https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/65165 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:38:02 GMT 2026-04-04T10:38:02Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100867 Title: The interaction of multiple processes of human settlement in a Mediterranean Island ecosystem Abstract: A. This work develops a new, simple, transdisciplinary methodology for the linguistic modelling and analysis of complex man-environment systems for the purpose of facilitating management. Firstly a method is developed for the compilation of a descriptive model of one or many sectors, such as Agriculture, Tourism, etc. Together with appropriate research/administration/training proposals involving University and Government, methods are subsequently developed for transforming such data into analytical and decision making tools, mostly in chart form, related to each sector, for the practical convenience of the analyst and the manaeer of the sector concerned. Thirdly, methods are also developed for analysing aspects of the entire system (or many sectors of it) holistically, e.g. analysis of all structural changes, or all resource utilisation, or all external dependencies. Extensive examples are given of all the three methodologies are given with the aid of a case study of an actual populated area. B. The case-study is of human settlement phenomena on the Mediterranean island of Gozo in the Maltese archipelago. Linguistic models of certain sectors are given, including Tourism, Migration, and Water-Use; together with outline models of the remaining sectors. A sectoral analysis of the Water-Use sector is carried out, and also an extensive analysis of structural change in Gozo as a whole; these forms of analysis utilise the descriptive linguistic model as their starting-point. Description: PH.D. Tue, 01 Jan 1980 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100867 1980-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91096 Title: Mass culture and art : an interpretation of mass culture and its' relation to art Abstract: Various theories of mass culture imply that in contemporary society the media has eroded the boundaries between art and mass culture. However a complete erosion of the above mentioned boundaries has not yet occurred, though some products can be considered to be both mass culture and art. Although there are no criteria that alone can determine the artistic value of a mass cultural product, there are criteria that can determine whether one has acquired the ability to pass an artistic judgement. The claims of the Frankfurt School, and in particular those of Adorno, explicit deny the role of the person as an active consumer of culture; on the contrary, the masses are passive and gullible consumers so they therefore are in no position to pass any judgements on Mass Culture. This dissertation aims to show that individuals who have invested their time in the arts and have cultivated an interest that has earned them the ability to make an artistic judgement. Such a judgement should be privileged over that of others. Description: B.A.(HONS)PHIL. Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91096 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91070 Title: Death in Heidegger's 'Being and time' Abstract: In order to live authentically, in self-discovery, man must come to accept himself as a being-unto-death. Authenticity depends on a definite choice, an option or a conversion, a conversion, that is, from the security and familiarity of inauthentic existence which is lost in the world. Man's attitude to death is all-important for authentic living. On Heidegger's view, the anguished grasp of the meaning of death as my utmost possibility is what reveals my true essence to me. It has the effect of making all the affairs which seem of deep concern in everyday life, shrink in value. Anticipation of our death loosens the grip of overriding importance attached to the here and now. In this way it exposes the inauthentic character of everyday living for what it is and loads man to assume his authentic mode of being. Common sense would prompt us to think of the constant and uneasy facing up to our death, demanded by authenticity, as having a paralyzing effect on our life. Quite to the contrary, consciousness of death as our most personal possibility vivifies and intensifies the quality of human existence. Life has verve and meaning, Heidegger says, only for the person who lives "in the shadow of death". [...] Description: B.A.(HONS)PHIL. Sat, 01 Jan 1977 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91070 1977-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91069 Title: Aristotle's theory of time Abstract: Aristotle's discussion on time in the Physics, principally in chapter IV 10-14, remains a classic source of argument for philosophers and historians of science. His significance for the history of philosophy of science rests on two fundamental achievements. First, he developed a comprehensive philosophical system which overshadowed anything in ancient times and when rediscovered in the 12th Century A.O., he fashioned the medieval world view. Second, Aristotle developed a method of scientific investigation. He was, in effect, the first philosopher of science; the first to study the logic of scientific reasoning and investigation. Aristotle was associated with Plato for over twenty years both as a student and as a colleague. His own views reflect his Platonic heritage, although he rejects both the details and the spirit of the Platonic world view. Is time separable from change? Is time continuous and does it flow? What objection does Aristotle give to the identification of time with respect to the revolution of the heaven and the heaven itself? What is the relation between time and number? And more importantly what is Aristotle's definition of time? As we shall see, Aristotle's discussion on time focuses on three key problems: (1) Does time exist? (2) What is the nature of the present instant, the now as Aristotle calls it? And (3) what is the nature of time itself? Aristotle's chief concerns are the nature of the present, the reality of time, and the relations between time and movement that he evidently takes to show time both real and measurable and these are precisely the main issues in his argument on which we shall focus our attention on. Description: B.A.(HONS)PHIL. Wed, 01 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91069 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z