Contemporary Values Research Articles

Communitas revisited: Victor Turner and the transformation of a concept

Victor Turner's concept of communitas has been used in and beyond anthropology for years in a variety of ways. It is an effective concept for understanding one form of collective human experience, particularly the transcendent emotional experiences in liminal contexts that may stimulate the emergence of a sense of connection and co-humanity. There is immense contemporary value in the concept, however, many key elements are often overlooked and the complexities of ‘communitas’ ignored. This can lead to surface-level or misleading applications which threaten to undermine the utility of the concept. As such, I explore Turner's theoretical understandings and reflections, before considering the diverse ways other scholars have used communitas. I advocate a more nuanced understanding of communitas and investigate how this would benefit our understandings of communitas in contemporary social contexts. I engage with the work of Turner and others to contribute to theoretical discussions of communitas, while also reflecting on the value of concepts and the benefits of both ambiguity and clarity in communicating anthropological knowledge through such concepts.

Innovative Exploration of Integrating Chinese Traditional Culture into University Curriculum Systems

Chinese traditional culture is the root and soul of our nation, containing rich moral and intellectual resources. Traditional culture encompasses a wide spectrum, including technology, literature, and philosophy, and serves as an effective pathway for guiding college students to form correct outlooks on life, values, and the world. By deeply exploring the contemporary value of traditional culture and integrating it into university curriculum systems through the medium of “curriculum project packages,” we can construct a new type of curriculum system of “traditional culture + project package” in higher education. This initiative holds significant practical importance for the inheritance of traditional culture, the promotion of curriculum reform, the enhancement of teaching effectiveness, and the improvement of students' overall qualities.

Research on Chinese Universities' Communication Work for Global Southern Z-Generation Youth under the Theory of "The Bias of Communication" —A Case Study Based on Z University's Communication with Africa

At present, the significant role of strengthening international communication efforts towards the Global South is increasingly highlighted, with communication work targeting Z-Generation youth being a top priority in promoting the construction of international communication capabilities. The rise and development of the Theory of The Bias of Communication holds certain contemporary value. In the new era, China's communication work towards the Global Southern Z-Generation youth should apply this theory critically, which is specifically manifested in facing China's modernization development strategy and the concept of a community with a shared future, emphasizing the status of communication media and the renewal of new media, and promoting the shift from media dominance to content as king. Faced with challenges such as China's international communication capacity does not match the level of its comprehensive national strength and the disadvantages of “time-biased” and “space-biased” media in a late-developing context, based on the practical experience of Z University's communication work with African Z-Generation youth, Chinese universities' international communication work for Global Southern Z-Generation youth should create a fluid channel for the transformation of time and space on the basis of balancing time and space, thereby actively responding to national strategic needs. It should undertake the mission of the times to tell Chinese stories and spread Chinese voices, and build an international communication discourse system with Chinese characteristics, becoming an important position for comprehensively improving international communication efficiency.

Innovative Development of Zhuang Excellent Traditional Culture in the Era of Integrated Media

Chinese culture represents the rich tapestry of various ethnic traditions. The development of these diverse cultures is essential for the overall prosperity of Chinese civilization. Therefore, promoting the innovative advancement of the Zhuang ethnic group's traditional culture can bolster their cultural confidence, preserve the diversity of Chinese culture, strengthen national identity, foster ethnic unity and progress, enrich spiritual and cultural life, and support rural community development. In today's rapidly evolving integrated media landscape, driven by information technology, the innovative development of the Zhuang's traditional culture encounters significant opportunities. In this study, we first explored the value foundation of innovative development of excellent traditional culture of the Zhuang ethnic group in the era of integrated media. Then, we analyzed the promoting effect of integrated media technology on the innovative development of excellent traditional culture of the Zhuang ethnic group in the new media ecological environment. Finally, we summarized how to fully utilize new technological means, create an integrated media matrix, and leverage resource integration advantages to achieve innovative development of excellent traditional culture of the Zhuang ethnic group. The research results are conducive to deeply exploring the contemporary value of excellent traditional culture of the Zhuang ethnic group and activating its cultural vitality, continuously promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional culture in China, thereby promoting the prosperity and development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries.

