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The Algebra of Supernatural Matrices
No full textThe algebra of supernatural matrices is a key example in the theory of locally finite central simple algebras. Supernatural matrices are a minimal solution to the equation of unital algebras Mn(X) ∼= X, which we compare to several similar conditions involving cancellation of matrices. This algebra has appeared under various names before, and it generalizes both McCrimmon\u27s deep matrices algebra and m-petal Leavitt path algebra
Can Belief Be Compelled? Evidence from Salem
Get PDFIn his Letter Concerning Toleration Locke argues forcefully that belief cannot be compelled under any circumstances. I put this proposition to the test by examining false confessions extracted during the Salem witch-hunt only three years after Locke’s letter was translated into English. Evidence in the Salem records—in particular, a deposition signed by six accused witches—establishes that a number of confessors believed their own false narratives at the time they offered them. Of great psychological interest, these cases give us a sense of what the Salem hysteria felt like to those engulfed by it. They also invalidate Locke’s claim that belief can never be compelled. The truth seems to be that our immunity to coerced belief is an illusion that can be maintained only by excluding all evidence to the contrary. The record of Salem shows that power can shake our foundations, pervert our conscience, fracture identity, compel beliefs
A Journey of Self-Discovery: Living into My Values of Connection and Responsibility in Social Work Practice
No full textThe portfolio is a compilation of products (papers, videos, power point presentations, workshop materials, etc.)that demonstrate students\u27 mastery of core competencies outlined by the Council on Social Work Education and University of Montana School of Social Work. Students complete their portfolio during their final semester. Students work in consultation with an assigned faculty chair to select and refine portfolio components, draft anarrative, and prepare a presentation.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/grad_portfolios/1439/thumbnail.jp
Mansfield Library Annual Report, 2023-2024
No full textThe Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Annual Report aims to explore the accomplishments of library employees during the 2023-24 fiscal year. Accomplishments of library employees in this report represent the library\u27s Mission, Vision, and Values and align with the University of Montana\u27s five Priorities for Action
Embodied Self-Remembering; Toward a Personal Movement Philosophy
Get PDFThe possibility examined in this project is the expansion of human consciousness through Inner work. This “Inner work” integrates the insights of Buddhist psychology, Integral psychology, Enneagram philosophy, and Somatic practices for the expansion of conscious potential in and through the cultivation of compassionate understanding. By observing and identifying the conditions that reinforce a reactive state of being, a choice emerges to remain or grow a capacity of responsiveness. This process is through the body’s sensory presence, the heart’s courage to love, and the mind’s construction of Self. The subjective exploration of the interconnected body-mind integrates the complex study of self-knowledge, and opens a potential shift toward personal and societal needs for presence and authenticity. This project seeks to build a personal movement philosophy that guides a path into the engaging and empowering practice of expansive self-awareness. The objective of this preliminary capstone presentation is to lay the groundwork for a professional facilitation practice of embodied self-remembering. A non-judgmental perspective toward arising phenomena is a central and guiding intention that allows a spacious, non-threatening engagement with life as it is. The personal narrative of the author is the informing and primary method toward this evolving path of soteriological inquiry
Granting Rights to Nature: Environmental Personhood in the U.S. and Worldwide
No full textThis project explores the concept of granting legal personhood to natural environments, with a focus on the Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana. Granting legal personhood rights to the environment has been used around the world to recognize and protect rivers, mountains, and other environmental entities. However, the U.S. legal systems have been slow to adopt this approach. This research essay examines why the U.S. has been lagging, analyzes foreign legal frameworks that have granted personhood to environmental entities and examines if any could be adapted to grant rights and protections to the Clark Fork River.
The research process involves an extensive literature review of environmental law, case studies of international environmental personhood (such as the Whanganui River in New Zealand), environmental personhood cases in the U.S. (such as the failed Lake Erie Bill of Rights and Colorado River Ecosystem failed personhood lawsuit), and an analysis of the ecological and cultural significance of the Clark Fork River. Additionally, potential legal conflicts, such as property rights and regulatory challenges, are considered to assess the feasibility of implementing river personhood in Montana.
