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The Art of Proof: Basic Training for Deeper Mathematics (Undergraduate Texts in Mathematics)

by Matthias Beck Ross Geoghegan

The Art of Proof is designed for a one-semester or two-quarter course. A typical student will have studied calculus (perhaps also linear algebra) with reasonable success. With an artful mixture of chatty style and interesting examples, the student's previous intuitive knowledge is placed on solid intellectual ground. The topics covered include: integers, induction, algorithms, real numbers, rational numbers, modular arithmetic, limits, and uncountable sets. Methods, such as axiom, theorem and proof, are taught while discussing the mathematics rather than in abstract isolation. The book ends with short essays on further topics suitable for seminar-style presentation by small teams of students, either in class or in a mathematics club setting. These include: continuity, cryptography, groups, complex numbers, ordinal number, and generating functions.

Using History, Making British Policy: The Treasury and the Foreign Office, 1950-76

by P. Beck

The extent to which history has been used to inform policy remains a neglected topic. Focusing upon the 1957 Whitehall policy initiative, this book enhances our knowledge of post-1945 Britain, illuminates debates about the nature and the use of history in the contemporary world, most notably the relationship between history and policy.

Dimensions of Poverty: Measurement, Epistemic Injustices, Activism (Philosophy and Poverty #2)

by Valentin Beck Henning Hahn Robert Lepenies

This anthology constitutes an important contribution to the interdisciplinary debate on poverty measurement and alleviation. Absolute and relative poverty—both within and across state boundaries—are standardly measured and evaluated in monetary terms. However, poverty researchers have highlighted the shortfalls of one-dimensional monetary metrics. A new consensus is emerging that effectively addressing poverty requires a nuanced understanding of poverty as a relational phenomenon involving deprivations in multiple dimensions, including health, standard of living, education and political participation. This volume advances the debate on poverty by providing a forum for philosophers and empirical researchers. It combines philosophically sound analysis and genuinely global research on poverty's social embeddedness. Next to an introduction to this interdisciplinary field—which links Practical Philosophy, Development Economics, Political Science, and Sociology—it contains articles by leading international experts and early career scholars. The contributors analyse the concept of poverty, detail its multiple dimensions, reveal epistemic injustices in poverty research, and reflect on the challenges of poverty-related social activism. The unifying theme connecting this volume's contributions is that poverty must be understood as a multidimensional and socially relational phenomenon, and that this insight can enhance our efforts to measure and alleviate poverty.

Western Self-Contempt: Oikophobia in the Decline of Civilizations

by Benedict Beckeld

Western Self-Contempt travels through civilizations since antiquity, examining major political events and the literature of ancient Greece, Rome, France, Britain, and the United States, to study evidence of cultural self-hatred and its cyclical recurrence. Benedict Beckeld explores oikophobia, described by its coiner Sir Roger Scruton as "the felt need to denigrate the customs, culture and institutions that are identifiably 'ours,'" in its political and philosophical applications. Beckeld analyzes the theories behind oikophobia along with their historical sources, revealing why oikophobia is best described as a cultural malaise that befalls civilizations during their declining days. Beckeld gives a framework for why today's society is so fragmented and self-critical. He demonstrates that oikophobia is the antithesis of xenophobia. By this definition, the riots and civil unrest in the summer of 2020 were an expression of oikophobia. Excessive political correctness that attacks tradition and history is an expression of oikophobia. Beckeld argues that if we are to understand these behaviors and attitudes, we must understand oikophobia as a sociohistorical phenomenon.Western Self-Contempt is a systematic analysis of oikophobia, combining political philosophy and history to examine how Western civilizations and cultures evolve from naïve and self-promoting beginnings to states of self-loathing and decline. Concluding with a philosophical portrait of an increasingly interconnected Western civilization, Beckeld reveals how past events and ideologies, both in the US and in Europe, have led to a modern culture of self-questioning and self-rejection.

Britain and Danubian Europe in the Era of World War II, 1933-1941 (Britain and the World)

by Andras Becker

This book is a study of British official attitudes towards the Danubian countries (Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia) from Hitler’s rise to power in 1933 to the year 1941, a period that marked serious but fruitless British political and economic efforts to unite this unruly part of Europe against Nazi ascendancy. Set against an international backdrop of regional revanchist, revisionist and irredentist tendencies, particularly in Hungary and Bulgaria, the book explores how these movements affected international relations in the region as they aimed to overturn the territorial order set down in Versailles following the Great War to restore the status quo of a more glorious national past. Offering fresh insights into the British-East Central and South East European relationship, the book charts the shifts in British official policy towards Danubian Europe, amidst competing regional nationalisms and the sudden and abrupt shifts in British global priorities during the early part of World War II.

