Quine’s “Epistemology Naturalized” is the locus classicus of naturalism in epistemology. Many traditional epistemologists criticized the naturalization of epistemology specifically targeting this article. The critics argue that Quine abolishes the normativity of epistemology. For he proposes epistemology as a chapter of psychology. Laudan, like Quine, believes that epistemology should be naturalized. However, he criticizes Quine’s project of naturalization for similar reasons as Quine’s critics. Instead, he proposes a new project that he calls “normative naturalism”. In this work, I will first (...) argue against the critics of Quine and then argue that both Quine’s and Laudan’s naturalized epistemologies are hypothetically normative. -/- Quine’ın “Epistemology Naturalized” başlıklı makalesi epistemolojide doğallaştırma düşüncesinin klasik yapıtıdır. Pek çok geleneksel bilgi kuramcısı özellikle bu makaleyi hedef alarak epistemolojinin doğallaştırılmasını eleştirmiştir. Eleştirilerin odağında Quine’ın, psikolojinin bir alt bölümü haline getirerek, epistemolojinin normatifliğini ortadan kaldırdığı savı yer almaktadır. Laudan epistemolojide doğallaştırmanın gerekli olduğunu savunmasına karşın Quine’a yöneltilen bu eleştiriye katılmakta ve “normatif doğalcılık” adını verdiği yeni bir epistemolojik yaklaşım önermektedir. Bu çalışmada Quine’a yöneltilen eleştirinin yersiz ve Quine’ın doğallaştırılmış epistemolojisinin Laudan’ın normatif doğalcılığı gibi hipotetik normatif olduğunu tartışacağım. (shrink)

Kur’ân-ı Kerîm’in tilâvetinde âyetlerdeki murâd-ı ilâhînin anlaşılabilmesini temin için mushaflarda yer verilen vakf alametlerine riayet edilmesi önem arz eder. Bu bağlamda değerlendirilen vakf alametlerinden birisi, ilk olarak Ebû Ca‘fer Muhammed b. Tayfûr es-Secâvendî’nin (ö. 560/1164) ihdas ettiği ve mushaflarda (م) remzi ile gösterilen vakf-ı lâzımdır. Secâvendî’nin vakf tasnifi içerisinde en önemli vakf türü sayılan vakf-ı lâzımın inceleneceği bu çalışmada, öncelikle bu vakf türünün kavramsal çerçevesi, vakf-ibtidâ ilim tarihindeki yeri, önemi ve diğer vakf türleri ile benzer ve farklı yönleri üzerinde durulmuş; (...) daha sonra ülkemiz mushaflarındaki vakf-ı lâzım alameti bulunan âyetlerin kategorik tasnifi ile bazı âyetlerin tahliline yer verilmiştir. Bunun neticesinde vakf-ı lâzım alameti bulunan yerlerdeki vakf gerekliliğinin gerekçesi tespit edilmeye çalışılmış ve aynı gerekçeyi ihtiva eden bazı yerlerde bu tarz bir vakf yaklaşımının tercih edilmemesinin muhtemel nedenleri değerlendirilmiştir. (shrink)

In this paper, we introduce the concepts of Pythagorean fuzzy valued neutrosophic set (PFVNS) and Pythagorean fuzzy valued neutrosophic (PFVNV) constructed by considering Pythagorean fuzzy values (PFVs) instead of numbers for the degrees of the truth, the indeterminacy and the falsity, which is a new extension of intuitionistic fuzzy valued neutrosophic set (IFVNS). By means of PFVNSs, the degrees of the truth, the indeterminacy and the falsity can be given in Pythagorean fuzzy environment and more sensitive evaluations are made by (...) a decision maker in decision making problems compared to IFVNSs. In other words, such sets enable a decision maker to evaluate the degrees of the truth, the indeterminacy and the falsity as PFVs to model the uncertainty in the evaluations. (shrink)

