Toward a Critical Synthesis of the Aristotelian and Confucian Doctrines of the Mean

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-35
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Brien ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Moral Virtue ◽  
Intellectual Virtue ◽  
Current Paper ◽  
Nicomachean Ethics ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
The Third ◽  
Human Wellbeing ◽  
Confucian Thought ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ways Of Thinking

This paper is the second phase of a project that was begun more than three years ago. The first phase culminated in the publication of a paper working toward a critical appropriation of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.1 Therein Aristotle famously argues that human wellbeing (eudaimonia) is constituted by “activity of the soul in accordance with moral and intellectual virtue.”2 This earlier paper brought into focus all the main lines of Aristotle’s theoretical web in the N. Ethics: including the nature of the soul, intellectual virtue, moral virtue, etc. That paper went on to give a developed critique of Aristotle’s theoretical web, and against that background it argued for a very different way of thinking about intellectual virtue, and it prepared the ground for different ways of thinking about moral virtue. This current paper explores the various conceptual understandings of “the mean” in Aristotelian and in Confucian thought. It begins with an explanatory sketch of “the mean” as understood in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, and then in a second section goes on to explore “the mean” as presented in classical Confucianism. The third section of this paper offers some reflections oriented toward a tentative formulation of a modified conception of “the mean” as it might be construed from a humanistic Marxist perspective.

scholarly journals 以儒家中庸思想探討生命倫理學基本理論和原則

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-131
Author(s):  
Hongxia WANG
Keyword(s):  
Moral Philosophy ◽  
Moral Virtue ◽  
Ethical Principles ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
Doctrine Of The Mean ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Digital Commons ◽  
Confucian Thought ◽  
Bioethical Issues ◽  
The Mean

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.中庸是孔子儒學思想的核心。中庸既承認絕對道德的存在，即“玄德”的存在，又承認具體道德的相對性，即“時權”的方法。與此同時，中庸帶有一定的功利主義的思想。本文認為，中庸的思想可以用不同的方式，解決義務論和功利主義（或效益主義）之間的矛盾。由於中庸提倡既不能“過”，也不能“不及”，其思想為我們看待生命倫理學原則的一般性和特殊性的關係、義務性和功利性的關係，以及對我們解決生命倫理學中的具體問題，如生死，提供了理論與實踐的基礎。This essay explores the doctrine of the mean as the key concept in Confucian thought and practice, contending that it has both general and specific dimensions as it recognizes the absoluteness of moral and ethical principles while acknowledging the importance of relativity in concrete situations when those principles are used. The notion of the “mean” is thus not merely a moral virtue that enables the avoidance of extremes; rather, it is utilitarian because it looks for goodness and effectiveness.This essay points out that the Confucian notion of the mean can be applied to a wide range of bioethical issues, particularly the way we look at life and death in the case of euthanasia and abortion. In Western moral philosophy, there has always been some disagreement about the importance of principles and rules to morality exemplified by the debate between Kantians and utilitarians. The essay argues that the doctrine of the mean in Confucianism offers an alternative way of examining the differences between these two moral approaches.DOWNLOAD HISTORY | This article has been downloaded 300 times in Digital Commons before migrating into this platform.

UPAYA MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR IPA MELALUI PENGGUNAAN VIDEO PEMBELAJARAN BAGI SISWA KELAS IV DI SDN 187/IV KOTA JAMBI

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Juniar Siregar
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Research Report ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Classroom Action Research

This study presents a research report on improving students’ Learning results on IPA through Video. The objective was to find out whether students’ learning result improved when they are taught by using Video. It was conducted using classroom action research method. The subject of the study was the Grade IV students of SDN 187/IV Kota Jambi which is located on Jln. Adi Sucipto RT 05 Kecamatan Jambi Selatan, and the number of the students were 21 persons. The instruments used were test. In analyzing the data, the mean of the students’ score for the on fisrt sycle was 65,4 (42,85%) and the mean on cycle two was 68,5 (37,15%) and the mean of the third cycle was 81,4 (100%). Then it can be concluded that the use of video on learning IPA can improve the students’ learning result. It is suggested that teachers should use video as one of the media to improve students’ learning result on IPA.Keywords : IPA, students’ learning result, video

