In Search of Cloudstones? The Contribution of Charismatic Rocks Towards an Understanding of Mesolithic and Neolithic Communities in the Montane Regions of South Norway

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 ◽  
pp. 43-64
Author(s):  
Astrid J. Nyland

This paper discusses whether a consideration of the capacity of rocks to affect humans in terms of their charisma or object-agency can aid in understanding identified variation in patterns of lithic procurement, distribution, and use. Lithic assemblages at sites dating to both the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic in two separate areas of the central mountain plateau in southern Norway demonstrate use of locally available rock. Their use contrasts with that of flint which could only be sourced at the coast. While the use of flint in regions with a restricted range of available and suitable rock types is understandable, the presence of flint in regions rich in flint alternatives is more puzzling. In order to understand the choices and actions of prehistoric communities we must consider other factors, such as a sensorial exploration of the ability of raw materials to affect humans, together with the diverging ontological perspectives that shape human–material relations and the social situations of practice. This paper argues that, in addition to their straightforward utility, lithic raw materials had socially situated object-agency and inherent characteristics of charisma and that these exerted powerful influences on human choice, perception, and preference.

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen De Cruz ◽  
Johan De Smedt

This paper examines the cognitive foundations of natural theology: the intuitions that provide the raw materials for religious arguments, and the social context in which they are defended or challenged. We show that the premises on which natural theological arguments are based rely on intuitions that emerge early in development, and that underlie our expectations for everyday situations, e.g., about how causation works, or how design is recognized. In spite of the universality of these intuitions, the cogency of natural theological arguments remains a matter of continued debate. To understand why they are controversial, we draw on social theories of reasoning and argumentation.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4312
Author(s):  
Marzena Smol

Circular economy (CE) is an economic model, in which raw materials remain in circulation as long as possible and the generation of waste is minimized. In the fertilizer sector, waste rich in nutrients should be directed to agriculture purposes. This paper presents an analysis of recommended directions for the use of nutrient-rich waste in fertilizer sector and an evaluation of possible interest in this kind of fertilizer by a selected group of end-users (nurseries). The scope of research includes the state-of-the-art analysis on circular aspects and recommended directions in the CE implementation in the fertilizer sector (with focus on sewage-based waste), and survey analysis on the potential interest of nurseries in the use of waste-based fertilizers in Poland. There are more and more recommendations for the use of waste for agriculture purposes at European and national levels. The waste-based products have to meet certain requirements in order to put such products on the marker. Nurserymen are interested in contributing to the process of transformation towards the CE model in Poland; however, they are not fully convinced due to a lack of experience in the use of waste-based products and a lack of social acceptance and health risk in this regard. Further actions to build the social acceptance of waste-based fertilizers, and the education of end-users themselves in their application is required.


1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Ostrow

Throughout his writings, Erving Goffman develops the principle that successful impression management requires an appearance of “spontaneous involvement” as evidence of individuals' sincerity. Goffman never articulates this principle in terms of how persons are actually—indeed, as he sometimes recognizes, necessarily involved spontaneously in the social environment. This paper asks: What does it mean for our reading of Goffman and of social situations generally if we move the proposition of the experiential necessity of spontaneous involvement to the center of sociological analysis? I discuss why it never moved to the center of Goffman's inquiries, and then argue that a theory of habit facilitates an elaborate of its sociological significance.


1966 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Khare

Indian philosophical thought has always attempted to deal with opposite or binary values. However, when faced with contradictions, social scientists try to analyze the form, meaning and function of opposed values in real social situations. The problem of opposed values becomes difficult and anomalous when the culture, at different levels, not only permits oppositions, but simultaneously sanctions them. The data on meat-eating among the Kanya-Kubja brahmans of Katyayan gotra (primarily an exogamous group composed of several lineages) present this type of problem to the social anthropologist.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-271
Author(s):  
Nurhadi Hamka

A gossip as a casual conversation usually occurs in diverse context or a wide range of social situations; has distinct and various topics; and involve an irregular set of participants. The scholars scrutinize that conversation has highly structured activity of which people tacitly realize that there are some basic conventions to follow – such as when to speak or to stay silent and to listen. In this study, I specifically discuss one of the speech genre – a gossip, in Australia English speaking context. The gossip data of the study is taken from the research conducted by Thornburry, Scott, and Slade, Diana (2006). In a discussion, I focus the analysis of the generic structure of the gossip and how it establishes the social function (within) the speech members. Several findings conveyed that: 1) there is a leeway of shifting from one genre to another – e.g. narrative to gossip, within the same participants; 2) conversation can be successful if all the participants aware of and follow the basic conventions – when to talk or to listen, support to judgement or reluctant to the focus of conversation; 3) the genre, e.g. narrative or gossip, could motivate people to leave or to join the conversation which then could establish and reinforce the group membership and maintain the values of the social group.


