Contemporary Scholars Research Articles

Origin and Development: History of Storytelling

Storytelling has been a fundamental part of human culture for thousands of years, serving as a means for entertainment, education, and preserving cultural traditions. The origins of storytelling can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where oral narratives were used to pass down histories, myths, and legends from one generation to the next. This research paper aims to examine the evolution of storytelling throughout history, exploring how the form and function of stories have adapted to changing social, technological, and cultural landscapes. By drawing upon a comprehensive review of historical records, anthropological studies, and contemporary scholarship, this paper will trace the development of storytelling from its earliest beginnings to the present day, identifying key milestones, influential figures, and significant shifts in the art of narrative. The research suggests that while the mediums and techniques of storytelling have evolved dramatically, from cave paintings to digital platforms, the fundamental human need to share and consume stories has remained constant throughout history, thus reflecting innate desire to make sense of the world and place within it. Through understanding the rich history and enduring significance of storytelling, this paper will provide valuable insights into the human experience and the role of narrative in shaping collective identity and cultural heritage.

Ellen Churchill Semple: Navigating a Patriarchal Discipline

Ellen Churchill Semple is a notorious figure in the geographical realm whose complicated legacy renders her place within a historiography of geography uncertain. While Semple is hailed as the first female geographer, it is also widely acknowledged that her work is tainted with racism. Contemporary scholars wish to erase her contributions, declaring that they would “prefer to forget” her infamous text Influences of Geographic Environment in which she claimed that physical geography determined human behaviour. Mona Domosh complicates this desire to erase Semple from memory by advocating for a feminist historiography of geography. Through foregrounding the contributions that women have made to the development of geographic knowledge, Domosh challenges the exclusion of women from accounts of the discipline’s past. This paper therefore addresses the question: Should Semple be included in a feminist historiography of geography? Furthermore, was Semple a feminist? To interrogate this, I reimagine Pearson’s take on violent women. Just as Atwood describes a woman’s disbelief at her ability to cause harm in the opening quote, Pearson centres the misperception that women are simply compassionate caregivers and victims of their circumstances – the ‘myth of female innocence’. This is useful for exploring Semple’s role in epistemological violence where her data interpretations brought negative consequences for certain groups. An intersectional lens is crucial for examining the connections between race, class, and gender which shaped the experiences of Semple and those she deemed ‘inferior’. The structure-agency debate emerges, asking whether individuals are entirely socialised by structures or can act autonomously. I take a relational approach to acknowledge the interrelatedness of social processes and argue that Semple both actively challenged and perpetuated patriarchy. Firstly, this paper outlines Semple’s theoretical contributions and other key insights provided by contemporary female geographers which are useful for assessing Semple’s impact today. Secondly, Semple’s infiltration of male-dominated space is examined to demonstrate her resistance to traditional gender expectations. Thirdly, her imperial entanglements are traced to illustrate her perpetuation of the patriarchal state. Finally, a contemporary manifestation of the Semple dilemma is considered. I conclude that by today’s standards of intersectional feminism Semple is not a feminist role model, however she can be considered an early feminist for her active reconfiguration of an all-male discipline. Ultimately, I advocate for the critical inclusion of Semple’s work in a feminist historiography of geography. This project of decoding knowledge to understand the influence of cultural forces offers a step towards decolonising the academy.

From ‘Practical Application of Knowledge’ to ‘Academic Self-Awareness’: A Historical Examination of Knowledge Production in Chinese Middle East Studies

The knowledge production in Chinese Middle East studies boasts a long history. The article traces the evolution of Chinese scholarship on Middle East studies from ancient times to the present. Initially driven by the practical needs for imperial expansion and foreign trade, this scholarship focused on the academic tradition of the ‘practical application of knowledge.’ Over time, it evolved into a phase of academic self-awareness, characterized by a more systematic and independent approach to Middle East studies. This shift reflects broader changes in China’s foreign relations and academic priorities, with contemporary scholars emphasizing the development of an autonomous knowledge production system through various models, such as major-theme research, discipline-driven research, and integrated research. The article suggests that future research should adopt an ‘issue-driven’ model to enhance further the depth and autonomy of Chinese Middle East studies.

