The Sphere Model of Consciousness (SMC) delineates a sphere-shaped matrix that aims to describe the phenomenology of experience using geometric coordinates. According to SMC, an experience of overcoming of the habitual self and the conditioning of memories could be placed at the center of the matrix, which can be then called the Place of Pre-Existence (PPE). The PPE is causally associated with self-determination. In this context, we suggest that silence could be considered as an intentional state enabling self-perception to be (...) focused on the “here and now,” which in turn improves perception of one’s own body in space. To investigate these hypotheses grounded in the model, the current preliminary study examined the Place of Pre-Existence Technique (PPEt), in which practitioners are guided to focus on a self-defined aim; reach a state of detachment from the habitual self; envision the future. 481 volunteers PPEt practitioners completed self-report questionnaires before and after an intensive 3-day meditative training. We analyzed the possibly relationship between subjective experiences related to physical, emotional, mental, temporal, and spatial aspects, as well as self-determination and silence, before and after training. The results indicated a shift from a prevailing influence of mental dimension on the other aspects of experience, to a prevailing influence of spatial dimension. Silence was reported more often following the training, and predominantly related to the mental and emotional experiences. The results are discussed in relation to the shift from Narrative to Minimal Self and to increased balance among the considered dimensions. (shrink)

Go to John Cantwell’s response to the original paper from here › Go to Grazia Ietto-Gillies’ original paper from here ›.

The present study was aimed at investigating whether and how the explicit representation of the decision outcome, framed in terms of lives saved or lost, could affect decision choices, emotional experience, and decision times in the course of a moral dilemma task. Decision outcomes were framed in a between-group design by means of smiling (POS group) or injured faces (NEG group) depicting, respectively, the lives saved or lost with each choice. A control condition with no frame and no outcome (NOF (...) group) was included. Results showed that behavioral choices were highly resistant to the framing manipulation in both dilemma types. However, an overall reduction in the number of utilitarian choices and in the decision times, associated with an increase in unpleasantness during decision-making, was found, suggesting a progressive increase in aversive emotional activation favoring the rejection of utilitarian resolutions. Interestingly, at the beginning of the task, the POS group showed a delay in decision times as compared with the NOF group, specifically for footbridge-type dilemmas. This result might be interpreted as an interference effect temporarily slowing decision-making during the resolution of dilemmas in which the internal representation is spontaneously focused on the personal cost of causing intentional harm to others. (shrink)

Qu'il s'agisse de recherche ou d'enseignement, la création artistique interpelle autant les théoriciens que les praticiens. Abordée selon diverses approches, la démarche de création révèle des perspectives de recherche multiples. Grâce aux contributions de plusieurs chercheurs, enseignants, artistes et médiateurs d'institutions culturelles, cet ouvrage participe à un changement de paradigme, où les rapports entre créateurs-enseignants-étudiants-chercheurs tracent désormais de nouveaux réseaux et de nouvelles perspectives.

1. Preambolo In qualsiasi conversazione a tavola se provo a chiedere ai commensali se c’è una differenza tra moneta e denaro, dopo una prima perplessità e una certa sorpresa per la domanda, quasi tutti dicono sì, ma poi trovano difficile spiegare in che cosa si distinguano. Un dato però è certo: tutti pensano che una qualche diversità vi sia. Un secondo quesito potrebbe essere invece posto a chi come me ha intrapreso un’indagine per comprendere le caratteristiche e la natura di (...) tale differenz... (shrink)

The Description for this book, Machiavelli in Hell, will be forthcoming.

Before an aggregation of persons can be said to constitute a community there must exist a sharing of a body of norms or values, or asystem of beliefs or morals. In sociology this conception frequentlyappears in the term “consensus,” and in political science a similar conception goes by the phrase “social contract.” The two conceptions are not identical and an important point of difference will be touched on later, but according to this position knowledge of and adherence to the fundamental (...) rules is necessary to group unity or cohesion. (shrink)