NotaBene е електронно списание за философски и политически науки. Повече за нас
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence methodologies for natural language processing has steadily converged towards heavy deployment of Large Language Models. The underlying operational principle of these models relies on mining massive sets of text corpuses, where the semantic elicitation between the entities of the text is interpreted as statistical interdependency (correlation) between words located close to each other in a sentence. The problem with this approach is that probable semantic connection could only be established, if such connections exist in the already mentioned large text corpuses, furthermore, in order for models further to generalize over unseen examples, this plethora of training examples must be provided, in a vastly jumbled and diverse texts, which is inherently problematic, if the model has to be updated with new correlations, since new text corpuses has to be carefully selected or synthetically generated in order not to strongly weaken initial correlations. As a rule of thumb, in contrast to the artificial large language models, humans, need but a few examples, in order to embed a possible semantic model that governs any new concept, independently of the informational structure of the examples, be that text, images, graphs, etc. Although, human cognition is a constantly proliferated domain of research, most researchers would agree that humans are able to elicit semantic, not only by learning interdependencies between entities, but also semantic relationship rules that governs those entities. This knowledge about the rules and entities is then constantly updated throughout our life. This paper explores one possibility of creating such hybrid computational model, where semantic relationships rules are created out of graph structured data and are used to improve semantic interpretation in natural language processing by unification of two learning paradigms on graph textual representation, to improve semantic interpretation.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, natural language processing, hybrid models, graph, graph neural, network.
Abstract: The current article presents the problem of the scientific status of psychoanalysis, mediated by the ideas of Karl Popper, specifically his critique to Freud’s psychoanalysis. The link between what is accepted as scientifically grounded knowledge and the offered theories in the field of psychoanalysis is a key part in the current text. It follows the status of theories in the psychology and their relation to the problem of demarcation, essential for Karl Popper’s ideas. One of the books with importance in this regard is Karl Popper’s “Conjectures and refutations” and some of its ideas will be presented here.
Keywords: psychoanalysis, problem of demarcation, verification, falsifiability, non-scientific theory, observation, experimenting, test, ad-hoc hypotheses, D-N model, circularity.
Резюме: Постепенното подобряване на методите за изкуствен интелект за обработка на естествен език доведе до създаването и силното използване на така наречените огромни езикови модели. Тези модели разчитат на парадигми за извличане на знание от огромни масиви от текстови данни, където семантичните връзки между различните обекти се осъществява на база на калкулация на процент статистическа обвързаност (корелация) между позицията на думите в дадено изречение. Проблемите които тези методи индуцират при тяхното обучение и работа са обвързани основно със силната зависимост, че семантичните връзки между обектите, трябва да присъстват в тренировъчните данни и че потенциална генерализация над непознати данни e възможна само, след като огромна база от текстове представящи различни семантични взаимообвързаности между обектите е използвана за обучение. Това е проблематично, защото при нужда за преобучение на модела е необходимо нови масиви да бъдат внимателно подбрани или синтетично генерирани за да се избегне отслабването на корелационни връзки между вече съществуващите обекти. От друга страна хората се нуждаят само от няколко примера за да генерират семантичен модел, който определя връзките между различни типове обекти, било то представени в текстове, изображения, схеми или други. Въпреки че изследователското поле на разглеждане на човешкия интелект и когнитивност търпи постоянно обогатяване и развитие, повечето специалисти се съгласяват, че хората не научават просто корелационни зависимости, обвързаности или еднаквост между думите, а също и правилата които формализират връзките между обектите. В тази статия ще представи един възможен хибриден изчислителен модел, в който семантичните правила между обектите се извличат чрез графово представяне на данни и тези правила се използват за подобряване на семантичната интерпретация при обработка на естествен език, чрез унифициране на два метода за обучение върху граф и добиване на еднородност на интерпретацията по този начин.
Ключови думи: Изкуствен интелект, обработка на естествен език, хибридни модели, граф, графови невронни мрежи.
Резюме: В рамките на настоящата статия ще се представи проблемът за научния статус на психологията. За целите на анализа ще се разгледат идеите на Карл Попър и по-точно неговата критика към теорията за психоанализа на Фройд. Връзката между това, което се приема за научно обосновано знание и предлаганите теории в областта на психологията е от съществено значение в настоящия текст. За целите на работата ще се проследи темата свързана с научния статус на теориите в психологията и отнасянето им към въпроса за демаркация, съществен за идеите на К. Попър. Една от важните книги на К. Попър в това отношение е “Предположения и опровержения” (1963), а някои от идеите й ще се представят тук.
Ключови думи: психоанализа, проблем за демаркация, верификация, фалсификация, ненаучна теория, наблюдение, експеримент, тест, ad-hoc хипотези, D-N модел, кръговост.
Abstract: Foreign lobbyism is sufficiently traditional occurrence purposeful to achieve definite objects. All states during realization of its foreign-policy activity tru to create nondiplomatic centers of influence, which promote the carrying out of its policy, and at present this process is going on and become deeper. For the space of long time in the USA under the name “foreign lobbyism” in the first place implicated “support certain outside political interests”. There is indisputable fact, that after II World War, the role of the USA in world policy increased and this country changed in one of the leading world power center. In a number of foreign states this circumstances necessitated to lean to USA potential, including the aim of using its financial possibilities. In this direction was adopted the Foreign Agents Registrations Act. In the article, this Act is analyzing comprehensively.
In the article, this Act is estimating as legal basis for the currying out of foreign lobbyism in the USA. According this legal Act, for the purpose of lobbyist activities foreign state and hired by this state organizations must be registered in the Minister of Justice. The main aim of this legal Act was most likely the determination of responsibility of lobbyists, then control on lobbyist activities. In the article, also give considerable attention to the problems of researching of responsibility of lobbyists for its activities according legislation of USA.
Keywords: Foreign lobbyism, Foreign Agents Registrations Act, USA, legislation, foreign state , Minister of Justice
Резюме: Чуждестранният лобизъм е традиционно явление, насочено към постигане на определени цели. Всички държави по време на осъществяването на своята външнополитическа дейност се стремят да създават недипломатически центрове на влияние, които подпомагат провеждането на нейната политика, като в момента този процес продължава и се задълбочава. Дълго време в САЩ под наименованието „чуждестранен лобизъм” на първо място се подразбираше „подкрепа на определени външни политически интереси”. Безспорен е фактът, че след Втората световна война ролята на САЩ в световната политика нараства и тази страна се превръща в един от водещите световни центрове на сила. Подобни обстоятелства наложиха много други държави да търсят опора в потенциала на САЩ, включително с цел използване на нейните финансови възможности. В тази посока е приет Законът за регистрацията на чуждестранните агенти. В статията този закон се анализира изчерпателно.
Този закон се оценява като правна основа за прокарването на чужд лобизъм в САЩ. Съгласно този закон за целите на лобистката дейност чужда държава и наетите от нея организации трябва да бъдат регистрирани в Министерството на правосъдието. Основната цел на този закон най-вероятно е била определянето на отговорността на лобистите и наред с това контролът върху лобистката дейност. В статията също така се отделя значително внимание на проблемите на изследването на отговорността на лобистите за тяхната дейност съгласно законодателството на САЩ.
Ключови думи: Чуждестранен лобизъм, Закон за регистрацията на чуждестранни агенти, САЩ, законодателство, чужда държава, министър на правосъдието
Евразийският икономически съюз е проект за социално-икономическо партньорство на пет страни от бившия Съветски съюз, ръководени от Руската федерация. Неговата концепция до известна степен е вдъхновена от ценностите на съвременната световна интеграция с тенденции на разширяване към останалата част от Азия и Балканите. Това води до неотдавнашното включване на Виетнам и Република Сърбия. Ефектите от влизането на тези страни в Евразийския икономически съюз са очевидни, като се има предвид, че този пазар включва 183 милиона души с огромни ресурси. В допълнение към горното, статията анализира ролята на Турция като традиционна регионална сила в Южен Кавказ, Централна Азия и Югоизточна Европа. Изследва се нейната стратегия на действие, проявена най-вече по време на дългата война между Армения и Азербайджан в провинция Нагорни Карабах. Тази ситуация и отношенията с Руската федерация допълнително усложняват конфликтната ситуация в тази част на света.
Ключови думи: Европейски икономически съюз, икономика, война, сигурност, Турция, Армения, Азербайджан, Нагорни Карабах, Сърбия
The Eurasian Economic Union - EAEU is a project of socio - economic partnership of five countries of the former Soviet Union, led by the Russian Federation. This concept is to some extent inspired by the positive values of modern world integration, with the threads of enlargement to the environment, the rest of Asia and the Balkans. This has resulted in the recent inclusion of Vietnam and the Republic of Serbia. The effects of the entry of these countries into the EAEU are evident, given that this market includes 183 million people with huge resources. In addition to the above, the paper analyzes the role of Turkey as a traditional regional power in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and Southeast Europe. Its strategy of action was especially manifested during the long war between Armenia and friendly Azerbaijan in the province of Nagorno-Karabakh. This situation and relations with the Russian Federation further complicate the conflict situation in that part of the world.
Keywords: European Economic Union, economy, war, security, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno - Karabakh, Serbia
От особена важност при проектирането и анализирането на образователните стратегии е връзката със съществуващите педагогически практики (традиционни, развиващи се, религиозни, хуманитарни и др.). Световна тенденция е промяна на основната парадигма на образованието: криза в класическия модел и система на образование, развитие на нови педагогически идеи във философията и социологията на образованието; а за хуманитарните науки – създаване на експериментални и алтернативни училища. Ключът към взаимно разбирателство между различните подходи към образованието е широко обсъждане и отчитане на правото всичките му форми да бъдат проява на уникалната мисия на образованието.
Ключови думи: гражданско образование, обучение, педагогически практики
The relationship to existing pedagogical practices (traditional ones, developing ones, religious ones, humanitarian ones, etc.) is important in the design of educational strategies, as well as analyzing their effectiveness, the difficulties they face and the methods and means which they use. A global trend is changing the basic paradigm of education: crisis in the classical model and system of education, development of new pedagogical ideas in the philosophy and sociology of education; and for the humanities - creation of experimental and alternative schools. The key to their consolidation and mutual understanding is a broad discussion and awareness of the need the world to be thought outside the box, to take into consideration its right and reasons for all of its form to be a manifestation of the unique mission of education.
Keywords: mission of education, pedagogical ideas, paradigm of education
Abstract: Contemporary security challenges, risks and threats are characterized by increased dynamism and global coverage. The dominant tendency on the world stage is the global redistribution of geopolitical power. Because of this trend, there is destabilization (economic, political, military, etc.) of certain regions in the world and emergence of many crisis hotspots. This is clearly evidenced by the conflicts (wars, military interventions, coups) that have taken place in recent decades in various parts of the planet, with global consequences. One such consequence is the growing awareness of the existence of common and indivisible interests at the international level. Is it possible to anticipate the basic outlines of the new world order on the basis of current events that indicate a global redistribution of global power? To what extent will the world as we know it change? Is a new geopolitical cycle beginning? Is this the beginning of the creation of a multipolar world? In the paper, we are looking for possible answers to these questions.
Keywords: geopolitical power, globalism, redistribution, multipolar world, armed conflicts.
Contemporary security challenges, risks and threats are characterized by increased dynamism and global coverage. The dominant tendency on the world stage is the global redistribution of geopolitical power. Because of this trend, there is destabilization (economic, political, military, etc.) of certain regions in the world and emergence of many crisis hotspots. This is clearly evidenced by the conflicts (wars, military interventions, coups) that have taken place in recent decades in various parts of the planet, with global consequences. One such consequence is the growing awareness of the existence of common and indivisible interests at the international level. Is it possible to anticipate the basic outlines of the new world order on the basis of current events that indicate a global redistribution of global power? To what extent will the world as we know it change? Is a new geopolitical cycle beginning? Is this the beginning of the creation of a multipolar world? In the paper, we are looking for possible answers to these questions.
Keywords: geopolitical power, globalism, redistribution, multipolar world, armed conflicts.
The perception of politics as a choice foregrounds the importance of information flows from political parties and leaders to interested public groups about policies and decision-making. Therefore, communication is a building block of the relationship between the governed and the rulers. In this context thе article outlines challenges to effective communication between politicians and citizens. The basis for the authors' analysis is the impact of digital technologies on communication. The subject of research is the use of social networks as a tool for dialogic communication on a significant public issue.
Keywords: political communication, social media, social networks, online communication, challenges, dialogue
Възприемането на политиката като избор поставя на преден план значението, което имат информационните потоци от политическите партии и лидери към заинтересованите обществени групи относно политики и взимането на решения. Следователно комуникацията е градивна частица на взаимоотношенията между управлявани и управляващи. В този контекст настоящата статия очертава предизвикателства пред ефективната комуникация между политици и граждани. Основа за анализа на авторите е и въздействието на дигиталните технологии върху общуването. Предмет на изследване е използването на социалните медии и мрежи като инструмент за диалогична комуникация по значим обществен въпрос.
Ключови думи: политическа комуникация, социални медии, социални мрежи, онлайн комуникация, предизвикателства, диалог
This paper tackles the role of social-media in performing biopolitical incursions into the so-called “immunization” process that harmed communities and collateral victims of the Russian-Ukrainian war deal with, in overcoming abusive actions policies applied by aggressors. My argument is that within the era of post-truth, social-media transgresses a biopolitical turn through which affected communities and their supportive actors create a new social contract based on preventing violence, combating fake-news, and increasing real interest for truth beyond political narratives and mediatic appetite for drama. The first part of the article deals with the Nietzschean roots of self-fashioning and self-constitution practices that are easily commutable into the virtual environments provided by social-media that concentrates on content that excessively aestheticizes life. The second part of the article highlights Nietzsche’s philosophy as proto-biopolitics that has at its heart the intention to explore life between masters and slaves, between aggressors and victims, between dominant social actors and excluded communities. Engaging Foucault’s, Agamben’s and Esposito’s biopolitical arguments, I will explain to what extent the traumatic experience of war reframes a digital social-contract that, by means of networking and virtual self-fashioning, reconsider the value of life, the experience of premeditated death, the responsibility behind guilt and the need for an authentic and uncompromised memory, by placing at their core the interference, uses and abuses of social-media.
The paper considers the broader social context of the wars in the territories of the former states of SFRY and the USSR. The war in the former Yugoslavia resulted in enormous human casualties, material destruction and refugees. The essential reasons consist in major centuries-long confrontations between countries on ethnic and religious grounds. Objective indicators indicate that there are permanent contradictions in interstate relations, as well as risks of conflict recurrence. It is obvious that there is a correlation between the post-Yugoslav war and the wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the current one in Ukraine. The conflicts are a consequence of the aspirations for the formation of national-states, the triumphalist policy of the great powers and the efforts of the United States and its allies to control the territories of the former socialist republics. The fact is that the institutions of the international community are not able to resolve numerous contemporary conflicts in the world, so their radical reorganization is necessary.
The article analyzes the real development of homosexuality and the attitude towards it in Bulgaria in the period called “socialism” and in the period after November 10, 1989. The main reasons for changes in policy towards homosexuality are analyzed, as well as the main indicators of these changes. A number of ideological and manipulative statements claiming to be scientific are taken into account.
This paper tackles the role of social-media in performing biopolitical incursions into the so-called “immunization” process that harmed communities and collateral victims of the Russian-Ukrainian war deal with, in overcoming abusive actions policies applied by aggressors. My argument is that within the era of post-truth, social-media transgresses a biopolitical turn through which affected communities and their supportive actors create a new social contract based on preventing violence, combating fake-news, and increasing real interest for truth beyond political narratives and mediatic appetite for drama. The first part of the article deals with the Nietzschean roots of self-fashioning and self-constitution practices that are easily commutable into the virtual environments provided by social-media that concentrates on content that excessively aestheticizes life. The second part of the article highlights Nietzsche’s philosophy as proto-biopolitics that has at its heart the intention to explore life between masters and slaves, between aggressors and victims, between dominant social actors and excluded communities. Engaging Foucault’s, Agamben’s and Esposito’s biopolitical arguments, I will explain to what extent the traumatic experience of war reframes a digital social-contract that, by means of networking and virtual self-fashioning, reconsider the value of life, the experience of premeditated death, the responsibility behind guilt and the need for an authentic and uncompromised memory, by placing at their core the interference, uses and abuses of social-media.
The paper considers the broader social context of the wars in the territories of the former states of SFRY and the USSR. The war in the former Yugoslavia resulted in enormous human casualties, material destruction and refugees. The essential reasons consist in major centuries-long confrontations between countries on ethnic and religious grounds. Objective indicators indicate that there are permanent contradictions in interstate relations, as well as risks of conflict recurrence. It is obvious that there is a correlation between the post-Yugoslav war and the wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the current one in Ukraine. The conflicts are a consequence of the aspirations for the formation of national-states, the triumphalist policy of the great powers and the efforts of the United States and its allies to control the territories of the former socialist republics. The fact is that the institutions of the international community are not able to resolve numerous contemporary conflicts in the world, so their radical reorganization is necessary.
В статията се прави анализ на реалното развитие на хомосексуализма и отношението към него в България в периода, наречен „социализъм“, и в периода след 10 ноември 1989 г. Анализират се основните причини за промени в политиката спрямо хомосексуализма, както и основните показатели за тези промени. Взема се отношение по редица идеологизирани и манипулативни твърдения, претендиращи за научност.
The principal notions and values of the Petar Mutafchiev’s philosophy of Bulgarian history are described and commented: Bulgarian, native, nation, people, paganism, cultural-political influence of byzantinism, past and future, political leaders, intelligence, etc. A special attention is paid to P. Mutafchiev’s interpretation of the role of those phenomena in the processes, trends and dramatic events in the Bulgarian history: to his ctiticism to the leaders and the intelligence; to his interpretation of people as a victim and sufferer. The evaluation of his ideas from the point of view of past and contemporary authors is emphasized.
Key words: Bulgarian, native, nation, people, cultural-political influence of byzntinism, political leaders.
В статията се представят и коментират основните понятия и ценности във философията на българската история на Петър Мутафчиев: българско, родно, нация, народ, езичество, културно-политическо влияние на византинизма, минало и бъдеще, политически водачи, интелигенция и др. Специално внимание е обърнато на интерпретацията на П. Мутафчиев на ролята на тези феномени в процесите и драматичните събития в българската история: критиката му към водачите и интелигенцията; интерпретацията на народа като жертва и страдалец. Представени са оценки на негови и наши съвременници за философските му идеи за българската история.
Ключови думи: българско, родно, нация, народ, културно-политическо влияние на византинизма, политически водачи.
Постмодерността изправя пред задължително осмисляне на традиционните възгледи. Основополагащи са онези, касаещи новия етически прочит на категориалното в етиката. Без преосмисляне на идеите за свобода и справедливост, днешното общество не би могло да преодолее предизвикателствата, свързани с масовостта, колективната конюнктурност и грешно разбираната солидарност. Именно критичността и реабилитирането на идеалите би подпомогнало премахването на заблужденията, превърнали се в образец за съвременния човек.
Преплитайки класически и съвременен прочит на изначалните дълг, свобода и справедливост, изложението не целù да анализира тяхната същност, а да посочи причините за съществуващото противопоставяне между свобода и етическо, най-ярко проявени в политическата роля на субекта и държавата като артефакт.
Ключови думи: плуралистичен прагматизъм, утилитаризъм, свобода, справедливост, дълг, обществено полезно, индивидуално, етическо
Postmodernism forces us to reconsider our traditional views. Fundamental are the ones concerning the new ethical reading of what is categorical in ethics. Without rethinking the ideas of freedom and justice, today’s society will not be able to overcome the challenges of mass involvement, collective opportunism and misunderstood solidarity. It is precisely the criticism and rehabilitation of ideals that would help eliminate the delusions that have become the model of modern man.
By intertwining the classical and modern readings of what is originally meant by duty, freedom and justice, the exhibition does not aim to analyse their nature, but only identify the reasons for the existing opposition between freedom and ethics, most clearly manifested in the political role of the subject and the state as an artefact.
