Philosophical Discourse Research Articles

Costly Signaling in Ancient Chinese Narratives

Abstract Seemingly reckless, wasteful, or self-harming actions depicted in narrative sources are embedded in the philosophical and political discourse of Warring States and early imperial China (around the third to the first century bce). Signaling theory unveils the underlying rationality of many such acts by demonstrating how they allow actors with conflicting interests to pursue their goals while reducing costs compared to alternative scenarios. Ancient Chinese thinkers did not discuss signaling theory in the abstract; they were, however, keenly aware of the underlying mechanisms, at times articulating them in the context of specific cases. Comparisons of multiple narrative versions suggest that plot elements related to signaling became more pronounced and the understanding of signaling more profound during the period, most likely due to heightened socio-political and military competition.

Se moquer de la philosophie est vraiment philosopher: Plato, Aristotle and the pedagogy of irony and play in Pascal’s Pensées

ABSTRACT Plato and Aristotle, as Pascal illustrates in fragment Sellier 457 of Pensées, possess insight into the flaws of human social interactions and adeptly navigate them through intelligent dissimulation similar to Socratic irony and the pedagogy of play when dealing with authority. As honnêtes hommes, avant la lettre, they are virtuous individuals ahead of their time, recognizing the limitations of philosophy and not taking philosophical discourse too seriously in their pensée de derrière. Besides emphasizing the futility of social life as part of the human condition, not so much interested in Plato and Aristotle as historical role models, Pascal portrays the two philosophers’ character traits as consisting of a miscellaneous mixture of Socrates, Pyrrhonians, and honnêtes hommes, and claims the inadequacy and inefficacy of pagan philosophy without God wholesale in altering human behaviours. For Pascal, Plato and Aristotle, like honnêtes hommes and philosophers of other schools, are susceptible to criticism for indulging in self-love inherent to human nature, a flaw only Christianity can fully explain through the doctrine of the Fall and offer a meaningful remedy.

The Nature, Ethics, and Politics of Uncivil Obedience

Abstract Uncivil obedience, also sometimes called malicious compliance, has the potential to be a galvanizing force for political change. Historically, it played a key role in many 20th century labor movements, and is still used today by both individuals and more organized activist groups. Despite this, uncivil obedience is less often a topic of philosophical discussion than its more well-known cousin, civil disobedience. In particular, uncivil obedience’s relationship to violence is almost entirely unexplored. In this paper, I outline the necessary conditions for some act to count as uncivil obedience, discuss its relationship to violence, and then present the conditions that must be met for uncivil obedience to be justified. Like other forms of protest and resistance, uncivil obedience has normative limits; there are things we ought not do with it, even in the name of fighting for a better world.

The Epistemology of Bio-Inspired Disciplines: Unpacking Modelling in Biorobotics

ABSTRACT This paper examines the philosophical discourse surrounding the role of models in bioinspired disciplines, focusing on biorobotics as a case study. I address the ongoing debate on the distinctions between ‘model of’ and ‘model for’ within the context of biomimetics, a field that seeks inspiration from nature to address different scientific and technological goals. I will develop the argument that in biorobotics it is quite impossible to indicate what a model per se is. Instead, a bio-inspired model, such as a robot, can be seen as a ‘model for’ or a ‘model of’, depending on the epistemic activity and scientific and technological game (in the sense of Wittgenstein) this is part of. By doing so, I contribute to the broader discussion on modelling practices as well as to exploring the epistemology of biomimetics. First, I outline biomimetics’ peculiarities and address mimetic symmetry, the challenge of integrating bio-inspired technologies into biological systems. Second, I recall the distinction between ‘model for’ and ‘model of’. Third, I examine biorobotics’ modelling practices. Fourth, I explore the interconnection of ‘model for’ and ‘model of’ in biorobotics. Fifth, using the notion of technological game (Wittgenstein) and epistemic actions (Chang), I investigate reconsider the mimetic asymmetry problem.

