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E Margolis

Publications and source records attributed to E Margolis.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

A reassessment of the shift from the classical theory of concepts to prototype theory.

A standard view within psychology is that there have been two important shifts in the study of concepts and that each has led to some improvements. The first shift was from the classical theory of concepts to probabilistic theories, the most popular of which is prototype theory. The second shift was from probabilistic theories to theory-based theories. In this article, I take exception with the view that the first shift has led to any kind of advance. I argue that the main reasons given for preferring prototype theory over the classical theory are flawed and that prototype theory suffers some of the same problems that have been thought to challenge the classical theory.

Cognition↗
PubMed1979

Changing disease patterns, changing values: problems of geriatric care in the U.S.A.: an outsider's view.

Changing disease patterns coupled with recent shift in societal values bring into focus, among other challenges, the problems of geriatric care, with their medical and social aspects. Medicare and Medicaid were meant to respond to the needs of geriatric care. However there is almost a general consensus that in spite of being valuable in many respects, Medicare and Medicaid have failed to generate considerable change in the overall care for the elderly. The basic characteristics of the American Health care system are not conducive to an approach which envisages geriatric care as a comprehensive primary care level, within a system of health care, combining medical with social activities in a team led by a competent physician. Since such an approach seems to be a most appropriate one, an attitude on the part of the medical profession which concentrates on the medical aspects only and neglects the entire complex of problems, substantial and organizational, associated with geriatric care, may lack utility. The problems the U.S. faces in the health field, geriatric care included, are common for today's industrialized societies. However, certain specific difficulties seems to result from the fact that some components of the health care system insist on solving problems generated by changing disease patterns and changing societal values, with no change in their own structure and their own value system.

Aged↗
PubMed1975

Health care in a changing society: the health services of Israel.

In the pre-State era, Israeli society displayed an "ascetic" orientation with emphasis on austerity and egalitarianism. The medical profession was influenced by the basic philosophy of the country and coped successfully with the country's health problems, mainly by lowering morbidity and mortality rates. With the emergence of the State of Israel, mass immigration of people with different backgrounds, cultures, and values occurred, and health problems of the disability, dissatisfaction, and discomfort type arose. The existing medical organizations were unable to handle them. The story of three such organizations is detailed in brief: the first medical school in Jerusalem, the greatest supplier of curative services--the workers' sick fund (Kupa Holim), and the Ministry of Health. Their impact on the health services of the country is described. These services are splintered into numerous self-contained authorities and an understanding of the overall needs is lacking. This state of affairs reflects the antagonistic interests of the political powers behind the various health agencies. A concensus within the health field on the nature of the problems and their solution could be reached if the health organizations accepted a broader philosophy of health, comprising its somatic, mental, and social aspects, and if they commit themselves to applying this philosophy in their activities. This may lead to considerable changes in medical education, more attention being focused on the social functions of medicine than on medical technology; health care would become more comprehensive and would cover all aspects of health in its preventive, curative, and rehabilitative stages. Failure to meet the health needs of the changing society will constitute a false reading of the public pulse. Of late, the voices demanding the conquest of social diseases and the attainment of health in its broadest sense are becoming more and more audible.

Curriculum↗