Science is, if not the most, at least one of the most important human activities which has an undeniable impact on our lives. However, it is a matter of debate that science and its various applications have many negative effects besides their numerous positive contributions. As the negative effects of the science and its applications have become more visible, the science-value relation has regained popularity in the philosophy of science. Precautionary principle is one of the central concepts of the late (...) science-value debates. We first scrutinize the science-value relation, especially whether the science is value-free or value-laden activity, from the perspective of history and philosophy of science, and argue that sciences involve both epistemic and non-epistemic values. Then we introduce the precautionary principle and discuss the possible causes and outcomes of having it as a methodological component of scientific research. Finally, we argue that, if the science-value relation can be reestablished on ethical grounds, as the precautionary principle demands, the negative effects of science and its applications on human health and environment might be minimized and science could contribute more to human happiness. -/- Bilim yaşamımızı biçimlendiren en önemli insan etkinliklerinden birisi, belki de en önemlisidir. Ancak bilimlerin ve onun çeşitli uygulamalarının insan yaşamına olumlu katkılarının yanında insan ve çevre sağlığı üzerinde pek çok olumsuz etkilerinin de olduğu tartışılmaktadır. Bilim ve uygulamalarının insan sağlığı ve çevre üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerinin her geçen gün daha çok görünür hâle gelmesi, bilim-değer ilişkisini yeniden önemli bir tartışma başlığı hâline getirmiştir. İhtiyat ilkesi bilim-değer ilişkisi üzerine yapılan tartışmaların odağında yer alan kavramlardan biridir. Biz çalışmamızda önce bilim-değer ilişkisini, bilimin değerden bağımsız bir etkinlik olup olmadığını bilim tarihi ve felsefesi perspektifinden ele alıyor ve bilimlerin hem epistemik hem de epistemik olmayan değerler içerdiğini savunuyoruz. Daha sonra ihtiyat ilkesini ele alıyor ve onun bilimsel araştırmaların yöntembilimsel bir bileşeni hâline getirilmesinin olası nedenleri ve sonuçları üzerinde duruyoruz. Son olarak, bilim-değer ilişkisinin, ihtiyat ilkesi örneğinde olduğu gibi etik temelli kurulması durumunda bilim ve uygulamalarının insan sağlığı ve çevre üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerinin azaltılabileceğini ve bilimin insan mutluluğuna daha çok katkı sağlayabileceğini tartışıyoruz. (shrink)

The style and style of expression of the Qur'an is not chronological and detailed, especially in short stories and historical events. This is the fact that some people, places and community names are not mentioned in the Qur'an. The identification of these ambiguities is possible with narrations. For this reason, the ambiguities in the Qur'an have been clarified with the help of the narrations in the commentaries and in the works on the subject. This article deals with how to interpret (...) whether narrations in quotations are taken into account when interpreting ambiguities in the Qur'an. (shrink)

Are religious beliefs psychologically different from matter-of-fact beliefs? Many scholars say no: that religious people, in a matter-of-fact way, simply think their deities exist. Others say yes: that religious beliefs are more compartmentalized, less certain, and less responsive to evidence. Little research to date has explored whether lay people themselves recognize such a difference. We addressed this question in a series of sentence completion tasks, conducted in five settings that differed both in religious traditions and in language: the US, Ghana, (...) Thailand, China, and Vanuatu. Participants everywhere routinely used different verbs to describe religious versus matter-of-fact beliefs, and they did so even when the ascribed belief contents were held constant and only the surrounding context varied. These findings support the view that people from diverse cultures and language communities recognize a difference in attitude type between religious belief and everyday matter-of-fact belief. (shrink)

