Philosophical Views Research Articles

An interview with Richard Swinburne

Abstract This article is part of Religious Studies’ new initiative to publish a series of interviews with distinguished philosophers of religion. Each interview explores the personal and academic background of the interviewee and discusses their core philosophical views. The aim is to inspire students and scholars and to provide an overview of some of the most important works developed by contemporary philosophers of religion. In the first interview, Max Baker-Hytch interviews Richard Swinburne, covering such topics as his upbringing, his days as a student in Oxford in the 1950s, and his views on natural theology, the problem of evil, and the mind-body problem.

On coaching and the ethics of care: a psychodynamic approach

This paper is prompted by the intuition that the common ethical theories do not fully comprehend the (internal) psychological structures of the asymmetrical coach-athlete relationship. Through a few examples I attempt to investigate the ethically vulnerable coach-athlete relationships that often emerge. With a philosophical view taken from Nel Noddings’ theory of an ethics of care, I argue that we may need a broader perspective on the ethical issues which also include a psychoanalytic or psychodynamic perspective towards the relationships in question. Doing that would in itself be an ethical approach to take for a deeper understanding of the relationships between coaches and athletes.

Iconic Buildings of Le Corbusier. Chapel of Notre-Dame Du Haut in Ronchamp

This article is devoted to the Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut, the first iconic building designed by Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris (Le Corbusier) within the bionic traditions of modernism. When creating it, the architect expressed his desire to create a space conducive to silence, prayer, peace and inner joy.The study analyzes the key architectural and design concepts embedded by Jeanneret-Gris in the situational plan, planning scheme, facade solutions, architectural details and interior of this unique building. Special attention was paid to bionic elements inspired by natural forms and processes, which became a distinctive feature of Le Corbusier's modernist architecture.The analysis made it possible to identify the relationship between architectural solutions and the philosophical views of Jeanneret-Gris, as well as to assess their influence on the formation of the modernist paradigm in cult architecture. The results of the study contribute to a deeper understanding of Le Corbusier's contribution to the development of modern architecture and his desire to create a harmonious and functionally saturated space.

The Problem of Differential Importability and Scientific Modeling

The practice of science appears to involve “model-talk”. Scientists, one thinks, are in the business of giving accounts of reality. Scientists, in the process of furnishing such accounts, talk about what they call “models”. Philosophers of science have inspected what this talk of models suggests about how scientific theories manage to represent reality. There are, it seems, at least three distinct philosophical views on the role of scientific models in science’s portrayal of reality: the abstractionist view, the indirect fictionalist view, and the direct fictionalist view. In this essay, I try to articulate a question about what makes a scientific model more or less appropriate for a specific domain of reality. More precisely, I ask, “What accounts for the fact that given a determinate target domain, some scientific models, but not others, are thought to be “appropriate” for that domain?” I then consider whether and the degree to which each of the mentioned views on scientific models institutes a satisfactory response to this question. I conclude that, amongst those views, the direct fictionalist view seems to have the most promising response. I then utilize this argument to develop a more precise account of the problem of differential importability, and ultimately offer a more general and less presumptive argument that the problem seems to be optimally solved by justifying comparative evaluation of model-importabilities solely in terms of comparative evaluations of what I characterize as models’ “holistic” predictive success.

Między platonikami z Cambridge a empirystami z The Royal Society - zarys filozofii Josepha Glanvilla

The article's purpose is to present the views of the 17th-century English philosopher - Joseph Glanvill. They are placed around two main intellectual tendences present in early modern English philosophy. Neoplatonism from the University of Cambridge and the empiricism of the early Royal Society. Discussing the first pool of inspirations, the author points to the typically Platonic elements in his system and the characteristic features of Glanvill’s philosophy, which may place him in the broad tradition of English Latitudinarianism. He then presents the specifics of Glanvill’s skepticism and empiricism. Glanvill’s spiritualist proposals seem to mediate between Cambridge Neoplatonism and the philosophies of the early Royal Society. They were inspired both by the specific understanding of spirit found in More’s Neoplatonic metaphysics and by certain thoughts present among early modern naturalists. In general presentation, Joseph Glanvill’s philosophical views appear as a synthesis of elements characteristic of these two approaches.