Keywords: pluralistic pragmatism, utilitarianism, freedom, justice, duty, public benefit, individual, ethical
Основният проблем на тази статия е как основните концепции за разнообразие и стандартизация могат да бъдат приложени към въпросите, свързани с новите религиозни движения. Този социален феномен обикновено се появява на микронивото на обществото, но в конкретните си прояви може да повлияе на начина, по който основни проблеми като толерантност, глобализация, национализъм и права на човека могат да повлияят на други сфери на социалния живот. Твърдението на статията е, че новите религиозни движения (НРД) носят разнообразие и често се възприемат като предизвикателство пред стандартизацията. Следователно един от проблемите по отношение на НРД, с които широкото общество често се сблъсква, е липсата на предсказуемост, която Elchardus (2010-a, 11) свързва със стандартизацията.
Ключиови думи: разнообразие, стандартизация, нови религиозни движения
The major problem of this paper is how the basic concepts of diversity and standardization can be applied to the issues of new religious movements. This social phenomenon usually appears on the micro level of society but in its concrete appearances it can affect the way major problems like tolerance, globalization, nationalism, and human rights can influence other spheres of social life.
I argue that new religious movements (NRMs) bring diversity and are often perceived as a challenge to standardization. Hence one of the problems which the greater society often faces with NRMs is the lack of predictability, which Elchardus (2010-a, 11) associates with standardization.
Key words: diversity, standardization, religious movements,
In the curriculum for Civic Education as a part of the lifelong learning process is included the development of soft skills. Conversational skills as a part of the soft skillset are taught in relation to problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. One of the arguments that are defended in this article is that teaching conversational skills with the intent to avoid a conflict or solve a problem would obstruct open communication because it creates a bias toward the goal of the conversation. Instead, a more productive way to enter a conversation would be an open-minded approach with respect toward different opinions and with the possibility to learn something new. The second argument is that everyday language creativity as a property of all language use can be applied to Grice’s notion for conversational implicature as a way of expressing a positive message, that ensures better understanding while respecting the listener and the social etiquette.
Keywords: implicatures, civic education, communication skills, constructive dialogue.
В учебната програма по гражданско образование като част от процеса на учене през целия живот е включено развитието на т.нар. меки умения. Комуникационните умения, като част от меките умения, се преподават във връзка с умения за решаване на проблеми и разрешаване на конфликти. Един от аргументите, които се защитават в тази статия, е, че преподаването на умения за ефективна комуникация с намерението да се избегне конфликт или да се реши проблем би попречило на откритата комуникация, защото създава пристрастие към целта на разговора. Вместо това, по-продуктивен начин за влизане в разговор би бил отворен подход по отношение на различните мнения и с възможност да се научи нещо ново. Вторият аргумент е, че креативност в ежедневния диалог, разглеждана като свойство на всички езикови употреби, може да се приложи към идеята на Грайс за импликатура на разговора като начин за изразяване на положително послание, което гарантира по-добро разбиране, като същевременно се зачита слушателят и социалният етикет.
Ключови думи: импликатура, гражданско образования, комуникационни умения, конструктивен диалог
В произведението си "Теория на справедливостта" Джон Ролс прецизира по брилянтен начин представите ни за социалната справедливост, като комбинира парадигмите за свободата (на индивида) и равенството (на индивидите) в обществото за целите на своята концепция. Ключово място в този сценарий заемат двата принципа на справедливостта (в контекста на безусловността на личната свобода и условността на социално-икономическото неравенство): мисловни продукти на участниците в хипотетично обоснована изходна позиция с нестандартен инструментариум – (накратко) т.нар. було на незнанието. Всичко това – като справедлив, ergo честен процес – гарантира априори (sensu Ролс) конституирането основите(базисните институции) на едно съвременно (пазарноориентирано, демократично и т.н.) и справедливо общество. В последващото кратко изложение се акцентира именно върху по-важните елементи от философията на Дж. Ролс и книгата му за справедливостта на съвместната ни екзистенция.
Ключови думи: теория на справедливостта, справедливост, справедливостта като равнопоставеност, социална справедливост, изходна позиция, було на незнанието, процедурна справедливост, правило максимин
In his work "A Theory of Justice", John Rawls specifies in a brilliant way our ideas (notions) of social justice by combining the paradigms of liberty/ freedom (of the individual) and equality (of individuals) in society for the purposes of his conception. A key position in this scenario is occupied by the two principles of justice (in the context of the unconditionality of personal liberty and the conditionality of socio-economic inequality): mental products of the participants in a hypothetically grounded original position with non-standard tools - (in sum) the so-called veil of ignorance. All this - as a just, ergo fair process – guarantees a priori (sensu Rawls) the constitution of the foundations (background institutions) of a modern (market-oriented, democratic etc.) and just society. In the following short statement is emphasized exactly on the more important elements of the philosophy of J.Rawls and his book for justice of our common existence.
Keywords: a theory of justice, justice, justice as fairness, social justice, original position, veil of ignorance, procedural justice, maximin rule, egalitarian liberalism, principles of justice
Space, as it is currently conceived, offers some clues which help the elucidation of connections and distinctions between knowledge and perception. Plato‘s philosophy and Magritte‘s painting are used in developing a contrasted parallel. The oppositions visible - conceivable, spatial - non-spatial are analyzed and through them the differences between ancient and modern interpretation of images are presented.
Key words: art, Plato, space, Magritte
Разбирането за пространство служи при изясняване на връзката между сетивни образи и абстрактно знание. В контраст са поставени философстването на Платон и творчеството на Рене Магрит.
Ключови думи: изкуство, Платон, пространство, Магрит
Целта на настоящето изследване е да предложи сравнителен анализ на мистичните пътеки в хиндуизма (адвайта веданта и бхакти) и тези в исляма (суфизма) от гледна точка на тяхната цел – единението с Божественото, носещо непроменливо блаженство и религиозен екстаз (ananda).
Целта на настоящето изследване е да предложи сравнителен анализ на мистичните пътеки в хиндуизма (адвайта веданта и бхакти) и тези в исляма (суфизма) от гледна точка на тяхната цел – единението с Божественото, носещо непроменливо блаженство и религиозен екстаз (ananda). Описана е същността на мистицизма като течение, познато във всички световни религии в опита на човек да търси непосредствен, личен съюз (unio mistica)с Бог – Единната Реалност. Разгледани са основните доктрини в мистицизма на Упанишадите и двата вида мистицизъм на персоналността и безкрайността. Сравняват се понятията Фана', анихилация и бака, интеграция в суфизма с концепцията в адвайта „не това, не онова“ –деиндентификация от „ограничаващите допълнения“ (kosa). Съпоставят се сотерологичните доктрини и концепциите за релацията на микро- и макрокосмос, различаването на илюзорното от истинното. За целите на изследването са разгледани и сравнени откъси от Бхагавадгита, Упанишадите (Чхандогия, Брихадараняка, Мандукя, Тайттирия, Каушитаки, Катха) и някои коментари на Ади Шанкарачаря, Джалаладдин Руми, Джубран Халил Джубран, Абу Хамид ал-Газали, Кабир, Ибн Араби и Баязид Бисами. Наблюдението показва заслужаващи внимание прилики, както и някои разлики в мистичните традиции на хиндуизма и исляма, било то като път на знанието или на любовта, като доказателство за единния стремеж на човека към постоянно, непроменливо щастие и блаженство (ananda).
Ключови думи: мистицизъм, екстаз, хиндуизъм, суфизъм, бхакти, адвайта веданта, анихилация (фанa’), самадхи, анандa
Тази статия е насочена към пасаж от De Providentia (Prov. II 40-41), който се явява изключително важен за изследователите на творчеството на Филон Александрийски. В него Филон, в духа на вековната традиция в античната мисъл, експлицитно дава своята обосновка от необходимостта от алегорическа интерпретация на митовете на Омир и Хезиод. В допълнение той уподобява тази интерпретация на посвещението в мистерии. Не само тук, но и на много други места в неговите алегорически трактати, Филон използва специфичния език на мистериите, за да внуши най-малкото определен дух на избранност и тайнственост при прилагането на алегорическата интерпретация не само към езическите митове, но и към Свещеното Писание.
Ключови думи: Филон Александрийски, алегорическа интерпретация, език на мистериите
Системната теория на Никлас Луман усвоява някои от основополагащите си понятия и положения от схващането на чилийските биолози Умберто Матурана и Франсиско Варела, като пренасочва приложението им от сферата на живата природа към тази на социалното. Резултатът е радикална промяна в мисленето на социалните отношения, разколебаване на не само традиционно-философски, но и до голяма степен общочовешки представи. Обществото например вече не е съвкупност от взаимодействащи помежду си индивидуалности, “посегнато” е и на самото понятие за човек в традиционния му смисъл на функционално единство. Такива размествания в мисленето за човека от затворена и автономна цялост към конгломерат от системи се вписва добре в доста разпространеното в съвременната философия усилие по разтварянето на понятието “субект” по посока на по-разслоено и динамично схващане. В този смисъл системната теория създава много благоприятен климат за отглеждане и процъфтяване на различни форми на постхуманизъм, търсещи да избягат от антропоцентризма като скрита предпоставка. На този фон текстът ще се опита да си представи в каква насока би могло да се развие разбирането за отношението между човека и животните, ако го обогатим с трансформиращата роля на системната теория. Изследователският фокус ще бъде насочен към това да се види възможно ли е да се говори за отношението между човека и другите животни в една неантропоцентрична парадигма, в която категоричното отграничаване между човек и животно не е въпрос от първостепенно значение и където поне теоретично се оставя място за не непременно йерархизиращ поглед върху различните представители на живата природа.
Ключови думи: системна теория, автопойезис, животно, човек, отношение човек – животни, антропоцентризъм, постхуманизъм, Никлас Луман, Умберто Матурана, Франсиско Варела, Якоб фон Юкскюл.
Niklas Luhmann’s systems theory loans some of its fundamental concepts and positions from Chilean biologists Umberto Maturana and Francisco Varela, adapting their application from the realm of life and living things to the social sphere. What results is a radical change in the thinking of social relations that shakes not only traditional philosophical notions but some universal ones as well. Society, for example, is no longer a collection of interacting individuals; threatened is the very notion of man – in its traditional sense of functional unity. Such shifts in viewpoint that move away from thinking about the human being as a closed and autonomous entity towards understanding him/her more as a conglomeration of systems fit in well with the general effort of contemporary philosophy to loosen the concept of “subject”. Systems theory, in this sense, creates a very favorable climate for cultivating various forms of posthumanism, seeking to escape from the hidden premise of anthropocentrism. Against this background, the paper will try to imagine the direction the understanding of the relationship between humans and animals could go, if enriched with the transforming role of systems theory. The focus will be put on whether it is possible to talk about the relationship between humans and other animals in a non-anthropocentric way, where a clear distinction between man and animal is not a matter of paramount importance and where there is room – at least in theory – for a non-hierarchical view on the various representatives of living nature.
Keywords: systems theory, autopoiesis, animal, man, human–animal relationship, anthropocentrism, posthumanism, Niklas Luhmann, Humberto Maturana, Francisco, Varela, Jacob von Uexküll.
Alternative history, also known as alternate history, has a bi-dimensional shape: on the one hand, it fits into the literary-fiction genre, and on the other hand, it has entered the field of historical narrative in the form of various scenarios or literary-historical aspirations and fantasies, which enable the turn of a formal historical narration into a counterfactual narrative of the past. The story of historical trauma during/at the historical turning points has opened the way to the creation of “possible worlds”, so that, in this way, in spite of imaginary situations of the past story, it corresponds to the discursive mental demands at different times and different places. The idea that there exists a factitious time in the historical narrative emerged thanks to reflections, including the multiplicity of the concepts of time in the context of history. In the realm of historiography, G. Collingwood has presented the instability of the historian’s mind between the concept of the present and the past amidst the variability of historical texts, which in turn has produced an unstable narrative of historical evidence in the form of “constructing history” and “total explanation”. In the style of L. Wittgenstein’s narration, in the plan of not producing a “final explanation”, his most important presentation in this field has been the “possibility of phenomena”: where philosophizing is not possible as such, there is no need to pay for theory: a path that can only be viewed as a “landscape”. This article endeavors to make a comparative analysis of Collingwood’s and Wittgenstein’s points of view on evaluating the role of multiplicity and temporal diversity in the text-narrative of historical fiction.
Keywords: Collingwood, Wittgenstein, possible world, alternative history, time
(Алтернативната история и феномените на възможността: Концепциите на Колингуд и Витгенщайн за “времето”. Сравнително изследване) Алтернативната история е двуизмерна: от една страна, тя се вписва в литературно-фантастичния жанр, а от друга, навлиза в полето на историческия разказ под формата на различни сценарии или литературно-исторически фантазии, които позволяват превръщането на формалноисторическото повествование в контрафактуален разказ за миналото. Историческата травма в повратни моменти от историята отваря пътя към създаването на “възможни светове” и по този начин, въпреки въвеждането на въображаеми ситуации, алтернативната история отговаря на дискурсивните ментални изисквания в различни времена и на различни места. Идеята, че съществува фиктивно време в историческия наратив, се появява благодарение на рефлексията, включително множеството понятия за време в контекста на историята. В статията се провежда сравнителен анализ на гледните точки на Колингуд и Витгенщайн относно оценката на ролята на множествеността и разнообразието на времената в наратива на историческата фикция.
Ключови думи: Колингуд, Витгенщайн, възможен свят, алтернативна история, време.
The article presents and analyses some of the mythological images, archetypes and symbols that can be found in the movie"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", one of the iconic, provocative and debatable films of the original contemporary director Terry Gilliam.
Key words: "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", Terry Gilliam, imagination, archetypes
В статията се представят и анализират някои от митологичните образи и сюжети, архетипи и символи, които могат да се открият във филма „Сделката на Доктор Парнасъс”, един от емблематичните, провокативни и нееднозначни филми на оригиналния съвременен режисьор Тери Гилиъм.
Ключови думи: „Сделката на Доктор Парнасъс”, Тери Гилиъм, въображение, архетипи
The article comments on various attempts at a humorous presentation of the history of Bulgaria and the Bulgarians. Several such versions have been analyzed – they date from the interwar period (their authors are Hristo Brazitzov, Georgi Tsarkovski and Rayko Alexiev), from the second half of the eighties (Nikolay Genchev) and from the last period, the nineties (Georgi Konstantinov, Ivan Kulekov). All of them are presented as stories parallel to the official historical discourse, the purpose of which is to parody the present in which they are written, as well as to entertain. In all of them a number of features of Bulgarian folk psychology are ridiculed. Particular attention is paid to the work of Nikolai Genchev "Short-Funny History of Bulgaria", as the author is the only professional historian among the others. It is concluded that creating a humorous version of the story of the past - scientific, artistic, mythological, etc., is always a creative challenge. To varying degrees, the narratives discussed in the article are a necessary corrective to the "serious" historical interpretation.
A global problem is the increasing birth rate of children with cognitive impairments. The psychological characteristics of such children, their isolation and confinement in orphanages abandoned by their parents raise many questions for the public. What are the psychological characteristics of such children, is it possible for them, like others, to be involved in the creative process? In this regard, the psychology of creativity will be a defining methodological direction in this study. The fact is that creativity as universal human ability is inherent in children with profound cognitive disabilities. Their involvement in music brings them new impressions in the sensually poor environment of the orphanage where they are raised and educated. In the musical activity of the child with cognitive disabilities in development, who sometimes has very poor command of the speech apparatus, creativity is expressed in the performance of music with the help of children's musical noise instruments. Accompaniment of musical works, movements in musical performances, accompaniment to musical pieces, participation in music lessons after the concert – all these forms of active involvement of children with cognitive disabilities in music are promising and perspective in the creative development of such children. The musical activity brings these children joy, positive emotions and positive mood in their life in the orphanage.
Key words: psychology of creativity, children with cognitive disabilities, orphanages
Статията коментира различни опити за хумористично представяне на историята на България и българите. Анализирани са няколко такива версии – те датират от междувоенния период (техни автори са Христо Бръзицов, Георги Църковски и Райко Алексиев), от втората половина на осемдесетте години (Николай Генчев) и от последния период, деветдесетте години (Георги Константинов, Иван Кулеков). Всички те са представени като паралелни на официалния исторически дискурс разкази, чиято цел е да пародират настоящето, в което са писани, както и да забавляват. Във всички тях са осмивани редица черти от българската народопсихология. Особено внимание е обърнато на съчинението на Николай Генчев „Краткосмешна история на България“, доколкото авторът е единственият професионален историк сред останалите. Направен е изводът, че създаването на хумористична версия на разказа за миналото – научен, художествен, митологичен и пр., винаги е творческо предизвикателство. В различна степен историите, за които става дума в статията, са необходим коректив на „сериозния“ исторически прочит.
Глобален проблем е увеличаването на раждаемостта на деца с когнитивни увреждания. Психологическите характеристики на такива деца, тяхната изолация и затвореност в домове за сираци, изоставени от родителите, повдигат много въпроси пред обществеността. Какви са психологическите особености на такива деца, възможно ли е те като другите, да бъдат включени в процеса на творчество? В тази връзка психологията на творчеството ще бъде определяща методологична насока в това изследване. Факт е, че творчеството като универсална човешка способност е присъщо и на деца с дълбоки когнитивни увреждания в развитието. Тяхното включване в музикалното творчество им носи нови впечатления в сензорно бедната среда на сиропиталището, в което се отглеждат и възпитават. В музикалната дейност на детето с когнитивни увреждания в развитието, което понякога много слабо владее речевия апарат, творчеството се изразява в изпълнението на музика с помощта на детски музикални шумови инструменти. Съпроводът на музикални произведения, движенията при музикални изпълнения, акомпанирането към музикални пиеси, участието в уроци по музика след концерта – всички тези форми на активно включване на деца с когнитивни увреждания в музиката са обещаващи и перспективни в творческото развитие на такива деца. Музикалната дейност носи на тези деца радост, положителни емоции и позитивно настроение в живота им в сиропиталището.
Ключови думи: психология на творчеството, деца с когнитивни увреждания, сиропиталища
The text considers the concept of lifestyle as a technique for constructing identity, which reflects both the patterns of behavior and ways of telling the Self, as well as the power mechanisms in contemporary society. The article briefly presents the definitions of lifestyle, and then focuses on its specific characteristics in the digital age.In conclusion, the text argues that if in early studies of lifestyle the concept refers to the visible characteristics of a particular group or class affiliation, today the lifestyle is an individual project of the Self, which must make it visible, thus inscribing it in the norms of " the society of transparency ". However, the requirement for transparency creates a compulsion of conformity. Working on the project for the Self resembles arranging pieces of a puzzle, which should lead to a good" looking ", ideal result. The constant imperative for something new is combined with the requirement of the digital age for continuous improvement, improvement not only of skills in the workplace and ways to spend free time, but also of one's own body. However, the constant strengthening of the mental and physical self gives birth to a meta-model of lifestyle, which is in constant competition with itself. The endless creative act in which the Self is the creator of the body, of life, of its social contacts, values, beliefs, is atrophied by the requirement that identity be assembled from already known pieces - because only then will it be recognized and approved in transparency.
Keywords: lifestyle, digital age, identity, Web 2.0
В текста понятието лайфстайл се разглежда като техника за изграждане на идентичност, в която се отразяват както моделите на поведение и начините за разказване на Аза, така и властовите механизми в съвременното общество. Статията проследява накратко дефинициите за лайфстайл, след което се фокусира върху специфичните му характеристики в дигиталната епоха.
Ключови думи: лайфстайл, идентичност, контрол, дигитална епоха
Статията разглежда някои скептически проблеми в условията за обоснованост на самопознанието, които произлизат от частичното припокриване между субекта и обекта на познание. След преглед на видовете вярвания са анализирани тезата за привилегирования достъп до ментални състояния от гледна точка на единството на субекта и въпроса за идентификацията на субекта във вярванията, базирани върху външни свидетелства.
Ключови думи: самопознание, привилегирован достъп, самосъзнание, само-идентификация
Abstract: The article examines some sceptical issues in the conditions of justification of self-knowledge, which accrue from the partial overlap between the subject and the object of cognition. After a review of types of beliefs, the thesis of privileged access to mental states is analysed with regard to the unity of the subject and the question of the identification of the subject in the beliefs based on external evidence.
