Cultural Pluralism Research Articles

Pembentukan Perda Berbasis Syari’ah dalam Bingkai Negara Hukum Pancasila

This research attempts to explore the validity basis (philosophical, sociological juridical, historical, and conceptual) of the formation of Sharia Regional Regulations or Regional Regulations that have a Sharia orientation, which is mostly drawn up in various regions in Indonesia. As for this research, normative juridical analyzes the problems in the formation of Sharia regulations within the framework of the Pancasila state law. Of the seven legal research approaches, the statute approach, conceptual approach, and historical approach are used to find answers to the problems posed in this study. The results of the study stated that the establishment of a Sharia-inspired Regional Regulation has a philosophical foundation in Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, particularly Article 18, Article 18A, Article 18B, Article 25, and Article 29. Sociologically, the cultural pluralism of the Indonesian nation is always related to religion. Juridically, the provisions in Article 10 paragraph (1) letter f of Constitution Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government have been amended several times, most recently by Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation and their explanations. The provisions of Article 2 and Article 3 of Presidential Regulation Number 83 of 2015 concerning the Ministry of Religion also provide clear boundaries regarding the authority of the central and regional governments in the field of religion. This provision provides an opportunity for the regions to form regional regulations with sharia nuances. In the Jakarta Charter (Piagam Jakarta)as a historical document, the government also recognizes and legitimizes the formation of a Sharia Regional Regulation. Then based on conceptual (theoretical), the concept of asymmetric decentralization, it is possible for the Government to implement different autonomy for several regions in Indonesia which allows the development of the unique potential of each region.

The right to opt out: a comparative analysis of exemption schemes in Scandinavian public schools and the impact of cultural bias

ABSTRACT As societies become increasingly diverse, questions arise about how the state can accommodate cultural and religious plurality while safeguarding fundamental human rights, such as freedom of religion and the right to education. Despite contextual variations, many states and education systems are affected by common supranational processes and face many of the same legislative challenges in drawing boundaries between what is considered religion and non-religion in public schools and in identifying those subjects and activities from which pupils should be entitled to exemption based on their religious backgrounds or worldviews. Through a comparative analysis of the exemption schemes in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, we explore the intersections between religion, law, and education, and discuss the interplay between national legislation and international law in the three countries’ school systems. By comparing the national jurisdictions in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, we examine different exemption procedures and discuss how religion and religious rights are understood and regulated legally, negotiated educationally, and adapted domestically. The analysis shows that Scandinavian public schools’ exemption schemes, deeply intertwined with Christianity’s influence, exhibit varying degrees of accommodating pupils’ and parents’ rights to opt out of religious education and activities, reflecting differing national approaches to religious and philosophical convictions.

Balancing Universality and Cultural Diversity in the Search for Inclusive Moral Frameworks

Purpose. The article aims to draw the attention of researchers to the creation of an ethical framework that harmoniously incorporates universal principles and cultural diversity taking into account the rights and dignity of every individual as a key actor in ethical discussions. It argues that an effective ethical framework gives the opportunity to each person to take part in moral deliberations and ethical decision-making. Theoretical basis. The article, based on the approach of Kant, Rolls, Singer and others, insists on the need to define and agree on the universal principles. They should form the basis of all subsequent ethical discussions. The protection of personal identity is emphasized through intercultural sensitivity (Herskovits, Benedict). People with diverse cultural contexts should be included in ethical debates. The importance in research of the flexibility of ethical concepts in accordance with the cosmopolitanism of Appiah and the approach to the capabilities of Nussbaum is also emphasized. Ethical theories need to balance between cultural pluralism and universality. Cultural sensitivity in ethical theories must recognize, respect, and give space to other moralities, paving the way for the formulation of open ethical theories. Anthropological and philosophical insights contribute to achieving the necessary balance between core principles and flexibility to create avenues for dialogue and consensus. Finally, while attempting to achieve universality, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability, ethical frameworks in an interconnected world should apply the principles across various societies, respect diversity in values, and take into account changes in those societies. Originality. The article outlines the contours of a possible balanced approach emphasizing universality as the central core of ethical theory and cross-cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and adaptability. That allows each person to preserve identity and feel to be involved in ethics. Conclusions. The article demonstrated that it is necessary to promote such qualities as understanding cultural specificity, empathy for other cultures and cooperation in solving moral dilemmas on the path towards ethical excellence. Only a balanced approach that combines universal principles and takes into account cultural diversity recognizes the rights and dignity of each person and transcends cultural differences.

Navigating the Challenges of Islamic Legal Institutions in a Secular Context: The Philippine Experience

This study aims to explore the historical development and contemporary challenges of Islamic legal institutions in the Philippines, with a particular focus on the intellectual contributions of Philippine Muslim scholars. It highlights the Luwaran of Maguindanao and the Diwan Tausūg as foundational legal frameworks that demonstrate the adaptability of Islamic law within the Philippine socio-cultural context. Central to understanding the Islamic legal system in the Philippines is the codification of Muslim Personal Laws, which marked a significant milestone in integrating Islamic jurisprudence into the national legal framework. However, the limitations of the Code, including its narrow scope and partial alignment with Islamic principles, underscore the complexities of implementing a comprehensive Islamic legal system in a non-Islamic state. Further, the article assesses the recognition of al-Sharī‘ah Courts and the legal provisions established under the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, emphasizing the importance of cultural pluralism and legal inclusivity in addressing the aspirations of the Muslim minority. The study employs a historical-analytical approach which endeavours to review the primary sources and the codified Muslim Personal Laws, as well as secondary sources like scholarly works on Philippine Islamic history and jurisprudence. Critical analysis of the Muslim Personal Laws and the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), will help trace the evolution of Islamic legal frameworks and identify their socio-cultural relevance. The study recommends the significance of legal integration or a comparative legal approach as a crucial instrument for identifying areas of harmony and divergence between Islamic jurisprudence and national law.