Indian philosophy as a precursor of the string theory of consciousness. Part 2

Introduction. The article examines the formation of the Ancient Indian philosophy and its connection to consciousness. The Indian philosophy has come a long way from its onset, in parallel with the Chinese and Ancient Greek philosophy. At the same time, the ideas of some of its branches and schools differ in a number of features. Purpose setting. By the example of the Sankhya school of philosophy, we have explored the evolution of the views of Ancient Indian philosophers on the evolution of the Universe, nature and man. We have put particular emphasis on the concept of consciousness.Methodology and methods of the study. In Sankhya system, the fundamental Prakriti and Purusha principles are identified. Other elements are supplementary. Ancient philosophers laid special emphasis on the three vibrating gunas. These are sattva, rajas, and tamas. We have revealed the functional connections between the gunas. The way they interact, in balance or dominance, determines the entire variety of material and spiritual processes. The evolution of the Universe in the Sankhya interpretation is close to the scientific theory of the Big Bang. The development of nature can be traced through the complication of atoms starting from the influence of a stimulus on unconscious chaos. The result of human evolution is the emergence of consciousness derivatives: intellect, mind and I (Ego). This allows better understanding of the behavioral characteristics of an existing personality. Yoga complements Sankhya system and makes it possible to transform consciousness in a number of states.Results. The analysis was carried out using scientific articles and monographs relatively unknown in the Russian press. Cognitive development occurs in a spiral. The scientific theory of strings appeared two and a half millennia after the emergence of the gunas concept. We have made a number of analogies between Ancient Indian gunas and contemporary string theory. And have substantiated the theory of consciousness not with quantum theory, but with a deeper string theory. The concept of consciousness is supported in line with the scientific paradigm of T. Kuhn. The leading ideas are the ideas about information of D. Chalmers and the physicist J. Wheeler.Conclusion. Thus, the phenomenon of consciousness has a silicon and biological basis. We insist on using the semantic concept of artificial consciousness instead of artificial intelligence. Therefore, between human consciousness and artificial consciousness there may be dangerous risks of dominance of the latter.

Social Protection is the Essence and Genesis of the Phenomenon

this article analyzes issues of anti-poverty and social protection from historical, religious and philosophical perspectives. It is also shown how other religious teachings and philosophical views also played a role in shaping attitudes towards social protection. The article also talks about how social protection systems have perfected with the development of states and the revival and development of these systems in the current period. The article, going deep into the historical and spiritual foundations of social protection issues, confirms its relevance today.

Проблема бессознательного в европейском теизме и спиритуализме XIX в. и русская религиозная философия

European theism and spiritualism of the XIX century and Russian religious philosophy are examples of a non-psychoanalytic tradition of studying the unconscious, the study of which is of scientific interest. The issue of the influence of European philosophy on Russian philosophy has been considered in many aspects, but the influence on the doctrine of the unconscious has not been studied. The aim of this article is to study the influence of the views of European theists and spiritualists of the XIX century on the problem of the unconscious on Russian religious philosophy. The novelty lies in the fact that, firstly, an assessment is given of the nature of the influence of European theism and spiritualism of the XIX century on Russian religious philosophy on the issue of the unconscious; secondly, the difference in the interpretation of the unconscious in religious philosophy of the XIX – first half of the XX century and psychoanalytic philosophy is shown. It is shown that European theism and spiritualism of the XIX century had a significant influence on the interpretation of the unconscious in Russian religious philosophy, however, domestic thinkers also, when studying the unconscious, focused their attention on the moral and ethical aspect of personal existence and considered the unconscious in a broad historical and philosophical context. In addition, the fundamental elements in the interpretation of the unconscious in Russian religious philosophy and European theism and spiritualism are the psychological understanding of the unconscious and the personal nature of the interaction between man and God (in accordance with the views of theistic philosophy).

