SOCIAL LASER THEORY: A QUANTUM-LIKE FRAMEWORK FOR COLLECTIVE SOCIAL DYNAMICS

The formalism of quantum theory in Hilbert space has been applied with success to the modeling and explanation of several cognitive phenomena, whereas traditional cognitive approaches were problematical. However, this 'quantum cognition paradigm' was recently challenged by its proven impossibility to simultaneously model 'question order effects' and 'response replicability'. In Part I of this paper we describe sequential dichotomic measurements within an operational and realistic framework for human cognition elaborated by ourselves, and represent them in a quantum-like 'extended Bloch representation' where the Born rule of quantum probability does not necessarily hold. In Part II we apply this mathematical framework to successfully model question order effects, response replicability and unpacking effects, thus opening the way toward quantum cognition beyond Hilbert space.

An experimental test of quantum effects in gravity has recently been proposed, where the ability of the gravitational field to entangle two masses is used as a witness of its quantum nature. The key idea is that if gravity can generate entanglement between two masses then it must have at least some quantum features (i.e., two non-commuting observables). Here we discuss what existing models for coupled matter and gravity predict for this experiment. Collapse-type models, and also quantum field theory in curved spacetime, as well as various induced gravities, do not predict entanglement generation; they would therefore be ruled out by observing entanglement in the experiment. Instead, local linearised quantum gravity models predict that the masses can become entangled. We analyse the mechanism by which entanglement is established in such models, modelling a gravity-assisted two-qubit gate.

The current economic crisis has provoked an active response from the interdisciplinary scientific community. As a result many papers suggesting what can be improved in understanding of the complex socio-economics systems were published. Some of the most prominent papers on the topic include (Bouchaud, 2009; Farmer and Foley, 2009; Farmer et al, 2012; Helbing, 2010; Pietronero, 2008). These papers share the idea that agent-based modeling is essential for the better understanding of the complex socio-economic systems and consequently better policy making. Yet in order for an agent-based model to be useful it should also be analytically tractable, possess a macroscopic treatment (Cristelli et al, 2012). In this work we shed a new light on our research group's contributions towards understanding of the correspondence between the inter-individual interactions and collective behavior. We also provide some new insights into the implications of the global and local interactions, the leadership and the predator-prey interactions in the complex socio-economic systems.

Although the multi-agent model has been used to analyze several economic and management problems, and the research results are regarded more profoundly, they all rely on certain scenarios. Once the scenarios are shifted to an unknown one, the results cannot be matched. In this paper, a new research method named exploratory computational experiment is introduced to resolve the problems coming from the social complex system, where individual’s behaviors are irrational, diverse, and complex, and collective behavior is dynamical, complex, and critical. Firstly, the foundation of the computational experiment is introduced, then several important problems, how individuals make the decision under complex environment, how collective behavior have emerged when different conflicts co-exist, and how to evaluate collect behaviors, are analyzed. To specify this new method, two examples of how to design a scientific mechanism to make the traffic system more effective and how is the evolution law of giant components in scale-free networks if the parameters are changed continuously. The results show that multi-agent modeling based on irrational behaviors controlled by individual dynamical game radius and memory length limited can describe the social problem more accurately, the exploratory computational experiment can give us more profound conclusions.

The law of inheritance divides property for Muslims through a composition that is considered equal based on sharia, such as a 2:1 division between men and women. In the social system, there is a gap between men and women. This difference does not only occur in the household but also becomes a community culture. Habits that are still influential in people's lives both in rural and urban areas. This also affects the implementation of inheritance distribution. In the midst of social change and increasing awareness of gender equality, contemporary Muslim society in Indonesia has begun to question the relevance of these provisions, especially regarding the dual role of women in the domestic and public spheres. This study examines how the people of Purworejo Regency understand and apply Islamic inheritance law, as well as how the influence of social justice values in inheritance distribution practices. Using sociological and empirical juridical approaches, it was found that societies tend to combine Sharia principles with deliberation and grant approaches to achieve contextual justice. So that the distribution of inheritance using a 2:1 section needs to find a new opportunity, this is in line with the theory of social justice in contemporary society, where social justice provides equal rights for every individual, both male and female.

This is the second part of a two part article. In Part I, a social systems theory was applied to the analysis of hazardous technology and socio-technical systems, their complex dynamics, and risky dimensions and likelihood of accidents. It identified many of the diverse human risk factors associated with complex technologies and socio-technical systems, thus contributing knowledge toward preventing — or minimizing the likelihood of — accidents or catastrophes. This second part of the article will systematically address the broader issues of risk conceptions, analysis, and management in contemporary society including policy and other practical aspects. The social systems perspective and its derivations are contrasted to such impressionistic conceptions as those of Ulrich Beck. Section 1 of the paper introduces the topic of risk as a discursive concept in contemporary society. Our point of departure is the social system approach introduced in Part I, which is contrasted to that of Ulrich Beck, who eschews systematic theorizing at the same time that he denigrates empirical sociology. The section stresses that contemporary society is not so much threatened by high risks all around (as in Ulrich Beck’s “risk society”) but is more characterized by its developed risk discourses (a great deal owing to Beck himself), risk consciousness, risk theorizing, and risk management. What is truly characteristic of modern society are discretionary powers to determine dimensions, levels, and regulation of risk, that is, choices can be made whether or not to develop a technology, whether or not to not to tightly regulate it, for instance limiting or banning its use or whether or not to allow its widespread application, and under what conditions. Section 2 provides a brief review of our social systems framework, actor-system-dialectics (ASD) theory. Section 3 treats risk and risk analysis in a systems perspective, emphasizing the limitations of risk assessment and the risk management of complex, hazardous systems. Section 4 considers several principles which may serve to guide policy-making and regulation with respect to the hazards and risks of complex technologies and socio-technical systems.

