ATHANASE JOJA – OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY OF THE ROMANIAN CULTURE

Abstract

"Concerned with philosophy, history and logic alike, Athanase Joja has written a treatise on logic which is the fundamental landmark of the current logic research. The second half of the twentieth century is marked by the appearance of its four volumes of logic. The volumes include a history of logic, problems of systematic logic and logic of science, which reveals his logical vision, but also his philosophical one. He manages to develop a complex theory of the history of logic, capitalizing on the conceptions of classical and modern philosophers, through a proper hierarchy and interpretation, corresponding to an integrative conception. He gives ample space to some complex, vast and difficult-to-match problems. He has been questioning himself constantly and he sought pertinent answers to problems of logic, epistemology and ontology, in order to capture some generally valid truths. The history of ancient thought, Greek philosophy and especially Aristotelian thought were analysed, systematized and discussed in his own manner, a fact which led Constantin Noica to contribute to the publication of two of his History of Ancient Thought volumes. About him, Ion Ianoși stated that through his texts he proves a certain aesthetic sensitivity and receptivity to artistic values. The present study, based on a careful documentation, aims to configure an image as close as possible to the reality of the great thinker Athanase Joja. Particularly critical of his own writings, he provoked a relatively low cognitive interest in his research; this explains the fact that his work is insufficiently known and valued. However, the 21st century has begun with a globally manifest desire to capitalize on and reinterpret the knowledge of the forerunners. In this regard, we note the fact that his life and work were evoked, in 2004, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. In the public life, he played an important role in promoting scientific values and contributed to the establishment of prestigious international scientific publications and events, which would capitalize on the results of Romanian scientific research. We consider that any attention paid to Athanase Joja’s work is an approach that is part of the global cultural trends of the 21st century."