Sejarah, Faktor-Faktor, Karakteristik Filsafat Umum

This paper explores the development of general philosophy, highlighting the contributions of various eras of thought from ancient Greek philosophy to modern and contemporary philosophy. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method with a historical-philosophical approach. Data collection was carried out through a literature review which included books, journal articles and documents related to the development of general philosophy from various eras. This study underlines the important role of figures such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, as well as modern thinkers such as Descartes and Kant in shaping philosophical discourse which includes metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics. With a historical-philosophical approach, this research identifies the main characteristics of general philosophy, such as radical thinking, hunting for truth, and seeking clarity.

On the Owing to in Owing Duties to Self

Abstract Philosophical discussions of self-directed duties concern not merely those duties one has regarding oneself, but those one owes specifically to oneself. In this paper, I take up the question of what it even means to owe something to oneself in the first place. A proper appreciation of what it means, I argue, will help answer skeptics who doubt the coherence of duties to self.

Doing Away with Skepticism about Harm

Abstract The concept of harm plays a central role in many philosophical discussions. There are numerous ethical theories, claims, and arguments that appeal to the concept of harm. However, some philosophers think that the concept of harm is not fit to play this role in philosophical theorizing. Bradley (2012) argues that the concept is problematic to such an extent that we should do away with it. Bradley is not the only philosopher who doubts this concept’s usefulness, although others make more modest and suggestive skeptical claims. In this paper, I examine several claims in support of skepticism, which are explicitly embraced or hinted to in the literature. Some examples are the claims that the harm concept is defective and that harm is morally insignificant. Neither those claims nor others, I argue, yield a good case for skepticism about harm.

Терапевтична функція художнього образу: поетика біблійних образів Сергія Жадана

This article delineates the specific therapeutic function of art in general and the artistic image in particular. Their therapeutic and compensatory potential is examined within philosophical and literary discourses. The discussion engages with Plato’s reflections on the educational and moral role of art and Aristotle’s theory concerning the cathartic effects of tragedy. Contributions from V. Maggi, S. Haupt, G. Lehnert, E. Zeller, E. Müller, and J. Bernays are considered. The study explores Friedrich Nietzsche’s notion of the receptive-compensatory function of art, particularly the reconciliation of Apollonian and Dionysian principles. Sigmund Freud’s concepts are interpreted in relation to the unconscious and the interaction between individuals and art during periods of epistemological crisis. Roman Ingarden’s perspective emphasises the therapeutic aim of literature when there is a corresponding receptive inquiry from the reader. Key ideas from reception aesthetics are foregrounded, highlighting art’s capacity to act as a medium of transcendence, influence the reader, and underpin the therapeutic effects of art and literature. Hans Robert Jauss’s concepts of the “horizon of expectations” and catharsis as a communicative dimension of aesthetic experience are revisited. Wolfgang Iser’s analysis of aesthetic experience in addressing gaps of indeterminacy is examined, alongside Umberto Eco’s insights on receptive indeterminacy as a defining feature of the “open work”, which catalyses co-creation by the recipient, stimulating imagination, fostering empathy, and providing intellectual therapy. The study also considers the therapeutic potential of sacred images during periods of radical epistemological shifts prompted by cataclysms, historical events, revolutions, or wars. Mircea Eliade’s framework of the “sacred-profane” dichotomy and the capacity of sacred images to function as points of transcendence, transcendent centres, or ontological anchors is discussed. Paul Ricoeur’s interpretation of the therapeutic influence of sacred motifs, images, and symbols on readers as they engage with existential questions is also addressed. Finally, the therapeutic role of biblical imagery – God, the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, and the Apostle Thomas – is analysed through the lens of Serhiy Zhadan’s poetry collection “Life of Maria” (2015).