Nosiruddin Tusi’s Gnoseological and Logical Views as Well as the Author on these Issues Examples from his Works

This article analyzes the attitude of the famous representative of Arab-Muslim social thought, Nasiruddin Tusi, to the issue of epistemological and logical science. Abu Ja'far Muhammad Nasiruddin Tusi wrote works of great importance in Islamic philosophy and ethics. Philosophical views of the thinker continued the traditions of the ideas of Mashshoyiuna direction.

Educational Construction in Ibn Khaldun's Philosophy: Literary Analysis and Contribution to Contemporary Islamic Education

This article aims to analyze the construction of education in Ibn Khaldun's philosophy and explore its contribution to contemporary Islamic education through a literature-based approach. Using library research methods, this study examines Ibn Khaldun's major work, Muqaddimah, along with various secondary literatures that discuss his philosophical views on education. The findings reveal that Ibn Khaldun views education as a gradual social process, emphasizing practical and moral learning, and the importance of critical, non-dogmatic education. This concept is relevant to the challenges of modern Islamic education, particularly in efforts to integrate intellectual and ethical education to build a generation that contributes to the advancement of civilization.

Similarities and Differences of Kyrgyz and Kara-Kalpak Epics

The article provides a comparative historical analysis of the similarities and differences of the epics of the Kyrgyz and Kara-Kalpak peoples, which have not been forgotten and preserved for centuries. After all, in the epics of both peoples, the way of life, spiritual and moral knowledge in the upbringing of youth, historical events, philosophical views that make up the formation of personality were formed in accordance with the awareness of the national mentality. If we consider the issue in this form, then today epics are not given such attention. Therefore, our goal, firstly, is to reveal that in the past centuries the potential of the population in continuing teaching and training was very high thanks to the best methodologies of spiritual and moral education of young people through folk epics. Secondly, in order to popularize and preserve folk epics in modern society, it is necessary to organize special courses and classes on their teaching. After all, epics contain history, ethnography, philosophy, traditional knowledge folklore of the whole people.

The Three Postulate Idea: Between Limits and Metaphysical Beliefs in Immanuel Kant's System of Philosophy

In the history of Western philosophy, debates about truth and error have continued to develop, reflecting diverse views that have emerged over time. The question of human nature became the center of intellectual attention, expanding philosophical study from speculation to fundamental thinking. Amid this context, Immanuel Kant emerged as a key figure who brought a new approach to philosophical inquiry. Although he spent his life in Koningsberg, his ideas in epistemology, anthropology, ethics, and education gained global recognition and made him one of the most influential philosophers of the modern era. However, his views have also drawn criticism, especially for the inconsistencies that are perceived to support dogmatism, although he originally intended to criticize it. This research analyzes Kant's thought, especially about the limits of human knowledge, metaphysics, and criticism of dogmatism. The method used is qualitative text analysis, which examines Kant's main work, "Critique of Pure Reason," as well as the views of other philosophers. Primary and secondary literature is reviewed to identify inconsistencies in Kant's arguments. The results show that although Kant's philosophical system has made an outstanding contribution, there are significant areas for improvement in the handling of metaphysical concepts and the limits of knowledge, which ultimately has the potential to fall into dogmatism. This study concludes that Kant's thought remains relevant and essential, but it needs to be reread critically to fully understand its impact on modern philosophy.