A Brief Analysis of "On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People" and Its Contemporary Value

Mao Zedong's original theoretical contribution to Marxism has had a profound impact on the exploration and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This work plays an important role in providing theoretical guidance for national construction, covering a wide range of topics, including the differentiation and resolution of socialist contradictions, issues of political repression, and the relationship between the development of agriculture and industry in China. This paper aims to explore the historical context and core ideas of this article, as well as its historical significance and contemporary value in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Monachophobia in Russia: Peter the Great and His Influence

The reforms of Russian Tsar Peter I (1682–1725) touched all spheres of life, including the Church. The purpose of this paper is to bring into focus his approach to the reform of monasticism. It reflects on Peter’s personal remarks as reported both by his Russian and his foreign interlocutors, his legislation, including law drafts, and practical measures such as the All-Joking, All-Drunken Synod. The principal conclusion is that it was this Russian ruler who was the first to call into question the very existence of monasticism and who came close to the ultimate dissolution of monasteries. He did not abolish monasticism not because it was a too radical step but because he devised measures of reform to raise its standards and improve its public utility. His treatment of the monastic tradition should be interpretated not as secularization but rather as modernization. Peter’s personal “monachophobia” is best understood as a modernizing impulse. His objective was the creation of a “modern” state whose Church and clergy represented contemporary values. Traditional, unreformed monasticism presented an obstacle in his progress towards this goal. The legacy of Peter’s policy was an increasing monachophobia in Russia apparent from the 18th century onwards.

Research on the Innovation of Traditional Music Cultural Inheritance

Traditional music is an important source of Chinese civilization and has a profound impact on the origin, enrichment, leap forward, and sublimation of Chinese culture. Starting from the three dimensions of history, people, and integration, it is important to inherit, carry forward, and spread the contemporary value of traditional music culture. We should focus on the inheritance of historical dimension, reposition the unique function of traditional music culture, strengthen the ecological protection of traditional music culture, and advocate excavation protection, purification protection, and promotion protection. Additionally, we focus on the development of the people dimension, adhere to the people-centered creative orientation, grasp the needs of the people, reflect their aspirations, and strive to enhance the timeliness and attraction of national music. We also focus on the communication of integration dimension, leverage the characteristic advantages of emerging media communication, promote the cross-border integration of the traditional music industry and related fields, respond to the focus and interaction of music audience services, and promote the construction of a modern three-dimensional communication system of traditional music.

Research on Li Dazhao's Philosophical Thought and Its Contemporary Value

The process of China's modernization is consistent with the process of Marxism's Chineseization, and nowadays, both the practical path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Chineseization of Marxism are facing a lot of new challenges and tasks, so it is crucial to study in depth and re-examine the excellent theories on the development of the Chineseization of Marxist philosophy. Li Dazhao's philosophical thought was formed in the process of dramatic transformation of modern Chinese society, and was one of the early Marxist theoretical achievements. An in-depth study of Li Dazhao's philosophical thought is of great significance for us to deepen our understanding of the transition from traditional Chinese philosophy to modern philosophy, to promote the in-depth development of the theory of the Chineseization of Marxist philosophy, and to help young people to establish a scientific outlook on life and hold fast to the people-centered value goal.

Philosophical Study of "People-Centered" Thought in the Perspective of Marx's Thought

Tracing back to the source of the theory, the human thought explains the dialectical nature of human development from the perspective of historical materialism, which is an important theoretical basis for China to adhere to the "people-centered" development thought. Therefore, based on China's national conditions in the new era, exploring the important significance of "people's all-round development" in the "people-centered" development thought is conducive to exploring and sorting out the philosophical implications and contemporary value of Marx's "people-centered" thought.

Exploring the harmony between contemporary values and Islamic identity through the lens of the Gülen movement's teachings

There is a growing need for new Muslim identities that reflect global realities. Fethullah Gülen, a notable Turkish-Muslim cleric, is influential and persuasive. Gülen emphasizes spirituality, religious pluralism, discussion, and education to promote peaceful coexistence and integrate faith and reason in Western democracies. This study examines how Gülen's ideas and the global volunteer organization he created promote Muslim-non-Muslim harmony. We use text linguistics' seven principles—cohesion, coherence, intentionality, acceptability, informativity, situation, and intertextuality—to assess Gülen's teachings and movement. In the social sciences, we also use textual language norms as a fresh theoretical and methodological approach to studying social movements and events. This study's focus on movement-text relationships and cognitive processes in information creation, reproduction, and dissemination makes it distinctive. This study investigates these issues in Muslim countries, multicultural cultures, and liberal democracies. This research is useful because it explains the Gülen movement's domestic and worldwide advancements. This article figuratively depicts Fethullah Gülen as the author, his movement as the text, and humanity as the readers.