2018 ◽  
pp. 7-34
Author(s):  
Andrzej GAŁGANEK

The paper discusses the potential of objects, broadly understood luxury ‘items’ and necessities, in order to present uneven and combined development as the foundation of the social history of international relations. The author evidences that this approach to ‘objects’ allows us to achieve, at the very least, the following: (1) to observe the single social world which emerges after the division into ‘internal’ and ‘international’ is rejected; (2) to ‘touch’ the international outside the realm that the science of international relations usually associates with international politics; (3) to examine the social history of international relations, abandoning the approach that dominates in traditional historiography where production processes are privileged over consumption processes; (4) to demonstrate how human activities create internationalism. Discussing apparently different processes related to the international life of broadly understood ‘objects’, such as African giraffes, Kashmiri shawls, silk, the importance of English items for the inhabitants of Mutsamudu, or the opera Madame Butterfly the author identifies similar patterns which, although sometimes concealed, demonstrate the consequences of uneven and combined development for the social history of international relations. Prestige goods express affluence, success and power. They are usually objects manufactured from imported raw materials or materials, with limited distribution, which require a significant amount of labor or advanced technology to create. In contrast to everyday necessities, owing to their high value, prestige goods are exchanged over long distances through networks established by the elite. The analysis of manufacturing, exchange and social contexts related to prestige goods constitutes a significant source for understanding the social history of international relations. The examples in the paper present control over these goods as a source of political power. The control of raw materials, production and distribution of prestige goods is perceived as key to maintaining hierarchical social systems. Objects are inescapably related to ideas and practices. Uneven and combined development leads to meetings between people and objects, either opening or closing the space, allowing for their transfer and domestication, or rejection and destruction respectively. Concentration on the analyses of objects outside of modernization models or comparisons between civilizations and the conscious narrowing of perspective offers a tool with a heuristic potential which is interesting in the context of international relations. Comparative observation of objects (‘single’ elements of reality) via cultures undergoing uneven and combined development protects us from historiographic western exceptionalism. It also shows that the division between the ‘internal’ and ‘international’ unjustifiably splits the social world and makes it impossible to understand.


Author(s):  
Patrick Wendell Freire Cidelino ◽  
Everton Vieira da Silva

Background: recycling is an essential tool for promoting sustainable development, as mechanisms that reduce the use of virgin raw materials will limit the use of scarce resources and reduce the progressive accumulation of waste. as well as contain their side effects and pollution causing health problems, among others. At the base of the recycling system are the collectors of recyclables, agents of this activity who are the workers who pick, select and sell recyclable materials such as paper, glass, metal, garbage, and other reusable materials. Aim: this study aimed to verify the income earned and the contribution to the sustainable development process arising from collecting recyclable materials. Methods: the proposed study was carried out at the Cajazeiras Waste Pickers Association (ASCAMARC), in this city, Alto Sertão da Paraíba. The population and sample are 13 recyclable waste pickers who actively participate in ASCAMARC and voluntarily agreed to participate in the research after being informed about its objectives. The content analysis technique was used through transcripts of interviews with the target audience and documents from secondary sources, and the collected data were also analyzed in quantitative form. Results and Discussion: the results show that 12 (92.31%) waste pickers earn less than one wage, and 01 (7.69%) waste pickers earn a minimum wage through the activity of collecting recyclable material and that there is currently great concern about the damage generated to the environment by solid wastes that have a long degradation time. It was found that 13 (100%) waste pickers believe that collecting recyclable materials contributes to the environment. Conclusions: It can be concluded from the results obtained the social, economic, and environmental importance of the work of waste pickers, despite the precarious conditions in which they perform the activity, without their participation in the base of the recycling chain, perhaps the environmental situation would be more chaotic in recent times.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
I Wayan - Sudana ◽  
Isnawati Mohamad

