Epistemological Ethics. New Ethical Dimensions of Knowledge

Author(s): Cornelia Gashparel / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2015

The man’s position in relation to knowledge forms and regaining his dignity in terms of its unity as a being endowed with mind and soul is the essence of the epistemological theory of ethics. The thesis from which we start the new foundation of ethical theories is that: in conditions of freedom or adaptation / surviving, within the size of which the perception, representation, intention and action may bring about, one can see the human nature endowed with mind and soul. Knowledge theories aim the man and his entire ethical value that finds itself in the manner of government and social and moral living. Between the man’s „evil” and „good” we must explain the idea of solidarity, justice, truth and freedom. Within the universal value of the soul, the history of religions finds its place and the ethical values largely justify both the life here, and especially the one beyond. Or, in this new light it is required to see the ethical value of man and necessary alliances are needed that initially would require putting together those individual researches in various fields that complete harmonization of knowledge. This fact would imply a unity in diversity of ethical theories about man and society. Within the architecture of the new theory of epistemological ethics the value of human ethics and the role of ethics in theory of knowledge can be seen.

Философското познание в информационната епоха

Author(s): Anna Ivanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2015

Since contemporary society of Western civilization is grounded on the pragmatic attitude toward knowledge, the demand for usefulness does not surpass philosophy as well. Social changes in the so called “information age” reignite the old historical question about the value of philosophy, this time in a different cultural context. The article challenges the common vision of philosophical work as purely intellectual and explores two main aspects of the practical implications of philosophical knowledge in modern day. The first aspect is the epistemic value of criticism in the information-overloaded environment of contemporary life. The second is the role of philosophy as a guardian of free thinking and the spiritual autonomy of public consciousness, provided by the constant moral awareness and farseeing of the practicing philosophers.

Интервюта за философията и Университета (проф. д-р Л. Митрович, проф. Иван Лалов, акад. Азаря Поликаров)

Author(s): Vihren Bouzov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2014

Нихилизмът – негативната диалектика на Фридрих Ницше

Author(s): Rosen Rachev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2012

Human life is an endless sequence of problem situations and ways to overcome them. Friedrich Nietzsche proclaims doubt and nihilism as forms of existence in problem situation. They are the foundation of the reassessment of all values. This reassessment is oriented to traditional, approved and wide spread principles and norms in society. The skepticism is an initial position and a transitional stage of denial. If someone denies something without thinking of it, he acts emotionally. Friedrich Nietzsche is a nihilist because his attitude is based on doubts, which are rationally motivated. In this paper the arguments are derived from his books” Human, All Too Human”, and “The Gay Science”. There are a lot of similar arguments in other Nietzsche’s books that will be discussed in next papers

Alegorija smrti ili smrt alegorije

Author(s): Aleksandar Zistakis / Language(s): English,Serbian Issue: 0/1994

In Bertolucci's "Conformist" there is a scene in which the conformist meets his one-time professor of philosophy. They evoke old memories and, in that context, mention professor's lecture on Plato's allegory of the cave. The scene, as well as the film itself, happens in fascist Italy between two world wars. In between those old days and the time of the meeting, professor had openly declared himself as a fascist and became a member of the Party.

The Sage of Concord: Weaving Transcendental Thoughts

Author(s): Saša Simović / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2021

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the proverbial sage of Concord, claimed that he was not “an original thinker” but only “clothed thoughts” that were “in the air.” Trying to explain the complex relation between humans and the outside world, he singled out man’s relation to his own self as the crux of the problem. His dualistic vision of the world, juxtaposing nature and the human soul and matter and spirit, is related to what he perceived as the human need to realize a connection to the “real” self. In the Emersonian vision of the world, nature is “omnipotent” insofar as through natural phenomena the human individual can give birth to brilliant ideas. The aim of this article is to highlight Emerson’s Transcendentalist vision of nature and the human relation to it.

Eingegrenzte Literatur

Author(s): Ben Dittmann / Language(s): German Issue: 6/2022

The article examines the quite extraordinary phenomenon of literary texts, that limit themselves, like anagrams or palindromes. Limited texts are often reduced to their playful appearance, while they have a close relation to experimental practises as well. Experiments as well as limited literature construct their objects of research within a manipulated environment. This self-limiting literary expression is specified with Deleuze’ and Guattari’s concept of a “minor” literature, by pointing out the defamiliarization of the text production and the irritation of linguistic automatisms initiated by limitations. Strongly restricted literaturę allows due to its limitation only, the release of new linguistic possibilities and insights, which is further demonstrated with a concluding example.

