Showing papers on "Judgement published in 1990"

The Gospel According to John

Abstract: The gospel according to John. A commentary based on the NIV, which unfolds the teaching of the fourth gospel. Dr Carson engages with some of the secondary literature of John, showing both a willingness to learn from it and independence of judgement.

Russell, idealism, and the emergence of analytic philosophy

Abstract: Part 1 The idealist background: T.H.Green F.H.Bradley Russell's idealist period. Part 2 Platonic atomism: the underlying metaphysics Russell's "principles of mathematics" 'on denoting'. Part 3 Logic, fact and knowledge: the logic of "principia mathematica" judgement, belief, and knowledge - the emergence of a method.

An interactive approach for selecting IR&D projects

Abstract: The authors present a strategy for systematically allocating resources to competing independent research and development (IR&D) projects in a company building systems for the US Department of Defense. The approach is less mathematically complex than many techniques reported in the literature, utilizing the judgement of key business and technical elements in the organization. The authors first give a taxonomy characterizing various approaches and briefly review R&D selection methods reported in literature. Then they describe an interactive process that they have developed for selecting IR&D projects which, rather than substituting complex calculations for good technical and material judgement, facilitates better utilization of the expertise of various organizational elements within the context of corporate strategic planning. Procedures are included for idea submittal and evaluation. Experiences are discussed obtained during the application of the process to a corporation with multiple business units. >

The role of judgement in macroeconomic forecasting

Abstract: This paper examines the rationale for, and influence of, judgemental adjustments in macroeconomic forecasting, using two particular forecasts for the UK economy recently published by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and the London Business School. It is found that in some cases such adjustments have a major effect on the forecasts and can also explain some of the differences in the two rival forecasts. However the number of adjustments for which this is true is not great. An implication of these findings is that, if these forecasts can be regarded as typical, then macroeconomic forecasters should be urged to give a reasonable account of the role of judgemental adjustments in their forecasts, particularly since the amount of information which would be required is not likely to be excessive.

Utilitarianism and Distributive Justice: Jeremy Bentham and the Civil Law

Abstract: Psychological hedonism and the basis of motivation the principle of utility and the criterion of moral judgement security, expectation and liberty subsistence, abundance, and equality and the conditions of stability the security-providing principle the disappointment-preventing principle and substantive justice.

Pliny The Elder and Man's Unnatural History

Abstract: Not everybody shares my enthusiasm for the elder Pliny. We all have a nodding acquaintance with the Natural History, but few wish to pursue the relationship to the level of intimacy. Critics who care for the purity of Latin prose take a particularly dim view of him. Eduard Norden's verdict in Die antike Kunstprosa (i.314) is much cited: ‘His work belongs, from the stylistic point of view, to the very worst which we have’. This negative judgement was firmly endorsed by Frank Goodyear in the Cambridge History of Latin Literature:

Defining quality of care: mission impossible?

Abstract: Finding the definition of quality has haunted mankind since the beginning of time. As far back as ancient Egypt and classical Greece, descriptions of quality show man's struggle with a concept that has not yet ended. Since the beginning of this century, descriptions of quality of health care have begun to take form in long lists of categories that make up the elements of quality. This catalog approach to defining quality has been replaced by the evaluative approach since Donabedian's conceptual studies in the 1960s. It has become commonplace now to define quality in evaluative terms: by comparing actual care with preset criteria, a judgment, and consequently a description or definition, can be obtained on real quality of care. In criteria and their derivatives one can document his intentions as to good quality; only after measurement and judgement can one be certain that quality has been described. A frequent source of concern is the erroneous belief that scientific research is synonymous with quality assessment. Research results form the basis of criteria for good care, and as such contribute to quality, but having obtained good research results does not imply that health care is properly and appropriately provided.