Experimental Study on Optimization of Consolidation Parameters of Silty Clay Based on Response Surface Methodology: A Case Study on the Protection and Restoration of the Ming and Qing Dynasty Hangzhou Seawall Site

The preservation of the ancient seawall site is a focal point and challenge in the protection of historical relics along Hangzhou’s Grand Canal in China. This endeavor holds significant historical and contemporary value in uncovering and perpetuating Hangzhou’s cultural heritage. Researchers investigating the Linping section of the seawall site aimed to address soil site deterioration by selecting environmentally friendly alkali-activated slag cementitious materials and applying the response surface method (RSM) to conduct solidification experiments on the seawall soil. Researchers used the results of unconfined compressive strength tests and microscopic electron microscopy analysis, considering the comprehensive performance of soil solidification mechanisms and mechanical properties, to establish a least-squares regression fitting model to optimize the solidification material process parameters. The experimental results indicate that the optimal mass ratio of lime, gypsum, and slag for achieving the best solidification process parameters for the seawall soil, with a 28-day curing period, is 1:1.9:6.2. This ratio was subsequently applied to the restoration and reconstruction of the seawall site, with parts of the restored seawall exhibited in a museum to promote the sustainable conservation of urban cultural heritage. This study provides theoretical support and practical guidance for the protection and restoration of soil sites.

THE PHENOMENON OF RESENTMENT IN CULTURE: NIETZSCHE, SCHELER, FUKUYAMA

The article delves into the concept of ressentiment within the context of phenomenology and its profound impact on the formation of moral values and socio-cultural dynamics. Drawing on the ideas of Max Scheler, which are partially rooted in Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy and extended through Francis Fukuyama’s works, the paper explores how ressentiment serves as a critical factor in transforming various spheres of human social activity. The article identifies ressentiment as a driving force behind the crisis of humanistic ideals and examineі its pervasive effect on contemporary values. It emphasizes the importance of understanding this phenomenon in shaping socio-cultural dynamics, particularly in relation to moral-legal perceptions and the collective shifts in society’s values. By examining the internal conflict experienced by individuals influenced by ressentiment, the article sheds light on its role in moral conflicts and social tensions. Furthermore, the work underscores the relevance of Scheler’s phenomenology and Fukuyama’s exploration of identity politics in addressing the challenges posed by ressentiment. It highlights the need to grasp ressentiment not merely as a sociological phenomenon but as a complex psychological experience with deep social implications. The study also opens avenues for future research into how ressentiment influences modern political ideologies and cultural narratives, impacting both individual identities and collective consciousness. Additionally, the article discusses the implications of ressentiment in the digital age, where social media amplifies these sentiments, further polarizing societies and intensifying identity-based conflicts. By providing a focused and nuanced analysis of ressentiment, the article emphasizes its significance in the evolution and transformation of cultural and moral values in the modern world, making it a crucial topic for ongoing philosophical inquiry. This exploration is essential for understanding the roots of contemporary societal divisions and offers insights into potential pathways for addressing these deep-seated issues.

Correlating Symbolisms of Womanhood and Marriage in the Libretti of Schoenberg's Von heute auf morgen and Berg's Lulu

AbstractVon heute auf morgen and Lulu, the twelve-tone operas of Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg, respectively, can be interpreted as works that sought to uphold a traditional formalism of Germanic opera construction amidst the post-Expressionistic aesthetics that the newer Zeitoper style strove to abolish. This new style aimed to popularize opera by embracing a new simplicity of contemporary values that discouraged the perpetuation of prior operatic dispositions. This dichotomy of old vs. new is presented in an analysis of the Von heute and Lulu libretti that traces their symbolic representation of womanhood and marriage from the male gaze, whereby an overlapping depiction emerges in both operas in their similar but varying treatment of these themes as parodies of their composers' time and the ongoing cultural conflict between moralities rooted in the past and non-conforming values that embrace modernized change.

다원예술 개념에 관한 탐색적 연구 - 한국문화예술위원회 다원예술지원사업을 중심으로

This study is an exploratory analysis of the concept of combined arts in contemporary Korea based on the definition of combined arts by artists, focusing on the ambiguity of the concept of multiple arts. 100 business applications submitted to the “2021 Combined Arts REBOOT Activity Support Project” operated by the Korea Culture and Arts Commission in 2021 were randomly extracted and the definition of multiple arts described by artists was analyzed according to the grounded theory methodology. As a result of the analysis, the concept of combined arts recognized by artists was derived into five major categories: “genre indifference,” “experiment and subversion,” “multimedia,” “simultaneous values,” and “equal and fair sense.” While existing genres tried to create aesthetic values based on specific artistic languages and expressions and maintain traditional discourse, combined arts radiated contemporary values and expanded discourse through attempts to cross experimental and innovative genres. It was pointed out that combined arts have the same direction as existing art genres in that they ultimately aim to build a new art world based on the artist's identity, but in the process, it is important to understand the specificity of combined arts in an institutional context in addition to the characteristics of the art genre in that they value post-order perspectives and attitudes such as acceptance, cooperation, connection, and equality.

The Historical Experience and Contemporary Value of the Communist Party of China's Exploration of the Laws of Governance in the Early Days of the Founding of the People's Republic of China.