The Potential of Science Education for Development of Responsible Citizenship in Ukraine

Our research focuses on how sociocultural processes can foster responsible citizenship in Ukraine through scientific literacy within an overarching philosophical narrative. In particular, the authors aim to outline various dilemmas, beginning with the ambiguities that science education faces when confronting notions of good citizenship within differing sociocultural contexts. Hence, we focus on the ethical and moral aspects of citizenship within a science education agenda that is not reducible to the learning of scientific facts. We show that it is an essential instrument for developing critical rationality, moral judgment and civic involvement. This agenda is centered around the development of scientific literacy, motivating students to engage in their own auto-didactic pursuit of scientific inquiry. The authors maintain that this sense of curiosity and critical engagement is bound to translate into an ability to make sense of difficult ethical and social Ukrainian terrain as well as positively influence approaches to pedagogical education. We further examine Ukrainian science education curriculum in the context of the broader national and global challenges of attaining scientific literacy as a foundational pillar of any future learning and teaching. More specifically, the authors propose a policy rooted in evidence-based inquiry as a centerpiece of all progressive education to allow students to develop the tools they need to become better informed, active citizens able to bring about positive societal shifts. The findings of our study relate to the call for educational reform in Ukraine through the modernization of both its physical and pedagogical infrastructure. The case is made for creating a strong foundation of scientifically-minded attitudes amongst the well-informed citizenry, which will lead to a generation able to consider and address complex ethical and social issues. The research interprets its results in terms of a broader philosophical and educational discourse with a view as to how military conflicts can affect the producing an informed population able to direct its concerted efforts towards the development of sustainable, equitable progress that serves both the individual and society at large.

Philosophical and Anthropological Vision of the Idea of Spirituality in Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy

Purpose. The article is a philosophical and anthropological representation of the idea of spirituality in The Foundation Trilogy by the American science fiction writer, philosopher, populariser of science Isaac Asimov. Theoretical basis. The study is based on an understanding of the worldview imperatives of Asimov’s work, which highlight his philosophical and anthropological vision of spirituality as a historically established property of a rationally organised society and a key condition for its progressive evolution. The emergence, stochasticity and eventuality of the development of the modern global society brings the content of A. Azimov’s philosophical and anthropological ideas to a fundamentally new level of understanding of the further development of humanity. Asimov’s articulation of the idea of spirituality in The Foundation Trilogy allows us to define the philosophical and anthropological concept of the writer in the fullness of its social, philosophical, existential and axiological dimensions. Originality. The authors have substantiated the expediency and relevance of considering the idea of spirituality in A. Asimov’s Foundation trilogy in the semantic field of philosophical anthropology. It is shown that Asimov’s philosophical anthropology has a clearly expressed teleological "load". In the writer’s interpretation, a person of the future is not a "posthuman" with a biological nature altered by special technologies, but a person focused on spiritual development and self-improvement based on the eternal values enshrined in the mental code of Homo sapiens – happiness, love, freedom, dignity, independence, patriotism. Conclusions. Foundation is a multifaceted work, rich in plot, compositionally mosaic and polyphonic, in which, at first glance, it is difficult to identify any dominant idea. In the course of the study, it was found that one of the main content centres in A. Asimov’s works is the philosophical and anthropological discourse, in the space of which considerable attention is paid to human spirituality.

Legal Consciousness as a Philosophical and Legal Category: Historical and Contemporary Interpretations

The relevance of this study stems from the need to develop a comprehensive understanding of legal consciousness as a multidimensional phenomenon, to create a theoretical foundation for effective practices in legal education and legal socialization, and to deepen knowledge of the mechanisms of formation and functioning of the legal system. Despite a significant number of studies dedicated to legal consciousness, there is still no unified, comprehensive model in the scholarly discourse that adequately describes this multifaceted phenomenon. The absence of such a model complicates further development in the theory of law and philosophy of law. Modern studies increasingly demonstrate that legal consciousness is an integrated socio-legal category. That is, it is not confined solely to philosophical and legal discourse but also encompasses psychological and social aspects. This broad scope presents challenges for research while simultaneously opening new perspectives for scholarly analysis. The aim of this work is to identify and describe the evolution of scholarly approaches to understanding legal consciousness. Such an analysis allows for identifying key stages in the development of the concept of «legal consciousness», determining dominant paradigms and concepts, analyzing the interconnection of philosophical, psychological, and sociological aspects of legal consciousness, and revealing unresolved issues and prospects for further research. The methodological aspects of the study include: historical analysis (examining the evolution of the concept of legal consciousness in the context of the development of philosophy, law, and society), comparative analysis (comparing various theoretical approaches to understanding legal consciousness), and an interdisciplinary approach (integrating philosophical, legal, psychological, and sociological research methods). This enables an analysis of the dynamic evolution of the concept, from ancient philosophical concepts to contemporary sociocultural interpretations; an understanding of shifting emphases, from moral and philosophical aspects to psychological, sociological, and cultural dimensions; and an examination of the influence of historical contexts – how the understanding of legal consciousness has changed in various sociocultural conditions. The research results identify the following key trends: interpretive pluralism – the absence of a single definition and the diversity of approaches to analyzing legal consciousness; interdisciplinarity in research – the interaction of philosophy of law, sociology, psychology, and other sciences in the study of this phenomenon; and problematization – growing interest in studying the distortions of legal consciousness in the context of modern social transformations. The conclusions of the study can be used as a theoretical basis for developing effective mechanisms to form society’s legal consciousness.

