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Singularitarianism and the New Millennium: Techno-Theology in the Transhumanist Age of Re-Enchantment
No full textThis dissertation explores the perennial link between religion and technology in Western culture. Specifically, I focus on a subset of transhumanism, known as Singularitarianism, as a modern representation of the historically close relationship between technology and religion in the West. To provide a genealogy of Singularitarianism, and the transhumanist movement out of which it emerged, I trace the history of Western techno-religious culture from Latin Christendom, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, all the way to modern transhumanism. Modern transhumanism is the result of this philosophical framework combined with rapidly accelerating technology, resulting in the belief that humans should control their own material and spiritual evolution through technology. Today, the rapid advance of advanced technology is seen as capable of realizing the promises traditionally satisfied through traditional theistic religion in the West. In exploring these dynamics, I make the argument that religion adapts to technology at an ontological level. For the purposes of gaining insight to the fundamental question concerning what it means to be human in an age of technology, Singularitarianism serves as an example of how our technology facilitates ultimate concern by addressing the challenges of meaning in an age of accelerating change, and reveals where religion is going in the future. This represents, in the language of Charles Taylor, a kind of re-enchantment of the West
From Pillar to Pillory U.S. Navy Crimes of Command 1945-2015
No full textSince the beginning of the 21st century, the Navy has announced almost every removal of an officer from command. Before 2000, some removals were announced, most were not. Quite often official command histories don’t address when a commanding officer is removed. Sometimes discussion of a removal is suppressed. Some commanding officers are ordered to never discuss their removal. Some will not discuss the removal out of personal shame. For those not involved, spectators, there is a combination of schadenfreude and learning. And even, for some, a level of glee when karma catches up with someone in a particularly expected or deserved manner. In 2011 the senior Navy officer issued a letter to all prospective commanding officers. In it he wrote that command is based on three principles: authority, responsibility, and accountability. He calls the relationship between authority, responsibility, and accountability an “immutable truth [that] has been the foundation of our Navy since 1775.” This paper shows that accountability, at least in that context, is a modern creation. Looking at writings through the 20th and into the 21st-century one can trace the creation of this “immutable truth” through two major events of the 20th century – the U.S. Navy’s worst peacetime disaster and a national sex scandal. This dissertation explores post-World War II United States Navy culture and how this culture addresses officers who have excelled sufficiently enough to rise to the pinnacle of professional assignment, the pillar of command of a U.S. Navy warship but also committed a ‘crime of command.’ A crime of command is an idea unique and special to military command, and even more unique to naval command. Crime of command is a specific term of art, a combination of words with meaning distinct and separate from individual value and presentation. However, to understand the concept of ‘crime of command’ we must first understand the individual meaning of the words. Once the words are understood they must be studied within the context of naval operations, commanders identified, and the Navy’s actions towards them determined. Since behavior is learned, understanding not only the ethical dilemmas of command but also the process by which commanders learn to decide is important. Not just for the commander who erred, but also for the commander who must decide how to adjudicate the crime of command as the officers travel from pillar to pillory. Over the last seventy years Navy leaders first learned and now teach a concept of accountability that has not only deviated from its original meaning, but has morphed into something else; something corrupted in its understanding. The Navy must relearn the ideas of responsibility, culpability, accounting, and forgiveness if it is to prevail in the future
Networks of Survival in Kinshasa, Mumbai, Detroit, and Comparison Cities; an Empirical Perspective
No full textPeople in impoverished cities, for example in Kinshasa, lend small quantities of food to neighbors when requested, to prevent starvation. In Mumbai, they share their living space with others who are homeless. In Detroit, churches and the Detroit Urban League have helped poor residents to obtain jobs, meals, and housing. Rather than mere self-interest, this expression of generosity is an outstanding human quality. Networks of survival also include the lessons of history, good economic and political policies, human rights, equal opportunity, and culture
The Pain in Spain: Examining Andalusia\u27s Youth Unemployment Crisis
Get PDFThis paper examines the youth unemployment crisis in the autonomous community of Andalusia by assessing employment policies that are currently in place. Since the economic crisis nearly a decade ago, there has been very little change in the high rates of Andalusian youth unemployment, which as a whole, has left the region, the country and the European Union at risk due to a lack of inefficient policies. By utilizing anecdotal evidence paired with facts and figures released by the European Union, recommendations to adjust employment policies such as the Youth Guarantee and PRAEM are given in order to shine a light on the areas that are lacking effectiveness when it comes to solving the problem at hand rather than allowing it to continue
Music and Dancing at the “Queen of Resorts”: The Impact of the Germania Musical Society on Newport’s Hotel Period
No full textIn the mid-nineteenth century, Newport flourished in the summer as impressive hostelries were constructed and new modes of transportation facilitated travel to the area. At this time, the city became an internationally famed destination for seasonal travelers and vacationers. Brian Knoth, in “Music and Dancing at the ‘Queen of Resorts’: The Impact of the Germania Musical Society on Newport’s Hotel Period,” takes a closer look at one aspect of the magical summer scene at this time when he argues that a dashing ensemble of émigré musicians—the Germania Musical Society—was key to the burnishing and success of Newport’s “hotel culture.” Brian Knoth, a media artist, composer, researcher, and educator, is an Assistant Professor of Media Communication at Rhode Island College. He earned an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Music and Multimedia at Brown University and has also published recently in the International Journal of Performance Arts and Digital Media
Salve Regina Oral History Project: Barbara Kathe [audio]
Get PDFOral History Interview with Dr. Barbara Kathe, who served as a professor, and later Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty from 1999-2002. This interview was conducted on July 2, 2018
Salve Regina Oral History Project: Art Frankel [audio]
No full textOral History interview with Dr. Art Frankel who has been a professor in the psychology department for over forty years. The interview was conducted on September 17, 2018
Salve Regina Oral History Project: Pat Hayes [audio]
Get PDFOral History Interview with Mrs. Pat Hayes, an alumna from the Class of 1962. The interview was conducted on June 20, 2018
The Intersection of the Zeitgeist and Common Personal Factors that Allowed the Rise of Three Women: Maria Montessori, Beatrix Potter, and Marie Curie
No full textThroughout history women have faced obstacles to success. Maria Montessori, Beatrix Potter, and Marie Curie overcame barriers in the late nineteenth century helped by the emerging women\u27s movement, as well as, improved communication, transportation, and industrialization. The common circumstances of their individual lives in their education, relationships, and personal characteristics contributed to their accomplishments. These women achieved significance and attained lasting influence. The purpose of this work is to analyze the interplay of the factors through qualitative research of personal and cultural factors impacting their successes. The implications for women today lie in seeking to uncover those factors in order for them to follow the same opportunities for success