The many faces of natural theology: Diverse projects, distinct roles, and the pursuit of clarity

AbstractThe term ‘natural theology’ provokes a variety of reactions, spanning from whole-hearted endorsement to passionate rejection. Charged as it is with polemical and pejorative undertones, this debate begs for an intervention. If the scholarly community is to engage constructively with the concept and practice of natural theology – either by way of acceptance, rejection, or something in between – clarity in its definition and identification is imperative. The aim of this paper is to try to shed some light on three of the most common definitions of ‘natural theology’ in contemporary scholarship, to provide clarity about the ways in which they differ, and to propose some conceptual refinements in the hope that, if adopted, more fruitful discourse may take place in relation to this much-debated and interdisciplinary phrase.

The Antidemocratic Harms of Mansplaining

The neologism “mansplaining” captures an insidious dynamic in which men explain things to women that women already understand, assuming that, by virtue of being a woman, she lacks the man’s knowledge. Mansplaining has started to receive some attention in contemporary scholarship, conceptualizing the phenomenon and identifying its epistemic harm. My purpose is to consider mansplaining and its harms from the perspective of democratic theory. Setting the problem of mansplaining against the norms we expect of democracy—equality, inclusion, and recognition—I argue that mansplaining poses harms that are not only individual and epistemic but also collective and relational. I distinguish two types of mansplaining based on women’s expertise and experience to elaborate on its collective epistemic harms to decision making and its relational harm of political exclusion. Mansplaining poses further relational harms of inequality and misrecognition, undermining the equal social relations and social trust required for deliberation.

The Concept of Ulil Amri in Al-Sunnah: Theological and Social Implications in Nationhood

This research aims to examine the concept of Ulil Amri as described in the Quran and Sunnah, and how obedience to Ulil Amri is applied in the context of nationhood, particularly within modern political systems. The research uses a qualitative method with a descriptive-analytical approach, focusing on the interpretation of religious texts and related literature. Primary data sources include the Quran, Hadith, and the commentaries of classical and contemporary scholars, such as Ibn Qayyim, Al-Tabari, and Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. The main findings indicate that obedience to Ulil Amri has clear limitations, particularly when leaders do not govern in accordance with Islamic law. Additionally, the concept of Ulil Amri faces challenges in the modern era, especially in countries that do not fully implement Sharia law. The role of scholars in ensuring that leaders' policies remain aligned with Islamic values has become increasingly significant. The research concludes that obedience to Ulil Amri remains relevant; however, Muslims must balance this obedience with constructive criticism through the principle of Amar Ma’ruf Nahi Munkar when necessary. Consequently, this study suggests that the concept of Ulil Amri in Islam can be dynamically applied within the framework of modern governance.

A Matter of Respect: A Review Essay about Respect and Loathing in American Democracy: Polarization, Moralization, and the Undermining of Equality

Abstract In their new and theoretically innovative book, Respect and Loathing in American Democracy, Jeff Spinner-Halev and Elizabeth Theiss-Morse argue that the nation's politics suffers from a lack of respect among political opponents. In making their argument, they build a lot of bridges: between the normative and empirical sides of Political Science, between qualitative and quantitative research, and between contemporary scholarship and many of the seminal works from an earlier era. To address the respect deficit, they call for greater attention to civic education and—perhaps counterintuitively—less attention to politics.

