Philosophical Roots Research Articles

HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS OF BIOETHICS

This article is about the formation and historical philosophical roots of bioethics. The conditions and factors for the emergence of bioethics can be explained as follows: the introduction of commercial medicine, the strict struggle to respect the rights of patients, as well as the interests of health workers, the introduction of insurance medicine, legislation, clergy and other religious institutions and organizations, codes of ethics created in different countries. The need to establish international committees on bioethics to prevent all attempts to misuse modern medical advances for undesirable purposes, including the use of bacteriological, chemical and nuclear weapons.

Using interpretive phenomenological analysis to advance theory and research in educational psychology

Researchers in the field of health psychology developed interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore how individuals make sense of, and meaning from, experiences of personal significance. We describe our approach to using IPA to explore whether current theories of achievement motivation adequately account for the experiences of students with disabilities, and expand the theories so that they do. First, we describe how our substantive area of interest is situated within the field of educational psychology. Next, we provide an overview of IPA, including the philosophical roots, general protocol, indicators of quality, and potential challenges. Finally, we suggest ways that IPA could be used to advance the study of achievement motivation toward more equitable ends.

Revisiting ‘The Plague’ by Camus: Shaping the ‘social absurdity’ of the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has emerged as a global health threat. The catastrophic reaction to a pandemic in spite of knowing the deadly outcomes, has been referred to as the 'social absurdity'. Such reaction creates a negativistic outlook with regard to the infection, thus contributing to chaos and preventing containment. In this article, the current pandemic of COVID-19 is revisited through the lens of Camus' 'La Peste, 1947'. The philosophical roots of social 'absurdity' during a pandemic are critically discussed in the context of death anxiety. Subsequently, ways of reshaping it are highlighted, borrowing from the theories of existentialism and positive psychology.

Eating disorders, embodiment, and yoga: a conceptual overview

ABSTRACT Yoga and its relation to embodiment and disordered eating has only recently received research attention. Nevertheless, early research indicates that yoga is an effective tool in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. It is assumed that yoga ameliorates eating disorder symptoms and facilitates a shift from negative towards positive body image and well-being by cultivating positive embodiment (i.e., the ability to feel a sense of connection between mind and body). In order to provide the context of the constructs of disordered eating, embodiment, and yoga, this article presents a brief overview and conceptualization of these constructs. The three major eating disorders and current treatment methods are described. Further, the philosophical roots and theoretical models of embodiment are delineated and their communal core features are outlined. Lastly, the origin, basic principles, and modern interpretations of yoga are discussed.

An Unheroic Hero: Somerset Maugham’s Autobiographical Fable of the Anglo-Boer War

Set during the Anglo-Boer War, The Hero is the story of a young man’s rebellion against the mores of fin de siècle England. It offers a fierce critique of military heroism, anticipating by some years the drastic demolition of military idealism that was to follow WWI. Ambiguous off-stage soldierly heroics, under the big skies of South Africa, take the novel far beneath the gently comic surface of life in Little Primpton to probe fundamental questions about human nature: war and sex, politics and combat, mating and marriage. Published in 1901, Maugham never permitted this novel to be republished. No reason was given, but this article proffers an explanation presenting the novel as a revealing autobiographical fable that establishes the philosophical roots of Maugham’s emerging aesthetic.

