Project IMPRESS,several perspectives: Interactive computing and data analysis

Project IMPRESS is an interactive social science data analysis system used extensively at Dartmouth College and throughout the DTSS network. The programming techniques used to make it an unobtrusive time-sharing job and the user interface design considerations used to make it a system easy for both students and experienced researchers to run are described and their pedagogical and research values discussed.     

Comments on John Martin Fischer’s Our Stories

I comment on the three main themes in Our Stories: the harm of death, the narrative structure of life, and the value of immortality. I begin with a subsidiary theme, namely, the use of narrative examples in philosophy.     

Motivation by Ideal

Abstract

I offer an account of how ideals motivate us. My account suggests that although emulating an ideal is often rational, it can lead us to do irrational things.     

Sociality and solitude

“How can I, who am thinking about the entire, centerless universe, be anything so specific as this: this measly creature existing in a tiny morsel of space and time?” This metaphysically self-deprecating question, posed by Thomas Nagel, holds an insight into the nature of personhood and the ordinary ways we value it, in others and in ourselves. I articulate that insight and apply it to the phenomena of friendship, companionship, sexuality, solitude, and love. Although love comes in many forms, I say, it always involves a sense of wonder at a finite creature thinking infinite thoughts.     

Recovery from post‐traumatic stress disorder in children following road traffic accidents: the role of talking and feeling understood

Forty children were assessed 6 weeks and 8 months after involvement in a road traffic accident (RTA). Ten of the 21 children suffering post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 6 weeks continued to fulfil diagnostic criteria at 8 months. There was no evidence of delayed onset of PTSD in children who had not developed this condition at 6 weeks. Talking about the accident and feeling understood were associated with recovery. Providing children with opportunities to talk about their accident may be helpful in preventing or reducing psychological distress. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.