Kitsch as a Mirror of Pop Culture in the Era of Hyper-Reality

The purpose of the study is to define the features of kitsch in the context of its application in contemporary pop culture. To investigate the relationship between kitsch and hyperreality using Baudrillard's philosophical theory of hyperreality. The research methodology includes general scientific principles of systematisation and generalisation of the problem under study, which made it possible to identify and scientifically substantiate existing theories, conceptual approaches to understanding the content of the concepts of “kitsch”, “hyperreality”, “grassroots” and “high” culture. The following methods were used: analytical, historical, and comparative. The historical method helped to find the origins of kitsch and establish the chronology of its development. The comparative method was used to identify and search for properties and characteristics based on the collected information. The use of the analytical research method helped to analyse the data and form hypotheses based on it. The scientific novelty is a comprehensive consideration of kitsch in the context of its application in the modern era of hyperreality. On this basis, the specific features of kitsch were synthesised, namely: hyperbole, idealisation, commercialisation, loss of authenticity, superficiality, vulgarity, template, imitation (parody), mass and emotional manipulation. Conclusions. Contemporary pop culture is heavily influenced by the processes of globalisation and digitalisation, which have radically affected and continue to influence the development of culture in general. The result of these processes is the emergence and rapid development of kitsch. Its characteristic features are hyperbole, idealisation, commercialisation, loss of authenticity, superficiality, vulgarity, template, imitation (parody), mass appeal, and emotional manipulation. These are the main features inherent in kitsch, and they allow us to unmistakably identify the presence of kitsch in a particular work of art. It is important to note that the specificity of contemporary pop culture is also dictated by the general context of its existence in the era of hyperreality. Most often, this is expressed in the hyperbolisation of the images conveyed. These and other features give kitsch a special status of an important part of pop culture, and also influence its formation by creating new standards. Accordingly, kitsch should be seen as a means of analysing contemporary cultural trends. After all, these trends are in a constant stage of formation and development, which require vigilance and frequent attention from contemporary scholars.

Rhetoric Of Language In The Story Of Ashābul Kahfi According To Muhammad Thāhir Ibn Asyûr

<table style="width: 688px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="501"><p style="text-align: justify;">The Qur'an is considered to contain many i'jaz sides which make it impossible for humans to create or imitate it. Of the many mufassir, not all of them discuss their interpretation with the style or aspect of language. This is where contemporary scholars and <em>mufassir</em> emergedThe name is Ibnu Ashur with his commentary <em>Tahrir wa Tanwir</em>, he is one of the interpreters who is very concerned about the various <em>Ijaz</em> and <em>balaghoh</em> aspects in the Al-Quran. And in the Qur'an there are many stories that are full of lesson and become life better, one of which is the story of the <em>Ashabul-Kahf</em> which is famous for its miraculous and full of grace, which is permissible for everyone to learn the lesson from this story with the secret meaning that come from Allah. style. The purpose of this study is to analyze hidden secrets that lie in the beauty of the choice of language, sentences, and arrangement of verses from the perspective of Al-Ijaz Al-Bayani in the story of Ashabul-Kahf according to Ibn Ashur. The method used by the researcher is a semantic analysis method which is part of linguistics which talks about the meaning of an expression or word in a language. Al-Bayani's dimension to the story of Ashabul-Kahfi lies in the beauty of the use of language. With the existence of sentences which are <em>taraduf </em>such as the sentences <em>Rhasyada </em>and <em>Rasdhu,</em> Kinayah is like the sentence <em>dzarabna fii adzaniihim</em> which means <em>An-naum</em> (sleep), and other examples.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

Is James’s Greek Really That Good? Evaluating the Quality of James’s Greek and the Probability of Secretarial Assistance for the Authorship Debate

Most contemporary scholars maintain that James’s Greek is highly sophisticated. Those who understand James to be pseudepigraphical view the letter’s Greek as evidence against its authenticity, while many of those who defend the traditional view of the authorship of James account for the letter’s Greek by positing the amanuensis hypothesis. Underlying both of these approaches is a mostly unquestioned acceptance of a high view of the letter’s Greek. This article seeks to advance the debate over the authorship of James by challenging the standard view of the letter’s Greek and by evaluating recent work on secretarial assistance in Greco-Roman letter writing.

Analysis and Research on Farmland Use Changes in Changchun City Based on ArcGis Remote Sensing Images

Abstract Land is an essential basis for the sustained existence and development of human beings, arable land resources are the fundamental guarantee of food replenishment, contemporary scholars also put forward high requirements for the study of remote sensing image feature type classification extraction, the study of remote sensing image feature type classification and algorithms are very necessary. Therefore, based on remote sensing image data, this paper combines supervised classification with unsupervised classification, selects the advantages of the algorithm and improves it, refers to the classification system to select the classification standard, improves the support vector machine algorithm and compares it with other classification algorithms to improve the classification accuracy. Firstly, unsupervised classification is used to extract forest land, cultivated land and grassland into one category, and then secondary extraction is used to classify and subdivide them with SVM classification in supervised classification. Through conducting experiments on image data over a period of three years, the information of cultivated land is extracted from the remotely sensed image data of Changchun City in the years 2000, 2010, and 2020. By observing the change trend of land use, it is found that the cultivated land in Changchun City demonstrates a decreasing tendency from 2000 to 2020. Finally, it is concluded that Changchun’s cultivated land shows a decreasing trend from 2000 to 2020. Finally, this paper takes ten years as a gradient and obtains remote sensing image data in three time periods to analyze the change of cropland utilization. The results show that the method is effective in practical application and can save human and material resources to analyze the type of feature data.