A History of Western Ethics

by Charlotte B. Becker

This newly revised and updated edition of A History of Western Ethics is a coherent and accessible overview of the most important figures and influential ideas of the history of ethics in the Western philosophical tradition.

Sustainability Ethics and Sustainability Research

by Christian Becker

The book identifies the specific ethical aspects of sustainability and develops ethical tools to analyze them. It also provides a methodological framework to integrate ethical and scientific analyses of sustainability issues, and explores the notion of a new type of self-reflective inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research. With this, the book aims to strengthen the overall ability of academics to contribute to the analysis and solution of sustainability issues in an inclusive and integrated way.

Neoliberalism and the State of Belonging in South Africa

by Derick A. Becker

This book explains the making of the South African state and thereby contributes to the development theory by analyzing the concept of the embedded neoliberal state. The author offers a theoretical exploration of state formation as an inherently interconnected international and domestic social process as applied to the history and development of South Africa. A genuine social science that eschews disciplinary boundaries, this will appeal to a wide audience of scholars in the fields of political development, political science, African and development studies.

Formale Sprachen: Eine Einführung

by Heinrich Becker

Soviet and Russian Press Coverage of the United States: Press, Politics and Identity in Transition (St Antony's Series)

by Jonathan A. Becker

This book examines changing Soviet and Russian press coverage of the United States from the emergence of Mikhail Gorbachev through the presidency of Vladimir Putin. A new afterword focuses on recent developments in the Russian media and Russian press coverage of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Becker argues that due to the absence of a language to support the reform strategy, the Soviet press presented positive images of its chief ideological and military opponent, the United States, as a means of supporting political, social and economic reform. He suggests that the end of the Cold War and the emergence of a more self-confident Russia means that the symbolic and discursive significance of the United States for Russia has diminished.

Habilitation, Health, and Agency: A Framework for Basic Justice

by Lawrence C. Becker

Lawrence C. Becker introduces an unconventional set of background ideas for future philosophical work on normative theories of basic justice. The organizing concept is habilitation -- the process of equipping a person or thing with functional abilities or capacities. The specific proposals drawn from the concept of habilitation are independent of any particular set of distributive principles. The result is a framework for theory that includes a metric for the pursuit of basic justice, but not a normative theory of it. The basic idea is that receiving and providing habilitation is a lifelong necessity for human beings, from their nearly helpless newborn state through their struggles to survive and thrive thereafter, even into the most severe diminishments of old age. This lifelong human necessity underlies all questions about basic justice, and the possibilities for habilitation define the circumstances under which those questions arise. Focusing on the circumstances of habilitation calls attention to the central role of physical and psychological health. Without basic good health in both domains, it is not possible to cope with the habilitative demands of one's physical and psychological endowments, and one's physical and social environments. And for human beings, a particular aspect of human health effectively sums up these matters: namely human agency; the nature and extent of the ability to act effectively. The book proposes, specifically, that normative theories of basic justice adopt the habilitation framework. What then appears to follow is that the most plausible comprehensive metric for assessing progress toward basic justice will be the level and distribution of basic good health. Moreover, achieving robustly healthy agency will be the most plausible tactical target for making progress toward basic justice -- no matter what one's favored distributive principles might be.

A New Stoicism

by Lawrence C. Becker

What would stoic ethics be like today if stoicism had survived as a systematic approach to ethical theory, if it had coped successfully with the challenges of modern philosophy and experimental science? A New Stoicism proposes an answer to that question, offered from within the stoic tradition but without the metaphysical and psychological assumptions that modern philosophy and science have abandoned. Lawrence Becker argues that a secular version of the stoic ethical project, based on contemporary cosmology and developmental psychology, provides the basis for a sophisticated form of ethical naturalism, in which virtually all the hard doctrines of the ancient Stoics can be clearly restated and defended. Becker argues, in keeping with the ancients, that virtue is one thing, not many; that it, and not happiness, is the proper end of all activity; that it alone is good, all other things being merely rank-ordered relative to each other for the sake of the good; and that virtue is sufficient for happiness. Moreover, he rejects the popular caricature of the stoic as a grave figure, emotionally detached and capable mainly of endurance, resignation, and coping with pain. To the contrary, he holds that while stoic sages are able to endure the extremes of human suffering, they do not have to sacrifice joy to have that ability, and he seeks to turn our attention from the familiar, therapeutic part of stoic moral training to a reconsideration of its theoretical foundations.

