearm were over seven times greater among those with firearms at home, compared with those without firearms at home. The results suggest people with home firearms may not be more likely to be suicidal, but when suicidal they may be more likely to plan suicide by firearm.     

“Hey,let me hold your guns for a while”: A qualitative study of messaging for firearm suicide prevention

A recommended component of suicide prevention is encouraging at‐risk individuals to voluntarily and temporarily reduce access to firearms and other lethal methods. Yet delivering counseling on the topic can be difficult, given the political sensitivity of firearm discussions. To support such counseling, we sought to identify recommended framing and content of messages about reducing firearm access for suicide prevention. Through qualitative interviews with firearm owners and enthusiasts, we identified key points for use in framing (identity as a gun owner, trust, voluntary and temporary storage, and context and motivation) and specific content (preference for “firearm” over “gun,” and legal issues such as background checks for transfers). These findings build on prior work and should enhance efforts to develop and deliver effective, acceptable counseling and—ultimately—prevent firearm suicide.