Phenomenal Eros: For a History of Sensuality

Forty years of scholarship in the history of sexuality and gender studies have delivered a considerable amount of knowledge, framed by an encompassing premise: power is paramount. A preferred object of this kind of attention are the erotic cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. The focus on power leads contemporary scholars to adopt binary thinking, namely the attribution to ancient writers and thinkers of dichotomies such as domination versus subjection, or activity versus passivity. This is a fixist view that obliterates the dialectic of desire and, therefore, its fundamental mobility. Desire aims at the other person’s desire; roles are exchanged; age and social status can play in surprising ways; hyperactivity can become subjugation. It is time for a change. It is time to look at what mattered for the Ancients themselves: the subjective experience of sensations, bodies and situations; the felicitous, ironic, or tragic reversals of intersubjective games. More importantly: the quest for pleasure, rather than the use of pleasures. The Greeks thought the sexual experience as sensuality. And sensuality inflects what they thought about gender. In poetry, narrations and philosophy, concrete details draw our attention to the felt phenomena of lived bodies – in the plural. When we look for the logic of gender, we discover that bodies can be compared, not as totalities, but as bundles of multiple discreet qualities, ready to be combined and recombined, allotted and exchanged. Qualities can be bits and pieces of anatomy, manners and garments; but also fragments of experience, moments of sensory awareness. The logic of the concrete meets the phenomenal body. For the body is a challenge, to be taken up – as a cinematic life, frame after frame. Sensations can be shared across the boundaries of female and male, which are adjectives, not substances. A granular, corpuscular, pointilliste redistribution of traits, distinctive – or not. Sensuality is queer. Like Plato’s pharmacy, erotic materialism can deliver us, beautifully, cathartically, refreshingly from the modern strictures of binary thinking. This is what the Greeks have to tell us. Let us listen!

Gender equality in the Qur’an: An Analysis of surah an-Nisa’ verses 1 and 34 in the exegesis of al-Tabari and al-Rāzī

Surah An-Nisa' verses 1 and 34 have been central to discussions on gender. According to the interpretations of Imam al-Ṭabarī and Imam al-Rāzī, these verses place women in a subordinate role, both in domestic and non-domestic spheres. This interpretation is considered biased, not reflecting the true essence of the Qur'an. Therefore, further research is necessary to uncover the Qur'an’s intended view on gender in these verses. The study uses a descriptive-analytical method with a qualitative approach, gathering data from books, theses, and articles. The findings reveal that al-Ṭabarī and al-Rāzī's interpretations reinforce male superiority in patriarchal tradition, stating that Eve was created from Adam's rib and that the husband is the absolute leader of the wife. However, contemporary scholars argue that interpreting "nafs" as referring to the unity of humanity without any connotation of gender superiority, emphasizing equality in Islam. The Qur'an advocates for justice in gender issues, making traditional interpretations obsolete in today's context. Regarding Surah An-Nisa' verse 34, al-Ṭabarī and al-Rāzī interpreted men as the rightful leaders over their wives due to the advantages given by Allah, with financial responsibility as the foundation of their authority. However, modern-contemporary tafsir scholars reject this view, interpreting qiwāmah as shared responsibility regardless of gender, emphasizing partnership in the household and gender equality in Islam. This reflects efforts to understand Qur'anic verses contextually and inclusively, supporting the principles of equality and justice.