A New Stoicism (PDF)

by Lawrence C. Becker

What would stoic ethics be like today if stoicism had survived as a systematic approach to ethical theory, if it had coped successfully with the challenges of modern philosophy and experimental science? A New Stoicism proposes an answer to that question, offered from within the stoic tradition but without the metaphysical and psychological assumptions that modern philosophy and science have abandoned. Lawrence Becker argues that a secular version of the stoic ethical project, based on contemporary cosmology and developmental psychology, provides the basis for a sophisticated form of ethical naturalism, in which virtually all the hard doctrines of the ancient Stoics can be clearly restated and defended. Becker argues, in keeping with the ancients, that virtue is one thing, not many; that it, and not happiness, is the proper end of all activity; that it alone is good, all other things being merely rank-ordered relative to each other for the sake of the good; and that virtue is sufficient for happiness. Moreover, he rejects the popular caricature of the stoic as a grave figure, emotionally detached and capable mainly of endurance, resignation, and coping with pain. To the contrary, he holds that while stoic sages are able to endure the extremes of human suffering, they do not have to sacrifice joy to have that ability, and he seeks to turn our attention from the familiar, therapeutic part of stoic moral training to a reconsideration of its theoretical foundations.

A New Stoicism (PDF)

by Lawrence C. Becker

What would stoic ethics be like today if stoicism had survived as a systematic approach to ethical theory, if it had coped successfully with the challenges of modern philosophy and experimental science? A New Stoicism proposes an answer to that question, offered from within the stoic tradition but without the metaphysical and psychological assumptions that modern philosophy and science have abandoned. Lawrence Becker argues that a secular version of the stoic ethical project, based on contemporary cosmology and developmental psychology, provides the basis for a sophisticated form of ethical naturalism, in which virtually all the hard doctrines of the ancient Stoics can be clearly restated and defended. Becker argues, in keeping with the ancients, that virtue is one thing, not many; that it, and not happiness, is the proper end of all activity; that it alone is good, all other things being merely rank-ordered relative to each other for the sake of the good; and that virtue is sufficient for happiness. Moreover, he rejects the popular caricature of the stoic as a grave figure, emotionally detached and capable mainly of endurance, resignation, and coping with pain. To the contrary, he holds that while stoic sages are able to endure the extremes of human suffering, they do not have to sacrifice joy to have that ability, and he seeks to turn our attention from the familiar, therapeutic part of stoic moral training to a reconsideration of its theoretical foundations.

A History of Western Ethics

by Lawrence C. Becker Charlotte B. Becker

This newly revised and updated edition of A History of Western Ethics is a coherent and accessible overview of the most important figures and influential ideas of the history of ethics in the Western philosophical tradition.

Rücktritte von politischen Ämtern: Perspektiven auf das Ende von politischen Karrieren

by Manuel Becker Volker Kronenberg Christopher Prinz

Politikwissenschaftliche und zeitgeschichtliche Untersuchungen zu den Karrieren deutscher Spitzenpolitiker*innen beschäftigten sich bislang vor allem mit deren Aufstieg und weniger mit dem Ende von politischen Laufbahnen. Aus welchen Gründen treten Politiker*innen aus dem Amt zurück? Was sind die Hintergründe, Motive und Konsequenzen einer solchen Entscheidung? Müssen Rücktritte zwingend Resultat eines Scheiterns sein oder kann es auch „erfolgreiche“ Rücktritte geben? In diesem Band werden theoretische Grundlagen der Rücktrittsforschung aus rechtlicher und politikwissenschaftlicher Perspektive erarbeitet, Rücktrittskulturen in unterschiedlichen Ländern vergleichend untersucht sowie verschiedene Fallbeispiele in ihren spezifischen Einzelfallbedingungen unter die Lupe genommen.

Handbuch Familiensoziologie

by Oliver Arránz Becker Karsten Hank Anja Steinbach

Dieser Band bietet einen umfassenden Einblick in die große thematische Breite und Tiefe der familiensoziologischen Forschung. Dabei geht es um die Konstanten und Differenzierungen des familialen Lebens in den verschiedensten Regionen der Welt sowie die unterschiedlichen methodischen und theoretischen Ansatzpunkte in der Familienforschung. Schließlich wird eine Vielzahl familialer und sozialstruktureller Fragestellungen einschließlich ihrer empirischen Fundierung aufgegriffen, referiert und kritisch kommentiert. Heiratsmarkt, Fertilität, Arbeitsteilung, Generationenbeziehungen, Trennung, Bildung, Mobilität, Familienpolitik und -recht sind nur einige Beispiele für den breiten thematischen Zugriff des vorliegenden Bandes, welcher in vier thematischen Abschnitten und dreiunddreißig Beiträgen systematisch das Feld der Familiensoziologie beschreibt.

