Twelve variations on a theme from Mozart's Magic Flute

Soitinnus: Sello, piano.

Seven Variations on a theme from Mozart's Magic Flute

Soitinnus: Sello, piano.

Dialogue in the crisis of representation : realism and antirealism in the context of the conversation between theologians and quantum physicists in Göttingen 1949-1961

The aim of this study is to analyse the content of the interdisciplinary conversations in Göttingen between 1949 and 1961. The task is to compare models for describing reality presented by quantum physicists and theologians. Descriptions of reality indifferent disciplines are conditioned by the development of the concept of reality in philosophy, physics and theology. Our basic problem is stated in the question: How is it possible for the intramental image to match the external object?Cartesian knowledge presupposes clear and distinct ideas in the mind prior to observation resulting in a true correspondence between the observed object and the cogitative observing subject. The Kantian synthesis between rationalism and empiricism emphasises an extended character of representation. The human mind is not a passive receiver of external information, but is actively construing intramental representations of external reality in the epistemological process. Heidegger's aim was to reach a more primordial mode of understanding reality than what is possible in the Cartesian Subject-Object distinction. In Heidegger's philosophy, ontology as being-in-the-world is prior to knowledge concerning being. Ontology can be grasped only in the totality of being (Dasein), not only as an object of reflection and perception. According to Bohr, quantum mechanics introduces an irreducible loss in representation, which classically understood is a deficiency in knowledge. The conflicting aspects (particle and wave pictures) in our comprehension of physical reality, cannot be completely accommodated into an entire and coherent model of reality. What Bohr rejects is not realism, but the classical Einsteinian version of it. By the use of complementary descriptions, Bohr tries to save a fundamentally realistic position. The fundamental question in Barthian theology is the problem of God as an object of theological discourse. Dialectics is Barth¿s way to express knowledge of God avoiding a speculative theology and a human-centred religious self-consciousness. In Barthian theology, the human capacity for knowledge, independently of revelation, is insufficient to comprehend the being of God. Our knowledge of God is real knowledge in revelation and our words are made to correspond with the divine reality in an analogy of faith. The point of the Bultmannian demythologising programme was to claim the real existence of God beyond our faculties. We cannot simply define God as a human ideal of existence or a focus of values. The theological programme of Bultmann emphasised the notion that we can talk meaningfully of God only insofar as we have existential experience of his intervention. Common to all these twentieth century philosophical, physical and theological positions, is a form of anti-Cartesianism. Consequently, in regard to their epistemology, they can be labelled antirealist. This common insight also made it possible to find a common meeting point between the different disciplines. In this study, the different standpoints from all three areas and the conversations in Göttingen are analysed in the frameworkof realism/antirealism. One of the first tasks in the Göttingen conversations was to analyse the nature of the likeness between the complementary structures inquantum physics introduced by Niels Bohr and the dialectical forms in the Barthian doctrine of God. The reaction against epistemological Cartesianism, metaphysics of substance and deterministic description of reality was the common point of departure for theologians and physicists in the Göttingen discussions. In his complementarity, Bohr anticipated the crossing of traditional epistemic boundaries and the generalisation of epistemological strategies by introducing interpretative procedures across various disciplines.

Taikuudentutkimuksen pioneerityö

Alkuteos ilmestynyt 1902-1903

Pienivolyymisten tuotteiden varastonohjaus

Pienivolyymiset C-tuotteet ovat Valion jakelutoiminnalle ongelmallisia tuotteita, koska nykyisellä lavoihin perustuvalla toimitusketjulla ei näitä tuotteita voida sijoittaa suoraan jakeluvarastoihin kerättäväksi. Suurista varastoitavista määristä ja pienestä volyymistä seuraa hidas kierto, joka hankaloittaa toimintaa, kun kyseessä ovat nopeasti vanhenevat maitotuotteet. Ratkaisuna käytetty tuotteiden keskittäminen yhteen keskusvarastoon puolestaan aiheuttaa tuotteiden moninkertaista keräilyä. Tätä ongelmavyyhtiä purkamaan on diplomityössä kehitetty kolme ideaalimallia, jotka hyödyntävät lavaa pienempien kiertävien jakeluyksiköiden laajenevaa käyttöä. Uudet jakeluyksiköt tarjoavat mahdollisuuksia kehittää nykyistä joustavampia ratkaisuja jakelun toteuttamiseen. Ideaalimallit eroavat toisistaan realistisuudessaan nykytilanteen rajoitteet huomioon ottaen. Ensimmäinen ideaalimalli pohjautuu selkeästi nykyiseen Valion jakelutoimintaan ja C-tuotteiden keräilyyn keskusvarastossa, joka on työssä kuvattu seikkaperäisesti. Nykytilanteesta eniten eroavassa mallissa keskusvarastoon pohjautuva C-tuotteiden käsittely on kokonaan hylätty. Työssä myös kyseenalaistetaan keskusvaraston tarpeellisuus Valion jakelutoiminnassa.

