On the Reduction of Necessity to Essence

In his influential paper ‘‘Essence and Modality’’, Kit Fine argues that no account of essence framed in terms of metaphysical necessity is possible, and that it is rather metaphysical necessity which is to be understood in terms of essence. On his account, the concept of essence is primitive, and for a proposition to be metaphysically necessary is for it to be true in virtue of the nature of all things. Fine also proposes a reduction of conceptual and logical necessity in the same vein: a conceptual necessity is a proposition true in virtue of the nature of all concepts, and a logical necessity a proposition true in virtue of the nature of all logical concepts. I argue that the plausibility of Fine's view crucially requires that certain apparent explanatory links between essentialist facts be admitted and accounted for, and I make a suggestion about how this can be done. I then argue against the reductions of conceptual and logical necessity proposed by Fine and suggest alternative reductions, which remain nevertheless Finean in spirit.     

INFLUENCE OF SPOKEN LANGUAGE ON THE INITIAL ACQUISITION OF READING/WRITING: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF VERBAL DEFICIT THEORY

This article presents the results of a quasi-experimental study of whether there exists a causal relationship between spoken language and the initial learning of reading/writing. The subjects were two matched samples each of 24 preschool pupils (boys and girls), controlling for certain relevant external variables. It was found that there was no causal relationship between the initial reading/writing performance and the language variables that have traditionally been regarded as relevant in facilitating the learning of reading/writing (vocabulary, articulation, and auditory memory). Phonemic awareness, however, was strongly causally related with the writing of simple words.     

The process of value-meaning construction: A cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional study within Portuguese adolescents, young adults and adults is presented in an attempt to explore the process of value-meaning construction. A model of values psychological structure developed by Schwartz and Bilsky (1987, 1990) is evaluated within a sample of 600 subjects. Such a model presupposes the existence of a universal organization of values on 10 content domains or motivational types. Schwartz's value survey was used to measure subjects' value priorities. Results reveal the validity of the predefined motivational types on the three samples although there are some structural variations between the samples. Such variations may be attributed to the development characteristics of each group. Cognitive-developmental theory emerges as an adequate framework for the analysis of results, assuming the active role of the subject on the process of constructing personal-meaning-theories out of reality. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Fall of the Almohad Empire in the Eyes of Modern Spanish Historians

One reason for the lack of interest in the Almohad period is the great emphasis on local history that swept Spain after the advent of democracy. This tendency has produced a great deal of interest not only in local figures, but also in local communities, and especially in Mudejars and Jews. This article investigates this issue from within a broader context, namely, the status of Islamic studies in contemporary Spain and raises the question as to whether Spain has really overcome its polemic and romantic interpretation of its Andalusi past.     

THE ROLE OF UPWARD INFLUENCE TACTICS IN HUMAN RESOURCE DECISIONS

A model was examined which proposes that employee influence tactics impact human resource decisions by affecting managers' perceptions of the subordinate's interpersonal skills, manager liking of subordinates, and managers' perceptions of similarity to subordinates. The human resource decisions investigated were performance ratings, promotability assessments, and salary. Data were collected from 247 subordinates and their managers and from company records. Structural equation modeling results indicated that influence tactics were related to managers' perceptions of subordinates' interpersonal skills, liking, and perceptions of similarity to subordinates. Specifically, subordinates' use of reasoning, assertiveness, and favor rendering were positively related to managers' perceptions whereas bargaining and self-promotion were negatively related to these perceptions. Finally, there was no support for direct relationships between influence tactics and HR decisions.     

Family rituals in married couples: Links with attachment,relationship quality,and closeness

This study examined the association between self‐reports of family rituals and relationship attachment, relationship quality, and closeness in 150 married couples in Portugal. Using structural equation modeling to examine both within‐individual and across‐partner effects, the results were generally as predicted. First, lower levels of avoidant attachment were related to greater family investment in rituals. Second, greater family investment in rituals was associated with more positive relationship quality and closeness. Third, family investment in rituals partially mediated the link between avoidance and relationship quality and closeness. Fourth, the mediational models were significant for women but not for men. These results highlight the importance of links among family interactions, couple interactions, and individual differences.