New theory: Emotions arise through the integration of perceptual and cognitive information

June 25, 2013 ? A life without feelings -- unimaginable. Although emotions are so important, philosophers are still discussing what they actually are. Prof. Dr. Albert Newen and Dr. Luca Barlassina of the Institute of Philosophy II at the Ruhr-Universit?t Bochum have drawn up a new theory. According to this, emotions are not just special cases of perception or thought but a separate kind of mental state which arises through the integration of feelings of bodily processes and cognitive contents.

They describe the model in the journal Philosophy and Phenomenological Research.

Earlier theories of emotion

Around the turn of the 20th Century, the psychologists William James and Karl Lange proposed that emotions are nothing other than perceptions of bodily states. According to the James-Lange theory, we do not tremble because we are scared, but rather we are scared because we tremble. "This theory does not, however, consider the cognitive content of many emotions," says Albert Newen. If a student is anxious about an exam, then he is experiencing this anxiety because he thinks, for example, that the exam is important and that he will have a blackout. The so-called "cognitive theory of emotions" therefore says that emotions are essentially an assessment of the situation based on reason: this dog is dangerous because he is baring his teeth. "This theory is also unsatisfactory," says Newen, "because it forgets the feelings as a central component of the emotion." A person can realistically judge that a dog is dangerous and at the same time have no fear because he is an expert in handling dangerous dogs. So the cognitive assessment does not necessarily determine the emotion.

Integrative embodiment theory of emotions

Bochum's philosophers call their new model the "integrative embodiment theory of emotions." The emotional level is -- as postulated by William James -- the central starting point. An emotion only comes into existence, however, when the perception of bodily states is integrated with other aspects. The brain has to combine at least two components here: the perception of our own bodily states in a given situation, for example trembling, and the intentional object, such as the dog, which triggers the fear. Moreover, in "cognitive" emotions, typical thought content can also play a role, for example, with regard to a bull terrier: "bull terriers are particularly strong and dangerous." The result is a separate kind of mental state, namely an emotion that we conceive as a complex pattern of distinctive characteristics.

Emotions for things that do not even exist

According to Newen and Barlassina, the new theory is also superior to Jesse Prinz's most sophisticated theory of emotions so far, because this does not take into account that an emotion can also be directed at an object that is not present or does not even exist. A case study: Karl goes with his girlfriend Antje to a new bar. Because Karl has already been served by the barkeeper Fritz, Antje waits alone at the bar. Karl hears that she is insulted, but does not see by whom. He assumes it is Fritz. In the meantime, however, Fritz has left the room and John, an employee, is at the bar. He passes the insult and then leaves immediately. When Karl comes to the bar to vent his anger at the insult, Fritz is back. Karl is angry with Fritz although the cause of his bodily states associated with the feeling of anger was the utterance by John. The cause, John, and the object of the anger, namely Fritz, do not coincide. The object of anger is also known as the intentional object of anger, because it does not have to exist. People can even experience emotions about things that aren't real, for example, fear of vampires. While all feeling theories of emotion overlook the intentional object as an essential part of the emotion, the cognitive theories do tend to forget the feeling dimension of the emotion. Only the integrative embodiment theory takes all these components into account as constitutive of the emotion.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8d45QfySl4k/130625073819.htm

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Obama steps up military aid to Syrian rebels

WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama's decision to authorize lethal aid to Syrian rebels marks a deepening of U.S. involvement in the two-year civil war. But U.S. officials are still grappling with what type and how much weaponry to send the opposition forces and how to ensure it stays out of the hands of extremists battling for control of Syria.

U.S. officials confirmed Obama's authorization Thursday after the White House announced it had conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime used chemical weapons against opposition forces. Obama has said the use of chemical weapons would cross a "red line," suggesting greater American intervention.

While a small percentage of the 93,000 people reportedly killed in Syria are said to have died from chemical weapons ? U.S. intelligence puts the number at 100 to 150 ? the White House views the deployment of the deadly agents as a flouting of international norms. Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser, said the multiple chemical weapons attacks gave greater urgency to the situation.