Preliminary findings suggest that a personhood framework could provide stronger legal protections for rivers in Montana, particularly due to Native American cultural connections and current legislation special to Montana (Montana constitution and Held vs the State of Montana). This research is significant because it bridges law, international environmental policy, and Indigenous perspectives to propose innovative legal solutions. As climate change and resource exploitation threaten ecosystems, this work contributes to broader discussions on sustainable environmental governance. By presenting this research at UMCUR, I aim to engage scholars and policymakers in rethinking how the law can evolve to protect vital natural resources like the Clark Fork River
When confidence is not accurate: Effects of emotionality on actual versus predicted memory performance
No full textFrom recalling crimes to passing exams, memory is a critical cognitive function for effectively navigating everyday life. Often, we expect that we will remember what is emotionally significant to us, especially when those feelings are negative. However, past research has indicated that may not be the case. The goal of this study, which I helped conduct alongside my professor and fellow research assistants, was to investigate the relationship between memory accuracy and confidence in one’s own memory for emotionally negative words (such as grief ) as compared to neutral words (such as graph ). We recruited 65 UM psychology students through SONA, who were instructed to study 64-word pairs. The pairs consisted of negative-negative; negative-neutral; neutral-negative; and neutral-neutral words (16 pairs for each). During the study phase, participants were also asked to provide their confidence rating (0 to 100% sure to recall) to indicate how likely they would be able to remember each word pair. Then, their memory was tested by being asked to provide the second word of a pair given the first word for each of the 64 pairs. We found the confidence rating was highest for negative-negative word pairs and lowest for neutral-neutral word pairs. However, memory accuracy was highest for neutral-neutral word pairs, whereas negative-negative word pairs landed third in accuracy. These results indicate that confidence may not be accurate in predicting actual memory performance, particularly when people rely too much on the emotionality of items to be remembered
The Ethics of Animal Rights and Zoos
Get PDFIn my essay, I will be diving into the controversial issue of Animal containment, focusing on zoos in the United States. I will be taking this opportunity to establish a new way of thinking about the argument which states the pros of zoos outweigh the negative effects they have on the animals who live there. Neither side of the argument has a malicious intention towards harming animals. Instead, each side shows a different approach to what it is to properly care, and respect for animal rights. Those arguing in support of zoos commonly reference arguments dating back to Aristotle. However, in my argument against zoos, I will reference instances such as Happy the Elephant who was noted as an autonomous being yet kept in confinement and visiting the case of Cecilia the Chimpanzee who was awarded person hood in Argentina. I will argue that zoos are not reasonable nor acceptable homes for the animals there and that they should be following the standards of sanctuaries. I will point out that zoos are detrimental to animals’ psychological health, which transfers into their physical health, while simultaneously diving into animal ethics in an attempt to clarify and connect the literature referenced in my essay
Meltwater Percolation\u27s Impact on Firn Densification
No full textThe impact of meltwater on the compaction of snow and firn is becoming increasingly important as surface melt increases across the Greenland Ice Sheet. However, our understanding of the effect meltwater infiltration has on firn densification is limited, complicating ice sheet mass estimates and sea level rise predictions. We hypothesize that meltwater infiltration alters firn densification regimes to the point where models developed for the dry snow zone are ineffective. This study evaluates the Herron and Langway (H&L) firn densification model by comparing model outputs to in situ measurements from multiple sites on the Greenland Ice Sheet, with a focus on the dry snow zone (little to no melt) and the percolation zone (consistent melt). Percolation zone data were analyzed with and without ice content to assess meltwater’s impact on densification. Characteristics of infiltration-based ice and its influence on the firn column were investigated. We recalculated the average density of infiltration-based ice to be 818 ± 110 based on 401 measurements, updating the previous calculation of 843 ± 46 (Harper et al., 2012). A linear correlation was found between ice content and cumulative water equivalent, indicating that cores with more ice content have greater bulk density. The Herron and Langway model performed better in the dry snow zone than in the percolation zone. At low-ice sites, combining data from multiple cores improved model performance, whereas at high-ice sites, analyzing only the firn fraction produced better results. Increased variability of density at high-ice sites suggests that meltwater infiltration introduces densification complexities beyond increased bulk density. These findings highlight the need for densification models that account for meltwater processes to improve volume-based estimates of Greenland’s contribution to sea level rise