133 research outputs found
Love in Jan Němec's novel
No full textThis thesis aims to analyse the manifestation of the love phenomenon in Jan Ne0mec's autofictional novel The Possibilities of the Romance Novel. The experience of love - defying scientific knowledge - has consistently served as a source of inspiration, emotional hurt, and individual growth. This dynamic is also at play within the novel's narrator, who acts as both the author and one of the characters. Attempting to comprehend his current circumstances, the narrator turns back to his past. However, as memories are revisited, a question arises, whether the present is not just an inevitable outcome and development of something that could be observed earlier. Literature, in its essence, provides an individual, who is communicating through text, a platform to resurrect, scrutinize, and integrate the past, simultaneously assigning it a sense of lasting validity by weaving it into a network of other texts. The focus of this thesis will not only be on the theory of autofiction but will also extend to the distinct techniques inherent to the text. We will base our consideration of intertextuality on Renate Lachmann's concept of memory and recollection, in the field of phenomenology of love we will start from the ideas of Niklas Luhmann, Gilles Deleuze or Denis de Rougemont
O que há de complexo no mundo complexo? Niklas Luhmann e a Teoria dos Sistemas Sociais What is complex in the complex world? Niklas Luhmann and the theory of Social systems
No full textEste artigo discute a compreensão que Niklas Luhmann tem de complexidade, sua função na teoria e os diferentes modos de sua utilização. Parte-se da mudança paradigmática que ocorreu no campo da Ciência em geral, com a ruptura do modelo newtoniano. No século XX, o paradigma da ordem, da simetria, da regularidade, da regulação do intelecto às coisas, entra em crise. A partir de novas formulações da Física, da Química, etc. ergue-se um novo universo sobre bases radicalmente opostas às da Ciência moderna. Há a reabilitação do caos, da irreversibilidade processual, do indeterminismo, do observador e da complexidade. Este novo ambiente conceitual serviu de substrato para a reflexão teórica de Niklas Luhmann. Através da Teoria dos Sistemas Sociais, ele propõe a redução da complexidade do mundo. Sistemas sociais têm como função a redução da complexidade pela sua diferença com relação ao entorno. Ao reduzir complexidade, por outro lado, ele também constrói sua própria complexidade. Luhmann define complexidade quando já não é possível que cada elemento se relacione em qualquer momento com todos os demais. Complexidade obriga a seleção, que significa contingência e risco. Luhmann aprofunda o conceito de complexidade ao introduzir a figura do observador e da distinção complexidade como unidade de uma multiplicidade. Luhmann trata ainda do limite de conexões de relações, do fator tempo, da auto-referência das operações e da representação da complexidade na forma de sentido. Por fim, o artigo trata da complexidade no sistema da ciência, o modo como este reduz complexidade interna e externa, segundo uma base operativa própria.This article discusses Niklas Luhmann's understanding of complexity, its role in theory, and the different ways for its use. It starts from a paradigmatic change that took place in the field of Science in general after the rupture of the Newtonian model. In the 20th century, the paradigm of order, symmetry, regularity, and regulation of the intellect over things enters a crisis. After new formulation in Physics, Chemistry, etc, a new universe emerges over the bases radically opposed to those of modern Science. There is rehabilitation of chaos, process irreversibility, indeterminism, the observer, and complexity. That new conceptual environment served as the substrate for Niklas Luhmann's theoretical reflection. Through the Theory of the Social systems, the author proposes the reduction of the world's complexity. The role of social systems is to reduce complexity by its difference regarding the surroundings. By reducing complexity, on the other hand, he also builds his own complexity. Luhmann sees complexity when it is no longer possible that each element relates in any moment to all others. Complexity forces selection, which means contingency and risk. Luhmann further discusses the concept of complexity by introducing the figure of the observer and the distinction of complexity as the unity of a multiplicity. He also deals with the limit of relationship connections, the time factor, self-reference of the operations, and representation of complexity as meaning. Finally, the article deals with complexity in the system of science, the way it reduced internal and external complexity according to its own operative basis
From Seismology to Bridge Monitoring: Coda Wave Interferometry