"Suffice it to say this is going to be different in both scope and scale in terms of what we are providing," Rhodes said of the ramped-up U.S. response. But he added that the U.S. would make specific determinations "on our own timeline."

The Obama administration could give the rebels a range of weapons, including small arms, assault rifles, shoulder-fired rocket-propelled grenades and other anti-tank missiles. The opposition forces could operate most of that equipment without significant training.

In Syria Friday, the Foreign Ministry said, "The White House has issued a statement full of lies about the use of chemical weapons in Syria based on fabricated information. The United States is using cheap tactics to justify President Barack Obama's decision to arm the Syrian opposition."

And in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs adviser said Russia not convinced with Washington's claim that Syrian regime had used chemical weapons against the opposition. Yuri Ushakov told reporters the information provided by U.S. officials to Russia "didn't look convincing."

The commander of the main Western-backed rebel group fighting in Syria said he hoped that U.S. weapons will be in the hands of rebels in the near future, noting it would boost the spirits of the fighters on the ground. "We hope to have the weapons and ammunition that we need in the near future," Gen. Salim Idris told Al-Arabiya TV.

"This will surely reflect positively on the rebels' morale, which is high despite attempts by the regime, Hezbollah and Iran to show that their morale after the fall of Qusair deteriorated," he said, referring to the town near the border with Lebanon.

Obama's opposition to sending American troops into Syria makes it less likely the U.S. will provide sophisticated arms or anti-aircraft weapons that would require large-scale training. Administration officials are also worried about high-powered weapons ending up in the hands of terrorist groups. Hezbollah fighters are among those backing Assad's armed forces, and al-Qaida-linked extremists back the rebellion.

The CIA and special operations trainers are already running some weapons training programs for the rebels and are expected to take charge of teaching the opposition how to use the weapons the U.S. has agreed to supply, another U.S. official said.

There is also some debate within the administration about who would provide the lethal aid and how it might be delivered, the U.S. officials said.

All the officials insisted on anonymity to discuss internal administration discussions.

Obama has resisted arming the rebels until now, a cautious approach that underscores the deep divisions within his administration. The proponents of more aggressive action, including Secretary of State John Kerry, appeared to have won out over those wary of sending weapons and ammunition into the war zone.

The U.S. has made no decision on operating a no-fly zone over Syria, Rhodes said.

The U.S. has so far provided the Syrian rebel army with rations and medical supplies. The administration has also agreed in principle to provide body armor and other equipment such as night-vision goggles to the rebels, although the Pentagon has said there has been no movement on that as yet.

Word of the stepped-up assistance followed new U.S. intelligence assessments showing that Assad has used chemical weapons, including sarin, on a small scale multiple times in the last year, killing an estimated 100 to 150 people.

Obama advisers believe Assad's regime still maintains control of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles and does not see any evidence that rebel forces have launched attacks using the deadly agents.

The administration announced in April that it had "varying degrees of confidence" that sarin had been used in Syria. But they said at the time that they had not been able to determine who was responsible for deploying the gas.

The more conclusive findings announced Thursday were aided by evidence sent to the United States by France, which, along with Britain, has announced it had determined that Assad's government had used chemical weapons.

In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Friday, "The international community has made clear that any use of chemical weapons is completely unacceptable and a clear breach of international law."

He said he welcomes the "clear U.S. statement" and called on Syria to "grant access to the United Nations to investigate all reports of chemical weapons use."

Obama has said repeatedly that the use of chemical weapons would cross a "red line" and constitute a "game changer" for U.S. policy on Syria, which until now has focused entirely on providing the opposition with nonlethal assistance and humanitarian aid.

The White House said it had notified Congress, the United Nations and key international allies about the new U.S. chemical weapons determination. Obama will discuss the assessments, along with broader problems in Syria, during the summit of eight leading industrial nations next week in Northern Ireland.

Among those in attendance will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, one of Assad's most powerful backers. Obama and Putin will hold a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of the summit, and the U.S. leader is expected to press his Russian counterpart to drop his political and military support for the Syrian government.

But Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Friday that Moscow had doubts about Washington's claim Assad had used chemical weapons against the opposition.