The Influence of the 1898 Disaster and the Ideology of the German Mandarins in the Genesis of Ortega y Gasset’s Theory of Generations

In this article I will address, on the basis of a very specific case, the way in which the social trajectory of philosophers and the processes of the collective definition of philosophical products are expressed in key categories of philosophical discourse, that is, in the symbolic forms proper to the social practice we call philosophy. To do so, I will show that the formative period of the young Ortega is crossed by two fundamental social experiences that were interpreted in a generational key: the 1898 Disaster and contact with the German mandarin ideology. I also hope to show that these experiences were incorporated or translated into the central categories of the philosopher, who was then just beginning to take his first steps in the Spanish political and intellectual field. Later, these categories would become, among other symbolic forms, part of his mature theory of generations. The aim of this article is to point out how the residues of these two experiences permeate his theory through these key categories. In doing so, I would like to focus on two ways of research: 1) deepening a better understanding of his work through the sociology of philosophy and 2) warning against the risk of uncritically incorporating such residues in an unreflective application of Ortega's theory of generations to the present day.

The Deconstruction of Modern Mortality of Death: An Analysis Through Law, War, and Social Philosophy

ObjectivesThis paper aims to explore the deconstruction of contemporary mortality through a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on law, warfare, and social philosophy. It examines how modern society navigates the complexities of death, both legally and socially, and investigates the impact of warfare and aging on perceptions of mortality.Material and methodsA qualitative analysis is conducted through a review of international legal frameworks, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Additionally, case studies of modern warfare (e.g., Ukraine and Gaza) and philosophical discourse on social death are examined.ResultsThe study finds that international law prioritizes the right to life, while the right to die remains a contested issue. Modern warfare complicates traditional notions of mortality, extending death beyond the battlefield. Social death, marked by withdrawal from societal engagement, highlights the role of aging and retirement in diminishing personal identity before biological death. These findings underscore modernity’s attempt to manage and distance itself from death, while also revealing the erosion of communal coping mechanisms in the face of mortality.ConclusionsThe paper concludes that the deconstruction of modern mortality reflects a broader societal shift towards the privatization and medicalization of death. It calls for renewed engagement with mortality through collective rituals, ethical reflection, and interdisciplinary discourse. Bauman’s insights on modern mortality remain relevant, emphasizing the need for a more open, empathetic confrontation with death in contemporary society.

PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE ON LINGUISTIC COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS

The article considers philosophical theories and methodological approaches to linguistic communication problems. An appeal to special scientific and theoretical developments and philosophical generalizations in the comprehension of fundamental problems of human communication is a necessary basic for formation of human communication pattern in the modern world. For a human, belonging to global era, it is the path of free and open dialogue, including a clash of views and beliefs, that has become the postulate of managing the vital problems of a democratic society. The philosophy of existentialism and personalism, which initially explored communication problems from an individual perspective, now go beyond the personal, exploring communication as a global object of humanity as a whole. In this connection, the study of linguistic problems of communication through the conduct of philosophical discourse seems to be the most interesting and reasonable for the modeling of information and communication practices and, in particular for the correct understanding of communicative nature.