Handbuch Europäische Union

by Peter Becker Barbara Lippert

​In diesem Handbuch wird das grundlegende Wissen über die Europäische Union auf dem aktuellen Stand der Forschung präsentiert. Ausgewiesene Expertinnen und Experten befassen sich in den rund vierzig Einzelbeiträgen mit der Entstehungsgeschichte, den Institutionen und Akteuren sowie den wichtigsten Politikbereichen und Zukunftsfragen der EU. Die Darstellungen gehen von den normativen, vertragsrechtlichen Grundlagen aus, geben Einblicke in die politische Praxis und greifen problemorientiert Kontroversen in Politik und Wissenschaft auf.

Patientenautonomie und informierte Einwilligung: Schlüssel und Barriere medizinischer Behandlungen

by Pia Becker

Pia Becker entwirft eine Konzeption von Patientenautonomie, die sich im Gegensatz zu in der Medizinethik bisher dominierenden Konzeptionen an der grundsätzlichen Fähigkeit des Patienten zur Autonomie orientiert. Ausgangspunkt bildet die Notwendigkeit der informierten Einwilligung, die neben der Patientenautonomie vor allem auch die körperliche Integrität des Patienten schützt. Als Adäquatheitsbedingungen dienen die beiden normativen Funktionen der Patientenautonomie als Barriere und Schlüssel einer medizinischen Behandlung. Diese Konzeption von Patientenautonomie hat den Vorteil, Patienten besser vor Überforderungen zu bewahren und deren Bedarf an Unterstützungsangeboten zur Förderung der Patientenautonomie deutlicher hervorzuheben.

Research Handbook on the Sociology of Education (Research Handbooks in Sociology series)

by Rolf Becker

Presenting original contributions from the key experts in the field, the Research Handbook on the Sociology of Education explores the major theoretical, methodological, empirical and political challenges and pressing social questions facing education in current times. This Research Handbook covers the theoretical foundations of the discipline; methodological problems; the effects of modernization; educational systems; benefits of continued education; migration and social integration; and wider policy implications. Chapters discuss education as a life-long process as well as adults returning to education. Schools, families and other social contexts and influences are also considered, as well as skills formation and ways to measure achievement. Offering an analysis of policy outcomes from an empirical social-scientific perspective and emphasizing the impact of social and ethnic inequality in educational opportunity, this influential Research Handbook defines the discipline and its agenda for future research. Researchers and students interested in education, sociology and social policy including the effects of inequality will find this Research Handbook a highly relevant reference tool. It also offers an important message for policy makers and other stakeholders in the field of educational policy and training.

Open Varieties of Capitalism: Continuity, Change and Performances

by U. Becker

Presenting capitalisms as open, system-like configurations, this book argues four ideal-typical varieties (liberal, statist, corporatist, meso-communitarian) and analyzes the socio-economic performances of advanced capitalisms.

Die Methodenschule der Objektiven Hermeneutik: Eine Bestandsaufnahme

by Roland Becker-Lenz Andreas Franzmann Axel Jansen Matthias Jung

Mit dem Ziel, eine aktuelle Standortbestimmung vorzunehmen, skizzieren die Autoren dieses Buches aus unterschiedlichen wissenschaftlichen Disziplinen und Perspektiven den Einsatz der Objektiven Hermeneutik in verschiedenen Forschungsfeldern. Diese Methode gilt gegenwärtig als das theoretisch und methodisch am umfassendsten ausgearbeitete hermeneutische Verfahren in den Sozialwissenschaften. Neben einem Rückblick auf die Anfänge und Begründung der Objektiven Hermeneutik, werden deren Entwicklungspotenziale und künftige Herausforderungen vorgestellt und diskutiert.

Steuerung der Implementation von Flughäfen: Eine Untersuchung des Flughafenbaus in Frankfurt a.M. und Berlin-Brandenburg

by Luisa Becker-Ritterspach

Luisa Becker-Ritterspach geht der Frage nach, warum Großprojekte wie der Bau der Flughafenerweiterung Frankfurt am Main und der Bau des Flughafens Berlin Brandenburg unter so langen Planungszeiten leiden. Die Autorin versteht den Bau von Großprojekten als eine doppelte Implementation, da nicht nur konkret gebaut und fertig gestellt werden muss, sondern auch jedes einzelne formelle wie informelle Verfahren implementiert werden muss. Die Begründung für lange Planzeiten in der Vielzahl der Akteure und ihrer speziellen Interessen zu suchen, wie es die Implementationsforschung versucht, reicht nicht mehr aus. So wurden die Fallbeispiele an Hand des Governance-Ansatzes, des Akteursorientierten Institutionalismus und der Organisationtheorie untersucht, die die Ursachen auch in den Institutionen sehen.

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