Ethical implications of the promotion of elder volunteerism: A critical perspective

This critical inquiry explores the question: What are the ethical implications of promoting normative ideals for healthy aging, such as volunteerism and civic engagement, that specifically emphasize productivity and contribution? In this paper, we identify the values and ethical standpoints embedded in the discourse promoting volunteerism and productive aging and then describe what this suggests about how older adults are viewed, valued and judged. More specifically, we argue that older adult volunteering has at times been framed in a manner that dually suggests: a) lifelong productivity is a necessary condition to be a good old person; and b) lifelong productivity is a necessary condition to be a good old citizen. We then demonstrate that the current promotion of older adult volunteerism and productive aging is ethically troubling because: 1) it fails to capture the full potential of the self — and in particular, the aging self; and 2) it grounds justice in a narrowly defined and unfair distributive scheme. An alternative model of aging is then presented based on equal regard for all persons insofar as this approach is inclusive of the diversity of older adults and aging processes, and policy implications are discussed.     

A concluding comment: Toward a critical social network analysis

The authors of articles in this special issue on “Ethics in SNA” contribute to enriching the continuing discussion of major ethical dilemmas that social network analysts need to confront. These articles encourage us to replace silence with thoughtful consideration and innovative paths forward. I highlight three themes that emerged in my own reading of these contributions: moving beyond “ethics versus science,” deepening reflexivity, and possible approaches toward a critical SNA.     

Serving public interests and enacting organizational values: An examination of public interest relations through AARP’s Tele-Town Halls

Public interest relations (PIR) is an approach to public relations scholarship and practice that contributes to the social good by integrating the concept of public interest into organizational goals and values. The need for PIR was emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic as publics looked to organizations for information about a variety of topics (e.g., symptoms, vaccines). AARP created a series of tele-town halls to communicate with its publics, who are considered to be members of a “vulnerable population” during the pandemic. In order to understand how AARP’s Coronavirus Tele-Town Halls reflected the practices of PIR, I completed a critical thematic analysis of 28 virtual sessions that were hosted in 2020–2021. The analysis, which was guided by the tenets of PIR, found that AARP’s communication (1) highlighted common life course milestones of its publics, (2) emphasized the quality of the information, and (3) provided avenues to engage with the organization and its experts. Based on these findings, I developed theoretical implications that reflect a critical perspective on PIR and suggest future research avenues that seek to build this ethical and socially meaningful approach to public relations.     

中国抗日战争应以七七事变为开端——兼与郭德宏先生商榷

中国抗日战争从九一八事变开始的观点是值得商榷的,因为九一八事变后,抗日并没有成为中国政治生活的主流,当时中国政局的关键仍然是如何结束国内政局的分裂与动荡状态,以实现国家的统一;九一八事变后,中日之间的战争仍只是属于局部战争,而中日两国并没有进入国与国之间的一种全面战争状态。只有到了七七事变之后,抗日才真正成为中国社会压倒一切的时代主题,中国抗日战争因此应从七七事变算起比较合适。     

论群体事件中行政紧急权力的运用与制约

伴随着改革开放的深入和经济发展取得举世瞩目的成就,我国体制与社会转型所带来的不同利益群体的矛盾和冲突,使我国进入了社会矛盾的高发期。群体事件的发生,呼吁着作为法自由和法权利支柱的权力介入。我国目前还存在机制转换不到位、忽视媒体执政权力使用、缺乏正确的权力观、机构设置过于专业和分散、紧急权力行使人员规则意识淡薄等问题。因此,当务之急是完善群体性事件中紧急权力的运用程序,提高媒体执政力,分离决策权和行使权,并做好协调和制约工作。     

中共发展华中战略与皖南事变

自从1938年底中共中央做出发展华中的决策后,皖南和江南的战略地位开始下降,华中逐渐成为新四军发展的重要战略支点。为此,皖南新四军必须北移以作支援。而国民党政府以中央政府的身份迭次发出命令,必欲将中共军队驱逐出华中。国共在华中,尤其是苏北的冲突日渐激烈。《中央提示案》和“皓电”发出后,中共中央并未屈服于国民党的压力,相反加紧发展华中,并要皖南方面做好北移准备,试图以此让步缓解双方矛盾。但就在中共试图缓和国共关系之时,苏北的曹甸战斗却使双方更形紧张,也使皖南新四军直接北渡长江成为其唯一选择。就在皖南新四军北移途中,皖南事变发生了。     

《学衡》论学者精神与责任

《学衡》杂志以“论究学术 ,阐求真理 ,昌明国故 ,融化新知”为宗旨 ,对 2 0世纪初期的学术弊端提出了严厉批评 ,并在此基础上呼唤对真正的学术精神的追求 ,即自信、自得、贞操、求真、审慎、创造、社会关怀和追求文德之精神 ,同时提出了学者对于前人、今人和世界的责任。     

思辨英语视阈下的读者反馈理论综述

英语教学作为各阶段教育的重要组成部分,肩负着深化教学改革,满足新时期国家和社会对人才培养需求的重大任务。学生除了应当具备英语的综合应用能力之外,还应当具有一定的思辨能力。在各教育阶段的英语教学过程中应用Louise Rosenblatt开创的读者反馈理论(reader response theory)教授阅读,可以将教学模式从传统的“以老师为中心”转变为“以学生为中心”,并通过图式理论和反馈日记的辅助作用,逐步培养学生的思辨能力。国内外的教师和研究者应用读者反馈理论进行阅读教学的实践都证明,这一方法能够帮助学生逐步成为独立而有见地的阅读者,进而具有一定的思辨能力。     

克门事件与北京政府时期的中美关系

一个美国商人死于非命,会对中美关系造成何种影响?1922年12月发生的克门事件为我们提供了一个可资分析的实例。美国商人克门于美国领事在场的情况下,在张家口被中国士兵枪击而殒命。关于事发的缘由,中美各执一词,事件的真相如何,还有待进一步的研究。事件的结局是,美方用尽计谋,最终其要求得到了满足。本案揭露出20世纪20年代中美关系中几个有趣的面向。首先,本案争议点即在于中美面子之争。其次,中国外交官的"亲美"倾向在所谓的"北洋外交"中,扮演着重要的角色。再次,北京政府背后的军阀政治的确制约着"北洋外交"。在实际的外交交涉中,有力的军闯控制着外交决策,而外交官不过只是办理交涉而已。