“THE ETHICISATION OF RELIGION” IN THE RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS OF M. TAREEV

The subject of the research in the article is the reception of I. Kant’s practical philosophy in the ethical component of the religious and philosophical views of M. Tareev. The hypothesis of the study is the assumption that there is a systemic influence of Kantian ethics and theology on the formation of M. Tareev’s religious and philosophical ideas, which manifested itself in borrowing the method and key concepts of practical philosophy, as well as the central concepts of I. Kant’s philosophy of religion. The research methodology is based on the systematic philosophical approach combined with the method of conceptual analysis of the sources of views and the method of historical and philosophical reconstruction. The novelty of the article lies in substantiating the central importance of the method and key concepts of I. Kant’s practical philosophy, such as the ideas of autonomy of the will, moral obligation and ethical community of people as sources of formation of M. Tareev’s own ideas.

Suspension of Judgment as a Doxastic Default

Abstract In Outlines of Skeptical-Dogmatism, Mark Walker argues for Skeptical-Dogmatism about philosophical views—i.e., he argues that we should disbelieve most philosophical views. Walker argues for Skeptical-Dogmatism over both Dogmatism and Skepticism. In response, I defend Skepticism—i.e., the view that we should neither believe nor disbelieve most philosophical views. I argue that Walker’s arguments overlook some of the most plausible forms of philosophical Skepticism where the Skeptic suspends judgment about most disputed philosophical views without assigning a credence of 0.5 to those views. In doing so, I argue that suspension of judgment is the default justified doxastic attitude—i.e., the doxastic attitude one is epistemically justified in adopting absent any reason to do otherwise. I also champion Skepticism by offering modified versions of some of Walker’s thought experiments, posing challenges for Skeptical-Dogmatism, and arguing that Skepticism and Skeptical-Dogmatism share some common benefits.

THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE IN THE ANCIENT CULTURAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL TRADITION

The article attempts to trace the key points of view on the problem of violence in the philosophical views of the most famous thinkers of European antiquity. It is shown that in the system of social relations, violence in its pure form plays the role of the oldest and most primitive way of resolving the objectively existing conflict of interests of the participants of the social process. The nature of the conflict is rooted in the actual inequality of one subject to another, which finds its fullest expression in the inequality of the needs of individuals. It is substantiated that violence becomes a legal regulator of public interests when the extent of its use in society is recognized by the majority. It is shown that in the context of the development of ancient philosophy, the problem of violence was considered mainly in connection with the socio-political teachings of the classics of Greek philosophy, as well as within the framework of moral discourse. The phenomenon of violence was not tolerated by representatives of ancient philosophy as a separate problem worthy of consideration.

Об актуальности наследия Вл.С. Соловьева

The general characteristics of the materials of the International “Round table” “Relevance of V.S. Solovyov's legacy: philosophy, philology, cultural studies (modernity calls and possible answers)” devoted to the discussion of the problems of V.S. Solovyov's legacy research are presented. The initiator and organizer of the scientific event was the editorial board of the journal “Solovyov studies”. The discussion was attended by Russian and foreign specialists – philosophers, philologists, cultural scientists from the largest universities and academic centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod, Kaliningrad, Kostroma, Saransk, Astrakhan. Foreign participants are researchers of V.S. Solovyov's legacy from Italy, Spain, and France. It is noted that the discussion participants focused on the problems of historiography and source studies of Russian philosophy in general and the legacy of V.S. Solovyov. The relevance of the ethical vector of his historiosophical ideas is pointed out to the philosophical unreasonableness and politicization of modern attacks on Solovyov's legacy, the lack of a fundamental scientific and philosophical research program. Attention is drawn to the need for further research into the historical and philosophical context of the formation of V.S. Solovyov's philosophical views and their influence on the subsequent development of culture, on the prospects of the projects “logic of unity” and “philosophy of neo-unity” being developed. The relevance of the idea of Christian unity by V.S. Solovyov is noted. Promising directions for further philological study of his work are revealed. The role of the journal “Solovyov Studies” in the development of Russian and foreign Solovyov studies is determined.