Approaching the Freedom Convoy: Intra-disciplinary reflections on religion scholars as public intellectuals

This special issue crystalizes the reflections of a handful of Canadian scholars, initially written in the months following the Freedom Convoy’s occupation of downtown Ottawa (and then refined in the subsequent year), who consider the various ways in which the contemporary media oversimplified (or, more often, utterly ignored) the role(s) of religion in this event. This introduction uses the convoy’s occupation as an opportunity to revisit the role of the religious studies scholar as a public intellectual in contemporary Canada. In so doing, it explores the problem of hyperspecialization in the field of religious studies, the fraught discourse landscape in which all contemporary scholars of religion now operate, and the resultant frequent failure to operate as ‘critical rhetors’ (in Russell McCutcheon’s terms) when confronted by events like the convoy. It concludes by offering three practical observations: (1) engaging in intra-disciplinary conversations (like this one) better prepares scholars of religion to communicate with the public; (2) given that many scholars are employees of taxpayer-funded institutions (and thus are, by definition, ‘public intellectuals’), it behoves every scholar to decide what this means (no matter how idiosyncratically) and then to behave as such; and (3) thinking and writing about complex, messy phenomena like the convoy provides a valuable opportunity for scholars to articulate their own positions on who they are writing for and why – questions that no longer have simple answers in an era when much of scholarly production is no longer ensconced behind paywalled journals or within access-controlled academic libraries. This final point is, of course, informed by Laurie Patton’s cogent concluding reflections in Who Owns Religion?

„Τῇ καλλίστῃ”

Beauty pageants were used as a ceremonial mechanism during the Byzantine Empire to select the emperor’s bride. This practice aimed to maintain the mystique surrounding Constantinople’s rulers and prevent local elites from gaining undue influence. These contests were exclusively held for the emperor’s firstborn sons during their initial marriages, and they aimed to identify the most beautiful and virtuous women to become empresses, adding magnificence to royal weddings. Primary Byzantine sources indicate that these contests took place between 788 and 882, with the first one officially held by Irene for her son Constantine VI. The criteria used to determine the winner were based on a combination of factors: age, appearance, demeanour, ideal facial features, graceful movements and gait, and modest posture. The Roman emperor could only be matched by a woman possessing the corresponding qualifications and, above all, the most appreciated virtue of the time – beauty. Only the most beautiful woman had the privilege of standing beside the emperor. The two symbols used to seal the bride’s choice were the golden apple and the golden ring. The Byzantine bridal pageants exerted their enchanting influence on the subjects of the empire during and after their existence. Even the ecclesiastical world was captivated by their glamour, and the most intriguing information about them can be found in the saints’ chronicles. This study aims to explore the portrayal of these bride shows in primary Byzantine sources and other contemporary scholars. Furthermore, it examines the impact of this custom on politics and the reasons behind its eventual extinction.

Impact of Organisational Climate on Employee Well-Being and Healthy Relationships at Work: A Case of Social Service Centres

Multiple studies highlight the crucial role of management of a positive organisational climate, which in turn contributes to employee well-being and healthy workplace relationships and mitigates the occurrence of negative behaviour, including harassment at the workplace. Furthermore, contemporary scholars emphasise the importance of open and transparent communication channels in reducing workplace tensions and improving employee mental health. However, the interrelationship between organisational climate, open communication, employee well-being, and negative behaviours in the workplace is a complex phenomenon. Despite the relevance and interest in organisational climate on employee well-being, limited efforts have been devoted to the area of relationships and causality, and straightforward answers about the objective links between these phenomena and their general nature remain complex. Therefore, this study aims to strengthen the understanding of the impact of the organisational climate on employee well-being and negative behaviours in the workplace. This is the first study that applied causality to the investigated problem to identify statistical relationships between the variables. This study was conducted in Lithuanian social service centres and schools, focussing on professionals with a high psychological risk at work due to their nature. This study offers valuable contributions and provides a comprehensive and profound insight into the management field, focussing on the impact of the organisational climate. The values of harassment in the workplace are explained by the values of organisational climate and employee well-being. This study demonstrates that improving the organisational climate contributes to employee well-being and healthy relationships and reduces the prevalence of negative behaviours in the workplace. This study introduces the academic and practical implications and suggests the pathways for further research.