No full textConcrete is the most widely used building material in the world and its stability assessment is of utmost importance for society. Ultrasonic measurements are one tool for investigation of concrete stability. The goal of those measurements is the derivation of damage sensitive parameters. The way ultrasound diffuses through concrete is affected by cracks in the specimen, so the description of diffusion can show potential damage indicators. Furthermore, the velocity of the wave propagation changes in damaged specimen. With the analysis of the late part of the seismic signal, small velocity changes can be detected and possibly linked to damage. When concrete is loaded, stress and strain change. This is linked non-linearly to velocity changes with the acoustoelastic theory, defining classical and non-classical non-linear parameters as possible damage indicators. In this work, the aforementioned methods and measures are applied to data from loading experiments on specimen of the size and structure of reinforced bridge girders. Ultrasound measurements with embedded sensors, as well as strain measurements were conducted until the girder failed. The analysis shows, that, while the diffusion of ultrasound can be approximated and parameters can be extracted, those parameters are only damage sensitive to some extent and at stages the specimen already shows damages. The velocity changes calculated with coda wave interferometry show a better response when damages appear and local anomalies give information about the location of damaged and extensively strained areas. A link between strain and velocity change shows that the non-linear relation between both measurements can be approximated with a second order polynomial according to the acousto-elastic effect. The parameters of this polynomial are the classical non-linear parameters and accord with literature values. A combination of all three applied methods shows good potential for the setup of a monitoring framework. IDEA League Joint Master's in Applied Geophysics: Delft University of Technology; ETH Zurich; RWTH Aachen University.Applied Geophysics | IDEA Leagu
Network Fingerprint of stimulation-induced speech impairment in essential tremor
No full textHere we provide the discriminative fibers for stimulation-induced speech impairment in essential tremor patients, published in https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.25958 (Petry-Schmelzer et al, AoN 2020). Please contact the author in case of any questions and cite when using it for your own research
Society as System and its Ecological Environment A Study in the Sociological Systems Theory of Niklas Luhmann
No full textPopular Abstract Sociologen Niklas Luhmann är en av få samhällsvetare som kommit att utveckla en egen teori. Det har skett genom en vidareutveckling av systemteorin och med otaliga inspirationer från klassisk och modern sociologi, filosofi, rättsteori, kommunikationsteori, kognitionsforskning osv. Luhmanns vittomfattande skriftliga verk gör honom till en av de mest betydande sociologerna överhuvudtaget. Denna studie är den första omfattande exposén över Luhmanns systemteori i Skandinavien. Framställningen innefattar bland annat teoriansatsens grundvalar och teorihistoriska avsnitt och diskussioner. Avhandlingens andra del utgörs av en övergripande systemteoretisk analys av de globala miljöproblemen.This thesis is divided into two main parts. The first is an exposé of Niklas Luhmann's comprehensive sociological systems theory, including the basic tenets of the theory, its historical development and central concepts, and discussions. Systems theory is a theory about the distinction between system and environment. Within the framework of Luhmann's systems theory, one can discern three primary levels of analysis: the general theory of self-referential and autopoietic systems; the theory of social systems as autopoietic communication systems; and the theory of society as a separate social system. The emphasis in this thesis, as well as in Luhmanns general approach, rests on the theory of society. The author begins by taking up some of the primary concepts in systems theory: operation, distinction, form and observer. The basic operation of social systems is communication. One of Luhmann's many challenging theses is that the sociologist primarily is an observer of observations; another is that social systems operate as autopoietic systems, i. e. as operatively closed, but cognitively open systems. The result of Luhmann's further development of systems theory is a sociological theory with few similarities to Parsons' systems theory. The theory of society comprises of four main parts: the theory of communication media, of evolution, of differentiation and of society's self-description. The most important medium in the communication system is language. Besides language, there are specific media especially in modern society, such as