Theoretical and methodological orientations and positions of the problem of translation: on the example of philosophical texts

In the article the basics of the affiliation between philosophy and translation in connection with modern developments and changes in philosophy and translation were examined. The authors highlight the main reasons contributing to the deep transformation of humanitarian meanings, which are of particular interest and relevance. The purpose of the study is a philosophical view of the changing factors in the translation problem. The explanation of the concepts of “philosophy and translation” was reviewed. The authors interpret translation as a category of social philosophy. The main growth points for thoughts about the transfer of one of the central concepts of linguistics to the core of a broad interdisciplinary scientific discussion and its elevation to the category of social philosophy were reflected in its changed role and function. The authors also consider translation as an important factor in reviving cultural diversity and stimulating the growth of human creativity. It is concluded that the interpretation of translation as a factor that has a significant impact on a person requires consideration by the social philosophymethods. A methodology for analyzing important sociocultural phenomena, based on the dialectical ideais proposed. The main research method is the double opposition “philosophy—translation”. This approach includes the need to pay close attention to the connections between the whole and its important parts, which increases the relevance of analyzing the connections between them. Within this idea, the key conclusion is that philosophical categories are derived from real relations to science.

Реидеологизация российского общества: основные тезисы философской позиции

Introduction. At the beginning of the XXI century there is a gradual revival of interest in the re-ideologization of the political and cultural space of the country. The purpose of this article is to systematize and analyze philosophical views on the processes of re-ideologization that took place in Russia in the period from 2012 to 2023. Theoretical analysis allowed us to argue that the philosophical community has demonstrated a variety of reactions to the active processes of re-ideologization in Russia supported by the state since 2012. On the one hand, warnings were put forward about the repressive nature of total ideology. On the other hand, philosophers sought ways to participate in the discussion of national issues and determine the future development of the country. Particular attention was paid to concepts of the future such as humanism, culture, and communitarianism. Some philosophers, refusing to discuss ideology, have adopted a position of escapism, seeking freedom in their own being, outside the influence of society or any particular ideology. Conclusion. Transformations of habitual ideas about ideology open new angles for philosophical self-reflection. Discussions about the necessity of “withdrawal” from the discussion of political problems and ideological confrontation cause a “crisis of philosophical identity” and at the same time represent an important epistemological challenge.

Страна-цивилизация и Русский мир: конституционно-правовые вопросы

Historical and philosophical views on Russia as a country-civilization and the Russian world, which do not differ in uniformity, currently do not have a theoretical and legal justification and legal mechanisms for implementation. In the combination of “I am Society — State — Law — Civilization”, the first four actors are the most mobile quantities, they can change places according to the degree of influence on each other and on Civilization as a whole, and the latter, being a composite alloy of their functioning, seems to be a kind of constant and guarantee of the existence and development of the country. The author sees the Russian world as a self-identifying non-state international cultural and linguistic state of the personality and peoples of multinational Russia, as well as citizens of other states that voluntarily recognize it. From the position of constitutional (state) law, it is assumed that the role of the state and the various structural elements of the country-civilization and the Russian world will be differentiated, giving it a new set of responsibilities to participate in their provision.

Perceptions of Self-Love Among Orthodox Christians: Clinical and Pastoral Implications

AbstractUsing an interdisciplinary, empirical perspective, the study explored Orthodox Christians’ perceptions of self-love and its relationship to love of neighbour, love of God and self-sacrifice. Three scales with good reliability were designed and used with 153 Orthodox Christian adults. The main results obtained are as follows: Orthodox Christians have positive perceptions of self-love – they do not see it as a passion or sin as it is described in Christian ascetic literature; they appreciate the importance and benefits of self-love when they perceive it as a separate reality from the love of neighbour and the love of God; some of them have negative or unclear perceptions on the relationship between self-love, love of neighbour and love of God. In this last respect the empirical results of the study contradict important philosophical and theological views. In the study, less than one-quarter of the Orthodox Christians scored high in practising healthy self-love and agreed that self-love can coexist with self-sacrifice in a certain dose or balance. The clinical and pastoral implications of the findings are discussed, and practical suggestions for intervention are proposed.