He told reporters the information provided by U.S. officials to Russia "didn't look convincing."

The Syrian fighters have been clamoring for bolder Western intervention, particularly given the estimated 5,000 Hezbollah guerrillas propping up Assad's forces. Assad's stunning military success last week at Qusair, near the Lebanese border, and preparations for offensives against Homs and Aleppo have made the matter more urgent.

Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he supported the president's decision "to expand assistance for the vetted Syrian opposition." But other lawmakers expressed reservations, including Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Kimberly Dozier, Donna Cassata, Andrew Taylor in Washington and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-06-14-US-US-Syria/id-4189a87b80104351906e601a8fca6d0b

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1/12 Suzuki Vinson Auto 500 4?4 Camo ATV | Bulletin Panda Google

1/12 Suzuki Vinson Auto 500 4?4 Camo ATV Suzuki Vinson Auto 500 4?4 Camoflauge 1:12 scale diecast ATV by Newray Detailed design, approx. 6.5? long Comes with rifle gun and case Comes with bow and arrows Storage box on the back of the atv is NOT included ATV is about 5 inches long and 4 inches high. Plastic body with metal frame. Has springed suspension, and includes rifle and rifle box. Rating: (out of reviews) GET SPECIAL PRICE List Price: $ 14.99 Price: $ 12.50

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Source: http://pandandabulletin.blogspot.com/2013/06/112-suzuki-vinson-auto-500-44-camo-atv.html

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Jonathan Cheban Threatened on Airplane, Passenger Detained at LAX

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wv legislature allows for attorney's fees in certain workers'

In 2009, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals created a formal Access to Justice program for the State of West Virginia.? The Access to Justice program was established to determine the needs of citizens accessing the justice system in the state.? One of the issues identified by the Access to Justice Commission was the lack of ability for claimants to obtain counsel in the litigation of denied medical treatment issues in workers? compensation claims.? Accordingly, Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin formed a committee to address this issue.

This committee is composed of attorneys from the claimant and employer bars, as well as attorneys from workers? compensation administrative bodies, such as the West Virginia Insurance Commission, the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the West Virginia Insurance Commission Office of Judges, and the West Virginia Insurance Commission Board of Review.? This Committee drafted an amended West Virginia Code ?23-5-16, providing that attorney?s fees may be awarded for successful recovery of denied medical benefits in certain workers? compensation cases and providing fee limits in those cases.

W. Va. Code ? 23-5-16 provides guidelines for the fees that may be charged by an attorney for a claimant in workers? compensation claims.? The former enactment of this code section only provided that no attorney?s fee in excess of 20% of any award granted shall be charged or received by an attorney for a claimant and in no case shall the fee received by the attorney for such claimant or dependent be in excess of 20% of the benefits to be paid during a period of 208 weeks.? Essentially, the upshot of the former statute was that attorneys representing claimants were entitled to a portion of the claimant?s monetary awards granted in worker?s compensation claims, usually including the award of temporary total disability benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, permanent total disability benefits, and/or temporary partial disability benefits.

The issue identified by the Committee was that the claimants who only needed medical issues to be litigated were having a difficult time finding attorneys to represent them because there was no mechanism in place to obtain attorney?s fees as medical treatment issues did not result in monetary awards, and instead, would result in the treatment being authorized or denied.? Accordingly, the Committee drafted legislation which was passed on April?13, 2013, and signed into law by Governor Tomblin on May 1, 2013, which provides that attorney?s fees may be awarded for successful recovery of denied medical benefits.? These attorney?s fees are to be paid by the private carrier or self-insured employer for a claimant when that claimant?s attorney is successful in litigating the denied medical treatment issue.? The statute specifically provides that, if a claimant successfully prevails in a proceeding relating to a denial of medical benefits, the reasonable costs and reasonable hourly attorney?s fees of the claimant shall be charged against the private carriers or self-insured employers, whichever is applicable.