A companion to Kazimierz Twardowski

Author(s): Ewelina Grądzka / Language(s): English Issue: 72/2022

There have been many significant publications on Kazimierz Twardowski. Jacek Jadacki intends to add to this list another book Rozum i wola. Kazimierz Twardowski i jego wpływ na kształt kultury polskiej XX wieku. In the review it is appraised whether it can be called “a companion to. . . ”. It provides introductory information that can help readers better understand the role of Twardowski in Polish philosophy and culture. Updated findings by contemporary scholars are also included. The quality of the articles is guaranteed by such authors as J. Woleński, R. Kleszcz, A. Brożek and J. Jadacki. However, new authors are also present as well as less common topics like Twardowski’s influence on the Polish School of Philosophy of Medicine and his roles as political scientist, educational theorist, and historian of Ancient philosophy. The authors manage to convince the reader that Twardowski is “a classic” worth knowing, in consequence the book can be treated as a “companion to Twardowski”. It also inspires readers to further investigate the works and accomplishments of the Lvov philosopher.

Спекулативната граматика

Author(s): Jan Pinborg / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 6/2022

Jan Pinborg’s article Speculative Grammar traces in a historical and problematical way basic questions of the semantic doctrine of modes of signifying (the theory of speculative grammars). Speculative grammars are investigated: (1) from their appearance and historical and conceptual ground (Aristotle and his Arabic commentators, Donatus, Priscian); (2) through the development and sophistication of the system of modes of signifying (considering in the same time its ontological and logical aspects); 3) to the theoretical criticism against them and the appearance of alternative semantic conceptions (Roger Bacon, Ockham, Buridan…). The importance of the modistic doctrine for the further development of the logic and theoretical grammar is pointed out. A particular emphasis is put on the semantic character of the speculative grammars, together with its systematical account.

Emocjonalistyczna koncepcja społeczeństwa w filozofii szkockiego oświecenia na przykładzie Bernarda Mandeville’a

Author(s): Michał Chaberek / Language(s): Polish Issue: 21/2020

This paper presents the social doctrine of the Scottish philosopher of Enlightenment, Bernard Mandeville. In the first part the philosophical milieu of Mandeville’s time is presented and the persons of science who influenced him the most. The second part summarizes his views on society. The basic source is his essay "A Search into the Nature of Society". This work was added as a prosaic explanation to his most recognizable poem "The Fable of the Bees". Mandeville claims that the basic driving force of progress is not human virtue but vice, because every virtue is driven by a hidden vice. In the conclusion it is explained why hisconcept is not compatible with the Christian anthropology

A Review of Mortality Analyses and Life Safety in an Indian Context

Author(s): B.H.S. Thimmappa / Language(s): English Issue: 6/2022

This discussion paper on death presents an analysis of the causes of irretrievable mortality in the Indian context. It traces the local-to-global connection by depicting the current scenario and future perspectives. It deals with various aspects of death to provide a broader overview and outlines the various actions required to improve it. Analysis of the mortality data illustrates the inadequacy of present efforts to address the problem of death due to avoidable causes. A better understanding of the relationship between a vast number of unnatural deaths and the personal safety and healthcare precautions as they are practiced will lead us to conclude that different activities performed with a better presence of mind can extend the span of human existence in general. Analyses through intensive scientific research and careful examination through cross-pollination of inspiring ideas, proper perspectives, and a positive orientation to imagine a better future will enable people to fulfill what they want and need in their diverse contexts. The retrospective analysis of the data indicates that the mortality rate can be reduced by simple safety measures while traveling through the changing political landscape and achieving long-term sustainable development. Living a healthy lifestyle and following standard operating procedures during a pandemic like COVID-19 could make a difference in the lives of millions as health and safety remain primary concerns.