Normativity of naturalized epistemology is one of the most extensively and hotly debated topics in contemporary epistemology. In order to reveal the relationship between normativity and naturalized epistemology, we firstly conduct an analysis of “Epistemology Naturalized,” the article on which the naturalized epistemology was founded. Then we compare the views which argue that normativity goes by the board with those which defend that normativity is conserved if epistemology is naturalized. Finally, based especially on Quine’s own views, we argue that naturalized (...) epistemology is hypothetically normative. -/- Doğallaştırılmış epistemolojinin normatifliği çağdaş epistemolojide çok tartışılan konulardan birisidir. Biz bu çalışmada önce doğallaştırılmış epistemoloji yaklaşımının normatiflikle ilişkisini ortaya çıkarmak amacıyla doğallaştırılmış epistemolojinin temelinin atıldığı “Epistemology Naturalized” makalesinin bir çözümlemesini yapıyoruz. Daha sonra doğallaştırma ile epistemolojinin normatifliğinin ortadan kalktığını ya da tam tersine korunduğunu savunan kimi bilgi kuramcılarının argümanlarını karşılaştırıyor ve Quine’ın yapıtlarında yer alan görüşleri esas alarak doğallaştırılmış epistemolojinin koşullu ya da hipotetik olarak normatif olduğunu savunuyoruz. (shrink)

In this work, I scrutinize Leopold’s land ethic and Callicott’s interpretation of it both from normative and meta-ethical perspectives by making textual and conceptual analyses. Leopold suggests that an ethic which makes us responsible for the protection of whole nature is evolutionarily possible and ecologically necessary. Callicott tried to buttress Leopold’s land ethic by developing a nonanthropocentric axiology and some meta-principles. Moreover, in his view, Leopold’s views are not only compatible with nonanthropocentric axiology but also imply it. I show that (...) Leopold did not build the land ethic on nonanthropocentrism and he did not enforce attribution of intrinsic value to nature and its constituents. I argue that weak anthropocentrism is quite compatible with Leopold’s views, and it provides a way to maintain normative power of land ethic without being ecofascistic. Furthermore, I discuss that Leopold might not have objected attribution of intrinsic value to nonhuman beings although he primarily referred to instrumental values of nature. Moreover, I argue that Leopold preferred a middle position between the concepts of preservation and conservation. As a man of practical wisdom Leopold has always tried to find middle and practicable ways between opposing extremes to harmonize human realm with nonhuman one and to grow the embryo of the conservationist movement. Finally, I argue that Leopold’s land ethic is a human ethic which requires human moral agents to accept responsibility for protecting whole nature in order to attain good life. (shrink)

A pressing issue in Vietnam which is attracting attention from INGOs and the Vietnamese government is out-of-school-children (OOSC). Comparatively with other developing and middle-income countries, Vietnam hosts some of the most impressive educational attainment rates, on par with developed countries, comprising of almost equal gender parity rates, and ‘achieving’ Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG), universal primary education, ahead of schedule. There are a wide range of historical, social, structural, cultural and economic factors outside the formal education setting which contribute to (...) the OOSC issue in Vietnam. In this assignment I shall conduct an in-depth analysis into the local and social elements, as well as the political, national and international factors which combine to compound the issue. Uneven distribution of state resources mean that children in rural and mountainous areas disproportionately suffer from low quality schooling and rural communities often lack things like healthcare facilities and clean water which affects educational attainment and completion rates. Geographical positioning of industrialised zones has led to 6.7 million people domestically migrating to find work, migrant children are overrepresented in the OOSC statistics, as are the unknown number of stateless children. Child labour is often a realistic alternative to schooling for impoverished families, and another point to be examined is the ethnic minority population, who disproportionately feature in OOSC statistics. This essay will focus on the rising inequality caused in this author’s opinion by structural adjustment reforms carried out in the late 80’s and 90’s to bring Vietnam into the global trading arena, and whilst considering that there are social and cultural issues which factor into the OOSC issue, I will be examining how implementation of a Neoliberal ideology has increased inequality and therefore compounded the OOSC issue by shining a spotlight on the inherent problems of a Neoliberal focus. To contextualise the argument, I will highlight the nationwide benefits that the reforms have granted to the Vietnamese economy and society. I will use the Neoliberal model compared with the Capabilities Approach to explore whether the Neoliberal and human capital perspective of ‘development as increased human capital’ and nationwide economic gains are sufficient when considering development, and when dealing with the most vulnerable in society. I will argue that the current Neoliberal focus of Vietnam and the wider global society is indeed not sufficient to guarantee access to quality education for the poorest in society, and will argue that Vietnam’s perception of ‘achieving’ MDG 4 which focuses on attainment over quality, is simply not enough. (shrink)