money, power, law, truth, love, etc., which are called symbolic generalized communication media. I outline the forms of society which have evolved in history. Modern society, which is charachterized by functional differentiation, is the main focus. According to the theory of differentiation, the systems of economy, politics, law, science, the family system, etc., operate as function systems in the system of society. In the approach of systems theory, it can be observed how the different systems function - or do not function. The functional systems operate, on one side, as operative closed systems autonomous of each other. On the other side, they operate as parts of the system of society, and thus as communication systems are structurally coupled to each other in specific ways. One effect of functional differentiation is thus functional autonomisation, which generates growing problems for the society as a whole. A challenge for sociological theory is how to communicate about these issues in the different systems of society. Today, it can be observed that modern society stands before two increasing global problems which are tied to the relationship between the social system and its environment. One is the fatal risk that the difference between inclusion and exclusion, or being in or out of the functional systems of society, becomes a meta-code which governs the survival opportunities for more and more people. The second main problem of society is the theme of the thesis? second part, namely the ecological problems. This section, then, comprises of a systems theoretical analysis of the ecological problems, thereby at the same time showing the relevance of systems theory in understanding a contemporary sociological issue. The analysis is carried out around three main theses: 1) Society can only relate and react to the environmental problem through communication; 2) Modern society is, to a high degree, dependent upon technology, and therefore, it is exposed to risks. Risks should be seen mainly not as contrary to security, but as a distinction between danger and risk; 3) Society is differentiated into function systems which operate independent of each other. This circumstance causes great difficulties in attempting to solve environmental problems. However, this insight is, as is shown, the only key to solutions. The author argues, in accordance with Luhmann, that the environmental issue makes more urgent not only the development of "environmental sociology", but rather first and foremosta general theory of society. The systems theoretical approach, above all, relates to the question of how society is possible, now and in the next century, in the face of increasing ecological environmental problems
Samhället som system och dess ekologiska omvärld : En studie i Niklas Luhmanns sociologiska systemteori
No full textThis thesis is divided into two main parts. The first is an exposé of Niklas Luhmann's comprehensive sociological systems theory, including the basic tenets of the theory, its historical development and central concepts, and discussions. Systems theory is a theory about the distinction between system and environment. Within the framework of Luhmann's systems theory, one can discern three primary levels of analysis: the general theory of self-referential and autopoietic systems; the theory of social systems as autopoietic communication systems; and the theory of society as a separate social system. The emphasis in this thesis, as well as in Luhmanns general approach, rests on the theory of society. The author begins by taking up some of the primary concepts in systems theory: operation, distinction, form and observer. The basic operation of social systems is communication. One of Luhmann's many challenging theses is that the sociologist primarily is an observer of observations; another is that social systems operate as autopoietic systems, i. e. as operatively closed, but cognitively open systems. The result of Luhmann's further development of systems theory is a sociological theory with few similarities to Parsons' systems theory. The theory of society comprises of four main parts: the theory of communication media, of evolution, of differentiation and of society's self-description. The most important medium in the communication system is language. Besides language, there are specific media especially in modern society, such as money, power, law, truth, love, etc., which are called symbolic generalized communication media. I outline the forms of society which have evolved in history. Modern society, which is charachterized by functional differentiation, is the main focus. According to the theory of differentiation, the systems of economy, politics, law, science, the family system, etc., operate as function systems in the system of society. In the approach of systems theory, it can be observed how the different systems