Realism and Power in Mark Twain's

Co-evolutionary adaptive mechanisms are not only ubiquitous in nature, but also beneficial for the functioning of a variety of systems. We here consider an adaptive network of oscillators with a stochastic, fitness-based, rule of connectivity, and show that it self-organizes from fragmented and incoherent states to connected and synchronized ones. The synchronization and percolation are associated to abrupt transitions, and they are concurrently (and significantly) enhanced as compared to the non-adaptive case. Finally we provide evidence that only partial adaptation is sufficient to determine these enhancements. Our study, therefore, indicates that inclusion of simple adaptive mechanisms can efficiently describe some emergent features of networked systems’ collective behaviors, and suggests also self-organized ways to control synchronization and percolation in natural and social systems.

Global demographic processes, particularly the increasing proportion of the elderly, represent one of the main challenges for social protection systems and public policies in contemporary societies. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Esping-Andersen’s welfare regimes, as well as contemporary sociological theories of ageing, this paper examines the position of the elderly in different socio-political and institutional contexts through a comparative analysis of social protection systems of the United States, France, Japan, and Serbia. The methodological framework is based on the qualitative analysis of relevant legal frameworks, public policies, and national strategies, complemented by secondary quantitative data from non-governmental and international organizations. The findings indicate that the position of the elderly varies significantly depending on the social protection model, with countries that possess clear institutional mechanisms and well-developed active ageing strategies being more successful in mitigating the negative effects of economic and demographic pressures. The paper concludes that understanding of the ageing process has to be multidimensional, simultaneously demographic, political, and sociocultural, in order to capture the complex processes that determine the position of the elderly in contemporary societies.

Current conceptualizations of the acting crowd are heavily influenced by LeBon, particularly those aspects of LeBon's formulation that emphasized the pathological and bizarre nature of crowd behavior. An examination of the characteristics imputed to the crowd indicates that many of them are not empirically valid. Further, many of the characteristics assigned to crowd behavior do not differentiate it from the behavior of other social systems. Sociologists have overstressed the “cultural” factors, and de-emphasized interaction in their studies of social conduct. One consequence of this emphasis has been to look to the characteristics of crowd members to account for the behavior of crowds. It is suggested the crowd be studied as a social system.

Este ensaio explora a filosofia da educação matemática a partir de uma perspectiva sociológica histórica. Este examina a natureza da construção de significado à medida que os sistemas sociais de matemática e educação matemática emergem como parte da sociedade. Para fazer isso, baseio-me na teoria dos sistemas sociais que postula uma teoria geral dos sistemas autopoiéticos a partir da qual consciência e comunicação, como sistemas baseados no significado, são acoplados através da linguagem. A teoria dos sistemas tem recebido pouca atenção na educação matemática e meu objetivo aqui é delinear a abordagem apresentando uma análise funcional superficial da educação matemática. Isso permite a possibilidade de teorizar a educação matemática como um sistema social de comunicação e tem a capacidade de mostrar como as partes constituintes da educação matemática, por exemplo, pesquisa e prática se relacionam e como a educação matemática se relaciona com outros sistemas sociais na sociedade contemporânea.