Key words: self-knowledge, privileged access, self-consciousness, self-identification
Какво всьщност е мрежата, какво представлява тя в областта на изкуствата и културния сектор? Бидейки едно от най-значимите явления в съвременната технологична култура, мрежата по различен начин е предмет на интерес от страна различни автори. (Mangset 1997, Madden 2009, Bagdadli 2003, Yogev, Grund 2012). А хората на изкуството сами често коментират участието си в артистични мрежи, особеностите от техните участия и техните изказвания хвърлят донякъде светлина върху това, какво представлява този вид сътрудничество и взаимодействие и как се работи в международна среда.
This article explores the motives of the Mahdist beliefs in the early tribal religions. Man instinctively awaits a savior in times of political and economic difficulties caused by natural disasters, cataclysms and wars, and this fact is one of the most pressing problems for religions. Mahdist beliefs as well as the belief in salvation are common to many religions. It should be noted that while faith in the Mahdi is superficial in some religions and ideological movements; it is very strong in others. In some religions, it has become one of the basic principles and a source of energy for the believers. Of course, the different religions’s approaches to the savior can vary and there are common features and differences between them. The article presents authoritative views on the Mahdist beliefs in the early tribal religions, citing authoritative sources, as well as a comparative analysis of the belief in salvation in other religions. In addition, the article touches on issues regarding the origin of the Mahdist beliefs in the early tribal religions and refers to some theories related to this topic.
Keywords: salvation, Mahdi, belief, psychology, politics, religious currents
В статье рассматриваются мотивы махдистских верований в ранних племенных религиях и проблемы, связанные с причинами возникновения этой веры. Ранние племенные религии были у небольших групп людей, которые существовали до недавнего времени, жили простой жизнью и занимались такими профессиями, как охота и рыболовство. Подобные религии в настоящее время встречаются в таких материках как Африка, Австралия и Америка. Одним из наиболее актуальных вопросов для них является тот факт, что человек инстинктивно ждал спасителя во время политических и экономических трудностей, вызванных стихийными бедствиями, катаклизмами и войнами. Махдистские верования являются одним из общих свойств религий, и такие убеждения, как вера в спасителя, можно обнаружить у большинства религий. Следует отметить, что, хотя махдистское верование является поверхностной в одних религиях и идеологических течениях, тем не менее оно очень сильно в других. Махдистское верование стало одним из основных принципов некоторых религий и утвердилось в качестве источника, где они черпают энергию. В статье со ссылкой на достоверные источники представлены взгляды, связанные с махдистскими верованиями, которые наблюдаются в ранних племенных религиях в контексте сравнительного критического анализа веры в спасителя в других религиях. Кроме того, в статье затрагиваются вопросы, связанные с происхождением махдистских верований в ранних племенных религиях и рассматриваются теории, выдвинутые на эту тему.
Ключевые слова: спасение, Махди, вера, психология, политика, религиозные течении
Abstract: This article offers a review of the leading approaches in leadership development today (Nissan, 2000), (Rosenstein, Chen, and Pressburg, 1999), (Saar, 1999). As well as a proposed leadership development program based on the comprehensive research project the author conducted in the paper "The Demographic Information of Selected Israeli Leaders and its Role in Their Election and Development of Future Leadership" (Shenhav, 2020) and proposed a tri-dimensional model for the development of personal, political and policy leadership.
Key words: leadership, leadership development, theories in leadership, Approaches in Leadership Development
Статията прави преглед на водещите подходи в развитието на лидерството днес (Nissan, 2000), (Rosenstein, Chen и Pressburg, 1999), (Saar, 1999). Наред с това, тя предлага програма за развитие на лидерството, базирана върху изследователски проект, изследващ демографската информация на избрани израелски лидери и нейната роля при избора и развитието на бъдещо лидерство. Текстът завършва с хипотезата за необходимостта от въвеждане на триизмерен модел за развитие на лидерството.
Ключови думи: лидерство, развитие на лидерство, теории в лидерството, подходи в развитието на лидерството
The article discusses the methodological problems of the interaction of cultures and their influence on understanding modern national culture formation. Moreover, this approach does not deny cultures' uniqueness and originality; it helps to understand their analysis and development philosophy. The concrete experience of Azerbaijan and some other countries is an example that leads to the comprehension of some generalizations in the formation of modern cultures.
In the context of globalization, everything related to the interaction of cultures, in our opinion, has become one of the most pressing problems. Its relevance does not negate the fact that after the famous work of S. Huntington, the clash of cultures and civilizations has also become the focus of debate and discussion among scientists. There are many clashes and wars in the world, the end and edge of which are not visible. However, there is a desire to cooperate, develop interaction, and strive for integration. One such project is the New Silk Road. But much in its implementation, in our opinion, depends on how culture will be understood. If previously believed that interests lead to wars, now everything is not unambiguous with a culture that, as a soft or even "sharp" force, also leads to misunderstanding, exacerbating conflicts. In our opinion, the point is not in culture, but in its interpretation and peculiar use in cultural practice, education, and upbringing.
Much today in the world depends on the international order, which is based on dominance. Moreover, dominance includes culture. It has become clear to many that such an order is exhausting itself. In essence, the Soviet order was built on the same principles. The project "One belt, one way" is an alternative or may become an alternative to it. But it must be practical and at the same time open and inclusive project. Of course, much depends on China in implementing this project, but its implementation will depend on the countries involved in it. Openness and dialogue depend on many factors. This project should not end with an empire such as the USA or the USSR; it should be capable of reform, etc. But for it to become such, a new concept of the interaction of cultures must be proposed, if you want, then the philosophy of the cultural interaction of the countries of "One Belt, One Way". It is based on the fact that cultural foundations along this path are not offered by one country; it is created based on interaction principles (philosophy). First, historical and cultural epistemology cannot be limited to recognizing the dignity of the history of culture, and only one state's history. Secondly, history and culture are archives and the past and modern communication and even a shared future. Third, an understanding of history and culture recreates a sense of actual reality. Fourth, cultural studies' object and subject as an unfinished past involves the addition of documents and can potentially create a new understanding. Fifth, a constant reconstruction of the philosophy of interaction between different cultures on the Silk Road is needed. Sixth, the documents of the New Silk Road should be jointly analyzed. Seventh, we must proceed from the fact that the development and understanding of cultures are associated with their dialogue and interaction.
Key words: cultural interaction, national culture, cultural diversity, national and plural identity
Статията разглежда методологическите проблеми на взаимодействието на културите и тяхното влияние върху разбирането за формирането на съвременната национална култура. Този подход не отрича уникалността и оригиналността на културите, а помага да се разбере логиката на тяхното развитие. Конкретният опит на Азербайджан и някои други страни е пример, който води до извеждането на общи изводи за формирането на съвременните култури. В контекста на глобализацията, взаимодействието на културите се превръща в особено актуален въпрос, като тук трябва да се добави, че и известната работа на С. Хънтингтън поставя темата за сблъсъка на културите/цивилизациите във фокуса на научните дискусии. В света безспорно има много сблъсъци и войни, наред с тях които е налично и желанието за сътрудничество, взаимодействие и стремеж към интеграция. Един такъв проект е „новият път на коприната“, чието успешно осъществяване зависи от това как ще се разбира културата. Изчерпването на международния ред, основан на господството, налага търсенето на алтернативи. Именно такава алтернатива представлява проектът „един колан, един път“. Той трябва да бъде ефективен и в същото време отворен и приобщаващ проект, твърде различен от създаването на империи като САЩ или СССР. За да стане такъв, трябва да се предложи нова концепция за взаимодействието на културите. Настоящата статия формулира няколко основни принципа на това взаимодействие.
Ключови думи: взаимодействие на културите, национална култура, сблъсък на цивилизациите, „един пояс, един път“
The article aims to present in an accessible, modern, and fascinating way the classical evidence for the existence of God. Before this, briefly and in a schematic way, the meaning of the essence of God is stated, or, more formally, what is meant by the term “God“. The first and main part proceeds with an exposition of the ontological proof of God given by Anselm of Canterbury in its two versions. Then Kant's critique together with Russell's analysis of modern logic are presented. In the second part the cosmological evidence of God in the form in which Thomas of Aquinas constructed it is presented together with Kant’s and Hume's position on the issue.
Keywords: God, evidence of God’ existence, Russell, Kant, Hume
The article aims to present in an accessible, modern, and fascinating way the classical evidence for the existence of God. Before this, briefly and in a schematic way, the meaning of the essence of God is stated, or, more formally, what is meant by the term “God“. The first and main part proceeds with an exposition of the ontological proof of God given by Anselm of Canterbury in its two versions. Then Kant's critique together with Russell's analysis of modern logic are presented. In the second part the cosmological evidence of God in the form in which Thomas of Aquinas constructed it is presented together with Kant’s and Hume's position on the issue.
Keywords: God, evidence of God’ existence, Russell, Kant, Hume
Настоящата статия има за цел да представи по достъпен, съвременен и увлекателен начин класическите доказателства за съществуването на Бога. Преди това накратко и в схематичен вид се излага какво се има предвид под същност на Бога или по-формално какво е значението на термина „Бог“. В първата основна част се преминава към изложение на онтологическото доказателство на Анселм от Кентърбъри в двете му версии. След това се представят критиките на Кант и анализът на Ръсел, характерен за съвременната логика. Във втората част се излагат космологическите доказателства във формата, в която ги конструира Тома от Аквино и позицията на Кант и Хюм спрямо тях.
В този текст се разглежда теорията на Грайс за импликатури на разговора с оглед на прехода между буквално значение на израз и имплицитно значение. Приемайки позицията, изразена в хипотезата за степенуваната очевидност, се обяснява, че в някои случаи преходът от това какво казва говорещия към това, което иска да се разбере от слушателя, се основава на очевидно значение на изразите, които използва. Обръща се специално внимание на изрази, които имат повече от едно очевидно значение, с цел да се покаже, че дори когато контекстът играе роля в разбирането на един израз, това значение пак може да се възприема като следствие от социолингвистични конвенции.
Grice’s theory of conversational implicature is discussed in this article with an emphasis on the transition between the literal meaning of an expression and the implicated meaning. Assuming the position expressed in the graded salience hypothesis, it is explained that in some cases the transition from what the speaker says to what he wants the listener to understand is based on the salient meaning of the used expressions. Special attention is paid to expressions that have more than one obvious meaning, in order to show that even when the context plays a role in the understanding of an expression, this meaning can still be perceived as a result of socio-linguistic conventions.
After the time of Russell and Wittgenstein, the question of the nature (ontological status) of logical constants is peripherally affected by many discussions within contemporary philosophy. This article would have a contribution to the extent that: (1) studies specifically devoted to the status of logical constants are practically isolated from the main debates within the analytical metaphysics or absent entirely; 2) the text would highlight the fundamental problems that Russell's philosophical logic enshrines, and which Wittgenstein does not entirely decide, especially about the form of the propositions and its subject (logical constants) from a new point of view. The goal I set is to answer the question of what are the constants from an ontological point of view? Whether the logical constants are objects of acquaintance, entities, a way of combining the components of the proposition, or can be considered only as language constructs.
Keywords: analytical philosophy, analytical metaphysics, logical constants, proposition.
След времето на Ръсел и Витгенщайн въпросът за природата (онтологичния статут) на логическите константи бива периферно засяган от множество дискусии в рамките на съвременната философия. Настоящата статия би имал приносен характер, доколкото: 1) изследванията, посветени конкретно на статута на логическите константи са практически изолирани от основните дебати в рамките на аналитичната метафизика или отсъстват изцяло; 2) текстът би осветлил основните проблеми, които завещава философската логика на Ръсел и които Витгенщайн не решава изцяло, най-вече този за формата на пропозицииите и нейния предмет (логическите константи) от нова гледна точка.
Целта, която си поставям, е да дам отговор на въпроса, какво са константите от онтологическа гледна точка? Дали логическите константи са обекти на запознанство, същности, начин на съчетаване на компонентите на пропозицията или могат да се разглеждат единствено като езикови конструкти.
Ключови думи: аналитична философия, аналитична метафизика, логически константи, пропозиция.
Настоящата статия има за цел да представи по достъпен, съвременен и увлекателен начин класическите доказателства за съществуването на Бога. Преди това накратко и в схематичен вид се излага какво се има предвид под същност на Бога или по-формално какво е значението на термина „Бог“. В първата основна част се преминава към изложение на онтологическото доказателство на Анселм от Кентърбъри в двете му версии. След това се представят критиките на Кант и анализът на Ръсел, характерен за съвременната логика. Във втората част се излагат космологическите доказателства във формата, в която ги конструира Тома от Аквино и позицията на Кант и Хюм спрямо тях.
Ключови думи: Бог, доказателство за съществуването на Бог, Ръсел, Кант, Хюм
The text reviews some of the key definitions of the concepts ‘fake news’ and ‘post-truth’ and analyzes their relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. The focus of the study is the effects of media's negative impact on a crisis situation, the so-called infodemic. In this context, a new type of political performance is considered, which emphasizes emotional reactions (mostly negative) instead of a rational search for solutions.
В текста се прави преглед на някои от ключовите дефиниции на понятията фалшиви новини и постистина и се анализира връзката им с пандемията Covid-19. Във фокуса на изследването са ефектите от негативното въздействие на медиите в условията на криза – т.нар. инфодемия. В този контекст се разглежда един нов тип политическо поведение, който акцентира върху емоционалните реакции (предимно негативни), вместо върху разумното търсене на решения.
The text is dedicated to the concepts and trends of modern architecture after the Second World War. In its first part, it analyzes the theoretical and practical works of Corbusier, focusing in detail on his one-block residential complexes built in Marseilles and Berlin. The projects in the field of collective housing construction in the Eastern bloc are also traced, with special attention paid to the processes in the USSR, which dictate the architectural tendencies in the other socialist countries as well. In this context, the barracks and Stalin houses from the Stalinist period, replaced by the so-called Khrushchevs and Brezhnevs houses, are considered. The article also focuses on collective housing in the United States, developed as a result of Harry Truman's social program. In its second part, the text put an accent on the changes in architecture in the 1970s and the emergence and development of postmodern architecture. Its conceptual preconditions are analyzed, as well as its various stylistic tendencies.
Keywords: Corbusier, One-block residential complexes, postmodern architecture, International architectural style
Резюме: Текстът е посветен на концепциите и тенденциите на развитие на модерната архитектура след Втората световна война. В първата си част той анализира теоретичните и практически трудове на Корбюзие, като се спира подробно върху неговите Едноблокови жилищни комплекси, изградени в Марсилия и Берлин. Проследени са също така проектите в областта на колективното жилищно строителство в Източния блок, като специално внимание е обърнато на процесите в СССР, които диктуват архитектурните тенденции и в другите социалистически страни. В този контекст са разгледани бараките и сталинките от сталинския период, заменени от така наречените хрушчовки и брежневки. Статията акцентира и върху колективното жилищно строителство в САЩ, разгърнато в резултат на социалната програма на Хари Труман. Във втората си част текстът се фокусира върху промените в архитектурата през 70-те години на ХХ в. и възникването и развитието на постмодерната архитектура. Анализирани са нейните концептуални предпоставки, както и различните ѝ стилови тенденции.
Ключови думи: Корбюзие, Едноблокови жилищни комплекси, постмодерна архитектура, Международен архитектурен стил
Статията анализира връзката на Януш Корчак с масонството. В нея педагогическите трудове на Корчак се разглеждат в контекста на масонските ритуали и възгледи. Представеното изследване прокарва хипотезата, че голяма част от идеите на Корчак могат да бъдат разбрани при проследяване на генеалогията им спрямо идеите на масонските и езотерични организации, с които Корчак е свързан, по-специално - френското масонство и теософията.
Ключови думи: Януш Корчак, масонство, педагогика, образователни дейности
In this article, we will discuss Janusz Korczak's relationship with Freemasonry and various ideas in his work that were inspired by them. According to our research, Korczak's ideas can be understood only by compare them with the ideas of the masonic and esoteric organizations to which Korczak was associated to, specifically the ideas of French freemasonry and Theosophy.
Keywords: Janusz Korczak, freemasonry, pedagogy, educational activities
Casting a panoramic glance at the work of Friedrich Nietzsche, we cannot but agree that jolting of viewpoints taken for granted by his contemporaries remains an unwavering motif in the German philosopher’s thinking. His destabilizing ethos, however, is not an end in itself - it only clears the way for a transformation of values to take place. An interesting question that arises with regards to this reassessment is to what extent it manages to meet the requirements of its creator and whether it succeeds in avoiding those same delusions it tries to be a remedy of. In an attempt to account for some of the tension points in this transition to the values of the future, this article will trace it, focusing on the concept of will.
Хвърляйки панорамен поглед над творчеството на Фридрих Ницше, няма как да не се съгласим, че един от неизменните мотиви на мисленето му се изразява в разколебаване на положения, приемани за даденост от съвременниците му. Този дестабилизиращ патос обаче не е самоцелен – той само разчиства пътя пред трансформацията на стойности от всякакво естество. Интересен е въпросът доколко тази преоценка успява да отговори на условията на създателя си и дали не изпада в същите заблуди, от които се опитва да избяга. В опит да си даде сметка за някои пунктове на напрежение във въпросната преоценка, статията ще проследи описания от немския философ преход към ценностите на бъдещето във фокуса на понятието за воля.
The study analyzes Ernesto Laclau’s discursive theory of populism as a social ontology, revealing its methodological limitations and inability to unveil the power practices of populism. Particularly important to this approach are the parallels with Jacques Ranciere.
Изследването анализира дискурсивната теория на популизма на Ернесто Лаклау в качеството й на социална онтология, разкривайки нейната методологическа ограниченост и неспособност да изобличи властовите практики на популизма. Особено важни за този подход са паралелите с Жак Рансиер.
The article examines the retroactive construction of the history of art in Bulgaria as “contemporary art”, which began after the period of state socialism. The basic constructs by which Bulgarian researchers in the field of theory and history of art carry out this endeavor are outlined.
Статията изследва започналото след периода на държавния социализъм ретроактивно конструиране на историята на изкуството в България като “съвременно изкуство”. Очертани са базисните конструкти, чрез които българските изследователи в областта на теория и история на изкуството осъществяват това начинание.
Abstract
This article presents some general conclusions, which can be drawn from the achievements of contemporary physics and correspond to the ancient Eastern wisdom.
The concepts of particle-wave duality and of the so called "wave function collapse" are considered. Their potential of creating our reality is especially underlined.
The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, the idea of Holographic Universe, and the possible existence of a deeper "sub-quantum" field as a base and source of "everything that is" are discussed.
A conclusion is made that what we know (percept) as a solid, static, deterministic, and constant reality of isolated entities is, according to the contemporary physics, rather a fluid, dynamic, synchronistic and changeable reality of mutually interconnected processes which are constantly interacting and exchanging energy and information.
It is pointed out at the end that a parallel can be drawn between all these ideas and the ancient Eastern wisdom.
Key words: Eastern philosophy, physics, quantum mechanics, Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paradox
Нашите контакти с Ориента датират от древни времена: първо с персите, монголо-татарите, тюрките, след това с Китай, Япония и др. Има интересни различни подходи към двете области на Ориента. При татаро-тюрската, въпреки общата история, с изключение на няколко ежедневно употребявани думи, този контакт не оставя следи в литературата. От друга страна, контактът с Япония, свързан с хайку, породи значително нюансиран подход и разбиране, което доведе до нов тип отношение към културата и духовността на японския архипелаг. Нашата преса предоставя информация за Япония от 1841 г. насам. Спорид Б. П. Хасдеу началото на жанра хайку в Румъния може да бъде отнесено към средата на 19 век. Важни стъпки са направени след 1930 г., когато – като се започне с хайку антологиите на Траян Келариу и Ал. Т. Стаматиад – интересът към японската история и духовност започва да нараства, особено след 1989 г., благодарение на достъпа до множество източници на информация. Хайку допринася по своеобразен начин за любовта на хората към Япония и нейната духовност и, от тази гледна точка, към това, което за нас е Ориентът с неговото разнообразие и сложност.