The Historical Experience and Contemporary Value of the Communist Party of China's Exploration of the Laws of Governance in the Early Days of the Founding of the People's Republic of China.

Engels' Theoretical Contribution to Historical Materialism and its Contemporary Value Implication

As Marx's close comrade-in-arms and revolutionary partner, Engels undertook the major mission of perfecting Marxist philosophy in defense of Marx after Marx's death, but Engels's interpretation of Marxism caused scholars to explore the academic relationship between Marx and Engels, and his book Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy (hereinafter referred to as Engels’Ludwig Feuerbach of 1888) became the focal point of the research on the academic relationship between the two. The work presents Engels' systematic interpretation of the materialist conception of history, his innovative formulation of Engels' theory of historical synergy and the fundamental question of phi-losophy, and is a strong proof of the consistency between the ideas of Marx and Engels. Engels' theoretical contribution to the materialist conception of history in the work still has valuable theoretical value in contemporary times, and inspires us to hold on to Marxism without wavering, and to innovate without stopping, in order to better guide our practice.

The Philosophical Implications and Contemporary Value Insights of “Labor Creates Humanity” from Hegel's "Master-Slave Dialectic"

In Hegel's "Master-Slave Dialectic," labor is not only a means to achieve freedom but also a process of self-creation. Through labor, the slave negates their own nature, gradually surpassing their mere slave status to gain self-awareness and freedom. Meanwhile, the master, often reliant on the slave's labor is compelled to accept material provisions from the slave, creating a material dependency that forces the master to negate their own essence and be disciplined into a new form by the slave. This dependency of the master is not only material but also involves recognition of the slave's social status and their own value. Hegel's "Master-Slave Dialectic" provides a profound philosophical framework for contemplating the philosophical implications and contemporary value insights of "Labor Creates People." It offers a deeper understanding of issues facing contemporary society, particularly in rethinking the relationships between freedom, labor, and environment. This philosophical framework is crucial for seeking inclusive and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges.

Exploring the Path of Integrating the Spirit of Craftsmanship into Ideological and Political Education in Higher Vocational Education in the New Era

The social demand for “craftsman-type” talents in the new era has put forward new requirements for ideological and political education in vocational colleges. This article explores the connotation of craftsmanship spirit, the contemporary value and practical significance of craftsmanship spirit education and the effective path of integrating craftsmanship spirit into vocational, ideological and political education.

Does digital economy promote regional green innovation? An empirical study based on the transmission effect and threshold effect of marketization

Exploring the green innovation effect of the digital economy under the condition of socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics is of great contemporary value. In this paper, we incorporate digital economy development, marketization and green innovation into a unified analytical framework. Based on the theoretical analysis of the intrinsic logical relationship among the three, a panel data of 31 provinces in mainland China from 2011 to 2021 is employed to empirically test the effect and mechanism of digital economy development on green innovation under the condition of marketization. The results show that digital economy development is effective in improving the level of regional green innovation; Marketization is an important transmission mechanism for digital economy to release the effectiveness of green innovation. Besides, marketization has a significant double threshold effect on green innovation driven by digital economy. To promote the synergistic development of China's digital economy, market-oriented reform and green innovation in the future, we should focus on promoting the construction of an “enterprise-public-government” community for digital economy and improving the mechanism of market-oriented green innovation.

Econometric Determinants of Chinese Developmental Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa; Further Evidence using a Flow-Type Decomposed Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood Model

Chinese “aid” has long engendered criticism. Western pundits and policymakers posit it as a political tool employed by Beijing to asway foreign policy concessions and secure natural resources access for its domestic industries, often atthe expense of the recipient country. However, we argue that large amounts of these claims lack empirical scrutiny or have been hindered by enduring conceptual, methodological, and data-centric constraints. This paper thus aims to refine and integrate prevailing methodological practices to produce a more nuanced understanding of Chinese motivations. Using empirical regression analysis and a newly released granular dataset spanning 48 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2000-2021, we: (1) decompose Chinese “aid” into flow types of relative concessionality; (2) utilize a Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood (PPML) estimator to mitigate log-transformation and heteroskedasticity concerns present within traditional modeling of zero-inflated datasets; (3) retain a subset of contemporary values to deal with issues related to simultaneity in our regressors. Our findings suggest that while developmental goals primarily drive concessional aid, commercial lending is moreso influenced by economic self-interest, which is often incorrectly conflated with “aid” in the traditional sense. Further, Chinese “aid” does not flow disproportionately to corrupt or authoritarian regimes. This challenges the dominant “rogue donor” narrative and contributes to a more comprehensive perspective on China's emerging role in global developmental finance.