title: An empirically grounded theory of conscientiousness as an Aristotelian virtue

authors: McManus, James

subjects: Virtue Theory

abstract: This thesis is an interdisciplinary project; I develop a new philosophical theory of conscientiousness as a neo-Aristotelian virtue. I then go on to develop two psychometric measures (one general measure and one student-specific measure) to investigate whether there is empirical evidence in support of the theory. In doing so, I contribute to a vastly under researched area of virtue theory ― the science of Aristotelian virtues. As discussed in Chapter Two, there are currently no validated measures of any of the Aristotelian virtues. Thus, this area of research is not only of interest to philosophers; it also contributes to the general and scientific understanding of people’s psychology, specifically, their traits, and how these traits influence important factors related to human flourishing. 
In this thesis I first explore important theory and research relating to the virtues; this includes both philosophical theories of virtue and the psychological methods used to investigate them. Of particular importance, I also discuss the differences in terminology and approach taken by philosophers and psychologists in their study of traits generally. This then informs my account of the virtue of conscientiousness (or what I refer to as Virtue Conscientiousness), and the related scales of Character Conscientiousness used to measure it. Finally, the methods and results used to assess Character Conscientiousness are presented and discussed. The findings suggest that, as a character trait, conscientiousness consists of two facets: a virtue facet (Virtue Conscientiousness) and an excess facet (Excessive Conscientiousness). This factor structure was replicated between the two scales which were applied to two different samples. Each Facet (in both scales) displayed meaningful relationships with other variables, with Virtue Conscientiousness positively correlating with life satisfaction and with Excessive Conscientiousness positively correlating with depression, anxiety, and stress. Though preliminary, these findings are promising. They support my theory of Character Conscientiousness, and of the claim that conscientiousness is a virtue.

text: An empirically grounded theory of conscientiousness as an Aristotelian virtue This thesis is an interdisciplinary project; I develop a new philosophical theory of conscientiousness as a neo-Aristotelian virtue. I then go on to develop two psychometric measures (one general measure and one student-specific measure) to investigate whether there is empirical evidence in support of the theory. In doing so, I contribute to a vastly under researched area of virtue theory ― the science of Aristotelian virtues. As discussed in Chapter Two, there are currently no validated measures of any of the Aristotelian virtues. Thus, this area of research is not only of interest to philosophers; it also contributes to the general and scientific understanding of people’s psychology, specifically, their traits, and how these traits influence important factors related to human flourishing. 
In this thesis I first explore important theory and research relating to the virtues; this includes both philosophical theories of virtue and the psychological methods used to investigate them. Of particular importance, I also discuss the differences in terminology and approach taken by philosophers and psychologists in their study of traits generally. This then informs my account of the virtue of conscientiousness (or what I refer to as Virtue Conscientiousness), and the related scales of Character Conscientiousness used to measure it. Finally, the methods and results used to assess Character Conscientiousness are presented and discussed. The findings suggest that, as a character trait, conscientiousness consists of two facets: a virtue facet (Virtue Conscientiousness) and an excess facet (Excessive Conscientiousness). This factor structure was replicated between the two scales which were applied to two different samples. Each Facet (in both scales) displayed meaningful relationships with other variables, with Virtue Conscientiousness positively correlating with life satisfaction and with Excessive Conscientiousness positively correlating with depression, anxiety, and stress. Though preliminary, these findings are promising. They support my theory of Character Conscientiousness, and of the claim that conscientiousness is a virtue.

year: 2022

title: An automated microaneurysm detector as a tool for identification of diabetic retinopathy in rural optometric practice

authors: Jelinek, Herbert J.