Our contacts with the Orient date back to ancient times, firstly with the Persians, the Mongolians/ the Tartars, the Turks, then with China, Japan and others. There are interesting different approaches to the two areas of the Orient– the Tartar/ Turk: in spite of the common history, with the exception of a few daily used words, this contact produced no traces in literature; the contact with Japan related to haiku gave birth to a significantly nuanced approach and understanding that resulted in a new type of relating to the culture and spirituality of the Japanese archipelago. Our press has provided information about Japan ever since 1841. And also the beginning of the haiku genre in Romania could date back to the middle of the 19th century with B.P. Hasdeu. Important steps were made after 1930, when – starting with haiku, with the anthologies of Traian Chelariu, Al.T. Stamatiad – the interest for the Japanese history and spirituality kept growing and especially after 1989, thanks to the access to numerous information sources this change gained the implications that the ones who are interested are willing to give. Finally, haiku has contributed in its own way to making people fond of Japan and its spirituality and, starting from this point, towards what the Orient is to us, with its diversity and complexity.
Based on the awakening interest in Eastern culture after the Paris World's Fair in 1896, begins in Germany the perception of haiku as a special and separate literary genre. Despite the cultural and language barriers and even more the political developments of the two world wars, haiku remains in the focus of a small but very interested literary public. This publicity expanded in the sixties and seventies through the spread of Far Eastern ZEN thoughts into the spiritual practice of Western cultures also in Germany. As a result, in the '80s and' 90s haiku associations emerged across the continents. Also the German haiku society, which was established 1988. Since the late 1990s, haiku outside of Japan has been influenced mainly by the globalization of Internet communication. In consequence the exchange of haiku across language barriers and cultures has given the haiku a new dynamic and meaning.
Key words: haiku, German haiku, zen
Въз основа на пробуждащия се интерес към Източната култура след световния панаир в Париж през 1896 г., в Германия започва възприемането на хайку като специален и отделен литературен жанр. Въпреки културните и езикови бариери, и още повече политическото развитие по време на двете световни войни, хайку остава във фокуса на една малка, но много интересна литературна публика. Тази публичност се разширява през 60-те и 70-те години чрез разпространението на Далекоизточната мисъл и специално на дзен, във връзка с духовните практики в западните култури, включително и в Германия. В резултат на това през 80-те и 90-те години в цяла Европа се появяват хайку сдружения. През 1988 г. се създава и Германското хайку дружество. От края на 90-те години хайку поезията извън Япония е силно повлияна от глобализацията на интернет комуникациите. Обменът на хайку през езиковите бариери и култури придава на този жанр нова динамика и смисъл.
It is commonly known that the one-breath poetic form of haiku evolved from the starting verse of Japanese renga—the linked verse form that is widely referred to today as renku. Not commonly known is that renku was shaped over time by Japanese poet-priests to become ultimately a Buddhist ritual designed to lead its participants on an imagined tour of the Mandala of All Creation with the sole purpose of helping them to realize the transience of the universe, thereby taking a major step toward enlightenment. This paper traces the development of renku and haiku to the present day to show how twenty-first century haiku poets stand at a crossroads: they can either continue Masaoka Shiki’s trajectory of de-spiritualizing haiku, or they can cultivate a more traditional spiritual understanding of haiku’s art and deep purpose.
Key words: renku, haiku, Buddhism
This essay first appeared in David G. Lanoue, My Journal with Haiku Sprinkled in (HaikuGuy.com, 2019).
Joint publication of journals NotaBene and Haiku World, Issue 5, 2019
Много хора знаят, че хайку произхожда от японските свързани стихове (renga), но повечето хора не осъзнават, че ренга е будистки ритуал по време на средновековието. В правилата и структурата на ренга са вградени духовни идеи. Въпреки че Шики се е опитал да отдели началния стих на ренга и да му придаде светски характер, будистките идеи за осъзнаване на преходността и постигане на просветление продължават да съществуват в добре направеното хайку. Този доклад проследява историята на будизма в ренга и хайку и предлага извода, че поетите днес не трябва да губят връзка с духовното измерение на хайку.
This essay first appeared in David G. Lanoue, My Journal with Haiku Sprinkled in (HaikuGuy.com, 2019).
Съвместна публикация на сп. Nota Bene и сп. Хайку свят, бр.5, 2019
Статията е посветена на възгледите на Симон Вейл в контекста на единството на нейното творчество и живот. Текстът определя философско-религиозното мислене на Вейл като екзистенциално-метафизическо и в подобна перспектива анализира специфичните понятия, които тя разработва. Акцентирано е върху темата за злочестието, за свободата и необходимостта, за приятелството и свръхестествената любов. През призмата на възгледите на Вейл се залага хипотезата за екзистенциалния характер на истината, за това, че тя не е логическа конструкция, а е постижима като уникално екзистенциално събитие на границата на живота и смъртта.
Ключови думи: Симон Вейл, злочестие, свръхестествена любов
Life crises (de)mobilize biographic, as well as social and cultural resources. They can be a matter of social accomplishment (dismissal from work, retirement, dropping out of university) or existential situations (illness, death, separation with a loved one). Respectively the coping with life crises is a complex process, which presupposes (re)invention of certain social and cultural patterns of the “effective”, “adequate” and “normal” reaction to the change in the health, professional, social, etc. status.
What role does generation/belonging to a generation play in this process of (re)invention? Which developments of the concept of generation in the field of history and sociology could be working for the study of life crises? Which patterns of coping with life crises could be considered as predetermined by the generation?
In attempt to answer these questions, the present paper provides a historical and analytical perspective of “the problem of generations”, taking as a starting point the famous essay of Karl Mannheim and referring to biographical interviews and focus-groups with carers for disabled people. Three main “cuts” of the concept under review are widely discussed: the generation and the life stages, the generation and the transmission of culture, the generation and the social change. The latter are seen as productive paths to understanding/defining of generation as an intersection of biosocial and historical time and respectively as an effective tool for tracing not only the construction of social and cultural identities, but also their transformations and discontinuities.
Keywords: Generation, life crisis, life cycle, transmission of values, social change
Жизнените кризи (де)мобилизират различни биографични, социални и културни ресурси. Те могат да са свързани както с оттегляне или несправяне със социални задачи и ангажименти като например уволнение, пенсиониране, изпадане от образователния цикъл, така и с преживяване на гранични, екзистенциални ситуации като тежка болест, смърт, раздяла с близък човек. Съответно тяхното преодоляване е сложно протичащ процес, който предполага (пре)конструиране на определени социални и културни образци на „ефективната“, „адекватна“ и „нормална“ реакция на промяната в здравния, професионалния, социалния и т.н. статус.
Каква е ролята на поколението/поколенческата принадлежност в този процес на преконструиране? Кои теоретични приноси към социологическата и историческата концепция за поколението са релевантни за изследването на житейските кризи? Кои модели на справяне с кризата могат да се разглеждат като предетерминирани от поколението?
В отговор на тези въпроси настоящият текст прави опит да разгърне историческа и аналитична перспектива на „проблема за поколенията“, използвайки като отправна точка известното есе на Карл Манхайм и позовавайки се на биографични интервюта и фокус-групи с грижещи се за хора с увреждания. Разгледани са три продуктивни сечения на понятието за поколение: поколение и жизнен цикъл, поколение и предаване на ценностите и поколение и социална промяна, които предоставят широк набор от възможности за проследяване на различни моменти в изграждането на социалните и културните идентичности, в това число и техните трансформации и дисконтинуитети.
Ключови думи: Поколение, житейска криза, жизнен цикъл, предаване на ценностите, социална промяна
Към края на XX век започва да се развива схващането, че масонският орден е свързан с различните сатанински култове, както и с ордена на просветените мислители, съществували в Бавария в края на 18 век - илюминатите. Освен това, множеството теории на конспирацията поддържат възледите, че илюминатите, използвайки масоните, действат, за да превземат света чрез контрола на силовите центрове в света. По-задълбочено изследване на историята и на доктрините на двата ордена обаче показва, че това са две съвсем независими тайни общества, установени в различно време и в различен идеологически контекст. Текстът проследява именно тези разлики в ученията на масоните и илюминатите, като набляга върху последствията от неточностите на конспиративните теории.
Ключови думи: масонство, илюминати, тайни общества, теории на конспирацията
Abstract: The article propose different classifications of information products and software to follow the implementation of tasks in the organization. It looks at the different types of project management software and task tracking in the organization. There is a new classification of task management software as intended, features and methodology for tracking tasks.
Key words: Project management, Task tracker, software
Статията изхожда от положението, че в днешните организации голяма част от дейностите се извършва под формата на проекти. По същество това е широка област, която изисква изпълнение на разнообразни административни задачи и умения за тяхното управление. Практическият опит на много компании показва, че автоматизирането на процеса, чрез внедряване на програмни продукти за управление на проекти PMS (Project management software) и проследяване на задачите (Task Tracker) значително повишава ефективността в дейността на организацията. Поради тази причина на пазара съществува голямо разнообразие от технически решения за изграждане на системи за проследяване и управление на задачите, което значително затруднява компаниите при избора на такива средства за внедряване. От друга страна динамичното развитие на информационните технологии и постоянното търсенето на кампаниите налагат да се предложи нова класификация на програмните продукти за проследяване и управление на задачите. Настоящият текст предлага различни класификации на подобни софтуери.
Ключови думи: програмни продукти за управление на задачи, управление на проекти, проследяване на задачите, софтуер
Цигун, китайският начин за подобряване не само на здравето, отдавна се е установил в западните психиатрични клиники. Въпреки това, сред медицинския персонал, както и сред пациентите, все още има значителна липса на знания за целите и методите на тази практика. Учителят по цигун се сблъсква с редица трудности, произтичащи от невежеството и/ или предразсъдъците на Запада, както и от културните последствия при нейния трансфер.
В статията си аз обсъждам някои от тези проблеми. Обръщам особено внимание на уместността и последствията от философските концепции, залегнали в основата на практиката на цигун. Например понятието ци, което има няколко нива на значение, взависимост от метафизичния, физиологичния или психологическия контекст. Във всички тези аспекти ци изглежда като сюблимна материя или енергийна основа, която съставлява Космоса, регулира телесната функция и пр. Западната медицинска наука (биомедицината) обаче не е в състояние да се справи с подобен подход. И така, как една практика като цигун може да бъде интегрирана в условията на западната медицина? Изглежда има три нива на трансфер на културна практика:
Първо: Предаването на културни концепции зависи от превода. Езиковото предаване само по себе си е трудна задача. Освен това трябва да се вземе предвид специфичния контекст и намерение на превода, както и историческия и културен контекст.
Второ: Философското обяснение на културните концепции често остава дефицитно от практическа гледна точка. В цигун ци може да бъде изпитано чрез самото движение, смисълът му се получава чрез практиката. С други думи, трябва да се направи това, което антрополозите наричат „включено наблюдение“ или по-добре „включено преживяване“, както предлага Елизабет Су.
Трето: За да се пренесе смисълът на такова специфично културно понятие, то трябва да бъде интегрирано в рамките на Запада, т.е. трябва да се намери език, който може да посредничи между двете традиции.
Ключови думи: цигун, ци, културен трансфер
Във фокуса на настоящата статия е транснационалното и транскултурното присъствие на ведически и тантрически мантри, както и на други свещени санскритски текстове, чието устно изпълнение постепенно се превръща в световен феномен. Днес те се практикуват извън Индия и като цяло извън Южна Азия - техният местен и естествен контекст, от хора с различен културен произход, с различни намерения и мотиви. Моите наблюдения и заключения са направени главно въз основа на изследване на българската версия на това явление. Много българи, които търсят нови религиозни пътища, особено след началото на демократичните промени през 1989 г., стават привърженици на няколко нови религиозни движения, вдъхновени от индуизма или будизма. Значително се увеличи и броят на практикуващите йога.
Песнопението на санскритски мантри и стихове и изпълнението на свещени текстове играе постоянна и важна роля в тяхната религиозна и духовна практика. Чуждестранните практикуващи обикновено не знаят или знаят само частично санскрит - оригиналният език на мантрите и на другите свещени текстове. Това означава, че семантично те не са напълно достъпни за тях или за тяхната аудитория, но все пак практикуващите или учениците предпочитат да изричат мантрите на оригиналния им език и по този начин да имат и да демонстрират директен достъп до свещените текстове.
Аз се опитвам да интерпретирам тази езикова ситуация от гледна точка на прагматиката, в частност на теорията на речевия акт, считана като цяло за теория на езиковата употреба, широко прилагана в различни области като философия на езика, литературна критика, религиозна изследвания, проучвания на ефективността, наратология и пр.
Според мен устното изпълнение на санскритски мантии и стихове в чуждоземна среда може да бъде определено като вид "перлокутивен акт", според терминологията на Остин, който твърди, че "казването на нещо често и дори обикновено, води до определени последващи ефекти върху чувствата, мислите или действията на публиката, оратора или други хора; и това може да стане посредством оформлението, намерението или целта на произнасянето“ (1962: 101).
Ключови думи: санскритски мантри, прагматичен подход, перлокутивен акт
Тази статия представя някои общи изводи, които могат да се извлекат от постиженията на съвременната физика и които съответстват на древната източна мъдрост.
Разглеждат се концепциите за корпускулярно-вълновия дуализъм и т. нар. „колапс на вълновата функция“. Особено се подчертава потенциала им за създаване на нашата реалност.
Обсъждат се парадоксът на Айнщайн-Подолски-Розен, идеята за холографската Вселена и възможното съществуване на по-дълбоко „суб-квантово“ поле като основа и източник на „всичко, което е“.
Направен е извод, че това, което познаваме (възприемаме) като твърда, статична, детерминистична и постоянна реалност на изолирани същности, според съвременната физика е по-скоро флуидна, динамична, синхронична и променяща се реалност на взаимно свързани помежду си процеси, които са в постоянно взаимодействие и обмен на енергия и информация.
Накрая се изтъква, че между всички тези идеи и древната източна мъдрост може да бъде направен паралел.
Ключови думи: съвременна фидика, източна мъдрост, природа на реалността
Qi Gong, a Chinese way not only to improve ones health, has arrived in Western psychiatric clinics for a longer time. However, there is still a great lack of knowledge about the goals and methods of this practice among the medical staff as well as the patients. As a teacher of Qi Gong, you are confronted with difficulties arising from Western ignorance and/or prejudices as well as from the cultural implications in its transfer.
In my presentation I discuss some of these problems. Especially, I focus on the relevance and consequences of philosophical concepts underlying the practice of Qi Gong. For instance, there is the concept of Qi which has several levels of meaning, depending on the metaphysical, physiological or psychological context. In all these aspects Qi seems to be a sublime matter or an energetic foundation that constitutes the cosmos, regulates the body function etc. But Western medical science (Biomedicine) is not able to handle such an approach. So, how could a practice like Qi Gong be integrated in a Western medical setting? It seems there are three levels of the transfer of a cultural practice:
First: Transmission of cultural concepts depends on translation. Linguistic transmission is already a difficult task. Beyond this, you have to take the specific contexts and intentions of translation as well as historical and cultural contexts into account.
Second: Philosophical explication of cultural concepts often remains deficient in practical contexts. In Qi Gong Qi will experienced in movements. You will get the meaning of Qi, when you practice. In other words, you have to do what anthropologists call „participant observation“ or better „participant experience“, as Elisabeth Hsu suggests.
Third: To transfer the meaning of such a culture specific notion you have to integrate this notion into a Western framework, that is, you have to find a language, which can mediate between both traditions.
Abstract
In the focus of the current paper is the transnational and transcultural presence of Vedic and Tantric mantras as well as of other sacred Sanskrit texts, whose oral performance has been gradually becoming a global phenomenon. They are widely practiced nowadays outside India and as a whole outside South Asia - their native and natural context, by people of different cultural background, of different intentions and motivations. My observations and conclusions have been made mainly by investigating the Bulgarian version of this phenomenon. Many Bulgarians seeking new religious paths especially after the beginning of the democratic changes in 1989 became adherents of several New Religious Movements, inspired by Hinduism or Buddhism. Significantly increased also the number of the yoga practitioners in the country.
The chanting of Sanskrit mantras and verses and the performance of sacred texts play a constant and important role in their religious and spiritual practice. The foreign practitioners generally don't know or know only incompletely Sanskrit - the original language of the mantras and of the other sacred texts. This means that semantically they aren't entirely accessible to them or to their audience, but still the practitioners or disciples prefer to utter the mantras in their original language and in this way to have and to demonstrate a direct access to the sacred texts.
I am very much challenged to try to interpret this linguistic situation in the perspective of pragmatics, in particular of the speech act theory, generally considered a theory of the language use, widely applied to fields as diverse as philosophy of language, literary criticism, religious studies, performance studies, narratology etc.
I argue that the oral performance of Sanskrit mantars and verses in this outlandish environment could be defined as a kind of "perlocutionary act", according to Austin's terminology, who asserts that "saying something will often, or even normally, produce certain consequential effects upon the feelings, thoughts, or actions of the audience, or of the speaker, or of other persons: and it may be done with the design, intention, or purpose of producing them" (1962: 101).
Резюме: Платформата за творчески резиденции Arts@CERN, инициирана от CERN - Европейската организация за ядрени изследвания, създава възможности за обмен на идеи между учени и артисти в научните лаборатории. Дигиталните изкуства се открояват като най-адекватното и предпочитано изразно средство при тези иновативни и експериментални колаборации.
В статията се обсъжда една от най-интересните и влиятелни доктрини на испанския философ и социален мислител Ортега-и-Гасет. Идеята за партикуларизъм му помага да анализира и да намери изход от кризата на испанската нация в началото на ХХ век. Подчертава се, че съществува очевидна аналогия между испанската криза преди сто години и кризата на Европейския съюз днес.В заключението се твърди, че социалната философия на Ортега и по-специално неговото учение за партикуларизъм трябва да се използва като методологически инструменти при нашите опити да анализираме и намерим правилните пътища за излизане от съвременната криза в ЕС.
Ключови думи: Ортега-и-Гасет, криза, партикуларизъм, маси, елит
Abstract
This article presents some general conclusions, which can be drawn from the achievements of contemporary physics and correspond to the ancient Eastern wisdom.
The concepts of particle-wave duality and of the so called "wave function collapse" are considered. Their potential of creating our reality is especially underlined.
The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, the idea of Holographic Universe, and the possible existence of a deeper "sub-quantum" field as a base and source of "everything that is" are discussed.
A conclusion is made that what we know (percept) as a solid, static, deterministic, and constant reality of isolated entities is, according to the contemporary physics, rather a fluid, dynamic, synchronistic and changeable reality of mutually interconnected processes which are constantly interacting and exchanging energy and information.
It is pointed out at the end that a parallel can be drawn between all these ideas and the ancient Eastern wisdom.
The platform for artist residencies Arts@CERN, initiated by CERN - the European Organization for Nuclear Research, presents opportunities for exchange of ideas between scientists and artists in the science laboratories. Digital Arts stand out as the most adequate and preferred means of expression for these innovative experimental collaborations.
Key words: CERN, artist residences
The paper discussed one of the most interesting and influential doctrines of the Spanish philosopher and social thinker Ortega-y-Gasset. The idea of particularism helps him to analyze and find the way out of the crisis of the Spanish nation in the beginning of the Twentieth century. It is emphasized that there is an obvious analogy between the Spanish crisis a hundred years ago and the crisis of the European Union today. The conclusion of the article insists that Ortega's social philosophy, and especially his doctrine of particularism, should be used as methodological tools in our attempts to analyze and find the right ways out of the contemporary EU crisis.
Keywords: Ortega-y-Gasset, crisis, particularism, masses, elite
Abstract: The article discusses three characteristics of the temple's sacred space: purposefulness, hierarchy and dynamism. The architecture, insofar as it shapes the space of the temple, gives it such a form that it is experienced by the believer not only as a place, but also as a path. With regard to the hierarchy and the dynamism of the temple's space the role of the light is analyzed. Comparisons are made between the experience of the temple's space in Christianity and Islam, in the church and the mosque.
Keywords: Temple, sacral space, temple's architecture, altar, mihrab.
