The Contribution of Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Towards the Development of Philosophy and Religious Studies in the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”

Abstract

The article for the first time in the scientific literature highlights the place and role of the Institute of Philosophy of H. S. Skovoroda of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the creation and development of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies of the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (NaUKMA), established 1992. Focusing on important role of the scientists of the Institute of Philosophy in the actualization of the intellectual heritage and institutional memory of the glorious Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (KMA, 1615‒1817), the article stresses the direct involvement of scientists and philosophers of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the revival of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy as a modern university, started 30 years ago by a group of Ukrainian scientists and educators headed by Vyacheslav Briukhovetskyi, and training of the first bachelors and masters of philosophy in Ukraine. Revealing the main goal of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies of NaUKMA – the formation of a new generation of Ukrainian philosophers whose professional level meets modern Western standards, the author focuses attention on the model of philosophical education formed in cooperation with scientists of the Institute of Philosophy, innovative for the post-Soviet era. This model is based on a combination of general humanitarian and professional training, educational process and scientific studies, students’ in-depth knowledge of both history as well as modern directions and trends of philosophical thought, primary sources on classical and modern philosophy, proper mastery of foreign languages with the aim of directly studying the original heritage of the worldwide and Ukrainian philosophical thought, as well as the latest research literature. Outlining the achievements of the leading specialists of the Institute in the field of teaching and implementation of philosophical educational programs of NaUKMA, the author proves that their long-term cooperation with the university has become not only one of the fundamental foundations of the NaUKMA’s philosophical school, but also a powerful stimulus for professional development and creative self-realization of its Institute colleagues.