Listening for the “Still Small Voice” of Mendelssohn’s Domestic Elijah

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-77
Author(s):  
Peter Mercer-Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Second Phase ◽  
Divine Presence ◽  
Final Phase ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Third ◽  
Interpretive Approach ◽  
Will To Live ◽  
Three Phases

The notion that there might be autobiographical, or personally confessional, registers at work in Mendelssohn’s 1846 Elijah has long been established, with three interpretive approaches prevailing: the first, famously advanced by Prince Albert, compares Mendelssohn’s own artistic achievements with Elijah’s prophetic ones; the second, in Eric Werner’s dramatic formulation, discerns in the aria “It is enough” a confession of Mendelssohn’s own “weakening will to live”; the third portrays Elijah as a testimonial on Mendelssohn’s relationship to the Judaism of his birth and/or to the Christianity of his youth and adulthood. This article explores a fourth, essentially untested, interpretive approach: the possibility that Mendelssohn crafts from Elijah’s story a heartfelt affirmation of domesticity, an expression of his growing fascination with retiring to a quiet existence in the bosom of his family. The argument unfolds in three phases. In the first, the focus is on that climactic passage in Elijah’s Second Part in which God is revealed to the prophet in the “still small voice.” The turn from divine absence to divine presence is articulated through two clear and powerful recollections of music that Elijah had sung in the oratorio’s First Part, a move that has the potential to reconfigure our evaluation of his role in the public and private spheres in those earlier passages. The second phase turns to Elijah’s own brief sojourn into the domestic realm, the widow’s scene, paying particular attention to the motivations that may have underlain the substantial revisions to the scene that took place between the Birmingham premiere and the London premiere the following year. The final phase explores the possibility that the widow and her son, the “surrogate family” in the oratorio, do not disappear after the widow’s scene, but linger on as “para-characters” with crucial roles in the unfolding drama.

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN WRITING RECOUNT TEXT THROUGH THINK PAIR SHARE

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hotria Manik ◽  
Elia Masa Ginting
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Writing Achievement ◽  
The Third ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Class Viii ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Writing Tests

This study attempts to improve students’ writing achievement in recount text through Think-Pair-Share Strategy. This study was conducted by using classroom action research. The subject of the research was class VIII-1 SMPN 1 Pematangsiantar. The number of the students was 32 students, consisted of 5 males and twenty seven females. The research was conducted in two cycles and consisted of six meetings. The instruments for collecting data were writing tests as the quantitative data and diary notes, observation sheet, interview sheet and questionnaire sheet as qualitative data. Based on the writing score, students’ scores kept improving in every test. In analyzing the data, the mean of the students’ score for the first test as a pre-test was 57.84, for the second test as a post test I was 73.56, for the third test as a post test II was 77.56. Based on diary notes, observation sheet and questionnaire sheet, it was found that students were actively involved in writing process. The result of the research showed that Think-Pair-Share Strategy can improve students’ achievement in writing recount text.   Keywords: Think Pair Share, Writing, Recount text, Action research

PENERAPAN MODEL QUANTUM LEARNING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR AUTOCAD SISWA KELAS X TEKNIK PEMESINAN SMK NEGERI 1 STABAT

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Hasan Saragih
Keyword(s):  
Positive Response ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
The Third ◽  
Third Phase ◽  
Quantum Learning

This classroom research was conducted on the autocad instructions to the first grade of mechinary class of SMK Negeri 1 Stabat aiming at : (1) improving the student’ archievementon autocad instructional to the student of mechinary architecture class of SMK Negeri 1 Stabat, (2) applying Quantum Learning Model to the students of mechinary class of SMK Negeri 1 Stabat, arising the positive response to autocad subject by applying Quantum Learning Model of the students of mechinary class of SMK Negeri 1 Stabat. The result shows that (1) by applying quantum learning model, the students’ achievement improves significantly. The improvement ofthe achievement of the 34 students is very satisfactory; on the first phase, 27 students passed (70.59%), 10 students failed (29.41%). On the second phase 27 students (79.41%) passed and 7 students (20.59%) failed. On the third phase 30 students (88.24%) passed and 4 students (11.76%) failed. The application of quantum learning model in SMK Negeri 1 Stabat proved satisfying. This was visible from the activeness of the students from phase 1 to 3. The activeness average of the students was 74.31% on phase 1,81.35% on phase 2, and 83.63% on phase 3. (3) The application of the quantum learning model on teaching autocad was very positively welcome by the students of mechinary class of SMK Negeri 1 Stabat. On phase 1 the improvement was 81.53% . It improved to 86.15% on phase 3. Therefore, The improvement ofstudent’ response can be categorized good.

