Rolston, Lonergan, and the Intrinsic Value of Nature

In recent metaethical debate over ways to justify the notion of intrinsic natural value, some neopragmatists have challenged realist conceptions of scientific and moral truth. Holmes Rolston defends a critical-realist epistemology as the basis for a metaphysics of "projective nature" and a cosmological narrative—both of which set up a historical ontology of objective natural value. Pure ecological science informs the wilderness experience of Rolston's ideal epistemic subject, the "sensitive naturalist." The author argues that Rolston's account of the relation between knowing and valuing can be clarified and strengthened by appropriating Bernard Lonergan's transcendental method. Conversely, Lonergan's view of moral self-transcendence can be developed further in light of Rolston's virtue epistemology, which is embodied in the figure of the sensitive naturalist.     

Ambivalences about Nature and Naturalism A Supernaturalist Response to Theodore W. Nunez

As a die-hard supernaturalist, someone "at two with nature" (Woody Allen) who would be at one with God, the author has mixed feelings about Theodore Nunez's defense of "naturalism." Unlike neopragmatists, the author is not troubled by Nunez's general realism about value; he takes exception not to Nunez's theoretical account of truth, but to his specific axiology. He does not share Nunez's confidence that "projective nature" can provide reliable moral inspiration, suggesting instead that such inspiration can arise only from trust in the holiness of God.     

Moderating effects of appreciation on relationships between illegitimate tasks and intrinsic motivation: a two-wave shortitudinal study

ABSTRACT

This study investigated possible reciprocal relationships between illegitimate tasks and intrinsic motivation and whether appreciation moderated these relationships. Based on a two-wave panel study across one week and a sample of 366 nurses, we examined whether appreciation buffered effects of illegitimate tasks on reduced intrinsic motivation; or enhanced reversed effects of intrinsic motivation on decreased perceived illegitimate tasks. Additionally, we differentiated whether illegitimate tasks and appreciation were elicited by supervisors, colleagues, or patients. Latent structural equation analyses primarily revealed effects for unnecessary than for unreasonable tasks. Such tasks were predominantly the consequence rather than the cause of intrinsic motivation, and intrinsic motivation increased perceived illegitimate tasks under conditions of low appreciation. Regarding the different sources, most effects were present for illegitimate tasks ascribed by supervisors and for appreciation conveyed by patients. It follows that the perception of illegitimate tasks seems to be a matter of motivation; that the sources of illegitimate tasks and appreciation matter; and that appreciation as a low-budget, but highly powerful practice, is able to facilitate a positive environment where work tasks are less likely to be perceived as illegitimate.     

知识密集型组织的雇佣关系民主治理和员工创造力研究

本文探讨了雇佣关系民主治理对员工创造力影响的中介机制和边界条件,并利用跨层次的调查数据进行实证研究。研究结果发现:(1)雇佣关系民主治理显著正向影响员工创造力;(2)内在动机在雇佣关系民主治理与员工创造力间起部分中介作用;(3)组织知识密集度对雇佣关系民主治理与员工内在动机的正向关系间有着显著强化作用;(4)雇佣关系民主治理和组织知识密集度的交互作用通过内在动机的中介作用,进而影响员工创造力。