title: Filling out the picture: Wittgenstein on differences and alternatives

authors: Bowell, Tracy

subjects: Wittgenstein

abstract: At several points in his later writings Wittgenstein discusses imaginary forms of life and ways of thinking that appear queer or alien from our point of view; concepts so different from ours that those who think from within them seem to be alternatives to us. In this paper I argue that reflection on the notions of difference and possibility in play here shows that imaginary cases of alien conceptual schemes or forms of life such as those considered by Wittgenstein are not all cases of concepts that are entirely unintelligible for us; rather they may represent possible, albeit distant, ways of thinking for us. Such cases serve to aid imaginative reflection on our own case(s). By making us appreciate the possibility of the strange, they help us better to appreciate the arbitrariness of the familiar. I end the paper by considering what the implications of this reading of Wittgenstein's position might be for Donald Davidson's rejection of conceptual relativism.

text: Filling out the picture: Wittgenstein on differences and alternatives At several points in his later writings Wittgenstein discusses imaginary forms of life and ways of thinking that appear queer or alien from our point of view; concepts so different from ours that those who think from within them seem to be alternatives to us. In this paper I argue that reflection on the notions of difference and possibility in play here shows that imaginary cases of alien conceptual schemes or forms of life such as those considered by Wittgenstein are not all cases of concepts that are entirely unintelligible for us; rather they may represent possible, albeit distant, ways of thinking for us. Such cases serve to aid imaginative reflection on our own case(s). By making us appreciate the possibility of the strange, they help us better to appreciate the arbitrariness of the familiar. I end the paper by considering what the implications of this reading of Wittgenstein's position might be for Donald Davidson's rejection of conceptual relativism.

year: 2009

title: Driving with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder: Influences of Demand and Arousal in Real Traffic

authors: Randell, Nastassia Jane Saviah

subjects: Driving

abstract: Previous research has indicated a critical role of task demand in determining driving outcomes amongst individuals with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These findings are derived predominantly from laboratory simulations. The objective of the present study therefore was to investigate the relationship between factors influencing demand and arousal in real traffic, and the performance of drivers medicated (n = 15) and unmedicated for ADHD (n = 12), compared to a control group (n = 17). Self-reported data relating to risky driving behaviours and driving history, and symptoms of ADHD in adulthood were collected. To determine the influence of demand on driving performance and errors, participants navigated a route incorporating rural, urban, residential, and highway environments. Relative to controls, unmedicated ADHD drivers employed fewer safe driving skills (p < .05), committed more inattentive (p < .05), and impatient driving errors (p < .01), and reported engaging in more frequent aggressive violations (p < .05). ADHD was associated with higher rates of crashes (p < .01) and multiple crashes (p = .05). Attesting to the efficacy of stimulant treatment, medicated ADHD driver performance in the present study was comparable to, if not better than controls. While unmedicated drivers undervalued the risk related to driving behaviours predictive of poor outcomes, medicated ADHD drivers largely overestimated the severity of their risky driving (p < .01). Demand was found to significantly impact the performance of unmedicated ADHD drivers particularly. Attention was best during high demand, urban driving. As environmental demand declined, more frequent attentional lapses occasioned increased impairment to performance (p < .01). Relative to drivers of automatic vehicles, high demand manual driving was linked with better hazard detection (p < .05) and overall performance (p < .05) amongst medicated drivers, and safer following distances amongst unmedicated ADHD drivers (p < .05). Apparently distinct driving styles were also revealed between ADHD subtypes. This is the first study to document the impact of factors influencing task demand on ADHD driver performance in real traffic. Further exploration of the present findings could prove fundamental for future strategies of behavioural intervention.

text: Driving with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder: Influences of Demand and Arousal in Real Traffic Previous research has indicated a critical role of task demand in determining driving outcomes amongst individuals with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These findings are derived predominantly from laboratory simulations. The objective of the present study therefore was to investigate the relationship between factors influencing demand and arousal in real traffic, and the performance of drivers medicated (n = 15) and unmedicated for ADHD (n = 12), compared to a control group (n = 17). Self-reported data relating to risky driving behaviours and driving history, and symptoms of ADHD in adulthood were collected. To determine the influence of demand on driving performance and errors, participants navigated a route incorporating rural, urban, residential, and highway environments. Relative to controls, unmedicated ADHD drivers employed fewer safe driving skills (p < .05), committed more inattentive (p < .05), and impatient driving errors (p < .01), and reported engaging in more frequent aggressive violations (p < .05). ADHD was associated with higher rates of crashes (p < .01) and multiple crashes (p = .05). Attesting to the efficacy of stimulant treatment, medicated ADHD driver performance in the present study was comparable to, if not better than controls. While unmedicated drivers undervalued the risk related to driving behaviours predictive of poor outcomes, medicated ADHD drivers largely overestimated the severity of their risky driving (p < .01). Demand was found to significantly impact the performance of unmedicated ADHD drivers particularly. Attention was best during high demand, urban driving. As environmental demand declined, more frequent attentional lapses occasioned increased impairment to performance (p < .01). Relative to drivers of automatic vehicles, high demand manual driving was linked with better hazard detection (p < .05) and overall performance (p < .05) amongst medicated drivers, and safer following distances amongst unmedicated ADHD drivers (p < .05). Apparently distinct driving styles were also revealed between ADHD subtypes. This is the first study to document the impact of factors influencing task demand on ADHD driver performance in real traffic. Further exploration of the present findings could prove fundamental for future strategies of behavioural intervention.

year: 2015

title: “Whānau Vibes”: Reclamation of self, space and community within group fitness gyms.

authors: Metekingi, Cydney

abstract: Group fitness gyms are becoming more popular in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This thesis is an investigation of the lived experiences of Māori members within a commercialised fitness space called BFT Hamilton East, located in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. Drawing on Indigenous anthropology and autoethnography, and grounded in Kaupapa Māori theory, this thesis firstly explores how the gym becomes a site in which Māori members seek to reclaim the narrative around their own bodies. I explore the colonial depictions, the politics of the Indigenous body and how Māori-owned clothing brands contribute to this reclamation. I then examine how Māori gym members use the gym space with a sense of purpose, balancing the values of culture and commercialisation. And finally, I investigate the importance of relational well-being and the use of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga to create a sense of belonging among participants in their search for connection. In foregrounding Indigenous ways of knowing, being and moving in a commercial group fitness gym, this thesis aims to contribute to the anthropological conversations that advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous methodologies into Anthropology, centring Indigenous agency and advocating for the decolonisation of fitness spaces.

text: “Whānau Vibes”: Reclamation of self, space and community within group fitness gyms. Group fitness gyms are becoming more popular in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This thesis is an investigation of the lived experiences of Māori members within a commercialised fitness space called BFT Hamilton East, located in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. Drawing on Indigenous anthropology and autoethnography, and grounded in Kaupapa Māori theory, this thesis firstly explores how the gym becomes a site in which Māori members seek to reclaim the narrative around their own bodies. I explore the colonial depictions, the politics of the Indigenous body and how Māori-owned clothing brands contribute to this reclamation. I then examine how Māori gym members use the gym space with a sense of purpose, balancing the values of culture and commercialisation. And finally, I investigate the importance of relational well-being and the use of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga to create a sense of belonging among participants in their search for connection. In foregrounding Indigenous ways of knowing, being and moving in a commercial group fitness gym, this thesis aims to contribute to the anthropological conversations that advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous methodologies into Anthropology, centring Indigenous agency and advocating for the decolonisation of fitness spaces.

year: 2025