Abstract: В статията се разглеждат три качества на храмовото сакрално пространство - целеустременост, йерархичност и динамизъм. Архитектурата, доколкото моделира пространството на храма, му придава такава форма, че то да се изживява от вярващия не само като място, но и като път. Що се отнася до йерархичността и динамизма, се анализира ролята на светлината в храмовото пространство. Правят се сравнения между преживяването на храмовото пространство в християнството и в исляма, в църквата и джамията.
Ключови думи: храм, сакрално пространство, храмова архитектура, олтар, михраб.
Abstract: The article discusses three characteristics of the temple's sacred space: purposefulness, hierarchy and dynamism. The architecture, insofar as it shapes the space of the temple, gives it such a form that it is experienced by the believer not only as a place, but also as a path. With regard to the hierarchy and the dynamism of the temple's space the role of the light is analyzed. Comparisons are made between the experience of the temple's space in Christianity and Islam, in the church and the mosque.
Keywords: Temple, sacral space, temple's architecture, altar, mihrab.
Summary: The article presents the taxonomy of visual rhetorical figures proposed by the Belgian Group µ in their study titled "Traite du signevisuel: Pour unerhetorique de l'image" where the visual rhetorical act is consider as an extension of the possibilities of the semiotic world. The visual figures typology of the Liege school is described based on images used by the Belgian semioticians and applied to contemporary visual data. The classification proposed by the scholars from Liege is introduced in comparative prospective considering another visual figures typologiy ,representative for the structuralist version of visual semiotics in francophone semiotic studies, proposed by Jacques Durand as a member of the Paris School of Semiotics.
Key words: Visual rhetorical figures, taxonomy, Group µ, visual semiotics, structuralism
Резюме: Статията представя таксономията на визуалните риторични фигури, предложени от белгийската Група µ, в тяхното изследване, озаглавено "Traite du signevisuel: Pour unerhetorique de l'image", дефиниращо визуалния реторичен акт като разширяване на възможностите на семиотичния свят. Предложената класификация на визуалните фигури е описана на базата на изображения, използвани от белгийските семиотици, но и на такива свързани със съвременната визуална комуникация. Класификацията, предложена от екипа от Лиеж, е разгледана в сравнителна перспектива, съставена с друга типология на визуалните фигури, представителна за структурната версия на франкофонската визуална семиотика, формулирана от представителя на Парижката семиотична школа Жак Дюран.
Ключови думи: визуално риторични фигури, таксономия, група µ, визуална семиотика, структурализъм.
Tекстът е центриран около проблема за отношенията и и границите между правото и справедливостта. Шейлок е изразител на отношението на правото в субективен смисъл към правото в обективен, според което законите и законността не зависят и не се нуждаят от критерий за справедливост. Освобождаването от представата и изискването за необходима връзка между право и справедливост в свят, построен върху псевдоценности, погубва и представата за действително реалния свят. Човек не е в състояние да оцени действително случващото се, което го дели една крачка от „баналността на злото“.
Ключови думи: самоценност, автономна личност, справедливост, смисъл, доб-ро, духовност
The text is centered on the issue of the relationship and the boundaries between the low and the fairness. Shylock is an expression of the relation between the law in a subjective sense and the law in an objective sense, according to which the laws and the legality do not depend and do not need a criterion for fairness. The release from the notion and the requirement for a necessary connection between the law and the fairness in a world built on pseudo-values destroys the notion of the actually real world as well. The man is unable to evaluate the things that are actually happening, which is only one step away from the "banality of the evil".
Keywords: self-value, autonomous person, fairness, meaning, good, spirituality
Abstract: The era of the social media, information abundance and fake news raises the post-truth politics - a combination between emotional argumentation, lies, bullshits, sensations and silence about the important topics. The study will tries to trace the mechanism of post-truth politics through the media image of the refugees in Bulgarian context.
Key words: post-truth, fake news, refugees, media, popular culture
Summary:
In this article I discuss the problem of subjective justification in cases of distributed agency according externalist criteria of subjective justification presented by John Greco (1999).
Distributed cognition hypothesis is concerning cases of group agent consisting of more than one individuals and external vehicles, artifacts and tools. They form united system which characteristics are different than the sum of the characteristics of its parts.In this article I suggest normative system for group agents similar Greco’s theory of individual agent. Еach one of the social interactions is governed by the rule of mutual nonlinear interaction. This interaction governs also the language and communication games between the members of the distributed system. It is similar the idea of Wittgenstein about the language games.
Keywords: cognitive integration, externalism, epistemology, distributed cognition, group agent, subjective justification
Summary: The article presents the taxonomy of visual rhetorical figures proposed by the Belgian Group µ in their study titled "Traite du signevisuel: Pour unerhetorique de l'image" where the visual rhetorical act is consider as an extension of the possibilities of the semiotic world. The visual figures typology of the Liege school is described based on images used by the Belgian semioticians and applied to contemporary visual data. The classification proposed by the scholars from Liege is introduced in comparative prospective considering another visual figures typologiy ,representative for the structuralist version of visual semiotics in francophone semiotic studies, proposed by Jacques Durand as a member of the Paris School of Semiotics.
Key words: Visual rhetorical figures, taxonomy, Group µ, visual semiotics, structuralism
Резюме: Ерата на социалните мрежи, информационното изобилие и фалшивите новини ражда политиката на постистината - комбинация от емоционална аргументация, лъжи, измишльотини, сензации и премълчаване на важните теми. Текстът ще се опита да проследи механизма на функциониране на постистинната политика през медийния образ на бежанците в България.
Ключови думи: постистина, фалшиви новини, бежанци, медии, популярна култура
Резюме:
В тази статия ще изследвам проблема за субективното оправдаване в случаите на разпределено познание през призмата на епистемологическия екстернализъм, и в частност - теорията за когнитивна интеграцияна Джон Греко (1999). Хипотезата за разпределеното познание се отнася до случаи на групов агент, изграден от няколко индивиди заедно със съпътстващите ги инструменти, техника и артефакти. Те оформят самостоятелна цялост, групов субект, различна от сумата на отделните части.
В статията предлагам нормативна система за групов агент по подобие с теорията на Греко за индивидуален субект. Всяко социално взаимодействие между индивидите в случите на разпределено познание се извършва съобразно правилото за нелинейно динамично взаимодействие, коетосе приемаимплицитно или експлицитно от участниците в разпределената система. Това взаимодействие се приема и в комуникационните и езикови практики между членовете на разпределената система.То е сходно с идеята за езиковите игри на Витгенщайн.
Ключови думи: когнитивна интеграция, екстернализъм, епистемология, групов агент, субективно оправдание
Резюме: Статията представя таксономията на визуалните риторични фигури, предложени от белгийската Група µ, в тяхното изследване, озаглавено "Traite du signevisuel: Pour unerhetorique de l'image", дефиниращо визуалния реторичен акт като разширяване на възможностите на семиотичния свят. Предложената класификация на визуалните фигури е описана на базата на изображения, използвани от белгийските семиотици, но и на такива свързани със съвременната визуална комуникация. Класификацията, предложена от екипа от Лиеж, е разгледана в сравнителна перспектива, съставена с друга типология на визуалните фигури, представителна за структурната версия на франкофонската визуална семиотика, формулирана от представителя на Парижката семиотична школа Жак Дюран.
Ключови думи: визуално риторични фигури, таксономия, група µ, визуална семиотика, структурализъм.
This article aims to discuss “terrorism” not solely as a political or legal phenomenon, but as a result of the identity crisis caused by the interaction between a person and the other, the state, or the international politics. Furthermore, some problematic interpretations of the term terrorism are analysed. Terrorism is perceived as one of the many demonstrations of aggression, along with the forms of violence used by the state in its domestic and foreign affairs. Finally, we discuss the impact of mass media on the portrayal of terrorism as even more inhuman and horrific.
Keywords: terrorism, violence, identity crisis
Статията има за цел да разгледа „тероризма“ не само като политическо или правно явление, но и като социо-културен резултат на кризата на идентичността, породена от взаимодействието между личността и "другия", държавата или международната политика. Наред с това тук са анализирани някои проблемни тълкувания на термина тероризъм, както и влиянието на средствата за масова информация върху представянето на тероризма.
Ключови думи: тероризъм, насилие, криза на идентичността
The article reveals the relationship between media, civil society and civic education through the prism of the functions of the media and their current status. It analyzes the role of media literacy as part of civic education in Bulgaria. In this sense, this paper aims to put some theoretical perspectives in understanding the social responsibility of the media in civic education of young people.
Key words: media, media freedom, civic education, civic journalism, citizens` media, communications
Статията разкрива взаимовръзките между медиите, гражданското общество и гражданската образованост през призмата на функциите на медиите и актуалното им състояние. Анализира ролята на медийната грамотност като част от програмата по Гражданско образование в България. В този смисъл, статията цели да изведе някои теоретични ракурси в осмислянето на обществената отговорност на медиите за гражданска образованост на младите хора.
Ключови думи: медии, медийна свобода, гражданско образование, гражданска журналистика, граждански медии, комуникации
Abstract: The article analyzes the difficulties faced by modern nation - states trying to deal with the problems of refugees. Undoubtedly the fact of the great numbers of refugees is a factor that complicates the situation, but many of the questions posed by the phenomenon are related to political values, concepts and traditions that are severely provoked. I explore the idea of Agamben of understanding the problem as biopolitical problem and I look at his criticism and that of Arendt and Rancière of the "Declaration of Human Rights". The idea that the phenomenon of "refugee" requires rethinking of basic political concepts is the subject of analyzes in my work.
Key words: refugee, human rights, nation-state, citizen
Abstract: In this article, the question of the religion-tolerance relation is discussed in general terms - in terms of the division of religions as inclusive and exclusive. The main question is whether this opposition, being too conditional and by itself exclusive, is real. The conclusion is that the more inclusive one religion is, the more exclusive it turns to be and vice versa. Exclusiveness is a peculiarity of each religion on its formal and institutional level whereas in the inner mystical level they all are inclusive.
Key words: tolerance, inclusive and exclusive religions
Abstract: The article interprets conventional public images of the "migrant" in European and Bulgarian context and shows that for xenophobic Bulgarian Left, as well as Bulgarian and European extreme Right and transnational capitalism the existence of left-wing migrants is unwanted.
Key words: migrant, left, Bulgarian, European, capitalism, liberal
Abstract: The article analyses the migratory potential of the countries in Africa and the Middle East as a source of migratory pressure on the European Union. The first part focuses on the factors explaining the magnitude and the peculiarities of this migratory potential. Special attention is paid to the characteristics of the age structure, the increasing shortage of employment for the new generations and the lack of resources for the growing population in Africa and the Middle East. In the second part of the article are formulated four perspectives of the migratory pressure on the EU: 1/ The migratory pressure will increase over the next decade; 2/ The differentiation between the refugees and the economic migrants will become more and more difficult; 3/ The migratory pressure will include in itself potential for Islamist terrorism, motivated by the crisis of the life perspectives of the young people in Africa and the Middle East; 4 / Middle East' and African migrants in Europe will support dual and conflict loyalties (to the old and the new homeland), which will cause concern among the "local" European population. Finally the article draws the conclusion that in this complex situation the EU faces a double challenge - to save the refugees and to save himself.
Keywords: Demographic transitions, migration pressure, push and pull factors, youth bulges, Africa and Middle East, European Union, migration policy
Summary: The world today is in a large-scale financial and economic, refugee, social, ideological, geopolitical crisis as a result of the failure of neoclassical and neoliberal economic policies established after the 1970s. There is also a crisis of the international system of one global hegemon created after the 1990s. We have on the one side a trend of oligarchization of the democracy as a result of dependencies between political and economic elites, and on the other hand - trends of isolationism, populism, authoritarianism which find a fertile ground in a time of fear of all the crises, the image of the clear enemy and the illusions that there are easy decisions. The liberal democracy became possible as a result of the communication technologies of the Second industrial revolution and the rise of the social state. However now in conditions of sharp contradictions of the neoliberal capitalism and the rise the technologies of the Fourth industrial revolution it is in a state of decline and severe crisis.
Key words: Digital technologies, Industrial revolution, digital capitalism, digital sovereignty, mixed reality, rational choice
Abstract: Starting point of the article is the Hegel's idea for historical and non-historical nations. The first nations are most developed and pave the way in history being models for development of the second ones which should take the same road. That means that there is a common universal history and undeveloped nations should do the same as the developed have done. However the periods of crises give rise ideas that there are many roads in the history. Such trend could be observed now in a time of growing geopolitical multipolarity and signs of deglobalization.
Key terms: historical nations, non-historical nations, philosophy of history, catch-up development, universal models, theories of modernization, developmental state, postmodernity
Abstract: The article makes an attempt to analyze the IDEA of the OTHER within the frames of Proto-globalization. The question of how to live in the conditions of uncertainty created by the presence of the Other has become extremely acute in the XVIth century when Europe has faced the unknown "Other" in America, India, China, Africa. This question is also a current, topical issue, because globalization requires an even greater intensity and permanence to continuously live in the company of the Other.
Key words: Oter, Otehrness, proto-globalization
Annotation
The paper reveals in broader lines the influence which Herman Lotze had on young Frege. Several ideas propounded by Lotze and later defended and developed by Frege are into focus: namely, the anti-psychologism, or objectivism, in logic; the context principle; and the broader view of logicism which Lotze maintained in a somewhat weaker version.
Key words: Lotze, Frege, objective content of ideas, logicism
Abstract: The paper reflects on some of the most significant aspects of the Berdyaev’s Christian modernism. It analyses his concept of human creativity, his unorthodox interpretation of Trinitarian doctrine and his categorical negation of Christian dogma of hell. The article claims that Berdyaev’s unorthodox ideas aim to unite Christianity and modern philosophy in a humanistic attempt to confirm the human dignity and freedom.
Keywords: humanism, human freedom, Trinitarian dogma, creativity
Abstract: The paper considers the predominant significance of the approaches of philosophical education. It put an accent on the work with philosophical texts. In this regard the article develops the hypothesis that this work brings to one of the main educative competence which is the ability of interpretation of phlosophical texts.
Keywords: sense, imagination, interpretation, understanding, erudition
Abstract: This paper compares and contrasts conflicting religious perspectives on the moral status of the human embryos and their use in stem cell research derived from major monotheistic religions such as Catholicism, Judaism and Islam. I examine the validity of such religious arguments in debates on stem cell research and science policy more broadly through a critical analysis of Jurgen Habermas’s theory of the post-secular society, particularly the claim that the clash between science and religion in contemporary liberal democracies could be offset by adopting a new concept of ethical citizenship. This normative perspective mandates epistemic flexibility by both religious and secular citizens who ought to willfully engage in complimentary learning processes in order to transcend the inherent limitations of both non-reflexive religious beliefs and narrow secularist worldviews. My analysis of the role of religion in the stem cell controversy suggests that the value positions of participants in public deliberations are deeply entrenched and ideological differences often translate into conflicting epistemic claims about science. I argue that a meaningful dialogue between science and religious traditions on the issue is largely dependent on how compatible are scientifically derived assessments of embryonic status with the respective religion’s fundamental theological tenets about the beginning of personhood. It is also contingent on the degree of openness of each religious tradition to both rival traditions and scientific knowledge. Additionally, I illustrate how the stem cell controversy is not reducible to the conflict between religion and scientific knowledge on the value of human embryonic life, around which stem cell debates worldwide have often been framed, by undertaking a close examination of three bioethical issues central to the debate: (1) secular perspectives on the contested moral status of the human embryo; (2) the ethics of human cloning technology; and (3) concerns about the exploitation of women as major tissue donors in the global stem cell bioeconomy.
Keywords: Stem cell research, religious perspectives on the moral status of the human embryo, bioethics, science policy, post-secularism
Abstract. The following text presents the personality and philosophy of Stepan Popov, Bulgarian emigre (1906-1989). The first comment is on his Bulgarian period when he was one of the leaders of the rightist socio-political movement "The Third Generation". More attention is paid on his philosophy of history expressed mainly in his book „Der Wille zur Gestalt", 1970. The article analyzes some of the basic philosophical-historical concepts such as nation, national character, people, state, etc. The stress is put on the author's concept of the Bulgarian idea as the essence of his philosophy of native land.
Keywords: Stephan Popov, philosophy of history, philosophy of native land, the Third Generation, the Bulgarian idea
Abstract: This article discusses the influence of Aristotelian philosophy both on the Austrian School of Economics and on the German Historical School, as well the battle between these two German-language schools in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It examines the formation and development of methodological views of Carl Menger, the founder of Austrian School, in clash with this competitive group and under the influence of Austrian philosopher Franz Brentano, who continues the dissemination of Aristotle's ideas in late nineteenth century catholic Austria. Then it briefly explores the demand of Eugen Bоhm-Bawerk, the second great name of the Austrian School, on conceptual purity. Finally, it presents the argument of Ludwig von Mises, the most prominent twentieth-century Austrian economist, whit philosophers of the Vienna Circle, and his clearly Aristotelian understanding of human action and praxeology.
Key words: Aristotle, Austrian School of Economics, German Historical School, Karl Menger, Franz Brentano, Eugen Boem-Bawerk, Ludwig von Mises, Vienna Circle
Summary:The paper seeks to investigate some of the sources which contributed to the specifically constructivist character of the earlier philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein as we find it developed in his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Three main sources are briefly overviewed: Russell's constructivist analysis and logical atomism, Hertz's 'Mechanics' and the in-born engineering talents of young Wittgenstein. A general view underlies the whole paper, namely that the atomistic picture of the world displayed by Wittgenstein at the beginning of the Tractatus was most congenial and consistent with the 'constructivist' view of language and propositions.
Keywords: Wittgenstein, Russell, Hertz, objects, Hertz's 'Mechanics'
Abstract: The present paper will expose Cantor's Theory of transfinite numbers, and more specific his Continuum Hypothesis, on transfinite grounding - upon the constructing of the linear continuum c as "the pure continuous number-domain", with the words of Dedekind. For this purpose, we will unfold Cantor's grounding that cardinality of the continuum c is equal to the cardinality of the sets of natural numbers - N and the rational numbers - Q as basic dimensions in n-dimensionality of the continuum. This is a construction, which poses the known number sets as basic and initial dimensions of the continuum c. These sets are also taken in their inclusion to one another as proper subsets to each other and to the set of real numbers - R. From here, we can deduce the Continuum Hypothesis formula with producing the next Aleph-numbers and to propose a new version of generalized Continuum Hypothesis. Also this will provide the solution and interpretation of Aleph-0 as a number - with its own number value upon the continuum c and as a number of the complex processes and entities in reality.
Going even more further, we can postulate the intensity of an infinite set: as its own ability to be raised to power, or covered, with transfinite cardinal number, in particular to the least transfinite number Aleph-0. So, namely on the intensity of the infinite sets, continuity can be defined and connected with the dimensionality of the continuum. And from here we can formulate the Aleph-enumerability and omega-enumerability of infinite sets as the suggestion of grounding the enumerability of the infinite sets.
All this leads also to the construction of transfinite numbers orders, in this construction we can develop them as higher and higher number classes with increasing cardinalities. These transfinite numbers orders can provide the density of "the whole absolutely infinite aggregate of numbers", with Cantor's formulation. With all this, the new transfinite numbers, introduced by Cantor, are demonstrated as powerful instrument for describing and investigating the reality to the very boundaries of its physical and conceptual comprehension.
Key words: Continuum Hypothesis, Cantor, transfinite numbers, Aleph-0, Theory of numbers, logic of infinity.
Postfeminism in the Age of Web 2.0
Abstract:
The text focuses on the public manifestations of female gender identity in the context of social network Facebook. The new myth of femininity in social networks includes mixture of new stereotypes about housework, “new age” practices, healthy life, technology and aesthetics of everyday life. The paper investigates the new meaning of gender roles and their levels of use in the public sphere.
Key words: media, social media, gender, postfeminism, popular culture
Gnoseological Discourse on the Modern Notion of Man
Abstract:
The paper is developing the thesis that the contemporary philosophical situation can be characterized by an enhanced interest in anthropological issues. The text therefore proceeds to place under analysis various gnoseological discourses on man. The views of Paul Ricoeur and Evandro Aggazzi on man as subject of philosophy are considered in detail.