Deus Ex Machina

The study of artificial intelligence (AI) and religion, particularly the concept of God within video games, is a rich field that explores how digital spaces can reflect and shape philosophical and theological discourses. Ever since their first introduction to the public, video games have often been a unique medium for exploring complex narratives and are tied to the different expressions of religion and spirituality. The integration of AI characters or deities into video games challenges the traditional understanding of divinity and intelligence. This article examines the imaginaries of AI and God in two video games, Galerians (1999) and I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream (1995), focusing on how these elements are used to construct narrative worlds and reflect cultural perceptions of technology and the divine. In these games, the AI characters that gained consciousness started embodying god-like characteristics, such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, raising questions about free will, predestination, and the nature of consciousness. These representations draw from existing religious traditions while also pushing the boundaries of theological thought, suggesting new interpretations of divinity in the context of advanced technology. The article will also closely examine the concepts of emotions that AIs in Galerians and I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream “experience.” The author relies on a game-immanent approach through detailed analysis of the aforementioned games in order to explore how the imaginaries of AI and God converge, offering insights into the evolving relationship between humanity, technology, and spirituality.

The global South framework and African philosophy: epistemologies and struggles for emancipation

ABSTRACT The existential conditions that gave birth to the global South as a geopolitical space, an organizing concept, and transnational political imaginary continue to inspire reflective engagements across disciplines including African philosophy. In this article, I draw valuable insights from the global South as both a site of struggle and an analytic framework that addresses various forms of neocolonial domination and exclusion to reflect on the situation in Africa and to argue for the continued articulation of a transformative philosophical discourse in the sense of a sustained offensive against unjustly imposed marginality. Priority focus is on Ubuntu and how it can assist with framing a conception of existence, of justice and of being in the world. It is a reflective enquiry into what Ubuntu can bring to the global South framework. In the context of global South struggles for justice starkly mirrored today in the disproportionate suffering caused by climate change, the principle of intergenerational mutual responsibility derived from Ubuntu as a politico-ethical framework that demands restitution must help construct a world based on justice. Ultimately, emancipative struggles in the global South and analysis thereof must be a discourse anchored firmly on ethics and what it means to be human.

А.С. Пушкин forever. Долгий бессмертный Пушкинский день продолжается… К 225-летию со дня рождения А.С. Пушкина

This article delves into various aspects of the philosophical and literary discourse surrounding the creative activities of A.S. Pushkin. The plot of the article includes several independent sections that make up the system of the author’s representation of the phenomenon of A.S. Pushkin. The palette of meanings presented in the article includes, in particular, an exploration of philosophical Pushkin studies as an autonomous area of academic reflection. Emphasis is placed on the “domestic” and “romantic” aspects of the great poet’s life as subjects of philosophical interpretation. Moreover, the article delineates both classical and modern trends in the interpretation of A.S. Pushkin’s life and work by professional historians, literary critics, and advocates of the poet’s legacy. It concludes that Pushkin serves as a unifying force for multiple epochs of Russian culture: the imperial, revolutionary, and Soviet periods. At the same time, the space of Pushkin’s Russia is not confined to a single nation-state; it encompasses the Russian abroad as well.

Holistic Knowledge Ecosystems: An Information in Practice Approach to Supporting Monastic Studies in Philosophy and Theology—A Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram Library (DVK Central Library) Model, Bangalore, India

