Chapter 5 investigates mental modularity, which is a central concept in the study of minds, i.e., the notion of mental module which, in this context, refers to a specific, specialized domain-specific mental capacity (such as for language, for vision, for music, etc.). A given module may contain several submodules. We will look at the history of this concept and how it has been understood in different approaches, such as the outdated pseudoscience phrenology, the philosopher Jerry Fodor’s nine criteria for proper modules, massive modularity in evolutionary psychology, and other views. Once modules are postulated, we can ask, separately for each module, about the interplay between nature and nurture: Different outcomes are possible for different modules. Finally, we discuss the notion of ontogenetic, developmental modules.

Chapter 8 reveals that languages change over time, with new variants developing and others going obsolete. This chapter aims, firstly, at giving the reader insights into the phenomenon of language change, which has resulted in a wide variety of languages spread throughout our planet that can be grouped into language many families that will be surveyed. We will ask why languages change and provide examples of changes that affect different parts of the grammar, with special attention to grammaticalization. We stress that languages are not getting better or worse as a result of these changes. While we see that under the right circumstances a language can “split” and develop into two or more different languages, attention is also paid to the fact that languages can go extinct. With that general background, we can ask whether the study of language change has resulted in an argument that could support the Innateness Hypothesis for language. To this end, we will ask whether there are certain properties of languages that are immune to change and if so, whether this can be explained if we assume that these properties are anchored in the innate system?

The state of a quantum-mechanical system can be described by a wave function or a state ket. Each wave function is defined in a specific space (e.g. in the position or momentum space). Conversely, the state kets do not require a specific space. The terms ‘bra’ and ‘ket’ are derived from the word ‘bracket’.

5.1 Baire Category Theorem

In this chapter, we explore the theory of bounded linear operators. As we will see, the completeness of the underlying spaces plays an important role. We have already seen one example of this in Theorem 2.3.13, where we showed that B(E, F) is a Banach space whenever F is complete. Here, that simple minded use of completeness gives way to a deeper understanding with the introduction of the Baire Category Theorem. This innocuous-looking result allows us to prove two results that are fundamental to the subject: the Principle of Uniform Boundedness (Theorem 5.2.1) and the Open Mapping Theorem (Theorem 5.3.4). These two theorems and their many applications are the main focus of this chapter.

Regarding the probability interpretation of the wave function, we need to distinguish two cases: normalisable and non-normalisable wave functions.

Climate change is a profound global concern. The burning of fossil fuels for energy production has increased emission levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere, generating an increase in global warming of around 1.1 degrees Celsius. Net global anthropogenic GHG emissions are increasing across all major sectors as a result of rising global activity in industry, energy supply, transport, agriculture and construction. This is contributing to changes in the earth’s climate, such that global average temperatures have risen considerably since measurements began in the mid-19th century, affecting weather patterns and sea levels.

Chapter 10 discusses various characteristics of the overall developmental progression of language acquisition. We first discuss some general properties of this process and then show how it can be studied both with respect to language production and language perception. We discuss the stages and milestones that children go through for different aspects of grammar and ask whether the properties and timing of stages lend support to the Innateness Hypothesis for language. We then formulate the argument from stages. Here the idea is that a complex system like language “unfolds” in the human mind, step by step, each step occurring at more or less regular points in time, as determined by a biological clock. This process of unfolding is called maturation. Just as our body gradually changes into a mature system, so does our mind. This process of unfolding is biologically determined and largely outside the control of the organism, although external factors (“nurture“) play a role. We critically evaluate the argument from stages, asking how precisely it might support the Innateness Hypothesis.

Environmental regulation of mining and energy production has advanced significantly in the past decade given the proliferation of energy projects, the increasing imperatives of climate change, and the importance of developing strong regulatory tools capable of examining the immediate and cumulative environmental impacts of carbon-intensive extractive industries. Mining and energy operations are now routinely subjected to state and federal environmental impact assessments. In Australia, environmental impact assessment is a precondition in every state and territory to the approval of commercial operations for an energy project. There is, however, considerable range and scope in the type of environmental assessment that may be conducted. Much will depend upon the jurisdiction where the project is located and whether or not federal oversight of the assessment project is required. This means there can be considerable variation in the ability of environmental assessment processes to effectively assess and moderate the impact of an energy project upon the surrounding environment both during and after the project.

This chapter explores the following issues: key ethical and social challenges facing both companies and managers; the nature of ethical and institutional conflicts; hallmarks of ethical managerial behavior; laws and conventions on ethical behavior; and corporate environment-social-government initiatives aimed at giving back to global communities

This chapter explores several aspects of intercultural communication, including the following: a model of the intercultural communication process; the influence of culture, combined with communication practices, on interpersonal behavior; barriers to effective intercultural communication; direct and indirect communication in intercultural interactions; understanding and recognizing different communication styles; and providing culturally-sensitive feedback to colleagues and co-workers

In classical physics, a distinction is made between two different concepts: waves and particles. However, various experiments have shown that this strict distinction must be replaced by a new concept.