The Jinn, which is regarded as the third kind of entity apart from the angel and the human being, has been the subject matter of several separate works written by both Muslims and non-Muslims in the past and present. In short, such works deal with the nature of jinns and their characteristics, and they cover matters such as the beliefs about jinns in several religions and cultures and their relationship with human beings. Apart from the fact that the primary source (...) of Islam, namely, the Quran, has a separate chapter called al-Jinn (The Jinn) /72, it provides information about jinns in many verses in several other chapters. Traditions also provide plenty of information about jinns. One example of such information is on the question whether the Holy Prophet have met with jinns. A study of the traditions on this matter reveals the fact that there are ṣaḥīḥ (authentic) traditions that appear to be in conflict with each other and/or with some of the verses in the Quran. In this paper, we have analyzed and evaluated the relevant traditions in order to reconcile these contradictions, thus we aimed to clarify the matter. The question on whether the Holy Prophet met with jinns is often discussed within the context of narrations coming from Ibn al-Masʿūd and Ibn ʿAbbās. While the traditions coming from Ibn al-Masʿūd indicate that the Prophet met with jinns, a tradition narrated by Ibn ʿAbbās says the opposite. In the present work, we have analyzed the outwardly conflicting traditions narrated by both companions along with traditions narrated by other companions on this matter in the light of the chronology of the revelation of the Quran. As a result, we have concluded that the Holy Prophet have met with jinns as narrated by Ibn al-Masʿūd and that the report narrated by Ibn ʿAbbās was about the first years of Islam. (shrink)

Results: We analyzed 1,402 surveys and 15 in-depth interviews. Many (32%) CL participants reported greater difficulty refilling medications and a minority (14%) reported greater difficulty accessing HIV care during the pandemic. Most (99%) Opt4Mamas participants reported no difficulty refilling medications or accessing HIV/pregnancy care. Among the CL participants, older women were less likely (aOR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.98) and women with more children were more likely (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.00–1.28) to report difficulty refilling medications. Only 2% of (...) CL participants reported greater difficulty managing FP and most (95%) reported no change in likelihood of using FP or desire to get pregnant. Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: (1) adverse organizational/economic implications of the pandemic, (2) increased importance of pregnancy prevention during the pandemic, and (3) fear of contracting COVID-19. (shrink)

Objectives: Inferior oblique muscle overaction (IOOA) is a common ocular motility disorder. Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (oVEMP) are tests that evaluate the reflex pathway between the utricular macula and the inferior oblique muscle to detect vestibular diseases. Our study is of great importance as it is the first study in the literature to evaluate the effect of inferior oblique muscle overaction on oVEMP parameters. -/- Methods: Thirty-five patients with unilateral inferior oblique muscle overaction (IOOA group) and 18 healthy volunteers (...) without any neurological or vestibulocochlear disease were included in this study. All patients and healthy volunteers were evaluated with oVEMP. -/- Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the n1 latency, p1 latency, n1-p1 latency measurement values of the participants included in the study (p>0,05). A statistically significant difference was found between the n1-p1 amplitude measurement values of the participants in patient groups (non-squint eyes, squint eyes) and control groups (p-value was 0.038). -/- Conclusion: In IOOA patients, vestibulo-ocular reflex pathway may be affected, vestibular symptoms may develop thus o-VEMP responses may be affected. A careful anamnesis should be taken in IOOA patients, and it should be kept in mind that n1-p1 amplitudes and asymmetries may be significantly higher when o-VEMP is performed. (shrink)