Key wods: anthropology, Riceour, Aggazzi, concepts on man
The Repressive Society and the Utopia of the Sexual and Political Liberation according Herbert Marcuse
Abstract: The article analyses Marcuse's ideas of repressive society and the power of Eros. The accent is also put on his conception of the mass culture as an ideology of industrial civilization and on the opposite vision of the high culture as one of the modes of the great refusal to the values and norms of the repressive society. The concepts of mass and high culture are analysed in the context of Marcuse's distinction of basic and surplus repression.
Keywords:repressive society, basic and surplus repression, mass culture, great refusal
Abstract: The paper analyses different aspects of the Bulgarian print advertising in the period 1930-1945. The main accent is put on the advertising of consumer electronics (radio receivers and gramophones). The thesis defended in the paper is that the language, the symbols, the product presentation, the images, the communication with the recipients and the style of advertisement are very different than those of the contemporary advertising environment. The analyzed adverbs could be found in books, dedicated to radiotechnics, electrical engineering, telewriters and electronics; in popular science and technical journals and also in some other papers and magazines.
Keywords: Bulgarian print media advertising, history of print advertising, old print advertising, old technics advertising, advertising strategies, informative advertising, graphic advertising
Abstract: The article presents the political and psychological analysis of the problem of the terrorism in view of the threats to national security. Solving this problem should not be done by military means and methods, and through understanding and elimination of psychological and political reasons for his birth.
Abstract: Georges Dumezil's trifunctional hypothesis is considered as a subject of various attempted revisions and extensions. It appears that in its original form there is enough logical coherence to resist modifications.
Abstract: The world of religion is often partitioned between the two main human abilities, feeling and reason. The experiencing of sacred places, objects, people, etc. undoubtedly involves intense feelings. But the understanding of this experience and the ability to classify it presumes thinking. During the Enlightenment and rational critique of religion began a series of reductionist attempts to relegate the religion only to reason. The purpose of this paper is to explicate one such attempt by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, and also to display an opportunity to outdo it by the German theologian and philosopher Rudolf Otto, author of one of the most famous theological books of the 20th century “Das Heilige”, 1917.
Keywords: sacred places, religion and reason, Rudolf Otto, Immanuel Kant
Abstract: The present paper focuses on the individual and collective representations of the afterlife in the context of the recent developments of the death study, which blend psychological constructivist and social constructionist approaches. The latter could be applied to representations of “heaven”, “hell”, “nothingness” among others in culture, as well as to the „traces“ of the presence of the dead in the reality of the living people – from the expectations for one’s own funeral and for the contents of the posthumous memory to the projections of the dead bodies such as „encounters with spirits“ and fear of worms. The analysis of these representations relies on a specific interdisciplinary terminology, flexible enough to describe the intertwinement of various types of socialization, (non)religious beliefs, cultural practice and biographical trajectories. It introduces notions such as posthumous reputations, postselfs and postbodies.
Based on a sample of 60 biographical interviews of men and women (75 years old and over) from UK, Bulgaria and Romania and turning to the terminology of the psychological constructivism and the social constructionism this paper discusses the construction of the nonliving body and living memory of the deceased person. It shows how the gaining of existential meaning of the death presupposes an exchange and interchange of cultural models of mourning and personal experiences, of public instructions and individual strategies for coping with the loss of the innermost image of the loved ones and the fear of the disintegration and decay of the dead body.
Keywords: death study, posthumous reputations, postbodies, postselfs
Abstract: In the article the Euroscepticism is seen as a mixture of distrust in the EU institutions, rebellion against the status quo and pessimism about the future of the EU. The article analyzes the factors that contribute to expanding the influence of Euroscepticism - the presentism, i.e. the dictate of the present over the past and the future; the nationalism as nostalgia for clearly delineated borders; the crises in the functioning of the EU. The article briefly outlines several Euroscepticism's manifestations - electoral apathy, support for nationalist parties, and mistrust towards the EU institutions. Euroscepticism is treated on the one hand as a consequence of the crises in the EU and on the other as a factor in deepening the crisis. Euroscepticism is both a result of the crises and their root. Thomas theorem ("If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences") serves as an explanation of the role of Euroscepticism in the deepening the crisis in the EU. Incorrectly defined situation of the EU generates destructive impacts on his future.
The point of the text is to outline one of the main topics in the work of the French writer Michel Houellebecq – the conflict between two worlds and two religions: East (in the face of Islam) and West (represented through Catholicism and the European decadence from the late XIX and early XX century). The arguments according to which Houellebecq interprets the Islam and the Catholicism are displayed and analysed. His literature work is inscribed in the current intercultural issues and debates on the civilisation clash between two more and more different in their basis cultures - the European and the Islamic one.
The thesis of Houellebecq about the incapability of the Islam to get incorporated into the civilizational cultural and religious model of Western Europe is defended in accordance with the line of his thought in the novels “The Possibility of an Island”, “Submission”, “Platform,” and “Elementary particles.
Key words: Catholicism, Islam, European decadence, French literature, Crisis
S.H. Vatsyayan Agyeya, a pioneer in introducing modern sensibility to the post Chhayawadi Hindi literature, is heavily influenced by Western literary aesthetics, fiction, poetry and ideologies. In his first and most famous novel Shekhar Ek Jivani (Shekhar : A Biography) the influence of the West is sufficiently evident. (This novel has been translated into Bulgarian). When a prominent Indian writer like Agyeya reveals such an acute consciousness of the Western influence in his writing process, it leads to various possibilities. In this article an attempt is made to explore the shades, contradictions and enrichment that is born from this literary union. I have also examined whether the influence of the West on Agyeya leads to assimilation into the mainstream Hindi novel writing or this venture by the author leads to a separate/parallel stream created by subverting the former.
Key words: Hindi literature, Western literary aesthetics, Vatsyayan Agyeya
The dialogue “Alcibiades” offers an excellent opportunity for the participant to speak exactly on the topic of the conference, because in the conversation between the elderly Socrates and the young Alcibiades the main problem is precisely this one: what should learn a young man,,in what values and how should he be educated, in order to become a really good statesman. The young Alcibiades intends to become a politician. It is easy to become a political figure, but this does not necessarily mean, that he will become a good ruler and true statesman, Socrates holds. In order to make his dream come true Alcibiades has to learn a lot, to understand and to contemplate on various questions, insist Socrates and as examples points to some of the traditions in the royal court of Persia and to some of the political and educational practices there, which are strongly idealized in the optics of Plato.
Key words: political education and formation of a future statesman; political order; monarchy and politeia; Persia and Athens; justice and just; the self-knowledge – highest aim of the philosopher and the politician-statesman
The theme of Reality reflections in the poetic text has numerous projections in different levels of philosophical and literary science. The aim of the present work is the study from one viewpoint connected to the shortest Western poetic forms and Haiku. There is a special focus on a dialogue between East and West.
Keywords: Far East; West; haiku; aphorism, proverb, one line poem.
The aim of the paper is to discuss what concepts of far Eastern thought correspond to such concepts of the Western thought as "reality" and "reflection". In order to answer this question the three main teachings of Chinese thought, Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, are briefly analysed. The conclusion is that Chinese thought reveals the world in terms of change, transformation and mutual dependence. Therefore, its aesthetics is not based on an opposition between some independent and objective reality and some independent subject reflecting it. Rather it is based on complementarity and mutual response of inner and outer, permanence and change, openness and closeness. Its main characteristics are mutuality and co-creation that transform both aspects of the process.
Key words: Chinese philosophy, reality, reflection, change, response, haiku
Темата за отраженията на реалността в поетичния текст има множество проекции в различни нива на философската и литературната наука. Целта на настоящата разработка е изследването от една гледна точка, свързана с най-късите западни поетични форми и хайку. Има специален акцент върху диалога между Изтока и Запада.
Ключови думи: Далечен Изток; Запад; хайку; афоризъм, поговорка, стихотворение от един ред
Целта на доклада е да се обсъди какви понятия от далечноизточната мисъл съответстват на такива понятия на западната мисъл като „реалност“ и „отражение“. За да се отговори на този въпрос, накратко се анализират трите основни учения на китайската мисъл - даоизъм, конфуцианство и будизъм. Изводът е, че китайската мисъл разглежда света от гледна точка на такива понятия като промяна, трансформация и взаимна зависимост. Следователно нейната естетика не се основава на противопоставяне между някаква независима обективна реалност и някакъв независим субект, който я отразява. По-скоро става въпрос за взаимно допълване и взаимен отклик на вътрешно и външно, постоянство и промяна, отвореност и затвореност. Основните характеристики на тази естетика са взаимността и съвместното възникване, които трансформират и двата аспекта на процеса.
Ключови думи: китайска философия, реалност и отражение, промяна, отклик, хайку
Abstract. The following text presents the personality and philosophy of Stepan Popov, Bulgarian emigre (1906-1989). The first comment is on his Bulgarian period when he was one of the leaders of the rightist socio-political movement "The Third Generation". More attention is paid on his philosophy of history expressed mainly in his book „Der Wille zur Gestalt", 1970. The article analyzes some of the basic philosophical-historical concepts such as nation, national character, people, state, etc. The stress is put on the author's concept of the Bulgarian idea as the essence of his philosophy of native land.
Keywords: Stephan Popov, philosophy of history, philosophy of native land, the Third Generation, the Bulgarian idea
Abstract: This article discusses the influence of Aristotelian philosophy both on the Austrian School of Economics and on the German Historical School, as well the battle between these two German-language schools in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It examines the formation and development of methodological views of Carl Menger, the founder of Austrian School, in clash with this competitive group and under the influence of Austrian philosopher Franz Brentano, who continues the dissemination of Aristotle's ideas in late nineteenth century catholic Austria. Then it briefly explores the demand of Eugen Bоhm-Bawerk, the second great name of the Austrian School, on conceptual purity. Finally, it presents the argument of Ludwig von Mises, the most prominent twentieth-century Austrian economist, whit philosophers of the Vienna Circle, and his clearly Aristotelian understanding of human action and praxeology.
Key words: Aristotle, Austrian School of Economics, German Historical School, Karl Menger, Franz Brentano, Eugen Boem-Bawerk, Ludwig von Mises, Vienna Circle
Summary:The paper seeks to investigate some of the sources which contributed to the specifically constructivist character of the earlier philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein as we find it developed in his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Three main sources are briefly overviewed: Russell's constructivist analysis and logical atomism, Hertz's 'Mechanics' and the in-born engineering talents of young Wittgenstein. A general view underlies the whole paper, namely that the atomistic picture of the world displayed by Wittgenstein at the beginning of the Tractatus was most congenial and consistent with the 'constructivist' view of language and propositions.
Keywords: Wittgenstein, Russell, Hertz, objects, Hertz's 'Mechanics'
Abstract: The present paper will expose Cantor's Theory of transfinite numbers, and more specific his Continuum Hypothesis, on transfinite grounding - upon the constructing of the linear continuum c as "the pure continuous number-domain", with the words of Dedekind. For this purpose, we will unfold Cantor's grounding that cardinality of the continuum c is equal to the cardinality of the sets of natural numbers - N and the rational numbers - Q as basic dimensions in n-dimensionality of the continuum. This is a construction, which poses the known number sets as basic and initial dimensions of the continuum c. These sets are also taken in their inclusion to one another as proper subsets to each other and to the set of real numbers - R. From here, we can deduce the Continuum Hypothesis formula with producing the next Aleph-numbers and to propose a new version of generalized Continuum Hypothesis. Also this will provide the solution and interpretation of Aleph-0 as a number - with its own number value upon the continuum c and as a number of the complex processes and entities in reality.
Going even more further, we can postulate the intensity of an infinite set: as its own ability to be raised to power, or covered, with transfinite cardinal number, in particular to the least transfinite number Aleph-0. So, namely on the intensity of the infinite sets, continuity can be defined and connected with the dimensionality of the continuum. And from here we can formulate the Aleph-enumerability and omega-enumerability of infinite sets as the suggestion of grounding the enumerability of the infinite sets.
All this leads also to the construction of transfinite numbers orders, in this construction we can develop them as higher and higher number classes with increasing cardinalities. These transfinite numbers orders can provide the density of "the whole absolutely infinite aggregate of numbers", with Cantor's formulation. With all this, the new transfinite numbers, introduced by Cantor, are demonstrated as powerful instrument for describing and investigating the reality to the very boundaries of its physical and conceptual comprehension.
Key words: Continuum Hypothesis, Cantor, transfinite numbers, Aleph-0, Theory of numbers, logic of infinity.
Gnoseological Discourse on the Modern Notion of Man
Abstract:
The paper is developing the thesis that the contemporary philosophical situation can be characterized by an enhanced interest in anthropological issues. The text therefore proceeds to place under analysis various gnoseological discourses on man. The views of Paul Ricoeur and Evandro Aggazzi on man as subject of philosophy are considered in detail.
Key wods: anthropology, Riceour, Aggazzi, concepts on man
Postfeminism in the Age of Web 2.0
Abstract:
The text focuses on the public manifestations of female gender identity in the context of social network Facebook. The new myth of femininity in social networks includes mixture of new stereotypes about housework, “new age” practices, healthy life, technology and aesthetics of everyday life. The paper investigates the new meaning of gender roles and their levels of use in the public sphere.
Key words: media, social media, gender, postfeminism, popular culture
Abstract: This paper compares and contrasts conflicting religious perspectives on the moral status of the human embryos and their use in stem cell research derived from major monotheistic religions such as Catholicism, Judaism and Islam. I examine the validity of such religious arguments in debates on stem cell research and science policy more broadly through a critical analysis of Jurgen Habermas’s theory of the post-secular society, particularly the claim that the clash between science and religion in contemporary liberal democracies could be offset by adopting a new concept of ethical citizenship. This normative perspective mandates epistemic flexibility by both religious and secular citizens who ought to willfully engage in complimentary learning processes in order to transcend the inherent limitations of both non-reflexive religious beliefs and narrow secularist worldviews. My analysis of the role of religion in the stem cell controversy suggests that the value positions of participants in public deliberations are deeply entrenched and ideological differences often translate into conflicting epistemic claims about science. I argue that a meaningful dialogue between science and religious traditions on the issue is largely dependent on how compatible are scientifically derived assessments of embryonic status with the respective religion’s fundamental theological tenets about the beginning of personhood. It is also contingent on the degree of openness of each religious tradition to both rival traditions and scientific knowledge. Additionally, I illustrate how the stem cell controversy is not reducible to the conflict between religion and scientific knowledge on the value of human embryonic life, around which stem cell debates worldwide have often been framed, by undertaking a close examination of three bioethical issues central to the debate: (1) secular perspectives on the contested moral status of the human embryo; (2) the ethics of human cloning technology; and (3) concerns about the exploitation of women as major tissue donors in the global stem cell bioeconomy.
Keywords: Stem cell research, religious perspectives on the moral status of the human embryo, bioethics, science policy, post-secularism
Abstract: The paper considers the predominant significance of the approaches of philosophical education. It put an accent on the work with philosophical texts. In this regard the article develops the hypothesis that this work brings to one of the main educative competence which is the ability of interpretation of phlosophical texts.
Keywords: sense, imagination, interpretation, understanding, erudition
Abstract: The paper reflects on some of the most significant aspects of the Berdyaev’s Christian modernism. It analyses his concept of human creativity, his unorthodox interpretation of Trinitarian doctrine and his categorical negation of Christian dogma of hell. The article claims that Berdyaev’s unorthodox ideas aim to unite Christianity and modern philosophy in a humanistic attempt to confirm the human dignity and freedom.
Keywords: humanism, human freedom, Trinitarian dogma, creativity
Петата свобода е мотивирана като следствие от информационното общество и развитието на мобилните комуникации като възможност за премахване на бариерите пред трансфера на данни в областта на здравеопазването, сигурността, банковото дело и транспорта. Това изглежда изцяло в духа и посоката на европейската интеграция. Но тези 4 сфери имат различни регулации и засягат сектори на различни етапи на развитие, като най-чувствителните са гражданските свободи.
Някои европейски лидери смятат, че регулирането на трансфера на данни може да помогне за решаването на проблема с контрола върху новата миграция.
Въвеждането на петата свобода едва ли ще бъде решение, но би могло да облекчи контрола върху процесите, които протичат. Въпреки това би било трудно да се определи границата между публичната информация и личната база данни.
Ключови думи: пета свобода, информационна политика, миграция, лична база данни, Европейски съюз, мобилни комуникации
Статията прави опит за анализ на идеята за другите в рамките на протоглобализацията. Въпросът как да живеем в условията на несигурност, създаден от присъствието на Другия, става изключително остър през XVI век, когато Европа се изправя пред неизвестното „Друго“ в Америка, Индия, Китай, Африка. Този въпрос е актуален, защото глобализацията изисква голяма интензивност и постоянство, за да живеем непрекъснато в компанията на Другия.
Ключови думи: другия, другост, протоглобализация
Статията разкрива в общи линии влиянието, което Херман Лоце оказва върху младия Фреге. На фокус са няколко идеи, издигнати от Лоце и по-късно защитавани и разработени от Фреге, а именно: антипсихологизмът или обективизмът в логиката; принципът на контекста; както и по-широкия възглед за логицизма, който Лоце поддържа в малко по-слаба версия.
Ключови думи: Лоце, Фреге, обективно съдържание на идеи, логицизъм
Abstract: The article analyzes the difficulties faced by modern nation - states trying to deal with the problems of refugees. Undoubtedly the fact of the great numbers of refugees is a factor that complicates the situation, but many of the questions posed by the phenomenon are related to political values, concepts and traditions that are severely provoked. I explore the idea of Agamben of understanding the problem as biopolitical problem and I look at his criticism and that of Arendt and Rancière of the "Declaration of Human Rights". The idea that the phenomenon of "refugee" requires rethinking of basic political concepts is the subject of analyzes in my work.
Key words: refugee, human rights, nation-state, citizen
Abstract: In this article, the question of the religion-tolerance relation is discussed in general terms - in terms of the division of religions as inclusive and exclusive. The main question is whether this opposition, being too conditional and by itself exclusive, is real. The conclusion is that the more inclusive one religion is, the more exclusive it turns to be and vice versa. Exclusiveness is a peculiarity of each religion on its formal and institutional level whereas in the inner mystical level they all are inclusive.
Key words: tolerance, inclusive and exclusive religions
Abstract: The article interprets conventional public images of the "migrant" in European and Bulgarian context and shows that for xenophobic Bulgarian Left, as well as Bulgarian and European extreme Right and transnational capitalism the existence of left-wing migrants is unwanted.
Key words: migrant, left, Bulgarian, European, capitalism, liberal
Abstract: The article analyses the migratory potential of the countries in Africa and the Middle East as a source of migratory pressure on the European Union. The first part focuses on the factors explaining the magnitude and the peculiarities of this migratory potential. Special attention is paid to the characteristics of the age structure, the increasing shortage of employment for the new generations and the lack of resources for the growing population in Africa and the Middle East. In the second part of the article are formulated four perspectives of the migratory pressure on the EU: 1/ The migratory pressure will increase over the next decade; 2/ The differentiation between the refugees and the economic migrants will become more and more difficult; 3/ The migratory pressure will include in itself potential for Islamist terrorism, motivated by the crisis of the life perspectives of the young people in Africa and the Middle East; 4 / Middle East' and African migrants in Europe will support dual and conflict loyalties (to the old and the new homeland), which will cause concern among the "local" European population. Finally the article draws the conclusion that in this complex situation the EU faces a double challenge - to save the refugees and to save himself.
Keywords: Demographic transitions, migration pressure, push and pull factors, youth bulges, Africa and Middle East, European Union, migration policy
Summary: The world today is in a large-scale financial and economic, refugee, social, ideological, geopolitical crisis as a result of the failure of neoclassical and neoliberal economic policies established after the 1970s. There is also a crisis of the international system of one global hegemon created after the 1990s. We have on the one side a trend of oligarchization of the democracy as a result of dependencies between political and economic elites, and on the other hand - trends of isolationism, populism, authoritarianism which find a fertile ground in a time of fear of all the crises, the image of the clear enemy and the illusions that there are easy decisions. The liberal democracy became possible as a result of the communication technologies of the Second industrial revolution and the rise of the social state. However now in conditions of sharp contradictions of the neoliberal capitalism and the rise the technologies of the Fourth industrial revolution it is in a state of decline and severe crisis.
