In this paper, I demonstrate the pivotal function of consciousness in the second part of Phenomenology of Perception. A new meaning of the notion avoids the alternative between empiricism and intellectualism that gives this second part its structure. Consciousness, bogged down with the world, is neither only a state, nor only an act; in other words, it conveys life, conceived by Merleau-Ponty as a ‘living’ and a ‘making.’ Thus, it has a metaphysical dimension that renders it irreducible to experience. Consciousness, which I show is both ‘original’ and ‘philosophical,’ corresponds to an effective comprehension of contradiction in everything.

L’effet oppositionnel entre sens attendu et sens inattendu est ici examiné dans le cadre théorique de la psychosystématique guillaumienne, à travers l’étude des formes verbales de l’anglais. Deux types de situations interlocutives sont abordés. Le premier concerne la relation entre narrateur et lecteur et traite de l’écart opéré entre chronologie d’expérience et chronologie linéaire choisie par le narrateur. Le second met en présence des sujets parlants dans une situation d’énonciation et étudie l’écart entre sens attendu et sens obtenu dans les emplois modaux en discours rapporté. L’étude conclut à la distinction capitale qu’il convient d’opérer entre expérience et représentation. Les phénomènes de discordance narrative et de polyphonie énonciative dépendent ultimement de la manière dont la réalité phénoménale est représentée.

Ever since Durkheim, the relationship between ritual and sociability has been a primary theme of theoretical reflection in sociology. The article highlights a number of aspects relating to that theme and explores the question of whether ritual change – posited by the author as an historical evidence – can be adequately understood in this way, notably in terms of its societal implications. In the second half, the author presents a detailed analysis of a number of issues that emerge when ritualisation is considered as a continuous historical process. The prerequisites and mechanisms of ritualisation are at the core of this reflection, in particular in exploring how routine action, ritual experience and symbolic auto-declaration can be deployed in the context of the creation of social ties.

The process of ultrasonic shot peening has been studied from two aspects: (a) a 3D numerical model of shot motion in the peening chamber based on the theory of granular gases, (b) an experimental setup developed for measuring shot velocity distribution in the chamber and impact locations on the peened surface. The aim of such study is to propose an experimental method providing shot trajectories in order to validate the 3D model for the process parameter optimization, used for example in the aeronautic industry. The presented results illustrate the value of the model in the understanding and mastering of the process, as well as its usefulness, on one hand for the design of peening chambers, and on the other hand for a better definition of numerical models that help to predict residual stresses generated in the peened material.

The aim of this research was to study the relationship between aging and decision-making. Specifically, it deals with managers' views on the hypothetical effects of age and experience on decision behaviour. Do the numerous beliefs and stereotypes related to the supposed effects of aging (i.e. agism) affect the decision-making process and its results? Are younger managers more creative, quicker or more audacious than older managers? Are the experienced managers more skilled, cautious or pragmatic than the less experienced ones? Given the fact that mean age of managers in many contemporary public organizations is rising, further information is needed on how this trend will affect the behaviour and state of mind of public managers who make daily decisions bearing important economic and social consequences. To investigate these questions, interviews were conducted with managers employed by Quebec's public service. These interviews were aimed at collecting data about the way managers themselves perceive the effects of aging on decision behaviour. Results indicated that managers do not readily link age and decision behaviour. However, the relationship between experience and decision behaviour is perceived as comparatively strong. The relevancy of further research on the effects of experience on decision behaviour and, more generally, on the effects of experience on working abilities is discussed.

Squeeze film dampers (SFD) are used to reduce dynamical loads in rotating machinery or toimprove their performances in numerous industrial applications. The present paperconsiders the response of a dual shaft system with a SFD mounted on one of its bearings.The study is concerned with the overall system’s dynamics in presence of a sealed SFDbearing with a lateral feeding groove and more specifically with the characterization ofsuch damper in operational conditions. The design characteristics of the SFD are based onthe linear approximation and the optimization w.r.t. sensitivity of appropriate eigenmodesof a numerical model of the dual shaft test rig. In order to gain more insight into theSFD operation, the experimental kinematic and pressure measurements data are processedwithin a numerical model of the fluid film using the short bearing approximation of theReynolds equation and taking into account the flow into the groove. The work holds for lowReynolds number and completely sealed SFD were vapour cavitation is completely absent.

Few studies have integrated the concept of empowerment in their analysis of the interaction between formal services and informal caregivers. This study was conducted among 32 female informal caregivers living in a district served by a Montreal local community service centre (CLSC). It was designed to identify those aspects of formal services that either empowered caregivers or increased their powerlessness. Three major issues were identified: norms applicable to care giving; access to and control over resources and services; and power relationships with practitioners. Depending on their context and their perception of their role as a caregiver, caregivers reported that their recourse to services was either an empowering experience or one that increased their powerlessness.