Uzun zamandır fiziğin temel kanunları üzerine çalışıyorum. Bu süre zarfında, yerçekiminin Newtoncu gibi çalışmadığını fark ettim ve bu durum bizi Kara Madde olarak yanıltmaktadır. Mesafe ve yerçekimi kuvveti ilişkisi mesafeye göre değişir. Çekim denklemi, mevcut en uzak ya da yakın mesafe için $1/r$, $1/r^2$ ya da $1/r^4$ gibi bazı değerlerle değişir. Bununla birlikte boş uzayın da çekim ve genişletme etkisi mevcuttur. Bu çalışma, bu iki olguyu analiz etmeyi ve tartışmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu çalışma, karanlık madde olmadan gözlemsel galaksi dönüş eğrilerini (...) açıklamaktadır. (shrink)

An extensive literature about pictorial representation discusses what is involved when a two-dimensional image represents some specific object or type of object. A smaller literature addresses parallel issues in sculptural representation. But little has been said about the role played by the sculptural material itself in determining the meanings of the sculptural work. Appealing to Nelson Goodman and Catherine Elgin’s discussions of literal and metaphorical exemplification, I argue that the material of which a sculpture is constituted plays key roles in (...) what is represented and how it is represented, in part because we have bodily and emotional responses to the real possibilities the sculptural material creates for us. I discuss examples of contemporary artworks by Melvin Edwards, Kara Walker, Willie Cole, Marc Quinn, Ai Weiwei, Janine Antoni, El Anatsui, Zoe Leonard, and others. (shrink)

Many contemporary artworks include active matter along with rules for conservation that are designed to either facilitate or prevent that matter’s degradation or decay. I discuss the mechanisms through which actual or potential states of material decay contribute to the work’s expressive import. Nelson Goodman and Catherine Elgin introduce the concepts of literal and metaphorical exemplification, which are critical to expression: a work literally exemplifies a property when it both possesses and highlights that property, and it metaphorically exemplifies a property (...) when the properties it literally exemplifies bring that property powerfully to mind. I argue that the literal exemplification of actual or potential states of decay enhances a work’s expressive power by stimulating our bodily and emotional responses to the physical potential of the work’s active matter. Conservation practices, by affecting the properties the work literally and metaphorically exemplifies, are key to the expressive power of works that employ states of degradation and decay. The argument is illustrated through discussion of works by Zoe Leonard, Marc Quinn, and Kara Walker that literally exemplify actually or potentially decaying materials, as contrasted with works by Ai Weiwei and Sam Taylor-Johnson that represent rather than exemplify decaying materials. (shrink)

There is a widespread belief in Hinduism that Vyāsa, the alleged editor of the Vedas and author of the Mahābhārata, is identical with Bādarāyaṇa, the author of the Brahma-sūtra. The identification of these two mythic characters, however, originated between 800–980 CE, after the likes of Śaṅkara, Padmapāda, and Bhāskara, but before Vācaspati Miśra, Prakāśātman, Sarvajñātman, and Yāmuna. The purpose of this paper is to understand how and why such identification took place. The argument developed here is that the Bādarāyaṇa-Vyāsa identity (...) was invented by the author of or community behind the Bhāgavata Purāṇa as part of a complex of self-representation strategies. The Bhāgavata intentionally makes itself a work of Vedānta, indeed the Brahma-sūtra itself, over which it builds a new soteriology that is centered on the idea of bhakti. Two factors in particular stand out in light of the Bhāgavata’s Vedāntic background: Vyāsa’s paradigmatic character as the preserver of old dharma and the innovator, visionary, of new soteriologies; and the image of Vyāsa’s son Śuka as the model ascetic and ideal candidate for the new soteriological vision, through whom the Bhāgavata community chose to represent itself. (shrink)

Sikh identity is a unique and distinct expression of faith and culture that has developed over centuries and reflects the experiences and values of the Sikh community. It is characterized by several distinguishing features, including a deep devotion to God, the practice of the five Ks (Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera, and Kirpan), adherence to the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus as contained in the Guru Granth Sahib, and a commitment to principles of social justice, equality, and community service. (...) In the present era, several challenges threaten Sikh identity, both externally and internally. Recognizing and addressing the challenges to Sikh identity is essential to protect and preserve it. It is essential to take suitable measures to counter discrimination and stereotypes and encourage the next generation to embrace their cultural and religious identity with pride and confidence. (shrink)