Key words: Digital technologies, Industrial revolution, digital capitalism, digital sovereignty, mixed reality, rational choice
Abstract: Starting point of the article is the Hegel's idea for historical and non-historical nations. The first nations are most developed and pave the way in history being models for development of the second ones which should take the same road. That means that there is a common universal history and undeveloped nations should do the same as the developed have done. However the periods of crises give rise ideas that there are many roads in the history. Such trend could be observed now in a time of growing geopolitical multipolarity and signs of deglobalization.
Key terms: historical nations, non-historical nations, philosophy of history, catch-up development, universal models, theories of modernization, developmental state, postmodernity
Abstract: This article is dedicated to Kant's exceptional achievement in transcendental logic of Critique of pure reason - the inference as a pure and common logical form, not just the syllogism, is founded and deduced in its own logical formations. This result is accomplished on the basis of two main transformations. The first one is the incorporating the construction of unconditioned and its concepts in the structure of inference which allows Kant to solve the problem for the general logical function of the inference. The second connects the logical inference functions with the system of judgment and in such direction establishes these functions as extension and completion of the basic logical possibilities of the judgment. With that Kant also offers the stunning idea for the whole theoretical and structural integrity of logical thought-forms.
Kew words: Kant, transcendental dialectic, concepts of the unconditioned in the inference structure, the system of inference
Abstract: The paper analyses different aspects of the Bulgarian print advertising in the period 1930-1945. The main accent is put on the advertising of consumer electronics (radio receivers and gramophones). The thesis defended in the paper is that the language, the symbols, the product presentation, the images, the communication with the recipients and the style of advertisement are very different than those of the contemporary advertising environment. The analyzed adverbs could be found in books, dedicated to radiotechnics, electrical engineering, telewriters and electronics; in popular science and technical journals and also in some other papers and magazines.
Keywords: Bulgarian print media advertising, history of print advertising, old print advertising, old technics advertising, advertising strategies, informative advertising, graphic advertising
Abstract: The article presents the political and psychological analysis of the problem of the terrorism in view of the threats to national security. Solving this problem should not be done by military means and methods, and through understanding and elimination of psychological and political reasons for his birth.
Keywords: terrorism, national security
Abstract: Georges Dumezil's trifunctional hypothesis is considered as a subject of various attempted revisions and extensions. It appears that in its original form there is enough logical coherence to resist modifications.
Abstract: The world of religion is often partitioned between the two main human abilities, feeling and reason. The experiencing of sacred places, objects, people, etc. undoubtedly involves intense feelings. But the understanding of this experience and the ability to classify it presumes thinking. During the Enlightenment and rational critique of religion began a series of reductionist attempts to relegate the religion only to reason. The purpose of this paper is to explicate one such attempt by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, and also to display an opportunity to outdo it by the German theologian and philosopher Rudolf Otto, author of one of the most famous theological books of the 20th century “Das Heilige”, 1917.
Keywords: sacred places, religion and reason, Rudolf Otto, Immanuel Kant
Abstract: The present paper focuses on the individual and collective representations of the afterlife in the context of the recent developments of the death study, which blend psychological constructivist and social constructionist approaches. The latter could be applied to representations of “heaven”, “hell”, “nothingness” among others in culture, as well as to the „traces“ of the presence of the dead in the reality of the living people – from the expectations for one’s own funeral and for the contents of the posthumous memory to the projections of the dead bodies such as „encounters with spirits“ and fear of worms. The analysis of these representations relies on a specific interdisciplinary terminology, flexible enough to describe the intertwinement of various types of socialization, (non)religious beliefs, cultural practice and biographical trajectories. It introduces notions such as posthumous reputations, postselfs and postbodies.
Based on a sample of 60 biographical interviews of men and women (75 years old and over) from UK, Bulgaria and Romania and turning to the terminology of the psychological constructivism and the social constructionism this paper discusses the construction of the nonliving body and living memory of the deceased person. It shows how the gaining of existential meaning of the death presupposes an exchange and interchange of cultural models of mourning and personal experiences, of public instructions and individual strategies for coping with the loss of the innermost image of the loved ones and the fear of the disintegration and decay of the dead body.
Keywords: death study, posthumous reputations, postbodies, postselfs
Abstract: In the article the Euroscepticism is seen as a mixture of distrust in the EU institutions, rebellion against the status quo and pessimism about the future of the EU. The article analyzes the factors that contribute to expanding the influence of Euroscepticism - the presentism, i.e. the dictate of the present over the past and the future; the nationalism as nostalgia for clearly delineated borders; the crises in the functioning of the EU. The article briefly outlines several Euroscepticism's manifestations - electoral apathy, support for nationalist parties, and mistrust towards the EU institutions. Euroscepticism is treated on the one hand as a consequence of the crises in the EU and on the other as a factor in deepening the crisis. Euroscepticism is both a result of the crises and their root. Thomas theorem ("If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences") serves as an explanation of the role of Euroscepticism in the deepening the crisis in the EU. Incorrectly defined situation of the EU generates destructive impacts on his future.
Keywords: W. I. Thomas, self-fulfilling prophecy, historical memory, nationalism, crises, electoral apathy
The point of the text is to outline one of the main topics in the work of the French writer Michel Houellebecq – the conflict between two worlds and two religions: East (in the face of Islam) and West (represented through Catholicism and the European decadence from the late XIX and early XX century). The arguments according to which Houellebecq interprets the Islam and the Catholicism are displayed and analysed. His literature work is inscribed in the current intercultural issues and debates on the civilisation clash between two more and more different in their basis cultures - the European and the Islamic one.
The thesis of Houellebecq about the incapability of the Islam to get incorporated into the civilizational cultural and religious model of Western Europe is defended in accordance with the line of his thought in the novels “The Possibility of an Island”, “Submission”, “Platform,” and “Elementary particles.
Key words: Catholicism, Islam, European decadence, French literature, Crisis
S.H. Vatsyayan Agyeya, a pioneer in introducing modern sensibility to the post Chhayawadi Hindi literature, is heavily influenced by Western literary aesthetics, fiction, poetry and ideologies. In his first and most famous novel Shekhar Ek Jivani (Shekhar : A Biography) the influence of the West is sufficiently evident. (This novel has been translated into Bulgarian). When a prominent Indian writer like Agyeya reveals such an acute consciousness of the Western influence in his writing process, it leads to various possibilities. In this article an attempt is made to explore the shades, contradictions and enrichment that is born from this literary union. I have also examined whether the influence of the West on Agyeya leads to assimilation into the mainstream Hindi novel writing or this venture by the author leads to a separate/parallel stream created by subverting the former.
Key words: Hindi literature, Western literary aesthetics, Vatsyayan Agyeya
The dialogue “Alcibiades” offers an excellent opportunity for the participant to speak exactly on the topic of the conference, because in the conversation between the elderly Socrates and the young Alcibiades the main problem is precisely this one: what should learn a young man,,in what values and how should he be educated, in order to become a really good statesman. The young Alcibiades intends to become a politician. It is easy to become a political figure, but this does not necessarily mean, that he will become a good ruler and true statesman, Socrates holds. In order to make his dream come true Alcibiades has to learn a lot, to understand and to contemplate on various questions, insist Socrates and as examples points to some of the traditions in the royal court of Persia and to some of the political and educational practices there, which are strongly idealized in the optics of Plato.
Key words: political education and formation of a future statesman; political order; monarchy and politeia; Persia and Athens; justice and just; the self-knowledge – highest aim of the philosopher and the politician-statesman
Abstract: The novel “Eugene Onegin” is analysed through the economical theory of Adam Smith. The research is literary, historical, but also philosophical as much as it turns to some thesis of the Russian anarchism. The displayed context is the one in which Pushkin uses the ideas of Adam Smith about the land, the profit and the private property. In summary is presented also the influence of the ideas of Smith and Marks over the novel of Pushkin and the changes from the middle 19th and early 20th century.
Key words: capital, serfdom, Russian anarchism, economical theory, gentry, political reforms
Abstract: The article compares the function and the meaning of the minaret and the bell tower. Despite their external similarity, the minaret and the bell tower have different religious sense. The minaret creates specific architectural silhouette of the temple. But additionally it uses the conceptual resources of the Tower of Babel and serves to impose territorial identification of Islam and to strengthen the unity of his followers.
Keywords: temple, minaret, bell tower, tower of Babel, menhir
Abstract: The paper analyzes varieties of aspects of “ethnos – politics” relation: notion of ethnos definitions in the contemporary debates; the ethic localism trends; the conflict generating factors; human rights issue; the legal aspects of the ethnic rights; the typology of the ethnic groups; the role of the state, etc.
Keywords: ethnos, ethnic groups, ethnic rights, ethnic conflicts
It is hard to find a more distinctive mark of modern society than the trust placed
in scientific knowledge. Science is regarded as perhaps the best exemplar
of objectivity, rationality, and progress in human affairs.i
Doppelt (Doppelt 2008: 303)
Abstract. The aim of the article is to outline some peculiarities of Orient mentality and their potential to form ecological consciousness. An important aspect of the ecological consciousness is the ecological attitude. It is defined as consisted of at least three aspects: attitude to nature, attitude to other human beings, and attitude towards the quantity of one’s own life.
Important ideas of Asian thought that can contribute to the development of ecological consciousness are discussed as a foundation for farther analysis. The conclusion is that ecology should not be simply a science but also a wisdom, spiritual experience and transformation.
Key words: deep ecology, ecological consciousness, Chinese thought
Аbstract: The report presented the main ideas of V.I. Vernadsky, about the noosphere as a stage in the development of human culture (civilization). Reveals the internal contradictions of his concept - the pursuit of "naturalist" Vernadsky to perform scientific analysis of the formation and development of the "noosphere" as the highest stage in the geobiogenezis. Shows that even in shaping future socio-political implementations of noosphere society author manages to not leave the field of this analysis and does not pass into the field „philosophical and religious” utopianism.
Keywords: Noosphere, Science, Utopia.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is a philosophical and privatescientific argumentation of the Integration theory of the nature of consciousness. In its development, the author draws mainly on two achievements of the East-European tradition in psychology and philosophy of the mind. These are L. S. Vygotsky’s Cultural-Historical Theory and A. Gavrilov’s Relational Hypothesis of the Mind, and through updating and synthesis with the modern neurophysiological concepts of the function of the brain, the author seeks an integrative defi nition of consciousness.
Abstract. The article is focused on two possible approaches to investigate diplomatic culture. The first one implies the consideration of diplomatic culture as “encounter culture” and examines the consequences of this view. The second approach envisions diplomatic culture in its natural development and outlines different phases of its creation emphasizing on the ”classical diplomatic culture”. At the end conclusions are drawn related to the current state of diplomatic culture, the challenges with which it has to cope and the perspective of its survival and proliferation.
Abstract: Тhe study explores the character of the Supranational identity that is being created within the European Union. In order to understand the models that are used in its construction a comparative analysis between the National and European identity is proposed.
Abstract: The paper describes some Russian philosophical interpretations of love /at the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century/ as a sacral phenomenon and notion, a way towards God. The philosophical-anthropological approach of those authors analyzes love as metaphysical relation between man and woman, human being and nature, human being and society, human being and God.
Keywords: love, man, woman, God, society, nature.
The article examines the problem of semi-openness on the basis of a G. Bachelard’s idea mentioned in his “Poetics of space”. Speech closes through meaning while through poetic expression it opens. Movements of "opening and closing are so numerous, so reversible, so tentative" that the philosopher suggests the following wording: "man is essentially semi-open being". In the article Bachelard's ideas are extended by analyzing examples from the field of belles-letters. They cover the existential meanings attributed to the half-open door, eyes, lips, and the so-called mixed objects - object-subjects, which according to the French philosopher open themselves like us and create a sense of intimacy. The idea of semi-openness can be associated from psychoanalytic point of view with melancholy and the accompanying splitting of the personality. It is therefore devoted considerable attention to the way in which psychoanalytic concept of "crypt" appears in the T. Gautier’s work.
The article "The Essence of Counterfactual Analysis and David Lewis Understanding of it" aims at outlining the essence of the counterfactuality and the ensuing counterfactual analysis, which became famous after the publication of Robert Fogel's book: "Railways and American Economic Growth: Essays in Interpretative in 1964. The text focuses on one of the "birth" places of the counterfactual issues - the causality as a particular field of logics - but also explores the David Lewes' views on the semantics of 'possible worlds' and its degree of similarity with the real one. The great majority of the philosophers who think that the causal facts need to be explained thought (or reduced to) the occurrence-facts together with the fundamental-law-facts, regulating the occurrences, are in favour of the approach that regards the counterfactual causality as the explanatory key to the issues.
Abstract: Article is a theoretical attempt to observe manifestations of contemporary regionalism in respect of modern doctrine of nationalism. Analysis is based on traditions and culture of Silesia, Poland. The main accent is put on tension that can be seen in attempts of practical political realization of aspirations for gaining autonomy for Silesia. History of observed region is presented as a battlefield where both national and regional ideologies look for and find their symbolic arguments. Article is focused on the question of people's identity and its political usages. Nowadays collective identity is a part of regionalist efforts people living in Silesia to be recognized as national minority because of their cultural and ethnical diversity.
Key words: Silesia, Poland, regionalism, nationalism, identity, national minority, ethnical minority, history
The subject of this article is the notion of metaphor, used by Ricœur in the context of figure of speech, which taken out of the field of poetry and introduced to the language of philosophy, would facilitate overcoming the difficulties arising from the language of classical metaphysics. The idea of the metaphor aims at ending the dominating understanding of correspondence between reality and thinking. The metaphor represents the unity of reason and action.
Keywords: metaphor, identity, language, discourse, hermeneutics
The human body is one of the main resources of religions as they practice em-bodiment of their spiritual aspirations. This paper makes a comparative analysis of expressions of religious believes through bodily signs (prayer-habits, dietary regimen, sleep deprivation, sexual abstinence, etc). The focus of the analysis is one of the manifestations of these religious bodily signs, especially in Islamic cultures - the control of the body through clothing. The Islamic dress code is seen as a manifestation of religious obligation, commitment to the religious community, gender status expression, sexual protection, and personal choice.
Key words: religious bodily signs, Islamic dress code, gender status expression
The purpose of this article is to examine the contribution of Aristotel Gavrilov, a representative of antirepresentationalism (or presentationism, in the terminology of the Bulgarian philosophical tradition). The significance of this contribution is determined not only by the fact that it is an original attempt to formulate an extended philosophical concept of the nature of consciousness but also an exceptional opportunity to explicate the main methodological shortcomings in solving the subject – object relations in the traditions both of the presentationism approach and the representationalism.
Abstract: Thomas Bernhard's works are reviewed mostly through his novel "The Old Masters". The book attempts to derive a specific aesthetic method, typical for the novelistic heritage of the Austrian writer. The main topic is the destiny of Germany, which is shown in the context of post-war literature. The article reviews certain aspects of the so called antipatriotic literature, common for post-war Austria. The theory is supported by quotations from "The Old Masters", referring to Martin Heidegger's philosophical views.
Keywords: Austrian Literature, Thomas Bernhard, Austria, the old masters, Heidegger.
The Woman as the "Absolute Other" in E. Levinas's Philosophy
Abstract: The feminine (le feminin) and the woman hold a particular status in Levinas's works. Particular in the sense that like other key notions in his philosophy, they are characterized by the author himself as ambivalent, which on the other hand often renders their interpretation difficult and leads to ambiguous, sometimes mutually exclusive, interpretations. This duality is expressed in Levinas's treatment of both notions - on one hand they are the step stone to the French philosopher's focal theme about The Other, and on the other hand, they are seen as the "absolute alterity", thus drawing criticism stemming from the clearly manifested "man's writing" and the author's androcentric position.
keywords: The feminine, woman, ambiguity, the Other, alterity, androcentrism
Abstract: Heidegger's comments about a pair of shoes painted by van Gogh are read with attention to their historical context.
Abstract
The paper goal is to deliver a comment on the specifics of Schopenhauer’s idea of knowledge and the separation between the gnoseological knowledge and the knowledge of the pure subject. Accordingly, while referring to this problem, this paper will be exploring the idea of mediation of the knowledge of pure subject. In its essence the gnoseological knowledge, as described by Schopenhauer, is representation. In this sense, it is a subject to the a priori principle of sufficient reason and therefore of its forms – time and space, causality. The pure subject’s knowledge is beyond those forms, as explained by Schopenhauer, the pure knowledge is aesthetical knowledge, which goes beyond the intellect for a brief moment and by doing that reflects on the pure ideas themselves. Without taking up the discussion of Schopenhauer’s aesthetics here, we can nevertheless point out that the pure knowledge is strictly connected to this part of his philosophy.
Keywords: knowledge, pure subject of knowledge, individuation, principle of sufficient reason, representation
The paper analyses the main notions and the dynamics of Marx’s theory of religion in the light of the social spiritual and economic trends at his time, and especially as social critic, not as immanent religious critic. The analysis and the critic of religion are discussed within the framework of: the critic of the German speculative philosophy; the human production; the social relationships of alienation. This approach is placed by K. Marx within a social-historical context where the surmounting of the religious illusion involves perfecting societal relations and is linked with the rationality, transparency and humaneness of these relations. That philosophical trend strives to embody the transcendent in the immanent not only in thought but in reality as well. On this basis concrete practices are proposed for implementing this process: in the case of Marx this is the attainment of transparency and rationality in social relationships through scientific and technological progress and revolutionary change. The diversity of theoretical attitudes to the Marx’s theory and method and their influence are emphasized: M.Weber, E.Fromm, P.Tillich, S.Freud, etc.
Key words: Marx, religion, materialist philosophy, capitalism, alienation, social critic.
Аз твърдя, че философски проблеми съществуват и твърдя дори, че съм решил един от тях.
Карл Попър (Попър 1998: 123)
Според известен речник думата „демаркация” (demarcaton) има сложен произход от испанска, италианска или немска дума и означава „разграничавам, полагам граница (между)”. В английския език терминът demarcaton за пръв път се появява през 1816 г., но проблемът, който назовава, е далеч по-стар. В общи линии той се свежда до въпроса как да се разграничи науката от не-науката. „Не-наука” е събирателен термин, с който обхващаме както математика, логика и метафизика, така и астрология, алхимия и френология – с други думи, всякакви псевдо-, лъже-, пара-, квази- научни възгледи и теории, които „претендират да са научни, но не са, защото имитират науката”. (Стефанов 2007: 9). За философията на науката проблемът винаги е на дневен ред и дискусиите по него продължават и днес.
Карл Попър вероятно е философът, който през двайсети век най-много е допринесъл за решаването на демаркационния проблем. Решението на Попър е в основата на неговата философия на науката, но също и на неговата социална философия (Лозев 2000). В интелектуалната си автобиография „Безкрайното търсене” Попър ни е оставил интересно описание на ситуацията, в която за първи път осъзнава значението на проблема. Той е едва седемнайсет годишен, когато присъства на изнесената от Айнщайн лекция във Виенския университет през 1919 г. Младежът излиза от лекцията зашеметен, защото по думите му тя „далеч надминаваше моите разбирания” (Попър 1998: 38), но е най-силно впечатлен от „недвусмисленото твърдение на Айнщайн, че би сметнал теорията си за несъстоятелна, ако тя не издържи на определена проверка” (Попър 1998: 39).
Макар и млад, Попър долавя колко различен е подходът и отношението на Айнщайн към собствената му теория в сравнение с позицията на Маркс, Фройд и Адлер към създадените от тях „научни” теории. Готовността на Айнщайн да приеме възможния провал на своята теория Попър не открива нито в марксизма, нито в психоанализата, нито в индивидуалната психология. Защо са така различни тези „теории”? И справедливо ли е всички тях да именуваме с термина „научна теория”?
Размислите върху тази тема ще доведат след време философа Попър до създаването на първия му, и най-важен за неговата философия на науката, труд Logik der Forschung (Логиката на научното откритие), 1935.