Following the successful resolution of the denial of treatment in favor of the claimant, the claimant?s attorney shall submit a fee petition to the Insurance Commissioner, arbitrator, mediator, Office of Judges, Board of Review, or Court, whichever enters the final decision on the issue.? The claimant?s attorney must submit such a claim for attorney?s fees and costs within thirty (30) days following a decision in which the claimant prevails and the order becomes final.? Thereafter, the Insurance Commissioner, arbitrator, mediator, Office of Judges, Board of Review, or Court shall enter an order within thirty (30) days awarding reasonable attorney?s fees, not to exceed $125.00/hour and reasonable costs of the claimant to be paid by the private carriers or self-insured employers as directed.? The statute provides that in no event may an award for claimant?s attorney?s fees exceed $500.00 per litigated medical issue and $2,500.00 in a claim.? In determining the reasonableness of the attorney?s fees, the Insurance Commission, etc., shall consider the experience of the attorney, the complexity of the issue, the hours expended, and the contingent nature of the fee.

Source: http://www.sjlaboremploymentblog.com/wv-legislature-allows-for-attorneys-fees-in-workers-comp-claims/

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Johnson dominates in win at Pocono Raceway

Jimmie Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Pocono 400 auto race on Sunday, June 9, 2013, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton Sr.)

Jimmie Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Pocono 400 auto race on Sunday, June 9, 2013, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton Sr.)

Driver Jimmie Johnson, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Pocono 400 auto race, Sunday, June 9, 2013, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Jimmie Johnson smokes his tires past crew members to celebrate after winning the NASCAR Pocono 400 auto race on Sunday, June 9, 2013, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Jimmie Johnson crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Pocono 400 auto race on Sunday, June 9, 2013, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Jimmie Johnson crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Pocono 400 auto race, Sunday, June 9, 2013, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) ? Jimmie Johnson absolutely dominated Sunday at Pocono Raceway for his third victory of the season.

The Sprint Cup points leader, Johnson pulled away on both of the last two restarts over the final 10 laps to pull into Victory Lane at Pocono for the first time since he swept both races in 2004.

Johnson also won the Daytona 500 and at Martinsville Speedway this season. He led 128 of 160 laps for his 63rd career Cup victory, and was never seriously challenged a week after his run at a possible win at Dover International Speedway was taken away by a penalty off a restart.

Greg Biffle was second and Dale Earnhardt Jr., Johnson's teammate, was third. Dover winner Tony Stewart was fourth, followed by fellow Stewart-Haas Racing driver Ryan Newman.

"I really didn't have anything for Jimmie," Biffle said. "Jimmie was in a league of his own."

Johnson started first and won from the pole after rain washed out qualifying Friday.

He could be celebrating back-to-back wins had it not been for a pass-through penalty last week in the final laps at Dover. NASCAR penalized him for jumping leader Juan Pablo Montoya off the restart with 19 laps left and he finished 17th.

It was a rare misstep for the five-time champion but he rebounded just fine at Pocono. He pretty much only lost the lead because of pit stop cycles.

After only one caution in the first 125 laps, they came in bunches over the last 35. Johnson held off Earnhardt with nine laps left and pulled away one more time with four to go.

"He's one of the best drivers this sport has ever seen," Earnhardt said.

Earnhardt would love a repeat of last season when he was in contention at Pocono before settling for eighth, then won the next week at Michigan International Speedway. He wasn't won since ? and Michigan is on deck.

"We want to get a win, man," Earnhardt said. "I can see it right there in front of me. I really thought we got close."

Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano rounded out the top 10.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-06-09-CAR-NASCAR-Pocono/id-87c3e5f3b4ad4b51aab4e67a72c0d75b

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5th victim of Santa Monica shooting dies

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) ? A woman who was critically wounded in the Santa Monica shooting rampage has died, bringing the total number of victims killed by the gunman to five.

Santa Monica College officials say 26-year-old Marcela Franco died Sunday at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

She had been a passenger in a Ford Explorer driven by her father, 68-year-old campus employee Carlos Navarro Franco, who also was killed in the attack.

Police shot the gunman dead in the school's library Friday.

The shooter has not been identified because police are working to contact his next of kin.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/5th-victim-santa-monica-shooting-dies-183258886.html

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