The Divine Verdict: A Study of the Divine Judgement in the Ancient Religions

Abstract: The theme of divine judgement has often been treated, but usually with a concentration on one it its two main aspects: either that which is seen in the present life and in history or that which is believed to occur only after death. This new study seeks to combine the two aspects. It also tries to cover the whole spectrum of the ancient religions. Special attention is given to Israel, Greece, and Egypt. Israel's neighbours are also considered, and there are discussions of Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. In several areas, notably in Egypt and Israel, it is shown that punishment in this life is sometimes presented as a fate that man brings upon himself rather than as one imposed by God, though always against a moral background derived from religion. The origins of judgement after death in the Judaeo-Christian tradition are examined in some detail and elements are traced to Egyptian, Zoroastrian, and Judaic sources.

Moral Conflicts in a Psychiatric Hospital Treating Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Abstract: This paper is divided into two parts: a description of the topography of ethical judgement in psychiatric settings is followed by an ethnographic account of some ethical dilemmas and disputes associated with the treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (ptsd).

DUTCH TOLERANCE Facts and Fables

Abstract: Well over two hundred years ago, John Howard paid visits to prisons in The Nether lands. Compared to the misery and filth he had seen in England and in other countries on the Continent, he found the Dutch prisons extremely clean and comfortable—a commendation the Dutch were only too ready to accept. In fact, they still proffer Howard's judgement as evidence of the tradition of mildness and tolerance in their country. The British criminologist David Downes, in his study Contrasts in Tolerance on post-war penal policy in The Netherlands and England and Wales (Downes 1988), quotes Howard too, and adds a great number of positive assessments of his own regard ing the prison system and criminal policy in The Netherlands. For this reason his book will no doubt rank high on the Dutch national scale of sources cited. As a Dutch criminologist, I read Downes's study with great pleasure.1 Generally, however, I think that he has contributed more to national myth-making than to a deepening of criminological insight into the post-war reality in The Netherlands. This critical judgement is founded not only on what Downes studied and wrote about, but also on what he failed to study and write about. This article, then, is about what I read and what I did not read in his book. However, I should state from the outset that Downes's book can easily stand comparison with Dutch publications, if only by the size of the problems Downes tries to clarify: it is the first book in which post-war penal policy in The Netherlands is analysed on such a large scale.

Explaining the Inexplicable. The Hypotheses of the Faculty of Reflective Judgement in Kant's Third Critique

Abstract: In the Critique of Pure Reason (CPR) Kant wants to answer the question: How are a priori synthetic judgements possible? (CPR, B19). This is the question of how judgements, which are not logically true (or contradictory) in virtue of their form, can relate a priori to objects. Kant answers this question in the Transcendental Aesthetic and the Transcendental Analytic of the CPR: the categories, the pure concepts of the understanding derived from the forms of judgement, relate a priori to objects; and the principles of pure understanding which arise a prior from the application of these categories to pure intuitions are, as synthetic a priori judgements, objectively valid. All possible objects of human experience must correspond to the categories and principles. It is this consequence which Kant has in mind when he claims of the human understanding that it prescribes to nature a priori laws (cf. e.g. Prologomena, ? 36 and CJ, ? 70) and thus makes objects of human knowledge possible (CPR, A158/B197). Thanks to the principles of the pure understanding we know with absolute certainty that all possible 'objects of human experience are substances with extensive and intensive magnitudes which endure in time and space and among which there are mechanical relations of causality and reciprocity. All determinate concepts and laws of nature which are used in the description and explanation of nature must be specifications of the categories and principles: for it is only as such specifications that they fulfill a necessary condition for their relation to the objects which, taken together, make up nature, the object of human knowledge.

Immoral Judgement, Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Criminal Behaviour

Abstract: The present article examines delinquent behaviour by integrating two approaches which have heretofore been employed separately—Eysenck's theory linking delinquency to extraversion and neuroticism and Kohlberg's theory of moral development and its connection to moral behaviour. It analyses the relations between extraversion, neuroticism and moral judgement—as well as their independent and/or interactive effect upon the development of anti-social behaviour. The relationships are tested via retrospective measurements of personality traits and moral judgement in three groups: delinquency (N= 203), control (N= 82) and comparative (N= 407) groups.Findings indicate that criminals are higher than control subjects on neuroticism and immoral judgement but not on extraversion. Similar relationships were found between criminals and the comparative group. The implications of these results for the differential development of anti-social behaviour is discussed.