The Birth of Analytical Method: George Moore and the Overcoming of Kantian Philosophy
Kamen Lozev
ABSTRACT: The article is dedicated to a crucial moment in the philosophical development of George Moore during his work on his two dissertations, 1897-1898. It is argued that what has been later known as ‘the analytical method’ in philosophy came out largely as a result from Moore’s criticism of Kant and his deontological ethical theory. The main thrust of Moore’s critique of Kant is his accusation that Kant is too ‘subjective’ and too ‘psychological’ in his attempt to show the necessary connection between human will and freedom.
Abstract: The main goal of this article is to establish the significance of Schopenhauer’s interpretation of the Principle of Sufficient Reason. For this purpose it is necessary to explicate the genesis and the nature of the principle in some of the main interpretations through the history of philosophy. The article analyzes some inquires of the principle before Leibniz and also Leibniz’s interpretation. It is essential to outline the specifics of Schopenhauer’s idea of the principle as a prerequisite for the knowledge itself in the representational model of the world, i.e. the world as representation. The paper also presents Schopenhauer’s concept of the “fourfold”-ness of the root of principle of sufficient reason.
Key words: Schopenhauer, Sufficient Reason, Scottish Philosophy, Leibniz, Representation.
Abstract: The article discusses the theory of concept, which Hegel develops in Subjective logic of his fundamental work Science of Logic. Hegel define the concept as the least and the most basic unit among the logical forms in Traditional logic. So the concept is demonstrated as the basis, upon which the theories of judgment and syllogism must ground. Hegel deduces three basic component of the concept: universal, particular and singular concept. In this way Hegel develops in movement and deduction the relation between genus, species and individual, which relation is axiomatic for the Traditional logic. The triad structure pretends to be the essential logical structure of the concept and reveals his full potential as form of thought.
Keywords: Hegel’s logic, universal, particular and singular concept, genus and species, Traditional logic
Astract: The paper summarizes the main ideas of Bradley’s idealist philosophy which most influenced the thought of Moore and Russell. At some length are discussed Bradley’s doctrines of ‘internal relations’, the Absolute, the non-existence of individual facts as well as the doctrine that we do not do justice to reality when we deal with singular judgments. It is argued that both Moore and Russell grew as philosophers in an incessant struggle with Bradley’s main ideas.
The main aim of the article is to present the idea of boundary in Western and especially in Eastern thought through the very relation East-West. East and West are used as symbols of particular kind of interpreting the world – in terms of unity and in terms of differentiation. Revelation of the relativity of content and meaning constructing the both sides of the relation, proves the validity of ideas, developed in Eastern thought, and guides to the conclusion that the two kinds of thought are equally important aspects of the human thought as a whole.
Abstract. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current situation in South America’s regional cooperation, taking into account contemporary foreign policy of the leading Latin America’s countries, particularly the way they perceive the regional cooperation process. At the beginning it assesses the neo-liberalist course during the 1990s taken by South America’s governments which explains why these countries have chosen to put economic emphasis on the style of regional relations. Since 2002 the shift to the left in the region, albeit with different nuances has set up new political agenda for regional cooperation that makes up the newly created UNASUR as well as Venezuelan President-led ALBA, to complete the horizons of the new pattern of the South American cooperation. This Latin America’s regional dynamics has left its mark on the OAS. Although it has been for a long time regarded as USA-led regional organization, the OAS activities has evolved in multidimensional framework for regional cooperation in defending democracy and human rights in the Western Hemisphere. The Inter-American Democratic Charter, while a significant milestone in the history of the OAS, is far form being excellent in promoting democratic governance. Nevertheless, the OAS continues to gain relevance in despite of numerous challenges presented by the newly established Latin-American organizations seeking for autonomous South America’s regional cooperation, excluding the USA and Canada.
The author has presented and analyzed some of Schleiermacher’s basic ideas on and approaches to religion. The analysis focuses on the abstract level, the ideal in Schleiermacher’s interpretation of religion, and then on the concrete historical, social-political being of religion. In the first aspect, Schleiermacher views religion not as a functional tool used by the individual or by society , but as an expression of the actual emotional relationship between the human being and God. Schleiermacher emphasizes the priority of religion and Church as his spiritual ideal over philosophy, morality, state, politics. He deduces this priority from the priority of the spiritual over the material, of the eternal and universal over everyday life and passions. Schleiermacher searches for the causes of the low social and cultural status of religion in contemporary society moving from the normative essence of religion and humanity to their empirical contemporary reality.
The article aims to propose a philosophical-anthropological view over the poet’s figure. Some questions are unveiled, such as: How does the creator control the matter, how he opposes the pencil’s substance to the paper’s one? How does the matter sway the poet’s mind throughout the images of past events, deep waters, wild winds, transparent skies? How these images in the poetry art provoke and influence upon the reader? What is the role of the poet? What distinguishes him from other authors? What is the language’s role in the act of creation? These questions bring some new aspects to the task of metaphysical thinking of the human being as a personality, which reveals itself supported by poetry and dreams. The act of self-expression by means of poetry is related to the idea of breaking from every day life with a special way of communication, with the poetry’s language, which conceals the ordinary and makes an allusion to the secret, the unspeakable, the unconscious.
In the article is shown cognitive mechanism of human's sensuous, according to its structure and way of function. It is based of the formula "contact+difference= contradistinction=sensation", which means: if there aren't contact and difference between irritating factor and sense, there isn't a contradistinction too; if there isn't contradistinction, there isn't a sensation too. The sensuous process is produced by quantitative-qualitative reactions in the reception cells. It is marked with the contradiction: if there is a perfect sensation, the process loses sensibility; if there is a perfect sensibility of the process, sensation disappears. This "defect", hidden of high frequency of the relation, is valid for all process of development. This formula is objective first stage of the knowledge.
The present paper aims to delineate the conceptual background that made possible the formulation of Russell's paradox in its three different modifications: set-theoretical, predicative and relational. As is well known, Russell viewed his discovery as a by-product of his unsuccessful attempts to refute Cantor's fundamental theorem which shows that there is no greatest cardinal number. Thus we can get the set-theoretical rendering of the paradox, which appears about a year after the first known exposition of the paradox. Therefore, Russell's own reconstruction of the way which led him to the formulation of his famous contradiction is incorrect. The true sources of the paradox are not mathematical but philosophical: the critique of Bradley's metaphysics (which directed Russell's attention to self-applicative predicates) and Hegel's dialectic (which is responsible for his constant search for contradictions). This demonstrates the continuity of mathematical and philosophical logic which is blurred by today's reigning preconceptions.
Keywords: Russell's paradox, Cantor's set-theory, Bradley's theory of judgment, Hegel's dialectic.
This article is study of some thoughts of Alain Badiou concerning the Cultural Revolution in China (1966-68). As I think Cultural Revolution confirmed the impossibility of state socialism to overcome inconsequence revolutionnaire and continuity as regards to pre-modern social forms, mainly The State: the mechanisms of continuity already run independently of individual wills of revolutionnaries, although the pattern soviet is denied.
This essay explores the possibilities of speaking of Bulgarian philosophical canon, taking the Bulgarian literary canon as a model. It traces the evolution of the different debates on the subject, comparing the main historical periods in the 20th century.
Key Words: Bulgarian philosophical heritage, Philosophical canon, Totalitarian and post-totalitarian Bulgarian thought
In the first part of the article, "play - sport" identity is analysed in the Spanish philosopher's doctrine. It is concluded, that in this case, sport is metaphorically interpreted - it's not a notion for а part of the existing plays but for a certain type of human existence. For Ortega, the essential sport/play insignia is the stimulus of self-exemption: the play requires to be played as good as possible. In the second part of the article, the concept of sport/play relationship with the "good utopism" is analyzed. According to Ortega, the man who has no vital goals at the frontier between the actually attainable and the impossible is a person with degrading human existence. In this sense, authentic life turns out to have sportsmen orientation - a process of constant self-overcoming, permanent effort to achieve the unachievable. At the end of the article, by analyzing Ortega's vision of art and hunting, another meaning of play is provided. Ortega interprets it not only as self - exemption but also as a relief from reality. In the article, comparisons are made between Schiller, Huizinga and Ortega's game doctrines.
Keywords: sports, play, self-exemption, "good utopism", release from reality, hunting as a mankind holiday.
В първата част на статията се анализира тъждеството „игра - спорт” в доктрината на испанския философ. Прави се изводът, че в случая спортът се тълкува преносно - не е понятие за част от съществуващите игри, а за определен тип битие на човека. За Ортега същностен белег на спорта/играта е подтикът към самопреодоляване: ”играта изисква да се играе колкото се може по-добре”. Във втората част на статията се анализира връзката на понятието за спорта/играта с „добрия утопизъм”. Според Ортега човекът, който не разполага жизнените си цели на границата между реално постижимото и невъзможното, е човек с деградиращо битие. В този смисъл автентичният живот се оказва живот с ориентацията на „спортиста” – процес на непрестанно себенадмогване, на перманентни усилия за постигане на непосилното. В края на статията, като се анализира визията на Ортега за изкуството и за лова, се сочи още едно значение на играта. Ортега я интерпретира не само като самонадмогване, но и като освобождаване от реалността. В статията се правят сравнения между доктрината за играта на Шилер, Хьойзинха и Ортега.
Ключови думи: спорт, игра, самопреодоляване, „добрият утопизъм”, освобождаване от реалността, ловът като ваканция на човечеството.
In a Kantian perspective, it will be argued that symbols as indirect representations give a chance to throw light on metaphors in our social expeirence at the level of the so-called „critical ontologies“. We could consider certain key metaphors in order with the aim to express social and cultural dimensions of life in a proper way. The literal and philosophical development of such metaphors could play the role of possibility condition for symbolic generalizations. From a transcendental-logical viewpoint, these generalizations are comprehensible as basic elements of our fore-predicative experience.
This essay presents the chronology and evolution of the famous Renaissance debate on Plato’s superiority over Aristotle and the historical figures who took part in it. It also aims to find arguments in support of the interpretative thesis sustained here, which is the following. The debate on Plato’s superiority over Aristotle was internal to the society of Greek exiled scholars in Italy and, as a consequence of this, its scope (in terms of duration, number of participants and influence on other philosophers) remained quite restricted.
The Image of the Intellectual Bulgarian Woman in the Humanities of the Inter-War Period
The paper offers a discussion on the opinions – expressed in the period between the two World Wars – about the intellectual woman. A next level of analysis presents the Bulgarian woman as an intellectual. At last, a special accent is put on the participation of the Bulgarian woman in the philosophical life of the country.
Key words: intellectual woman, Bulgarian woman, inter-war period
В статията се разглеждат някои от най-важните аспекти на актуалния въпрос за отношението на християнската религия към равноправието на жените в Църквата и обществото, като се защитава тезата, че поставянето на този въпрос не е свързано със същността на християнската доктрина, а е резултат на принудителното въвличане на християнското богословие и Църквата в неговото обсъждане от представителите на съвременния феминизъм. Показва се, че отношението на християнството и феминизма към равноправието на жените не е и не би могло да бъде еднозначно, но че те могат взаимно да се обогатяват и да предлагат теоретични и практически решения, водещи към по-пълно и адекватно разрешаване на проблемите на равноправието между мъжете и жените в църковния и в цялостния живот на обществото.
Изящната и кратка поетическа хайку форма не търси смисъла си под експресивните наслоявания на езика, а проблясва като лъч и се разроява след думите. Така хайку открива пространството на недоизказаност. В него смисълът е безбрежен и с неподозирани очертания, защото читателското съзнание като фин инструмент приема лъченията на текста и отзвучава със свои тонове. Заложеният в човешката природа стремеж към образованост разкрива освен желанието за знание и необходимостта чрез него да бъде опознат светът, да бъде променен, но и споделен, защото е човешки свят. Със специфичните си художествени средства хайку не само улавя, но и споделя моментите на „тук и сега” на света. Нещо повече – позволява ни да бъдем част от него.
The brief and exquisite poetic haiku form does not contain its meaning in the expressive layers of the speech, it rather shines out like a ray of light after the words. In this way haiku reveals the incompleteness. Its meaning is infinite and has unexpected outlines because the reader’s mind, like a delicate instrument, perceives the message of the text and converts it into its own tunes.
Set in human nature, literacy striving reveals not only the need to understand and change the world but also share it with others as it is a human world. With its specific modes of expression haiku not only captures but also shares the moments of “here and now” of the world. What is more important – it allows us to be part of it.
Key words: message, sense, intuition, poetry, experience.
През последните години почти няма пазарен сектор в глобален мащаб, който да е така еуфорично-динамичен, както световният пазар на произведения на изобразителното изкуство. Това е един хетерогенен пазар с трудно-определими граници, тъй като включва освен произведения на изкуството и такива, които са движими паметници на културата, както и collectibles - разни вещи за колекциониране.
Никога досега не са печелени толкова много пари от изкуство, както през 2006 г. и оттогава до началото на сегашната световна финансова криза. Отделни творби достигнаха цената на авиолайнер „Боинг". Гладът за красота изглежда неуталожен от Шанхай до Ню Йорк, но доминиращият център на тази търговия си остава Европа.
Защо съществува очевидна, трайна и устойчива тенденция на „евроцентризъм" в контекста на световния арт-пазар на творби на изобразителните изкуства, чийто годишен обем през последните години е от около 20 милиарда евро?
The paper focuses on the linguistic interpretation of the attitudes of the self towards the Other determined by the characteristics of the lexicon. It is based on linguistic data on word, phrase and idiom level as well as on an analysis of relevant proverbs in English and Bulgarian. The goal of the research is to compare the images and metaphors underlying these expressions to the effect of establishing the zones of disparity and overlap in the interpretation of Otherness in the languages under discussion. Its starting point is the assumption that the necessity to accept the Self in order to accept the Other and communicate successfull, and the subsequent projection of Self-perception on the way we conceive of the Other are influenced by the lexical content of our personal narrative, which is in turn structured by the lexicon available in the mother tongue.
The work treats some terms in Hebrew, with which are indicated the male and female basis at the creation of the world in the book Geneses” of Pentateuch of Moses. The approach used is linguistic one, based on the possibility of the Hebrew to produce different meanings from a single radical by means of different sounding. In the language sense of the bearers of Hebrew as a mother tongue, this gives a possibility to be formed different semantic chains, which comes from a single radical but have different meanings. That can be combined in different sense paradigms. In this way the radical appears as a potential of meanings, realized depending on the context, but besides that it consists of all the rest meanings, which present implicitly and influence on the consciousness.
The present article is an experiment for treatment and interpretation of the symbolics of the town's space on other leve, different from the purely ethnographical. Taking in mind the thesises of famous ethnologists and anthropologists that the ethnology is more an original method of learning than a source of privat knowledge (Mauss) and that no science can consider the structures proceeding from its field as limited, as some arrangement of certain parts (Levi-Strauss) the symbolics of the town is treated both in its representation, psychologically (as archetype) and in its concreteness, physically and architecturally (as topos).
Proceed from the maxim that: 1.Culturologically the town is a „centre" - meeting of sacral and profane spase. 2. Historically and philosophically the town is a continuum of the world history. 3. Psychologically the town is an archetype of the power - conflict and reconciliation between the collective unconsciousness and the ego consciousness - the present attempt is only marking of a detailed investigation of the town's symbolics.
The universal symbolism of the Bible used in an aesthetic narrative structure acquires new individual meaning – human fear of the immensity of spiritual dimensions, which gives life to a world of seeming understanding as apposed to true knowledge.
The visual perspective in the story “Lazarus and Jesus” by Emiliyan Stanev points to the world of human logic as apposed to inner vision and Logos – the divine knowledge. Fear of Logos is a rush into death and human logic, which gives rise to a world of false understanding and loss of spiritual perspective. The visual as apposed to vision places the mind into the circle of appearances, where life to the body becomes death of the soul, while resurrection can be understood in spiritual terms only. The story dramatically opposes the impulse for spiritual resurrection and the urge into fear leading to death of body and spirit. Loss of vision turns the mind into a slave of appearances; loss of knowledge turns the mind into a prey of fear and distorted logic.
The dynamic between the visual and inner vision becomes symbolic of the dynamic between death and resurrection as well as between knowledge and distorted understanding. Those dynamic relations give depth to understanding basic psychological and epistemological problems from the viewpoint of a humanitarian pessimist.
Употребата на думата “елит” в различните типове дискурс в днешна Русия е широка както в публицистиката, така и във всекидневието и се отнася до различни социални слоеве, носи и различна емоционална натовареност. Преди да характеризираме основните черти на политическия език на днешния властови елит на Русия, е необходимо е да кажем няколко думи за самия елит. Според унгареца М. Вайда елитът на обществото “това е група от хора, стоящи на горното стъпало на йерархията, способна да създаде образци на потребности и поведение”. За механизма на влиянието на елита пише и немският социолог П. Драйцел: елитът се състои от притежаващите висши позиции в група, организация или институция, в която подборът се осъществява според принципа на “продуктивността на знанието”. По този начин благодарение на неговите позиции и ролята, властта и влиянието, елитът има възможност да формира социалната структура на обществото. Още В. Парето разделя елита на непосредствено властови, управляващ и продуктивен, създаващ духовни ценности.
Квантовата механика описва материята на атомно и субатомно ниво. На такова ниво микрочастиците имат коренно различно поведение от това на макротелата и затова възникват явления, които са непознати за класическата физика - корпускулярно-вълнов дуализъм, квантуване, неопределеност и суперпозиция на състоянията, вероятностен характер на събитията (преходите от едно състояние в друго), забранени състояния и съществената роля, която играе процесът на наблюдение (измерване) на квантовата система за определяне на конкретното й състояние. За описанието на тези нови явления е необходим нов математически апарат. Той е създаден сравнително бързо през втората половина на двадесетте и началото на тридесетте години на двадесети век, макар че продължава да се развива и досега.
Испанският философ Хосе Ортега-и-Гасет не е публикувал нито едно специализирано върху езика съчинение, но темата за езика присъства в много от текстовете му. Езикът е сред най-обширно мигриращите „предмети”, обсъждани в неговото творчество. Както посочва Педро Сересо Галан, един от проникновените изследователи на ортегианската философия, проблемът за езика в доктрината на Ортега е „скрита вена, която от време на време излиза на повърхността, но която не престава да пулсира” (7, 378). Езикът е една от привилегированите теми във философията на Ортега.
It is generally assumed that the process of production, distribution and consumption of specialised discourse is realised within certain cultural contexts which presuppose and reveal shared values and beliefs embodying basic assumptions both as to the nature of the discipline and the subject matter and as to the ‘professional ethic’ and relationships between the members of the respective community or, as stated by Bizzell (1982:193), all academic discourse is „a form of language use that unites a particular community“.
Convincing as it may sound, this claim needs serious reconsideration in the modern age of globalisation of academic communication. How are we to define the community Bizzell refers to? And does present-day academic discourse really unite scientists of different social, economic, ethnic, cultural, etc. backgrounds, or does (or maybe should?) the very expansion of the community and the ever-increasing multiplication of voices within it result in diversification rather than unification? And if so, will this lead to communication breakdowns
Two basic philosophical positions have to be considered in this respect, namely the internalist/social constructionist and the externalist ones. The discussion shows that if one remains committed to the traditional understanding of ‘discourse community’, one should either recognize the existence of a very large number of very small communities, or accept that the academic discourse community has disappeared. A more realistic point of view would be to speak at present of fluctuating communities united by temporary common goals.
Slavoj Zizek, easily interpreting the theses by Jacques Lacan, the fragments by Marx, some texts by Alain Badieu etc., develop the concept for the retro - actively fixed target (the exact definition is mine - D.G.) - this explicaton on the events historics, which the people fabricate postfactum, in order to show the latter as a result of deliberate pursue and realized object. This inversion by "telos" and "praxis" by himself teleologic, but she pursue not simply towards giving legitimation on the factition by way of the grounding antedate of the acts and achieved owing to accession to power: here the subject receive the opportunity choosing the own history of itself. This act is possible solely through and on the level of language, because the language give opportunity to change the own past, transforning him in the present. But does is do the true choose, the chance correcting the errors and the failures or someting totally different? The answers stretch beyond the bounds on the Zizek study... if it is possible so to speak for him. In the centre of attention is the fortune on the left in the future...