Sociology, according to Duncan, is the scientific study of the dynamic processes of interactions of persons and the patterns these form in relation to biological, psychological and cultural influences. Thus, sociology studies social phenomena, social organizations and cultural patterns. It seeks to discover the laws that govern social relations and the forces that develop the personality of the individual. According to the sociological perspective, education does not arise in response to the individual needs of the individual, but it arises out of the needs of the society of which the individual is a member. The educational system of any society is related to its overall social system. Education is a sub-system performing certain functions for the ongoing social system. The goals and needs of the total social system get reflected in the functions it lays down for educational system and the form in which it structures it to fulfil those functions. In a static society, the main function of the educational system is to transmit the cultural heritage to the new generations. But in a dynamic society, these keep changing from generation to generation and the educational system in such a society must not only transmit the cultural heritage, but also aid in preparing the youth for adjustment to any changes in them that may have occurred or are likely to occur in future. In contemporary societies, the proportion of change that is either planned or issues from the secondary consequences of deliberate innovations is much higher than in former times. This is more so in societies that have newly become independent and are in a developing stage. Consequently, in such modern complex societies, education is called upon to perform an additional function of becoming an agent of social change. Thus, the relationship between educational system and society is mutual; sometimes the society influences changes in educational system and at other times the educational system brings about changes in the society.This book, Sociological Foundations of Education, deals with various aspects of educational sociology-the effects of learning on group life. The book discusses the types of social organizations and their characteristics as well as the role of individuals in organizations. Social interaction is the foundation of society. The book discusses the development of groups and the characteristics of group dynamics. The book also highlights the roles of various agencies of social education, such as the school, peer groups and family. This book, Sociological Foundations of Education, is written in a self- instructional format and is divided into six units. Each unit begins with an overview to the topic followed by an outline of the unit objectives. The content is then presented in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. The reference section is more useful aspect for students and are meant for effective recapitulation of the text. This book is designed to develop in students a sustained interest and enthusiasm to learn and develop the concepts included in a logical and stepwise manner. It incorporates a variety of illustrations to help the students understand the subject quickly and to the maximum. The entire book was written in the day hours. After a sound sleep without any academic haste, a fresh mind packed with creative ideas and innovative thoughts, has largely helped me to write this book. This textbook is a distillation of my knowledge and teaching experience in sociology of education, educational sociology and contains predigested information for good understanding, assimilation and reproducibility. Each page is crafted with a fine eye. The ultimate purpose of this book is to equip the reader with comprehensive knowledge in topics covered in this book with reference to basic as well as applied aspects.

Background.Amid global transformations and ideological shifts in contemporary China, particular importance is attached to the enduring foundations of cultural identity. Among them, the category of harmony, the concept of family, and the notion of patriotism occupy a central place, having for centuries shaped the symbolic core of the Chinese civilizational model and retaining their relevance in present-day discourse. The analysis demonstrates that these categories have undergone a semantic transformation within the ideological and social discourse of modern China: harmony is interpreted as a principle of social governance, family as an instrument of moral education, and patriotism as an ideological foundation of national consolidation. Purpose.The aim of the study is to provide a philosophical and cultural analysis of the category of harmony, the concept of family, and the notion of patriotism as interrelated elements of the Chinese value system. Methodology.The research is based on content analysis of philosophical and normative texts, employing semiotic, philosophical-anthropological, and comparative-historical approaches. Results.The study demonstrates that harmony functions as both a philosophical category and a cultural principle, establishing a normative order of interaction between the individual, society, and the cosmos. Family is interpreted as a philosophical and cultural concept that ensures social continuity, reinforces hierarchical structures, and transmits moral norms through generational connection and the preservation of tradition. Patriotism is revealed as a moral and ideological notion as well as a value-laden concept, expressing affiliation with the fate of the state and serving as a mediating link between personal, familial, and national identity. Despite their distinct semantic nature, these elements constitute a coherent axiological system that plays a key role in preserving cultural continuity and securing ideological consolidation in contemporary Chinese society. Practical implications.The findings can be applied in philosophical and cultural studies, in educational programs in Chinese studies, in the development of intercultural communication strategies, and in the analysis of ideological processes in modern China.

This study investigates the representation of female figures in the illustration of Eid Al-Fitr money packets (duit raya money packets) in Malaysia, with a focus on visual expression, cultural symbolism, and gendered narratives embedded within the designs. While traditionally functioning as festive envelopes for monetary gifting, Eid Al-Fitr money packets also serve as visual artifacts that reflect prevailing social values and ideological shifts. Through a qualitative methodology combining visual content analysis and semiotic analysis, this research examines selected Eid Al-Fitr money packets produced in Malaysia over the past decade. Particular attention is given to the portrayal of femininity through visual cues such as attire, posture, facial expressions and contextual environments. The findings reveal an observable transition from conventional and conservative depictions often characterized by traditional clothing and domestic settings to more diverse, modern, and empowered representations of women. This shift suggests a reconfiguration of gender norms and cultural expectations within the context of contemporary Malaysian society. The study argues that the evolution of Eid Al-Fitr money packets illustrations not only reflect changing aesthetic trends but also functions as a visual commentary on broader societal transformations concerning gender roles. Ultimately, the paper positions Eid Al-Fitr money packets design as a culturally significant medium through which gendered identities are communicated, negotiated and reimagined.

All online sharing systems gather data that reflects users' collective behavior and their shared activities. This data can be used to extract different kinds of relationships which can be grouped into layers and which are basic components of the multidimensional social network (MSN) proposed in the paper. The layers are created on the basis of two types of relations between humans, i.e., direct and object-based ones which, respectively, correspond to either social or semantic links between individuals. For better understanding of the complexity of the social network structure, layers and their profiles were identified and studied on two, spanned in time, snapshots of the `Flickr' population. Additionally, for each layer, a separate strength measure was proposed. The experiments on the `Flickr' photo sharing system revealed that the relationships between users result either from semantic links between objects they operate on or from social connections of these users. Moreover, the density of the social network increases in time. The second part of this paper is devoted to building a social recommender system that supports the creation of new relations between users in a multimedia sharing system. Its main goal is to generate personalized suggestions that are continuously adapted to users' needs depending on the personal weights assigned to each layer in the MSN. The conducted experiments confirmed the usefulness of the proposed model.