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ WRITING ACHIEVEMENT IN THE REPORT TEXT THROUGH FILM

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esra N.F. Hutahaean And Tjut Ernidawati
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Writing Achievement ◽  
The Third ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Report Text

This research concerns on improving students’ writing achievement in the report text through film.  The objective was to find out the improvement of students’ writing achievement in writing the report text through film. This research was conducted by using action research method. The subject of the research was XI IPA grade students of SMA SWASWTA JOSUA Medan. The numbers of students were thirty one students. They were taught writing the report text through film. The instruments used were writing report text test, diary notes, interview sheets, questionnaire sheets and observation sheets. In analyzing data, the mean of students’ score for the first competency test was 43.1, for the second competency test was 64.8 and for the third competency test was 76.3 and the total percentage of improvement from the first competency test to the third competency test was 84.1%. The conclusion is that through watching film can improve the students’ writing achievement in the report text. It is suggested that teachers should apply watching film as one of media to improve students’ writing achievement in the report text.

Correlations Between the Values of Maternal Glycemia from the Last Trimester of Pregnancy and Fetal Birth Weight

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-265
Author(s):  
Monica Vereş ◽  
Aurel Babeş ◽  
Szidonia Lacziko
Keyword(s):  
First Trimester ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Fetal Macrosomia ◽  
Entire Group ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
The Third ◽  
Group I ◽  
Fetal Birth Weight ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background and aims: Gestational diabetes represents a form of diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy that is not clearly overt diabetes. In the last trimester of gestation the growth of fetoplacental unit takes place, thus maternal hyperglycemia will determine an increased transplacental passage, hyperinsulinemia and fetal macrosomia. The aim of our study was that o analyzing the effect of maternal glycemia from the last trimester of pregnancy over fetal weight. Material and method: We run an observational study on a group of 46 pregnant women taken into evidence from the first trimester of pregnancy, separated in two groups according to blood glucose determined in the third trimester (before birth): group I normoglycemic and group II with hyperglycemia (>92mg/dl). Results: The mean value of third trimester glycemia for the entire group was of 87.13±22.03. The mean value of the glycemia determined in the third trimester of pregnancy was higher in the second group (109.17 mg/dl) in comparison to the first group (74.,21 mg/dl). The ROC curve for third trimester glycemia as fetal macrosomia appreciation test has an AUC of 0.517. Conclusions: Glycemia determined in the last trimester of pregnancy cannot be used alone as the predictive factor for fetal macrosomia.

Mixed-Methods Evaluation as Scaffold to the Development of a Mobile Health Application to Support the Prescription of Wheelchairs and Postural Support Devices (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Klein ◽  
Roseli de Deus Lopes ◽  
Rodrigo Suigh
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
The Third ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
Mixed Methods Evaluation ◽  
Usability Tests ◽  
Third Phase ◽  
Postural Support ◽  
Support Devices