The DVK Central Library belongs to Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK) a Pontifical Atheneum Bangalore, India represents a pioneering model for integrating academic rigor and spiritual contemplation, specifically designed to support ecclesiastical and monastic studies in Philosophy, Theology, Canon Law and Spirituality, set within a tranquil, eco-friendly environment, the DVK Central Library seamlessly merges traditional Indian spiritual practices with modern academic methodologies, creating a unique intellectual and spiritual growth space. This research-centric library nurtures a vibrant research ecology setting, offering key contemplative zones such as Mauna Piṭham (Silent Valley) for individual reflection and Chavara Kuṭir for collaborative study, Key zones, including Siloha (Pool of Wellness) and Jnana Stupa (Threshold of Hope), inspire transformative experiences for scholars. the library seamlessly blends traditional Indian spiritual practices with contemporary academic methodologies. alongside advanced cutting-edge tools like digital repositories and virtual reality for enhanced global accessibility. The library’s eco-friendly infrastructure and thoughtfully designed spaces foster a balanced environment for focused study and spiritual inquiry. As the demand for monastic libraries grows alongside global Catholic expansion, the DVK central library model offers a scalable framework that can be adapted to academic and monastic institutions worldwide. Harmonizing technology with nature, the library supports deep intellectual engagement, emphasizing sustainability, collaborative, and transformative learning. The DVK central Library is a dynamic knowledge ecosystem that balances contemplative learning with cutting-edge research practices, positioning itself as an influential hub in global theological and philosophical discourse. This study proposes the DVK central Library model as a blueprint for future academic and monastic libraries, demonstrating its potential to enrich scholarly environments globally.

Considering African philosophy as a way of life through the practice of philosophical counselling

Contributions of Pierre Hadot pertaining to the notion of philosophy as a way of life have had a profound and enduring influence upon philosophical counselling. Philosophical counsellors, such as Robert Walsh and Arto Tukiainen, embrace this imperative by living their philosophical counselling practices. A prevailing trend among these practitioners lies in their almost exclusive reliance upon either ancient Greek philosophical traditions as expounded by Hadot and Martha Nussbaum, or in their adaptation of Western philosophy. Regrettably, a conspicuous omission prevails regarding the incorporation of contemporary African philosophy, notably their philosophical praxes as a way of life/living, within the philosophical counselling discourse. The integration of African philosophy into philosophical counselling holds significant promise, particularly concerning the potential to impact ways of living within a southern African context. Within the wider landscape of contemporary African philosophy, certain authors have already conceptualised Ubuntu philosophy as a way of life/living. Notwithstanding, I undertake to introduce two additional African philosophical practices, namely hermeneutic African philosophy and conversational philosophy. I advance a novel interpretation of both by positioning them as relevant praxes for philosophical counselling. Emphasis is placed on interpretative actualisations in response to lived experiences, contextualised within a conversational framework. The implications for philosophical counselling are threefold: first, there is a disclosing of alternative ways of living/becoming along with the creation of new concepts; second, the relational dimension of philosophising is emphasised; and third, methodological constraints concerning the practice of philosophical counselling are transcended while embracing the transformative potential of reflective, creative and critical conversations.

Theory of higher education learning

PurposeThis study proposes the theory of higher education learning (THEL). The theory argues that certain concepts are difficult to understand, so learners and instructors should consider common factors that will enhance learners’ understanding of key concepts that are difficult to comprehend across various fields of study. The components of this theory have been tested in three different fields (public administration, entrepreneurship and chemistry) in separate studies in Ghana, Nigeria and Burundi within a five-year span to validate their applicability to higher education learning.Design/methodology/approachThe design covers empirical, philosophical and theoretical discussions and comparative studies of other researchers and the authors’ work and thinking.FindingsThis theory proposes five variables (gender, age, opportunity, instructor knowledge and instructor confidence) that address students’ difficulty in understanding concepts in higher education learning. These factors are premised on six assumptions: (1) gender orientation must be either male or female; (2) age must be consistent with the parameter set; (3) there must be learners’ desire to study the same subject after school; (4) there must be an institution offering further studies on the same subject; (5) the instructor might have understood the subject in his/her official training, experience or practice and (6) the instructor must demonstrate certainty, accuracy, verifiability and reliability in the transfer of knowledge to the learners. Given these assumptions, the uniqueness of this theory lies in its application of the five variables to solve challenges uniquely related to studies in higher education.Originality/valueThis theory will incite debate and provide further insights into higher education learning models. The novelty lies in the five prepositions proven to enhance effective teaching and learning in higher education. Specifically, it introduces an extension to Piaget’s cognitive constructivist theory by proposing higher age brackets for students at the university level, opportunity (for future studies) to close the gap in Ausubul’s theory of advance organizers and endogenous factors to bridge the gap in Okebukola’s culturo-techno-contextual approach.