title: Terrorism and religious fundamentalism: Prospects for a predictive paradigm

authors: Pratt, Douglas

subjects: religion

abstract: Although fundamentalism is neither new nor limited to one culture, globalized communications and recent political events have highlighted Christian and Muslim forms. Since links are often perceived between fundamentalism, extremism and terrorism, most commonly with respect to Islamic fundamentalism, it is desirable to delineate a model of fundamentalism which permits some degree of prediction as to its possible extension into political action. The term ‘religious fundamentalism’, it is argued here, can denote a type of worldview that can in fact be found in various religions of the world of today. Specifically, it may denote a shift in mentality from the relative harmlessness of an otherwise quaint, ultra-religious belief system to the readiness to pursue aggressively impositional, and in some cases terrorist activity. The article seeks to work out the details of these potential connections paradigmatically.

text: Terrorism and religious fundamentalism: Prospects for a predictive paradigm Although fundamentalism is neither new nor limited to one culture, globalized communications and recent political events have highlighted Christian and Muslim forms. Since links are often perceived between fundamentalism, extremism and terrorism, most commonly with respect to Islamic fundamentalism, it is desirable to delineate a model of fundamentalism which permits some degree of prediction as to its possible extension into political action. The term ‘religious fundamentalism’, it is argued here, can denote a type of worldview that can in fact be found in various religions of the world of today. Specifically, it may denote a shift in mentality from the relative harmlessness of an otherwise quaint, ultra-religious belief system to the readiness to pursue aggressively impositional, and in some cases terrorist activity. The article seeks to work out the details of these potential connections paradigmatically.

year: 2006-06

title: Human–AI friendship is possible and can be good

authors: Munn, Nicholas

subjects: friendship

abstract: This article argues that human–AI friendships are possible and, in some current and many future contexts, can be valuable—both for the humans participating in them and for the wider society in which such friendships exist. To begin, the article discusses some weaknesses in existing conceptions of friendship, including the theories of friendship commonly applied to human–AI relationships. It proposes a flexible conception of friendship that avoids these weaknesses. The article then analyzes the main objections to human–AI friendships being either possible or good—that humans cannot see AI as their friends; that these friendships are not good because they are unequal; that AI lack the capacity to be a friend; and that human–AI friendships displace (more valuable) human–human friendships. It argues that each of these objections fails to withstand critical scrutiny. In some cases, the analyses also amount to a rejection of existing views of friendship that require what are taken to be unnecessary features. Having dealt with these objections, the article shows that human–AI friendship is possible on the more flexible conception of friendship. It then provides some evidence that human–AI friendships can be good, such as by providing human users with the experience of being emotionally supported. The article also notes some practical concerns about the ways human–AI friendships might proliferate and the moral responsibilities that might accrue to governments and corporations accordingly. The article concludes that the new view of friendship means the value human–AI friendship should be re-evaluated as possible and potentially valuable today and in the future.

text: Human–AI friendship is possible and can be good This article argues that human–AI friendships are possible and, in some current and many future contexts, can be valuable—both for the humans participating in them and for the wider society in which such friendships exist. To begin, the article discusses some weaknesses in existing conceptions of friendship, including the theories of friendship commonly applied to human–AI relationships. It proposes a flexible conception of friendship that avoids these weaknesses. The article then analyzes the main objections to human–AI friendships being either possible or good—that humans cannot see AI as their friends; that these friendships are not good because they are unequal; that AI lack the capacity to be a friend; and that human–AI friendships displace (more valuable) human–human friendships. It argues that each of these objections fails to withstand critical scrutiny. In some cases, the analyses also amount to a rejection of existing views of friendship that require what are taken to be unnecessary features. Having dealt with these objections, the article shows that human–AI friendship is possible on the more flexible conception of friendship. It then provides some evidence that human–AI friendships can be good, such as by providing human users with the experience of being emotionally supported. The article also notes some practical concerns about the ways human–AI friendships might proliferate and the moral responsibilities that might accrue to governments and corporations accordingly. The article concludes that the new view of friendship means the value human–AI friendship should be re-evaluated as possible and potentially valuable today and in the future.

year: 2025

title: Characteristics and outcomes of patients with small cell lung cancer - findings from a New Zealand SACT database

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

abstract: Background Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) SCLC generally presents late and is treated with systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT). Māori are over represented in Lung Cancer statistics but disparities between Māori and non-Māori in patterns of care and survival from SCLC have not been previously reported. 
Methods We used the custom-built SACT database collected by the Oncology Department at Waikato Hospital NZ, which recorded comprehensive lung cancer patient factors and SACT regimens from 2000 to 2021. We reported summary statistics to review the treatment by ethnicity, explored Kaplan Meier all-cause survival of patients, and estimated the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of surviving 12 months. 
Results 742 patients with SCLC were included in this study, with 43% identified as Māori. Approximately 75% of patients received SACT, and there was no difference in the uptake of SACT between Māori and non-Māori. The median survival for SCLC was 8.5 months. After adjustment, patients treated with carboplatin plus etoposide (with/without durvalumab) or cisplatin plus etoposide were 1.5 times or 4.9 times respectively more likely to survive 12 months than those without a SACT regimen.
Conclusion There was no significant evidence of disparities in patterns of care and outcomes between Māori and non-Māori with SCLC. Carboplatin/cisplatin in combination with etoposide remained the primary first line SACT regimen for patients with SCLC in this New Zealand cancer treatment centre.

text: Characteristics and outcomes of patients with small cell lung cancer - findings from a New Zealand SACT database Background Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) SCLC generally presents late and is treated with systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT). Māori are over represented in Lung Cancer statistics but disparities between Māori and non-Māori in patterns of care and survival from SCLC have not been previously reported. 
Methods We used the custom-built SACT database collected by the Oncology Department at Waikato Hospital NZ, which recorded comprehensive lung cancer patient factors and SACT regimens from 2000 to 2021. We reported summary statistics to review the treatment by ethnicity, explored Kaplan Meier all-cause survival of patients, and estimated the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of surviving 12 months. 
Results 742 patients with SCLC were included in this study, with 43% identified as Māori. Approximately 75% of patients received SACT, and there was no difference in the uptake of SACT between Māori and non-Māori. The median survival for SCLC was 8.5 months. After adjustment, patients treated with carboplatin plus etoposide (with/without durvalumab) or cisplatin plus etoposide were 1.5 times or 4.9 times respectively more likely to survive 12 months than those without a SACT regimen.
Conclusion There was no significant evidence of disparities in patterns of care and outcomes between Māori and non-Māori with SCLC. Carboplatin/cisplatin in combination with etoposide remained the primary first line SACT regimen for patients with SCLC in this New Zealand cancer treatment centre.

year: 2023-02-10