The Role of Education in the Formation of Human Sociability

Aim: The paper aims at highlighting philosophical roots of the relation issue between nature and education in the process of socialization.
 Method: For the purpose of the research critical philosophical analysis and comparison of Thomas Hobbes’ and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s texts has been used.
 Concept: The first part of the paper clarifies the concept of nature and explains changes in understanding of this concept thorough the history of philosophy, with the special emphasis on transformation that happened in transition from medieval to modern period. Since both Hobbes and Rousseau are representatives of modern philosophy, the second section of the paper shows how modern concept of nature manifests in the works of the two philosophers and compares, in a more detailed way, their understanding of human nature or natural state of mankind, focusing on comparison of their concepts of human natural unsociability. The third part examines more closely the role of education in transformation of human individuals into social beings.
 Results: Research shows that, for the two philosophers, the role of education in the process of socialization consists in denaturalization of human beings.
 Conclusion: Hobbes’ and Rousseau’s idea of the relation of education and nature in the process of socialization constitutes a basis for justification of manipulations of education for political ends. To avoid such manipulations and find the adequate concept of education, paper suggests to search for the adequate concept of human nature first. 
 Key Words: education, human nature, sociability, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Doing philosophical sociology in troubled times: a reply to Simon Susen

ABSTRACT In this intervention, I reply to Simon Susen’s review of myDebating Humanity. Towards a Philosophical Sociology. I am thankful for his detailed reading but contend that this discussion is a missed opportunity. The main thrust of my margument is that sociology is at a critical crossroads: it either goes back to its philosophical roots and develops a more urgent sense of its role in understanding some pressing normative challenges of our times, or else it runs the risk of irrelevance. Yet Susen’s review focuses on taxonomic distinctions that revolve mostly around themselves and thus fails to raise substantive questions.

Philosophical roots of the slovak national revival movement in mid-19th century: A case study on the Memorandum events of 1861 in Turciansky Sv. Martin

Philosophical roots of the slovak national revival movement in mid-19th century: A case study on the Memorandum events of 1861 in Turciansky Sv. Martin

Philosophy of Gongcheng (Engineering): A Chinese Field Philosophy Case Study

ABSTRACT Under the influence of natural science, twentieth century philosophy departed from its Socratic heritage and increasingly isolated itself within the discipline. This new disciplinary way of doing philosophy produced a greater amount of professional knowledge and expertise, but it also separated philosophy from its broader social context. Since the mid-20th century, various efforts were made under a variety of banners to reconnect philosophical thinking with society, with field philosophy representing the most genuine break from the disciplinary paradigm. It advocates collaborative work and rejects philosophic jargon. It also shares much in common with a parallel Chinese approach called ‘philosophy of gongcheng.’ The philosophy of gongcheng is mostly initiated by top-level engineers, especially academicians with real political power, with the aim of enhancing the real-world engineering practices. This paper traces the roots of philosophy of jishu in China to reevaluate the appearance of philosophy of gongcheng, and exposes the differences between these two parallel transdisciplinary approaches. Working with engineers deepens the understanding of engineering practices and provides some fresh insights on previous philosophical theories. Both field philosophy and philosophy of engineering need to ask, is there only one way to do philosophy?

Class Legislation, Fundamental Rights, and the Origins of Lochner and Liberty of Contract

While legal scholars and historians have criticized many judicial doctrines from the pre-New Deal period, critics have been especially scathing in their attacks on the “liberty of contract” doctrine enforced most famously in Lochner v. New York. Until recently, academics routinely asserted that the Lochner Court’s Justices simply made up the doctrine based on a combination of belief in laissez-faire economics and hostility to workers’ rights. Contemporary scholars, by contrast, have reconstructed the period’s due-process jurisprudence, finding in it a principled commitment to a conception of justice with philosophical and jurisprudential roots dating back to the Founding and beyond. There are two primary lines of this revisionist literature. One emphasizes traditional Anglo-American hostility to “class legislation” — legislation that arbitrarily favors or disfavors particular factions. The other emphasizes the influence of the natural rights tradition, tempered by precedent and historicism, on the Court’s due-process decisions. Part I of this Article reviews the debate that emerged in the 1990s and early 2000s between partisans of these interpretations. Part II of this Article discusses subsequent developments in the class legislation vs. fundamental rights debate through the present time, noting an increasing convergence between the two sides; both sides acknowledge that both class legislaton and fundamental rights played significant roles in the development of the Supreme Court’s due process jurisprudence, with the remaining debate primarily over which doctrine deserves more emphasis in histortical recountings. This Article concludes by noting that as this debate has progressed, certain areas of historical consensus have emerged. First, both sides agree that the Court did not attempt to enforce anything approaching a night watchman-type laissez-faire policy on government. Second, both sides agree that the Supreme Court’s fundamental-rights jurisprudence, often traced to the 1930s, in fact began to emerge in the pre–New Deal period. Finally, they agree that the Supreme Court Justices who adopted and applied the liberty of contract doctrine did not have the cartoonish reactionary motives attributed to them by Progressive and New Deal critics. Rather, the Justices, faced with constitutional challenges to novel assertions of government power, sincerely tried to protect liberty as they understood it, consistent with longstanding constitutional doctrines that reflected the notion that governmental authority had limits enforceable via the Due Process Clause.