function - or do not function. The functional systems operate, on one side, as operative closed systems autonomous of each other. On the other side, they operate as parts of the system of society, and thus as communication systems are structurally coupled to each other in specific ways. One effect of functional differentiation is thus functional autonomisation, which generates growing problems for the society as a whole. A challenge for sociological theory is how to communicate about these issues in the different systems of society. Today, it can be observed that modern society stands before two increasing global problems which are tied to the relationship between the social system and its environment. One is the fatal risk that the difference between inclusion and exclusion, or being in or out of the functional systems of society, becomes a meta-code which governs the survival opportunities for more and more people. The second main problem of society is the theme of the thesis? second part, namely the ecological problems. This section, then, comprises of a systems theoretical analysis of the ecological problems, thereby at the same time showing the relevance of systems theory in understanding a contemporary sociological issue. The analysis is carried out around three main theses: 1) Society can only relate and react to the environmental problem through communication; 2) Modern society is, to a high degree, dependent upon technology, and therefore, it is exposed to risks. Risks should be seen mainly not as contrary to security, but as a distinction between danger and risk; 3) Society is differentiated into function systems which operate independent of each other. This circumstance causes great difficulties in attempting to solve environmental problems. However, this insight is, as is shown, the only key to solutions. The author argues, in accordance with Luhmann, that the environmental issue makes more urgent not only the development of "environmental sociology", but rather first and foremost a general theory of society. The systems theoretical approach, above all, relates to the question of how society is possible, now and in the next century, in the face of increasing ecological environmental problems
Love in Jan Němec's novel
No full textThis thesis aims to analyse the manifestation of the love phenomenon in Jan Ne0mec's autofictional novel The Possibilities of the Romance Novel. The experience of love - defying scientific knowledge - has consistently served as a source of inspiration, emotional hurt, and individual growth. This dynamic is also at play within the novel's narrator, who acts as both the author and one of the characters. Attempting to comprehend his current circumstances, the narrator turns back to his past. However, as memories are revisited, a question arises, whether the present is not just an inevitable outcome and development of something that could be observed earlier. Literature, in its essence, provides an individual, who is communicating through text, a platform to resurrect, scrutinize, and integrate the past, simultaneously assigning it a sense of lasting validity by weaving it into a network of other texts. The focus of this thesis will not only be on the theory of autofiction but will also extend to the distinct techniques inherent to the text. We will base our consideration of intertextuality on Renate Lachmann's concept of memory and recollection, in the field of phenomenology of love we will start from the ideas of Niklas Luhmann, Gilles Deleuze or Denis de Rougemont.Pra0ce si klade za ci0l analyzovat, jak se v autofikc0ni0m roma0nu Jana Ne0mce Moz0nosti milostne0ho roma0nu manifestuje fenome0n la0sky. Proz0itek la0sky - vzpi0raji0ci0 se ve0decke0mu pozna0ni0 - c0love0ka od nepame0ti inspiruje, zran0uje i formuje a nejinak je tomu i u vyprave0c0e uvedene0ho roma0nu. Vzhledem ke snaze porozume0t sta0vaji0ci0 situaci se tento vyprave0c0 - vystupuji0ci0 souc0asne0 jako autor i jedna z postav - obraci0 zpe0t do sve0 minulosti. Pr0i ope0tovne0m pr0ehra0va0ni0 vzpomi0nek vs0ak postupne0 zac0i0na0 vyvsta0vat ota0zka, zdali pr0i0tomnost neni0 jen nevyhnutelny0m vyu0ste0ni0m a rozvinuti0m ne0c0eho, co bylo moz0ne0 zpozorovat jiz0 dr0i0ve. Literatura jako takova0 individuu promlouvaji0ci0mu v textu poskytuje prostor, v ra0mci ktere0ho lze minulost znovu oz0ivit, prozkoumat, a zac0lene0ni0m do si0te0 dals0i0ch textu0 ji0 tak za0roven0 vdechnout trvalou platnost. Pozornost bude ve0nova0na nejen teorii autofikc0nosti, ale take0 dals0i0m vy0razny0m strategii0m charakteristicky0m pro dany0 text. Uvaz0ova0ni0 o intertextovosti opr0eme o koncepci pame0ti a vzpomi0na0ni0 Renate Lachmannove0, v oblasti fenomenologie la0sky vyjdeme z mys0lenek Niklase Luhmanna, Gillese Deleuzeho c0i Denise de Rougemonta.Ústav české literatury a komparatistikyDepartment of Czech and Comparative LiteratureFaculty of ArtsFilozofická fakult