Upaya pengembangan kerajinan eceng gondok di Gorontalo sebagai sektor unggulan harus dilandasi oleh karakteristik yang meliputi potensi dan permasalahan. Namun, data tentang karakteristik kerajinan belum tersedia secara komprehensif. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggali unsur-unsur kerajinan eceng gondok Gorontalo untuk mengungkap potensi dan permasalahan yang ada. Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif model studi kasus. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, wawancara, tes, dan studi pustaka. Data dianalisis secara interaktif melalui seleksi dan pengkodean, kategorisasi, penyajian data dan diskusi, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kerajinan eceng gondok Gorontalo memiliki karakteristik aspek: pengrajin, teknologi produksi, produk, dan distribusi yang mencerminkan potensi dan permasalahan yang ada. Karakteristik pengrajin adalah ahli dalam keterampilan produksi tetapi lemah dalam inovasi desain. Ciri khas teknologi produksi adalah potensi ketersediaan bahan baku dan cara kerja yang sistematis. Tetap saja, ini bermasalah dalam modernisasi peralatan produksi dan pembagian kerja. Karakteristik dari segi produk adalah potensinya dalam keragaman produk tetapi masalah dalam standarisasi ukuran dan ergonomis. Ciri-ciri dari aspek distribusi meliputi potensi dalam memasarkan produk dengan berbagai cara tetapi terdapat masalah dalam promosi dan peningkatan citra sosial produk. Temuan ini bisa dijadikan acuan untuk merumuskan konsep pengembangan kerajinan eceng gondok Gorontalo secara tepat atau sejenisnya. Characteristics of Gorontalo Water Hyacinth Craft Art  Abstract: Efforts to develop water hyacinth craft in Gorontalo as a leading sector must be based on characteristics that include potential and problems. However, data on the characteristics of crafts are not yet available comprehensively. This study aims to explore the characteristics of Gorontalo water hyacinth craft to uncover the potential and problems. The study used qualitative methods of case study models. The data were collected through observation, interviews, testing, and literature study. Data were analyzed interactively through selection and coding, categorization, data display and discussion, and conclusions. The results showed that Gorontalo water hyacinth craft has characteristics in aspects: crafters, production technology, products, and distribution that reflect the potential and problems. The characteristics of the crafters are experts in production skills but weak in design innovation. The characteristic of production technology is the potential in the availability of raw materials and systematic work methods. However, it is problematic in the modernization of production equipment and the division of labor. A characteristic in terms of products is its potential in product diversity but problems in standardizing size and ergonomics. The characteristics of the distribution aspect include the potential in marketing products in various ways but problems in the promotion and improvement of the social image of the product. This finding can be used as a reference to formulating the concept of developing Gorontalo water hyacinth craft appropriately or other similar crafts.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Carpentieri ◽  
Marta Arzarello

Abstract The opportunistic debitage, originally adapted from Forestier’s S.S.D.A. definition, is characterized by a strong adaptability to local raw material morphology and its physical characteristics and it is oriented towards flake production. Its most ancient evidence is related to the first European peopling by Homo sp. during Lower Pleistocene starting from 1.6 Ma and gradually increasing around 1 Ma. In these sites a great heterogeneity of the reduction sequences and raw materials employed is highlighted, bringing to the identification of multiple technical behaviours. However, the scientific community does not always agree on associating the concepts of opportunism and method to describe these lithic complexes. The same methodological issues remain for the Middle Pleistocene where, simultaneously to an increase of the archaeological evidence and the persistence of the opportunistic debitage, the first bifacial complexes are attested. Further implications concerning the increasing complexity highlighted in core technology management are now at the centre of an important debate regarding the genesis of more specialized method (Levallois and Discoid) especially during MIS 12 and MIS 9. We suggest that the opportunistic debitage could be the starting point for this process, carrying within itself a great methodological and cultural potential.


2021 ◽  
pp. 42-83
Author(s):  
Andrea Mariani

The article presents the social role of Jesuit pharmacies in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth based on the sources of religious provenance and inventories of Jesuit colleges drawn up as a result of the dissolution of the Society of Jesus in 1773. In the first part, the author analyzes the ecclesiastical and secular legislation and its impact on the activities of Jesuit pharmacies. Canon law did not forbid clergymen to deal with medicine, but only limited the possibility of obtaining academic education in this field and conducting surgical procedures. By adopting these rules, Jesuit legislation placed the main emphasis on superiors’ control over the finances of pharmacies and limited the sale of drugs to protect the order from being accused of unfair competition by the townspeople. In the context of state pharmaceutical law, the privilege of June 30, 1662, which allowed for the liberation of journeymen by Jesuit pharmacists, was of great importance. In this way, a path of professional education in the field of pharmacy under the management of the Society, an alternative to the guild system, was created. The second part of the article discusses the social factors that favoured the establishment of monastic pharmacies. Particularly noteworthy is the uneven distribution of Jesuit pharmacies in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. While in Royal Prussia the Jesuits did not run pharmacies to avoid conflicts with the Protestant bourgeoisie, in the eastern borderlands of the Polish-Lithuanian state, Jesuit pharmacies were often the only institutions of this type. The third part of the work presents the financial situation of Jesuit pharmacies. They had significant income, but also required considerable investments related to the purchase of raw materials and equipment in the Baltic ports. The fourth part of the article concerns the social scope of the activity of Jesuit pharmacists, who not only provided medicines to the poor, but also treated nobles, magnates and high church dignitaries. Not being obliged by guild regulations, apart from preparing medicines, they also diagnosed them, performed minor surgical procedures and assisted women during childbirth. The last part of the article discusses drugs and raw materials in terms of their availability to the broadly understood clientele. The offer of Jesuit pharmacies included both cheap products derived from the local flora, intended for the treatment of the poor, and expensive raw materials from abroad. Moreover, among the medical matter there were preparations for women and infants, as well as for people suffering from syphilis. In the end, the author emphasizes the centrality of pharmacies in the Jesuit pastoral strategy. Thanks to their high level, pharmacies not only corresponded to the ideal of mercy, but also contributed to gaining the favour and trust of representatives of social elites. In this context, the dissolution of the Society is an important turning point not only in cultural and religious life, but also in the history of medicine and pharmacy in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.


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