Acceptance-Based Therapies and Asian Philosophical Traditions: Similarities and Differences in the Concept of Acceptance

Mindfulness and acceptance-based psychotherapies have gained popularity in the last few decades as a “third wave” of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Acceptance is an important factor in all of these psychotherapies and stems from Asian philosophies, therefore similarities are necessarily seen between the psychotherapies themselves. This paper aims to demonstrate the ways in which acceptance-based psychotherapies converge by virtue of sharing the same philosophical root, as well as how they diverge in their applications of this concept. Specifically, this paper will examine similarities and differences in the concept of acceptance amongst the therapeutic models of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, as compared to the Asian philosophical traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Acceptance in these psychotherapies will first be collectively compared with that of the Asian philosophical traditions, then key similarities and differences will be highlighted among the psychotherapies themselves. A secondary aim of this paper is to illustrate REBT as an acceptance-based psychotherapy, though it is not often included in discussions of third wave acceptance-based CBTs.

A contribution to the ontology of the Fundamentals of Care framework from a wonder-based approach.

To critically discuss the ontological framework of Fundamentals of Care (FoC), as developed by Uhrenfeldt, et al. (2018), Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27, 3197-3204; to suggest theoretical improvements by taking a wonder-based approach; and to show how this approach can be applied in healthcare sectors. Based on a critical discussion of a discursive study on the ontology of FoC, studies in phenomenology of wonder and two action research projects involving "Wonder Labs," this article discusses whether the ontology and reflective practices behind FoC can be qualified further by an existential phenomenology of wonder and with practices of "Wonder Labs." This is a discursive study critically discussing Uhrenfeldt et al.'s primary focus on dyadic and relational openness and person-oriented attentiveness in a nurse-patient relationship. This is done by unfolding the phenomenology of wonder and wonder experiences at a hospice and a hospital, and by critically examining the psychologically influenced interpretation of Heidegger. The first attempts by Uhrenfeldt et al. to identify the philosophical roots and ontology of FoC by pointing to existential phenomenology and philosophy are acknowledged. However, in this article, we further elaborate this attempt by focusing on the phenomenology of wonder. We show that Heidegger speaking about "existential homecoming" referred to a philosophical practice focusing on the resonance with being, rather than on interpersonal and psychological relations. In conclusion, the article recognises the importance of integrating these two approaches described on the one hand as a person-oriented and lifeworld-led approach, and on the other hand as a being- and phenomenon-oriented approach to the nurse-patient relationship. To be open to the "musicality" of the being dimension, as the core values of FoC, a wonder-based approach to value clarifications and phenomenological dialogues is pivotal for the presence of openness, trust and attentiveness of the nurse-patient relationship. The practices of the "Wonder Lab" may be an approach for training nurses in hearing the call of this "ontological resonance."

