Whether nature is valuable on its own (intrinsic values) or because of the benefits it provides to humans (instrumental values) has been a long-standing debate. The concept of relational values has been proposed as a solution to this supposed dichotomy, but the empirical validation of its intuitiveness remains limited. We experimentally assessed whether intrinsic/relational values of sentient beings/non-sentient beings/ecosystems better explain people’s sense of moral duty towards global nature conservation for the future. Participants from a representative sample of the population (...) of Singapore (n = 1508) were randomly allocated to two “the last human” scenarios. We found that the best predictor of such a sense of moral duty for future nature conservation is the recognition of the intrinsic values of sentient beings. Our results suggest that the concern for animal welfare may enhance rather than compete with the sense of moral duty towards nature conservation. (shrink)

Tinnitus refers to the perception of sound in the absence of an external stimulus. This can be problematic and can lead to health problems in some sufferers, including effects on cognitive functions such as attention and memory. Although several studies have examined the effectiveness of tinnitus interventions, e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy and sound therapy, it is still unclear as to the overall quality and limitations of these studies and whether their results could be generalized. Clarification is also needed as to (...) whether poor cognitive function will lead to a less favorable intervention outcome in tinnitus patients. The present systematic review was therefore designed to critically appraise and synthesize findings from randomized controlled trials of tinnitus intervention and its effects on cognition. The methodology followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched. Only RCTs that compared the effectiveness of a tinnitus intervention and a measure of cognitive function in adult participants with tinnitus were included. A total of 8 studies involving 610 participants tested using 11 cognitive function assessment tools and 5 tinnitus intervention outcome measurements were included and analyzed. The outcomes of the review suggest that tinnitus intervention not only facilitates tinnitus management but also improves cognitive functions. It is likely that cognition and emotion play an important role in a patient's adjustment to tinnitus. Whether cognition can predict treatment outcomes is unclear due to insufficient evidence. Future research is needed using a standardized assessment protocol focusing on the effect of sound-based interventions on tinnitus severity and cognitive functions. Studies on whether cognitive function measurement can be used as a predictor for the effectiveness of tinnitus therapy are also needed. (shrink)

The land ethic, established by Aldo Leopold and systematically theorised by J. B. Callicott, has deeply influenced modern environmentalism. Despite its influence, Callicottian land ethic has been criticised for having fascist implications, a concern that Callicott has attempted to address. However, there is insufficient philosophical scrutiny of whether it can indeed avoid undesirable implications when applied to the interhuman realm. In this paper, I argue that Callicottian land ethic entails moral conservatism when evaluating socio-political reforms by overestimating the negative impacts (...) of such changes. It also exhibits insufficient concern for human rights due to its strongly collectivist assumption. Though these aspects are not overtly fascist, they do pose significant ethical concerns. To address these issues, I examine Roberta Millstein’s interpretation of Leopold’s work, which provides a promising alternative theorisation of the land ethic by recognising the moral significance of individuals alongside collectives. Nevertheless, further theoretical refinement to Millsteinian land ethic is still needed to fully circumvent the conservative implications, and I propose potential strategies to do so. Such strategies will help ensure that the land ethic aligns with contemporary ethical standards while preserving its pioneering ecocentric perspective. (shrink)

Artificial intelligence is a cutting-edge technology that has been widely applied in tourism operations. To enhance tourists' experience, many tourism suppliers introduced AI devices to interact with tourists. Previous studies classified AI devices as task- and social- oriented based on their functions; however, current models that explain customers' intention to use AI devices did not reflect the discrepancy between the two different types. Therefore, this paper attempts to fill this gap by proposing a theoretical model for the use of task-oriented (...) AI devices. Based on the multi-stage appraisal framework and the Structural Equation Modeling analysis, this paper presents the following findings: utilitarian motivation, interaction convenience, and task-technology fit are the factors appraised in the first stage; perceived competence and flow experience are the factors appraised in the second stage; utilitarian motivation, interaction convenience, and task-technology fit are positively associated with perceived competence. Perceived competence positively influences flow experience, which further affects customers' switching intention from task-oriented AI devices to human service; the serial mediating effect of perceived competence and flow experience between the stimulus mentioned in the first appraisal stage and the switching intention is confirmed. This study reveals the underlying psychological mechanism when customers use task-oriented AI devices, and it provides a theoretical framework for task-oriented AI device adoption. (shrink)