Threat Simulation- The Function of Dreaming?

Dreaming is a pure form of phenomenality, created by the brain untouched by external stimulation or behavioral activity, yet including a full range of phenomenal contents. Thus, it has been suggested that the dreaming brain could be used as a model system in a biological research program on consciousness (Revonsuo, 2006). In the present thesis, the philosophical view of biological realism is accepted, and thus, dreaming is considered as a natural biological phenomenon, explainable in naturalistic terms. The major theoretical contribution of the present thesis is that it explores dreaming from a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating information from various fields of science, such as dream research, consciousness research, evolutionary psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. Further, it places dreaming into a multilevel framework, and investigates the constitutive, etiological, and contextual explanations for dreaming. Currently, the only theory offering a full multilevel explanation for dreaming, that is, a theory including constitutive, etiological, and contextual level explanations, is the Threat Simulation Theory (TST) (Revonsuo, 2000a; 2000b). The empirical significance of the present thesis lies in the tests conducted to test this specific theory put forth to explain the form, content, and biological function of dreaming. The first step in the empirical testing of the TST was to define exact criteria for what is a ‘threatening event’ in dreams, and then to develop a detailed and reliable content analysis scale with which it is possible to empirically explore and quantify threatening events in dreams. The second step was to seek answers to the following questions derived from the TST: How frequent threatening events are in dreams? What kind of qualities these events have? How threatening events in dreams relate to the most recently encoded or the most salient memory traces of threatening events experienced in waking life? What are the effects of exposure to severe waking life threat on dreams? The results reveal that threatening events are relatively frequent in dreams, and that the simulated threats are realistic. The most common threats include aggression, are targeted mainly against the dream self, and include simulations of relevant and appropriate defensive actions. Further, real threat experiences activate the threat simulation system in a unique manner, and dream content is modulated by the activation of long term episodic memory traces with highest negative saliency. To sum up, most of the predictions of the TST tested in this thesis received considerable support. The TST presents a strong argument that explains the specific design of dreams as threat simulations. The TST also offers a plausible explanation for why dreaming would have been selected for: because dreaming interacted with the environment in such a way that enhanced fitness of ancestral humans. By referring to a single threat simulation mechanism it furthermore manages to explain a wide variety of dream content data that already exists in the literature, and to predict the overall statistical patterns of threat content in different samples of dreams. The TST and the empirical tests conducted to test the theory are a prime example of what a multidisciplinary approach to mental phenomena can accomplish. Thus far, dreaming seems to have always resided in the periphery of science, never regarded worth to be studied by the mainstream. Nevertheless, when brought to the spotlight, the study of dreaming can greatly benefit from ideas in diverse branches of science. Vice versa, knowledge learned from the study of dreaming can be applied in various disciplines. The main contribution of the present thesis lies in putting dreaming back where it belongs, that is, into the spotlight in the cross-road of various disciplines.

Kirjallisuutta

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Cuticular and Suberin Polymers of Edible Plants. Analysis by Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric and Solid State Spectroscopic Methods

Cutin and suberin are structural and protective polymers of plant surfaces. The epidermal cells of the aerial parts of plants are covered with an extracellular cuticular layer, which consists of polyester cutin, highly resistant cutan, cuticular waxes and polysaccharides which link the layer to the epidermal cells. A similar protective layer is formed by a polyaromatic-polyaliphatic biopolymer suberin, which is present particularly in the cell walls of the phellem layer of periderm of the underground parts of plants (e.g. roots and tubers) and the bark of trees. In addition, suberization is also a major factor in wound healing and wound periderm formation regardless of the plants’ tissue. Knowledge of the composition and functions of cuticular and suberin polymers is important for understanding the physiological properties for the plants and for nutritional quality when these plants are consumed as foods. The aims of the practical work were to assess the chemical composition of cuticular polymers of several northern berries and seeds and suberin of two varieties of potatoes. Cutin and suberin were studied as isolated polymers and further after depolymerization as soluble monomers and solid residues. Chemical and enzymatic depolymerization techniques were compared and a new chemical depolymerization method was developed. Gas chromatographic analysis with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS) was used to assess the monomer compositions. Polymer investigations were conducted with solid state carbon-13 cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C CP-MAS NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopic analysis. Furthermore, the development of suberin over one year of post-harvest storage was investigated and the cuticular layers from berries grown in the North and South of Finland were compared. The results show that the amounts of isolated cuticular layers and cutin monomers, as well as monomeric compositions vary greatly between the berries. The monomer composition of seeds was found to differ from the corresponding berry peel monomers. The berry cutin monomers were composed mostly of long-chain aliphatic ω-hydroxy acids, with various mid-chain functionalities (double-bonds, epoxy, hydroxy and keto groups). Substituted α,ω-diacids predominated over ω-hydroxy acids in potato suberin monomers and slight differences were found between the varieties. The newly-developed closed tube chemical method was found to be suitable for cutin and suberin analysis and preferred over the solvent-consuming and laborious reflux method. Enzymatic hydrolysis with cutinase was less effective than chemical methanolysis and showed specificity towards α,ω-diacid bonds. According to ₁₃C CP-MAS NMR and FTIR, the depolymerization residues contained significant amounts of aromatic structures, polysaccharides and possible cutan-type aliphatic moieties. Cultivation location seems to have effect on cuticular composition. The materials studied contained significant amounts of different types of biopolymers that could be utilized for several purposes with or without further processing. The importance of the so-called waste material from industrial processes of berries and potatoes as a source of either dietary fiber or specialty chemicals should be further investigated in detail. The evident impact of cuticular and suberin polymers, among other fiber components, on human health should be investigated in clinical trials. These by-product materials may be used as value-added fiber fractions in the food industry and as raw materials for specialty chemicals such as lubricants and emulsifiers, or as building blocks for novel polymers.