Théodule Ribot and the spiritualist tradition: the philosophical roots of scientific psychology

ABSTRACT The integration of the ‘experimental method’ into the field of psychology in nineteenth-century France was fostered by the work of Théodule Ribot and his attempt to found a scientific, non-metaphysical psychology. In this respect, the birth of French scientific psychology seems to amount to a rejection of the longstanding paradigms in French spiritualism. Ribot was vocally opposed to spiritualism, and was concerned to ground psychology in the natural sciences. However, this article brings to light common ground underlying, and interactions between, his work and that of the French spiritualists. In so doing, the aim is not only to investigate some little known sources of Ribot’s thought, but also to foster reconsideration of spiritualism as a philosophical doctrine. Through the comparison with Ribot, spiritualism appears as a composite doctrine, able to promote crucial epistemological revolutions (such as the birth of scientific psychology) and to relate metaphysical assumptions to empirical and experimental observations.

The Theory of Ethiopian Logos: A Semiotics Analysis

Just like a human face, a logo is the principal image of a given institution. This research explored the types of messages Ethiopian public universities want to construct and mediate by the use of logo as well as the definite pattern the logo usage has followed. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed. By using semiological content analysis, all the available logos of Ethiopian public universities were analyzed. In order to obtain the main philosophical root of the employments of the logos as tools of communication, various in-depth interviews were conducted with communication and public relations directors/experts of eight universities. Peirce’s model of semiotics was used as a theoretical frame. The finding of the study discloses that the universities are highly engaged in entertaining dual messages, i.e. modernism vs. traditionalism, through their logos. The leaders of the universities are fascinated in constructing and representing their reality in such a way that modernity is highly required while traditional treasures have obtained special attention. The study discovers that the very essence of a logo is highly misunderstood among the leaders of the public universities of Ethiopia. Furthermore, excessive pictures are used within a logo and many of them are undersized while the imitation of signs is very high (up to 98%). In short, the universities have failed to construct a strong and distinct visual identity. The researcher draws the theory of the Ethiopian institutional logo (i.e. circle-ness, imitativeness, stuffing, miniaturization, localized-ness, predictableness and symbolic-fixation) that guides the production of visual signs. Keywords: Logo, visual identity, Ethiopia, university, semiotics.

Demystifying Unconscionability: An Historical and Empirical Analysis

The doctrine of unconscionability is encrusted with myths. First year law students are taught that the doctrine was created in the twentieth century. Unconscionability is often presented as a novel one, born in the Uniform Commercial Code’s adoption of Section 2-302 in the mid-twentieth century. Even those scholars who are willing to look a bit further afield than the twentieth century for the origins of the unconscionability doctrine typically only reach the mid eighteenth century. In addition to myths surrounding its origin, the doctrine has been presented as a dangerously vague and imprecise concept. Commentators and scholars have likewise characterized the doctrine as a license for courts to refuse, unpredictably and arbitrarily, to enforce some contracts. Some claim its application has the potential to destroy all of contract law. Beyond the fear mongering myths, another standard myth taught to first year law students is that to succeed on a claim of unconscionability a party must offer at least some proof of both procedural and substantive unconscionability. This article will thus attempt to dispel the following three myths about unconscionability: • It is a new, modern doctrine of law. • Its application is unpredictable and arbitrary. • To prevail a party must prove both procedural and substantive unconscionability. The best way to dispel myths is through facts. This article attempts to clear the clouds of confusion and fear surrounding the doctrine by turning to historical and empirical fact. Part I of this article looks to the ancient past and finds that the idea that justice, and hence the law, should grant a remedy to at least some people who enter into inequitable bargains is as old as philosophizing about justice itself (and certainly older than the mid-eighteenth century). Rather than a dangerous modern innovation, this principle of justice has ancient philosophical roots in Aristotle and ancient legal roots in Roman law. Part II of the article summarizes prior attempts to assess the doctrine of unconscionability through empirical research by summarizing the results of prior work and identifies the limited scope of those projects. Part III contains the results of the comprehensive empirical analysis of what appears to be happening in cases involving claims of unconscionability in the period 2013-2017. A comprehensive coding process was undertaken for all reported federal and state cases decided over this five-year period. The results of the data analysis of 463 federal and state cases suggest that whatever the casebooks and law review articles claim about the doctrine, its application in real courts on the ground is very predictable and simpler than a two-part requirement suggests. The article concludes with a proposal to reformulate the doctrine to conform better to both its historical roots and its application by courts in real cases.