Priority order judging device

Abstract: Each priority order signal (a code signal having a plurality of digits) is processed at each gate circuit in the following manner. The level of a K-th digit input code signal among the priority order signals is checked and the level of a K-th order judgement result signal is fed-back from a judgement circuit. In the first case where the former level is "0" and the latter level is "1", "0" (or "1") is outputted as the (K+1)-th, (K+2)-th, . . . order output signals and supplied to the judgement circuit. In the cases other than the first case, the inputted (K+1)-th digit input code signal is outputted as it is as the (K+1)-th order output signal and supplied to the judgement circuit. The judgement circuit performs a logical OR (or NAND) operation for each order and the results are outputted as judgement result signals.

Spoken English Illuminated

Abstract: Our first great conversationalists primary acts of mind home-made argument home-grown stories Dr Jekyll, Ms Hyde, Mr Sherlock and black-eyed Susan across the curriculum adolescents arguing rules and roles in discussion the study of language the spoken language truth to tell - criteria for judgement long turn development - stories and directions short turn development - discussions living information.

Prioritizing development goals in low-income developing countries

Abstract: This paper outlines a systematic approach to prioritizing the multiple and often conflicting development goals and objectives in a typical low-income developing country (LDC). First, a hierarchy of development goals and objectives is developed from an extensive review of the literature. Then, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is utilized to analyze the judgement elicited from World Bank experts and a priority structure established reflecting the perceived importance of these development goals and objectives. This methodology can assist development planners in LDCs in formulating developement plans consistent with national objectives.

Selecting experimental data for use in quantitative risk assessment: an expert-judgement approach.

Abstract: In many cancer risk assessments the experimental data used in statistical modeling are selected by applying generic guidelines. The guidelines exclude use of some types of experimental data and often appear arbitrary since rules rather than scientific judgments guide selection of data. This paper implements an alternative approach in which data are selected based on the judgments of practicing scientists. Eight such scientists were identified through an explicit selection procedure to help select data for use in a dose-response assessment of formaldehyde. Judgements about appropriate data sets were then elicited in personal interviews using a formal interview protocol. Appropriate data sets were fit to the multistage model and used as the basis for low-dose extrapolation. Low-dose risk estimates are shown to be sensitive to the selection of data, especially the treatment of benign tumors. The recommendations of the experts also differ in some respects from the choices made in previously published risk assessments. This suggests that scientific judgement may be an appropriate method to augment guidelines when a broad range of data is available. The paper argues that the expert judgment approach has some advantages that are worth considering.

Psychology and coincidences

Abstract: The paper presents a selective review of research suggesting possible normal causes for some coincidences. After a brief discussion of hidden causes, predictions with multiple endpoints, and simple probability, the bulk of the paper focuses on psychological research into judgement and decision-making under uncertainty. Shortcuts in information processing that have been held responsible for apparent weaknesses in everyday statistical intuitions are discussed, as are recent criticisms of this heuristics and biases paradigm Examples are given of studies demonstrating how perception, judgement and recollection may be biased so as to confirm our preconceptions. Some implications of this research for the study of coincidences are pointed out, and research suggesting promising remedial measures to improve judgement is noted.

Fuzzy decisions in bidding strategies

Abstract: The process for assessing and evaluating contractors' bidding strategies is dependent in most projects on subjective expertise judgement based on a certain number of criteria. A systematic approach based on fuzzy set theory and multicriteria modeling is proposed for selecting bidding strategies. A method is given to obtain a measure for ratings projects with respect to the criteria elements to determine effective bidding strategies. The importance and the level of contribution of each criterion can be estimated based on experience and judgement. Experience and judgement may easily be expressed in subjective measures rather than mathematical terms. Classical probability theory fails to incorporate subjective information. The subjective measures can be translated into mathematical values using fuzzy set theory. The proposed system is effective for a general bidding strategy which may involve many projects. Many criteria and many competitors. >

The Meaning of Success

Abstract: The fundamental purpose of the evaluation process is to determine the value or worth of an activity. In passing judgement on this activity, the evaluator comments on its success or failure in respect of some valued goal. Evaluation is concerned with effectiveness, i.e. it says whether or not the valued goal has been achieved. It also makes statements about efficiency by providing an indication of the extent to which the measures designed to achieve the valued goal have been effective, by comparing them with alternative and competing measures.