subjects: automated detection

abstract: Background: With the increase in the prevalence of diabetes, rural optometric clinics stand to increase their patient load and assessment of diabetic eye disease. This study aimed to assess whether automated identification of diabetic retinopathy based on the presence of microaneurysms is an effective tool in clinical practice.
Methods: We analysed 758 fundal images of 385 patients with diabetes attending the clinic obtained using a Canon CR5 with an EOS10 digital camera through a dilated pupil. Five optometrists employed in the clinic assessed the diabetic retinopathy using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of the automated system used to analyse the retinal fundal images was determined by comparison with optometric and ophthalmologic assessment.
Results: The optometrists achieved 97 per cent sensitivity at 88 per cent specificity with respect to the ophthalmic classification for detecting retinopathy. The automated retinopathy detector achieved 85 per cent sensitivity at 90 per cent specificity at detecting retinopathy.
Conclusion: The automated microaneurysm detector has a lower sensitivity compared to the optometrists but meets NHMRC guidelines. It may impact on the efficiency of rural optometric practices by early identification of diabetic retinopathy. Automated assessment can save time and be cost-effective, and provide a history of changes in the retinal fundus and the opportunity for instant patient education using the digital images.

text: An automated microaneurysm detector as a tool for identification of diabetic retinopathy in rural optometric practice Background: With the increase in the prevalence of diabetes, rural optometric clinics stand to increase their patient load and assessment of diabetic eye disease. This study aimed to assess whether automated identification of diabetic retinopathy based on the presence of microaneurysms is an effective tool in clinical practice.
Methods: We analysed 758 fundal images of 385 patients with diabetes attending the clinic obtained using a Canon CR5 with an EOS10 digital camera through a dilated pupil. Five optometrists employed in the clinic assessed the diabetic retinopathy using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of the automated system used to analyse the retinal fundal images was determined by comparison with optometric and ophthalmologic assessment.
Results: The optometrists achieved 97 per cent sensitivity at 88 per cent specificity with respect to the ophthalmic classification for detecting retinopathy. The automated retinopathy detector achieved 85 per cent sensitivity at 90 per cent specificity at detecting retinopathy.
Conclusion: The automated microaneurysm detector has a lower sensitivity compared to the optometrists but meets NHMRC guidelines. It may impact on the efficiency of rural optometric practices by early identification of diabetic retinopathy. Automated assessment can save time and be cost-effective, and provide a history of changes in the retinal fundus and the opportunity for instant patient education using the digital images.

year: 2006

title: Wearing moko: Maori facial marking in today’s world

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: moko

abstract: The early voyagers, missionaries, settlers all reacted to the pukanohi, to the marked faces of the Maori people, during the period of first contact, and the century following it. Their accounts are vivid, judgemental, revealing, telling us as much about them as they do about the people they described.
Curiosity and horror are mixed with a genuine
fascination; where sternly evangelizing words
failed, armed confrontation occurred; and we
now live with the results, te ao hou, a new world. In this world, today, wahine mau kauae, tangata mau moko, pukanohi – wearers – are speaking for themselves, about themselves, and commenting on how others view them. Unanimously, they insist that the decision to take the marking is about continuity, affirmation, identity and commitment. It is also about wearing those ancestors, carrying them into the future; as their moko become a companion, a salient being with its own life force, its own integrity and power, beyond the face.

text: Wearing moko: Maori facial marking in today’s world The early voyagers, missionaries, settlers all reacted to the pukanohi, to the marked faces of the Maori people, during the period of first contact, and the century following it. Their accounts are vivid, judgemental, revealing, telling us as much about them as they do about the people they described.
Curiosity and horror are mixed with a genuine
fascination; where sternly evangelizing words
failed, armed confrontation occurred; and we
now live with the results, te ao hou, a new world. In this world, today, wahine mau kauae, tangata mau moko, pukanohi – wearers – are speaking for themselves, about themselves, and commenting on how others view them. Unanimously, they insist that the decision to take the marking is about continuity, affirmation, identity and commitment. It is also about wearing those ancestors, carrying them into the future; as their moko become a companion, a salient being with its own life force, its own integrity and power, beyond the face.

year: 2004-04-04