title: Idealism operationalized: Charles Peirce’s theory of perception

authors: Legg, Catherine

abstract: This paper begins by outlining Hume's understanding of perception according to which ideas are copies of impressions, which are thought to constitute a foundational confrontation with reality. This understanding is contrasted with Peirce's theory of perception according to which percepts give rise to perceptual judgements, but perceptual judgements are not a copy but an index (or 'true symptom' - just as a weather-cock indicates the direction of the wind) of the percept. Percept and perceptual judgement are thereby able to mutually inform and correct one another in rich ways, as the perceiver develops mental habits of interpreting their surroundings.

text: Idealism operationalized: Charles Peirce’s theory of perception This paper begins by outlining Hume's understanding of perception according to which ideas are copies of impressions, which are thought to constitute a foundational confrontation with reality. This understanding is contrasted with Peirce's theory of perception according to which percepts give rise to perceptual judgements, but perceptual judgements are not a copy but an index (or 'true symptom' - just as a weather-cock indicates the direction of the wind) of the percept. Percept and perceptual judgement are thereby able to mutually inform and correct one another in rich ways, as the perceiver develops mental habits of interpreting their surroundings.

year: 2014

title: Genetic identification of fish

authors: Banks, Jonathan C.

subjects: DNA barcoding

abstract: Our report shows that the straightforward extraction of DNA and amplification of appropriate genes can identify fish that are difficult to identify unequivocally from morphology alone.  Three examples show that these techniques can be extended to identify fish from other regions or countries and could be useful for the surveillance of illegal or unregulated transfers of fish, and for identifying species from a conservation perspective.

text: Genetic identification of fish Our report shows that the straightforward extraction of DNA and amplification of appropriate genes can identify fish that are difficult to identify unequivocally from morphology alone.  Three examples show that these techniques can be extended to identify fish from other regions or countries and could be useful for the surveillance of illegal or unregulated transfers of fish, and for identifying species from a conservation perspective.

year: 2010-11

title: Missing in translation: Maori language and oral tradition in scientific analyses of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)

authors: Wehi, Priscilla M.

subjects: Maori language

abstract: Recent conceptual shifts in ecology towards integration of humans into ecosystems requires all possible sources of ecological knowledge available (Berkes 2004, 2009 this issue). Māori traditional ecological knowledge of natural systems (TEK) can add valuable ecological data to more conventional scientific studies as the former tends to be diachronic, based on a cumulative system of understanding the environment founded on observations and experience (Gadgil et al. 1993; Berkes 2008), while the latter is frequently synchronic, with experiments that may explore causal effects in ecological patterns (Newman & Moller 2005; Moller et al. 2009a). However accessing TEK can be both difficult and time-consuming, as demonstrated by the 14-year research project Kia Mau Te Tītī Mo Ake Tonu Atu (the ‘Keep the Tītī Forever’ research project; Moller et al. 2009a). We argue that oral traditions offer a wealth of information that is frequently overlooked, in part because of a lack of knowledge of te reo Māori (the Māori language) and, further, a lack of recognition of the inextricable link between biological and cultural diversity (Maffi 2005).

text: Missing in translation: Maori language and oral tradition in scientific analyses of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) Recent conceptual shifts in ecology towards integration of humans into ecosystems requires all possible sources of ecological knowledge available (Berkes 2004, 2009 this issue). Māori traditional ecological knowledge of natural systems (TEK) can add valuable ecological data to more conventional scientific studies as the former tends to be diachronic, based on a cumulative system of understanding the environment founded on observations and experience (Gadgil et al. 1993; Berkes 2008), while the latter is frequently synchronic, with experiments that may explore causal effects in ecological patterns (Newman & Moller 2005; Moller et al. 2009a). However accessing TEK can be both difficult and time-consuming, as demonstrated by the 14-year research project Kia Mau Te Tītī Mo Ake Tonu Atu (the ‘Keep the Tītī Forever’ research project; Moller et al. 2009a). We argue that oral traditions offer a wealth of information that is frequently overlooked, in part because of a lack of knowledge of te reo Māori (the Māori language) and, further, a lack of recognition of the inextricable link between biological and cultural diversity (Maffi 2005).

year: 2009