3 machines to demystify AI
No full textThe following text contains a rough sketch of the architecture and behavior of three machines: 1. FirstOrderLogicPunk, a potential genre of fiction, which simulates a future with the 2. Linguistic-Material-Engine, which enables users to alter the material world using natural language similar to first order logic using a (not necessarily invasive) interface to the mind and with the help of LLM assistance systems, which were trained using the 3. Mycelium-Net, a network of federated distributed learning. For each of the machines, multiple example implementation are given. The concrete implementations and behaviors can be found in other texts of the author on philpapers and his personal github profile. The use of the machines should not contradict universal human rights and generally foster enlightenment and prosperity among all rational beings
Visualization beyond Riemannian Manifolds
No full textThis dissertation is about dataset visualization methods and recent developments in this field. Techniques like this take a set of high-dimensional points that have many different features and map it into the two-dimensional plane. This has often been achieved with neighbor embedding methods, which require that the data is locally Euclidean, also described as lying on a Riemannian manifold. This assumption has proved limiting in recent times, and methods that can work around this have been developed and are part of this thesis. Dataset visualizations are used in different research disciplines and help practicioners gain insight into complicated relationships that hide in their data. The topics in this thesis will describe how those methods work, the history of these methods, and recent developments that were researched by the author
World society and the transformation of national defense: exploring world cultural impact on security and military
No full textIn this paper, I explore the applicability of sociological institutionalism for the analysis of security and the military. Based on cross-sectional data from 50 countries, I show how values linked to the nation state and security are related to world cultural ideas and the diffusion of rationalized organizational models. Such linkage could explain the transformation of the military as a common and worldwide trend, being based on political and societal preconditions that converge across countries. The paper is structured as follows: I first introduce basics on military transformation in the course of time, before I turn to the framework of sociological new institutionalism. I particularly emphasize world cultural values and rationalized organizational forms as well as the diffusion process linked to them. In the empirical analysis, I first show how values linked to individualism, the nation state and world society are linked to national security. As suggested by sociological institutionalism, individual values and the importance of world society are wide-spread and also linked to less nationalism and a lower significance for security and defense. However, the nation state is still an important point of reference. In the second empirical analysis, I turn to the organizational form of the military, showing changing aims, and changed ways of organizing the service. Here we find that the military has indeed transformed to an organization with features comparable to the non-military world, supporting sociological institutionalist claims. In sum, the findings point towards changed security policies induced by world cultural norms. However, further analyses are needed to explore this relationship in more detail and to ultimately test this theory against functionalist explanations. -- Dieses Arbeitspapier analysiert Sicherheitspolitik und Militärreformen aus der Perspektive des soziologischen Institutionalismus. Basierend auf Daten aus 50 Staaten wird gezeigt, dass Werte und Organisationsformen in diesem Feld zunehmend Trends einer 'Weltkultur' entsprechen. Dazu führt das Papier zunächst kurz in aktuelle Reformen des Militärs ein, bevor in einem theoretischen Teil zwei Diskussionen des soziologischen Institutionalismus ausgeführt werden, genauer die Verbreitung kultureller Werte basierend auf Individualismus und einem geteilten Welthorizont, sowie die Einführung rationalisierter Organisationsformen in verschiedensten gesellschaftlichen Bereichen. In der empirischen Analyse wird dann gezeigt, dass sich die angenommene Weltkultur in der Tat in sicherheitsrelevanten Werten und Auffassungen niederschlägt und dass das Militär sich zunehmend 'rationalisiert' und 'individualisiert' organisiert. Die Ergebnisse unterstützen theoretische Annahmen des soziologischen Institutionalismus, sollten aber in weiteren Untersuchungen noch verstärkt gegen rivalisierende funktionalistische Theorien getestet werden.
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