BACKGROUND EasySeating is a mobile health (mHealth) app that supports the prescription of wheelchair and postural support devices (WPSD). It can be used by occupational therapists (OT) and physiotherapists (PT) who prescribe WPSD. The app offers a standardization of the prescription procedure, showing images, metrics and details that guide the prescriber to decide on the best equipment. It was developed with an iterative mixed-methods evaluation approach. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the processes involved in the prescription of WPSD and to propose, develop and evaluate a mHealth to support OT and PT prescribers. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the processes involved in the prescription of WPSD and to propose, develop and evaluate a mHealth to support OT and PT prescribers. METHODS This study was divided into three phases and was carried out as an iterative process composed of user consulting/testing (using a mixed-methods evaluation approach), system (re)design and software development. The first phase consisted of the collection of qualitative and quantitative data to map and understand the users requirements and of the development of the first prototype (v1) of the app. This data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews with 14 OT and PT prescribers, 5 specialized technicians and 5 WPSD users. The second phase aimed at improving the overall functionality of the app and consisted in the development, test and evaluation of the prototypes v1, v2, v3 and v4. A total of 59 prescribers tested and evaluated these prototypes by means of open interviews, semi-structured questionnaires and focus groups. The third phase focused in the usability aspects of the app. It consisted in the development and test of the prototype v5. Eight technology specialists assessed its usability through heuristics evaluation. RESULTS Data collected in phase one indicated there is a lack of standardization on the prescription of postural support devices (PSD). A divergent nomenclature for the PSDs was also found and classified in eight categories. These information guided the development of the first prototype of the EasySeating app. Phase two results pointed that the prescribers value the insertion of the app into their clinical practice, as it accelerates and increases the quality of the evaluation process and improves the organization of the prescription information. Significant suggestions for the improvement of the app were given during the users tests, including the use of images to represent the PSDs. The usability tests from the third phase revealed two strong issues that must be solved: the need of greater feedback and failures in the persistence of the input data. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that there is a lack of systematization of the WPSD prescription process. The evaluation of the developed EasySeating app demonstrated that there is a potential to standardize, integrate and organize the WPSD prescription information, supporting and facilitating the decision making process of the prescribers. CLINICALTRIAL This study was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the Universidade de São Paulo (registered protocol n°53929516.6.0000.0065) URL - http://plataformabrasil.saude.gov.br/login.jsf

Foucault as Superauthor

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-125
Keyword(s):  
Free Speech ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Sovereign Power ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Main Motivation ◽  
Critical Attitude ◽  
The Third ◽  
Third Phase ◽  
Lecture Courses

Three phases in Foucault’s examination of authorship and free speech were essential to him throughout his life. They can be linked to such texts as the three lectures “What is an Author?” (first phase), “What is Critique?,” and “What is Revolution?” (second phase), and the two lecture courses, “Fearless Speech,” and “The Courage of Truth” (third phase). Initially, Foucault merely describes the founders of discursivity (hence, “superauthors”), among whom he reckoned only Marx and Freud, as the sole alternative to his own conceptualization of the author function, which is exhibited en masse in contemporary society. He then modifies his views on superauthorship by making Kant the paradigm and by linking his own concept of free speech to a Kan-tian critical attitude. However, Foucault claims only the half of Kant’s philosophical legacy that is related to the study of the ontology of the self.The article advances the hypothesis that the sovereign power of speech, which can be found in Marx and Heidegger and in generally in the concept of “superauthorship,” becomes unacceptable for Foucault. During the third phase, the danger of a tyrannical use of free speech compels Foucault to make a number of fruitful but questionable choices in his work. He focuses on a single aspect of free speech in which a speaker is in a weaker position and therefore has to overcome his fear in order to tell the truth. Foucault associates this kind of free speech with the ancient Greek notion of parrhesia, which according to his interpretation means “fearless speech”; however, this reading is not always supported by the ancient Greek sources. Foucault’s deliberations bring him to the radical conclusion that free speech transforms into performative “aesthetics of existence.” Foucault’s main motivation for pursuing this line of thought all through his life was to investigate his own abilities and powers as an author

Practical Truth

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Charles
Keyword(s):  
Nicomachean Ethics ◽  
Third Way ◽  
The Third ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Major Competitor ◽  
Additional Support

This paper concerns Aristotle’s discussion of practical truth in Nicomachean Ethics VI.2.1139a17–b5. The essay falls into five sections. In the first three, I outline two styles of interpretation of Aristotle’s remarks and suggest that one of them (which I call ‘the third way’) gives a better reading than that offered by its major competitor (which I call ‘the two-component’ view). In the fourth I consider some texts in the remainder of NE VI which provide additional support for the third way of reading. In a brief concluding section, I seek to locate Aristotle’s view of practical truth, so understood, in a broader philosophical context.

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