Towards a Learning Philosophy Based on Experience in Entrepreneurship Education

If experience is the guiding light in entrepreneurship education, then where is the philosophy of experience? This article illuminates the philosophical foundations of entrepreneurship education by discussing learning through experience. We introduce a diagram that addresses primary and secondary experiences and their interplay as well as a model that further reveals how educative entrepreneurial experience can be researched through empirical phenomenology. We suggest that although entrepreneurship is currently positioned as an experiential subject in academia, the theoretical and philosophical roots of experience in learning have not been fully addressed, leading to a deficit in our understanding of how knowledge is derived from experience, and how experience may differ depending on its philosophical underpinnings.

Literary, critic and theoretical reasons of literary personalism for teaching

The purpose of this article is to explain what we understand for literarypersonalism. Literature is considered knowledge of reality and mystery ofhuman person. So, we are going to study literary, critical, and theoreticalprinciples of the proposal, convinced of its value for teaching. Helena Ospinadescribes her journey and her philosophical roots in modern ontological personalism of Juan Manuel Burgos. Literary works are analyzed acordingto «lúdico-ambital» method by Alfonso López Quintás. With GustavoGonzález Villanueva we celebrate masterwork as joy and mystery capture.

Towards Ethics of Wonder and Generosity in Critical Suicidology

ABSTRACT More than ever before it is clear that suicidology requires a serious re-thinking of its approach to understanding and responding to suicide. This is not simply because disciplines such as medicine, psychiatry and psychology dominate what counts as valid knowledge about suicide. Rather, a serious re-thinking is required because the philosophical roots of suicidology remain taken for granted. This article addresses such a philosophical quandary by arguing that we need to take two steps back before those of us working in critical suicidology proceed any further. I begin by surveying suicidology’s philosophical underpinnings. Drawing on the philosophical works of Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, and Margarite La Caze, I then examine the role of ethics, and its relationship with two such unlikely ethical concepts – wonder and generosity. Finally, I consider what role such ethics might have in providing a new foundation for critical suicidology – a foundation that remains open to change, to difference and unconditional hospitality as means of responding to the painful agency of suicide and its significance in understanding what it means to be human.

The vita activa and the human condition: Points of clarification in reply to Jansson and Wagman

ABSTRACT Writing about Hannah Arendt’s valuable contribution to occupational science, Jansson and Wagman (2018) offered perceptive and constructive comments on my previous paper (Turnbull, 2018). Here I seek to clarify and further develop my own interpretive position on these topics. Agreeing that further consideration of Arendt’s philosophical roots is needed, I argue that the three fundamental activities of the vita activa be regarded as ‘existentials’ rather than ‘modalities’ of occupation. I explore themes that Jansson and Wagman noted as our points of difference: Vita activa and vita contemplativa; The existence of human nature; and Whether occupation is conditioned, and both individualistic and pluralistic. To these I add a fifth: On not being conditioned absolutely. The line of inquiry then opens towards regarding Arendt’s existentials as a way of forming evaluative judgements about the human condition. Arendt’s text leads towards two plausible but conflicting interpretations; one tends towards a psychological account, the other towards opening a space for political freedom. Another question involves asking how the terms ‘being’ and ‘doing’ are related in occupational science and in Arendt’s politically oriented thought. It is argued she ranks them equally, but this is evaluative, not ontological. Arendt’s thought on the inability of science to explain what we are or answer the question of who we are, leads her in a political direction. Two implications for occupational science are drawn: that the first task is to make information about labor, work, and action available for evaluation, which leads directly into posing questions of social and occupational justice.

Some philosophical roots of the Power Threat Meaning Framework

This is a follow up paper to a previous Special Issue (January 2019) of Forum about the Power Threat Meaning Framework. It offers a viewpoint from two contributors about some of the Framework’s roots in pre-Socratic philosophy.