title: The freebie problem: A pervasive flaw in how we work out what has value

authors: Weijers, Dan M.

abstract: Nozick’s Experience Machine and Kagan’s Deceived Businessman thought experiments have both been widely used to discredit classical prudential hedonism. The common usage of both thought experiments requires a comparison of two lives in order to show that more than how our experiences feel to us on the inside matters for wellbeing. I identify a structural difference in the way the comparisons work, labelling one method the ‘freebie structure’. I then argue that all thought experiments designed to work out what we value that have the ‘freebie structure’ also have the ‘freebie problem’, which makes them unfit for the purpose of working out what we value. In addition to identifying a serious internal problem with the ‘freebie structure’, I also point out that general acceptance of the ‘freebie structure’ as fit-for-purpose would effectively result in pluralism for all issues of value. It is surprising and alarming, then, that the ‘freebie structure’ is one of our main tools for working out what we value, visible and even prominent in many important philosophical debates.

text: The freebie problem: A pervasive flaw in how we work out what has value Nozick’s Experience Machine and Kagan’s Deceived Businessman thought experiments have both been widely used to discredit classical prudential hedonism. The common usage of both thought experiments requires a comparison of two lives in order to show that more than how our experiences feel to us on the inside matters for wellbeing. I identify a structural difference in the way the comparisons work, labelling one method the ‘freebie structure’. I then argue that all thought experiments designed to work out what we value that have the ‘freebie structure’ also have the ‘freebie problem’, which makes them unfit for the purpose of working out what we value. In addition to identifying a serious internal problem with the ‘freebie structure’, I also point out that general acceptance of the ‘freebie structure’ as fit-for-purpose would effectively result in pluralism for all issues of value. It is surprising and alarming, then, that the ‘freebie structure’ is one of our main tools for working out what we value, visible and even prominent in many important philosophical debates.

year: 2018

title: Treatment for depression following mild traumatic brain injury in adults: A meta-analysis

authors: Barker-Collo, Suzanne

subjects: CBT

abstract: Primary objective: Development of depression after TBI is linked to poorer outcomes. The aim of this manuscript is to review evidence for the effectiveness of current treatments.

Research design: Two meta-analyses were undertaken to examine the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for depression after mild TBI

Method and procedures: PubMed, Medline, PsychInfo, Web of Science and Digital Dissertations were searched and 13 studies located. Meta Analyst Beta 3.13 was used to conduct analyses of pre- vs post-effects then to examine treatment group vs control group effects.

Main outcomes and results: Studies using a pre–post design produced an overall effect size of 1.89 (95% CI = 1.20–2.58, p < 0.001), suggesting that treatments were effective; however, the overall effect for controlled trials was 0.46 (95% CI = −0.44–1.36, p < 0.001), which favoured the control rather than treatment groups.

Conclusions: This study highlights the need for additional large well-controlled trials of effective treatments for depression post-TBI.

text: Treatment for depression following mild traumatic brain injury in adults: A meta-analysis Primary objective: Development of depression after TBI is linked to poorer outcomes. The aim of this manuscript is to review evidence for the effectiveness of current treatments.

Research design: Two meta-analyses were undertaken to examine the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for depression after mild TBI

Method and procedures: PubMed, Medline, PsychInfo, Web of Science and Digital Dissertations were searched and 13 studies located. Meta Analyst Beta 3.13 was used to conduct analyses of pre- vs post-effects then to examine treatment group vs control group effects.

Main outcomes and results: Studies using a pre–post design produced an overall effect size of 1.89 (95% CI = 1.20–2.58, p < 0.001), suggesting that treatments were effective; however, the overall effect for controlled trials was 0.46 (95% CI = −0.44–1.36, p < 0.001), which favoured the control rather than treatment groups.

Conclusions: This study highlights the need for additional large well-controlled trials of effective treatments for depression post-TBI.

year: 2013

title: Strawmen and the decolonisation of the academy

authors: Tauri, Juan Marcellus

subjects: Social justice

abstract: For this piece I take as my point of departure Biko Agozino’s response to a series of questions posed by a member of the audience, to a panel he was a member of during this time in New Zealand. The panel in question was part of the launch of a new journal, Decolonisation of Criminology and Justice, at AUT University, Auckland in June 2018. Biko was invited to give a speech at the launch of the journal, and participate in a panel discussion on the broad theme of ‘decolonising criminology and criminal justice’.

text: Strawmen and the decolonisation of the academy For this piece I take as my point of departure Biko Agozino’s response to a series of questions posed by a member of the audience, to a panel he was a member of during this time in New Zealand. The panel in question was part of the launch of a new journal, Decolonisation of Criminology and Justice, at AUT University, Auckland in June 2018. Biko was invited to give a speech at the launch of the journal, and participate in a panel discussion on the broad theme of ‘decolonising criminology and criminal justice’.

year: 2019-07-10