Philosophical Journey Through Time and Knowledge

Author(s): Nikolay Mihaylov / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

Посредници между два свята, или за българските гласове в чужбина

Author(s): Ivanka Stapova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2023

Ницше. Топоси на духа

Author(s): Nina Dimitrova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2023

Некласическа наука. Наука и псевдонаука

Author(s): Stefan Dimitrov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2023

Философия и въображение

Author(s): Christo Stoev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 12/2022

The article analyzes one of the fundamental spiritual abilities of man – to imagine things that are not here and now. Imagination is a prerequisite for people's ability to have a world as opposed to having only an environment consisting of points of actual sensual or sensory irritation. It refers to things that are not here and now. They represent a great diversity by type and in kind and include the absent things, the lost things, the things not yet discovered, the things invented as well as the not-yet invented ones, these are the fanciful things, the counterfactual things, the impossible things, the only possible but not actual things, fictitious things, probable things, future things and past things. All these things are part of the human world and it is the imagination that makes them accessible to people. Thanks to the applied hermeneutic approach to the imagination six moments have been highlighted that generally constitute the scope of the power of imagination. The reflections on the etymology of the word and the reference to some phenomenological concepts have made it possible to outline those six moments. The second part of the article has a historical and philosophical character and dwells on the role and functions of the ability to imagine in knowledge.

THE CITIZENS’ LIFELONG LEARNING IN PLATO’S LAWS

Author(s): Aikaterini Lefka / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

In the Laws, Plato presents an educational program for all members of the projected city of Magnesia, which concerns not only various kinds of specific knowledge, but also, and more importantly, the application of ethical and political virtues, in view of becoming excellent citizens and achieving a “good life” in the long run, at the private and public level. These objectives are realized in many ways, as for example, by the people’s participating in the legislation and the city’s administration, by receiving a common fundamental education, including lessons of reading, writing, mathematics and astronomy; practicing sports; playing music; singing; dancing and also by taking an active role in religious festivals. The population is then divided in three groups, according to age, and they form “choirs” dedicated to different divinities (the children to the Muses, the young people to Apollo, the elderly to Dionysus). Thus, we may deduce that Plato was one of the ancient Greek philosophers who supported the concept of “lifelong learning,” expanded through various kinds of knowledge, skills and qualities. In my paper I examine the objectives, different contents of Plato’s pedagogical project destined to all the Magnetes, the various methods he proposed to use in order to arrive at its attainment, as well as the eventual reasons for these choices, related to his philosophical theories. I conclude by making a comparison with the notion of “lifelong learning” as we understand it today.

NIŠTA NOVO, ALI DOSTUPNO JE I BRZO SE ŠIRI

Author(s): Amela Delić Aščić / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 22/2023

Review of: Predrag Krstić, O čemu govorimo kad govorimo o (post)istini, Institut za filozofiju i društvenu teoriju, Beograd, 2022

THE ENCOUNTER OF PSYCHIATRY AND RACISM IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF MICHEL FOUCAULT

Author(s): Maja Vasiljević / Language(s): English,Serbian Issue: 41/2022

The subject of this article is the encounter of race, racism, and psychiatry in the philosophy discourse of the French philosopher Michel Foucault. Although he is admired for development of the concept of power relations, and nontraditional approach to history and philosophy, in this article focus will be on Foucault as an intellectual who was also trained and had affinity in psychology and psychiatry. In this respect, the novelty of his approach to historical roots of psychiatry and its social importance in modern times will be accessed, as well as relations between racism and psychiatry. With this article, Foucault will be presented not only as a philosopher of anti-psychiatry, but also as a representative of critical discourse of power that psychiatry has on racism and modern society. In that respect, his discourse on relations between race and psychiatry will be accessed as suitable for application in humanities, social and medical sciences.

THE CONFESSIONS OF JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU – BETWEEN AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND SELF-PORTRAIT

Author(s): Ana-Elena Costandache / Language(s): French Issue: 17/2019

An emblematic figure of the 18th century, Jean-Jacques Rousseau has given to the French (and universal) literature books that reveal the man and the writer. Our attention is based on ,,Confessions”, a plural writing, which represents the author himself, as a philosopher confronted with realities of his time, a man of letters, who made a great passion for books, religious man, in constant search of his faith. As a consequence, we propose a fine analysis of the ,,Confessions”, in order to discover the heterogeneous writing, which mixes elements of autobiography with the self-portrait.