Målarpoeten Ellen Thesleff : teknik och konstnärligt uttryck

The aim of this thesis has been to illustrate the multifaceted talent in Ellen Thesleff's (1869 - 1954) work with particular emphasis on her technique and artistic expression. Why did Ellen Thesleff work withso many techniques? How did the technique affect the expression and what characterizes it? It would also be of interest to gather some idea of Ellen Thesleff's position among other artists. The investigation covers a representative selection of about 60 pictures, using nine different techniques, primarily as oils, woodcuts and monumental painting. The pictures illustrate three periods of time, the natural (1890 - 1905), the colourful (1906 - 1927) and the free period (1928 -1950). I describe the pictures in regard to their conception and subject matter and scrutinize their formal creation. Thereafter, I investigate the painting technique and artistic expression of each picture and position it, where applicable, in relation to other art. Ellen Thesleff's artistic quality is discussed in relation to her techniques and expression. Thesleff consciously chooses different techniques for related subjects in order to vary the expression. The progressing evolution within individual techniques and a cross-fertilization between them has evidently contributed to raising her artistic quality. I have studied how the techniques influence expression and found it possible to identify certain characteristic styles during the three periods: first a natural painting technique which reminds one of both French realism, paintings reflecting the Nordic mood and atmosphere, and symbolism, ascetism and synthetism; later an expressive Thesleff colourism with brilliant over- and underpainting in contrasting colours and last a free decorative painting in lines, with symbolistic undertones. Most characteristic is the lyrical expression which seems to be a common theme throughout Thesleff's entire artistry. I have found that Ellen Thesleff in her works had herown personal style compared to her contemporaries. Despite deep knowledge of styles and techniques she continually creates art from her inner self and with her own personal brush signature.

Wo Atlantis am Horizont leuchtet oder eine Reise zum Mittelpunkt des Menschen : utopisches Denken in den Schriften Hagar Olssons

Kritikern och författaren Hagar Olsson (1893-1978) är en central gestalt inom den finlandssvenska modernismen. Särskilt under 1920- och 30-talet hade hon en stor betydelse för den finländska och svenska kulturpolitiken. Även om Olsson måste räknas till de kanoniserade författarna och även om litteraturhistorikerna är överens om hennes betydelse för den svenskspråkiga litteraturen är hennes verk inte särskilt bekanta eller utforskade. I min studie visar jag att Olsson hade en etisk och estetisk revolution i tankarna, en \"realism för utopister\". Olsson förflyttar utopin från en fjärran ö till människans inre. Alla kan påbörja resan med konst och litteratur som kompass. Först när människan närmar sig den inre utopin blir en bättre värld möjlig. Olssons läsare får själv bestämma hur den här världen ska se ut. Bara ett mål är entydigt formulerat: En värld i fred där varken människan eller naturen exploateras. En litteratur som kan tjäna som kompass till utopia betecknar Olsson som \"nyrealsitisk\". Jag presenterar den här nyrealismen som en litterär strategi som är avgörande för Olssons författarskap mellan ca 1920-1950. Med hänsyn till den historiska kontexten analyserar jag ett stort antal recensioner, kulturkritiska essäer, opublicerade manuskript, romaner och skådespel. Den tyske filosofen Ernst Blochs skrifter om det utopiska använder jag bland några ytterligare äldre och yngre bidrag till utopiforskningen som filosofisk-teoretiska utgångspunkter. Utgående från primärmaterialet valde jag fyra tematiska tyngdpunkter: utopi och estetik, utopi och politik, utopi och ungdom samt utopi och kön. Jag visar inte bara hur den nyrealistiska litteraturen enligt Olsson borde se ut och fungera utan jag presenterar också Olssons inre utopi och diskuterar hur den här utopin i högsta grad är politisk. I det här sammanhanget beaktas den politiska, litterära och samhälleliga utvecklingen i Finland, Sverige, Tyskland och Ryssland under mellankrigstiden och andra världskriget fram till 1950.