“The Shifting Light of History”: Addressing Philosophy of Memory in Julian Barnes’s <i>Elizabeth Finch</i>

This article discusses the narrative construction of various philosophical reflections on cultural memory in Julian Barnes’s novel <i>Elisabeth Finch</i>. It addresses the dichotomy between recollection and oblivion, presenting a memory process as a the “problem of forgotten evidence”, thoroughly discussed in today’s Cultural and Memory Studies. While contemporary scholars and philosophers aim at reflecting on the role of memory in metaphysics and epistemology, mainly relating the process of recollection either to personal identity, or the experience of time, space and epistemic rationale, the dimension of collective memory, and its foregrounding role in everyone’s self-perceptiveness, receives a considerably reduced critical attention. The literary analysis of <i>Elizabeth Finch</i> seeks to problematize this divisive understanding of functions of memory, proposing instead to consider the semantic complementarity of various processes of recollection/forgetting, connecting the narrative representation of events that one has personally experienced and the officially stated collective renderings of factual memory. It resists considering personal remembering and collective forgetting as ostensibly competing rationales, proposing to delve deeper into a tightly crafted relationship between the perception of one’s identity in time and epistemological framework of collective experience mostly focused on the officially stated dimension of memory. Revisiting discourses on religion associated with the narrative construction of borderlands in Julian Barnes’s <i>Elizabeth Finch</i>, this article contributes to reconsider collective memory and counter-memory not as mutually exclusive, but as synthetized and put into productive motion narrative dimensions. The intertextual articulation of discourses on religion fosters new theoretical perspectives for rethinking counter-memory not only as a mode of recovering silenced and contested versions of the European history, but also as a means of providing multidimensional and transcultural interpretation of the collective past. Perceived as a form of discursive resistance to any kind of political and social dominance, the narrative construction of “forgotten evidence” elucidates the complex post-dialectical relationship between official collective memory and marginalized counter-memory.

Diskursus Penafsiran Milkul Yamin di Kalangan Ulama Klasik dan Kontemporer: Teks dan Konteks

The institutionalised ownership of slaves (milkul yamin) is one of the focuses of the Quranic critique of the culture of exploitation and domination in Arabia. The Quran views that it must be eliminated immediately even though it is done gradually, including through expiation in the form of freeing slaves and allowing masters to have sex with their personal slaves as stated in several verses of the Quran. The concept of milkul yamin is interpreted with various views by classical and contemporary scholars, even with interpretations that go beyond previous scholars towards non-marital sexual relations. This research will reveal how classical and contemporary scholars interpret the concept of milkul yamin found in the Quran and hadith both in text and context. This research is a qualitative type of library research with data derived from sources related to the concept of milkul yamin in the form of books, books, articles and various writings in online media then analysed using descriptive methods. The results showed that the majority of classical and contemporary scholars viewed the verses on slavery as Islam's attempt to raise the status of slaves from religious prisoners of war at that time. As well as a way for Islam to gradually abolish the practice of slavery that has been entrenched and rooted in jahiliyyah Arab society. Meanwhile, according to Muhammad Syahrur's reinterpretation, it is more subjective, influenced by modern culture and civilisation, and does not carefully consider the historical meaning of the verse and the main message contained in the verse.

Tinjauan Filsafat Hukum Islam dalam Pembagian Ahli Waris Pengganti

This research examines the main question regarding the validity of substitute heirs from the perspective of Islamic legal philosophy, which has sparked debates among scholars concerning the application of justice and welfare principles in inheritance. The background of this issue stems from the absence of explicit provisions regarding substitute heirs in the Qur'an and hadith, while this phenomenon frequently occurs in modern inheritance practices. The novelty of this research lies in the legal-philosophical approach that links the concepts of justice, welfare, and continuity in inheritance distribution, exploring the views of both classical and contemporary scholars. This study uses a literature review method with a normative and comparative approach, analyzing Sharia principles and interpretations by Islamic jurists regarding substitute heirs. The findings reveal that while the concept of substitute heirs is not explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an, some scholars allow its practice based on principles of justice, welfare, and societal needs. This reflects the flexibility of Islamic law in addressing social dynamics without compromising core Sharia principles. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of considering social context and welfare in the application of Islamic inheritance law, while adhering to the justice principles taught by Sharia.

‘Well, cut a long story short’ – an interview with Professor Douglas Davies, FBA

ABSTRACT This interview with Douglas Davies was conducted in December 2023. It takes a chronological view of his remarkable fifty year career in academia, spanning his interests in Sikhism, religion in contemporary Britain, Mormonism, as well as death studies. Along the way, it becomes a reflection on the importance of collegiality, serendipity, creativity and both classic and contemporary scholarship in sociology, anthropology, and the study of death.