The relation of moral judgement to authoritarianism, sexism, ethnocentrism, and concern about nuclear war

Abstract: This study focuses on the relation between moral arguments and political attitudes such as concern about nuclear war, sexism, attitudes toward minority groups, and authoritarianism. Forty‐six high school students were involved in a quantitative study based upon tests and questionnaires, and 19 of them participated in a qualitative study based on interviews. The measures were: the ‘Sociomoral Reflection Objective Measure’, the ‘Inventory of Nuclear War Attitudes’, the Slade and Jenner sexism scale, an ethnocentrism scale, and a Dutch version of the F‐scale. Using a multivariate analysis it was shown that concern about nuclear war and ethnocentrism are particularly related to moral judgement level. The qualitative study illustrates the context of these relationships.

The social ethics of the Lucan Baptist (Luke 3:10-14)

Abstract: The preaching of John the Baptist is considerably changed by the inclusion of the Sondergut-tradition (3:10-14) by Luke. The judgement of John's preaching is toned down and Luke's socio-economical interest is communicated. People should share, not exploit one another and accept social outcasts. This ethic integrates with the merciful attitude which Luke communicates in the rest of the Gospel towards all kinds of suffering.

Hymns : the making and shaping of a theology for the whole people of God : a comparison of the four last things in some English and Zambian hymns in intercultural perspective

Abstract: Contents: The Hymns (English and Zambian): Historical Background - Understanding the Four Last Things (Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell) against the Cultural Backgrounds - The Four Last Things in the Hymns - Comparing the Backgrounds - Hymns as a Means of Communicating Theology - A Case Study in Hermeneutics - Implications for Theology.

Performance and Performativity in Education

Abstract: The development of performance indicators for Australian schools and higher education is predicated on the false as sertion that policy makers have hitherto ignored education outcomes. Performance indicators for higher education orig inated in the government's 1985 Guidelines to the Tertiary Education Commission. The Australian experiences with per formance indicators in higher education has been similar to the British and European experience. Performance indicators for schools have their origins in the 1985 Quality of Education Review. National development of performance measures has been remarkably diffident about their prospects.This equivocation about performance measures has parallels with what some have seen as a deeper crisis in the human sciences. Philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard suggests that per vasive in modern society is 'performativity', which is the reduction of all judgement to the criterion of efficiency of in put-output relations. 'Performativity' is elevated to a general principle when ...

Blackburn's projectivism - an objection

Abstract: In his Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong, J. L. Mackie outlines a picture of ethical thinking with two central elements. The first concerns the nature of 'value' judgements; he, like Hume, considers them to be a projection of the subject's attitudes onto the world. In other words a 'judgement' that something is (morally) good is just an expression of a favourable attitude that one has towards the object being considered. The second element concerns the phenomenology of value judgements. He supposes that, to the person making the 'judgement', it seems that she is responding to some feature that the object possesses independently of their interaction with it, and that their judgement is of a kind with judgements of objects that they possess a particular primary quality. So, simply, although value judgements are projective, to those who make them they seem objective. So Mackie's position is called, appropriately, 'error theory'. Of course anyone holding this position must show why value judgements cannot be objective in the relevant sense, and must show that this is the same sense in which we take them to be objective. The existence of the error must also be explained. But my concern here will not be with Mackie's error theory, but with a response to it which tries to avoid the imputation of error to English-speaking moral agents.! There are two possible responses which give up the imputation of error. One is to demonstrate that moral judgements can indeed be objective, at least in the way that the people who make them think of them as being objective. The other, with which I shall be concerned here, is to deny Mackie's claim about the phenomenology of value judgements, while accepting that they are in fact projective. This second response, which has been promoted by Simon Blackburn in his book Spreading the Word and in a series of recent articles, represents a return to the emotivism of the mid-twentieth century. In what follows I shall show