Pendidikan Calon Imam di Flores dalam Paradigma Misi Inter Gentes

<p>This article focuses attention on the educational praxis of prospective priests in Flores within the <em>inter gentes</em> mission paradigm. The education of prospective priests in the Catholic Church in Flores is still a closed education, namely an educational process that separates people from society for a form of life that is separate from society. Educational praxis like this can be fruitful output who considers himself a 'master' with all-round qualities for all pastoral matters. On this basis, it is very important to create a <em>inter gentes </em>mission paradigm as a theological basis for the practical education of prospective priests in Flores. <em>Gentes</em> in understanding <em>inter gentes</em> understood as nations, cultures, and groups of people with distinctive views and lifestyles. Mission <em>inter gentes</em> considered suitable to answer the needs of Flores which is marked by cultural diversity and a society that still faces the problem of poverty. The education of priest candidates in Flores is carried out in the <em>inter gentes</em> mission paradigm requires the educational practice of prospective priests to be more open to the complexity of the reality of life which is marked by the plurality of religions, cultures and perspectives in society. Apart from that, the commitment to defending the environment and involving women in the formation of prospective priests is also a concern of the mission <em>inter gentes.</em></p>

The Contestation of Religious Moderation in Digital Da'wah: Study on Buya Syakur and Buya Yahya YouTube Channels

This article examines the contestation of religious moderation discourse in da'wah on the YouTube Channels of Buya Syakur and Buya Yahya. Both are clerics from moderate Islamic mass organizations who are known to actively promote religious moderation. This research is a qualitative research with a cyber ethnography approach and text analysis based on Stephen Toulmin's argumentative rhetoric model. Toulmin's argumentative rhetoric combines Claim (C), Data/Ground (D), Warrant (W), Backing (B), Qualifier (Q) and Exception/Rebutta (R). The results of the study indicate that there are different views on the moderation of the concept and discourse of religious moderation and its implementation in national and state life. Buya Syakur discusses moderation as a necessity to create unity and brotherhood amidst the reality of religious and cultural plurality. He recommends a reinterpretation of religious texts. Unlike Buya Syakur, Buya Yahya states that Muslims do not actually need a religious moderation movement, because Islam is a religion that has moderate characteristics since its inception. Buya Yahya actually appealed to Muslims to be aware of the discourse and movement which he feared could damage the peace of Muslims themselves. The difference in views between Buya Syakur and Buya Yahya occurred due to differences in understanding several concepts in the Quran. The difference in views between the two shows the existence of contestation in the preaching of religious moderation. Contestation is commonplace in the digital space. However, this contestation actually enriches the discourse on religious moderation in Indonesia.

Beyond “Engaged/Involved”: Latina Immigrant Mothers’ Negotiations of Family-Bilingual Program Relations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. educational institutions continue to frame racially minoritized families as inferior and as the causes for their children’s educational challenges based on expectations associated with white, middle- and upper-class families. Latinx families can be positioned in deficit ways even in dual language bilingual education programs (DLBE), often lauded for being culturally and linguistically expansive settings. Informed by Critical Race Theory in Education and LatCrit, this study presents counterstories of two Latina immigrant mothers supporting their children’s learning and development during the COVID-19 pandemic in states with anti-bilingual and anti-immigrant legislative histories, Arizona and Massachusetts. Leveraging community cultural wealth, the mothers shared a deep commitment to sustaining their children’s bilingual and bicultural development and wellness. Although they were positioned as engaged parents by the DLBE programs, they problematized static and constrained forms of engagement efforts during pandemic schooling and learning. As such, their counterstories trouble deficit conceptualizations and false dichotomies within family-bilingual school relations and serve as a cautionary tale for educational programs framed as supportive of linguistic and cultural pluralism. We argue for the continued interrogation of school-led forms of engagement to ensure that racially minoritized families engage in shared leadership and school governance and have their knowledge forms and language traditions elevated as crucial levers for catalyzing transformative learning in response to COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts.

THE LEGACY OF TOLERATION: J. G. HERDER AND MOSES MENDELSSOHN'S DEFENCE OF PLURALISM

ABSTRACTMoses Mendelssohn's ‘Jerusalem, or on Religious Power and Judaism’ (1783) was a milestone in the promotion of religious toleration – a principle that is constitutive for human rights in their contemporary conception. This article argues that ‘Jerusalem’ borrows from a surprising source: Johann Gottfried Herder's world history, which is entrenched in Protestant theology. Herder's world history presents a non‐hierarchical consideration of peoples. In this framework, Herder called to revalorise oral cultures, previously considered as primitive, as assets for humankind. The article argues that Mendelssohn's promotion of religious toleration employs the logic of Herder's cultural pluralism. Similarly to Herder, Mendelssohn contends that traditional cultures foster a longstanding contribution to humankind. In this vein, Mendelssohn portrays Jewish ritual as exemplary of the vitality of orality. Tracing Herder's cultural pluralism in ‘Jerusalem’ resolves a major tension in Mendelssohn's promotion of toleration: the presentation of Judaism as a superior culture coincides with his call for a non‐hierarchical understanding of cultures.

A COLONIALIDADE NAS POLÍTICAS EDUCACIONAIS BRASILEIRAS: UMA ANÁLISE CRÍTICA DA BNCC E DO RELATÓRIO DO BANCO MUNDIAL

The implementation of the National Common Curriculum Base (BNCC) and the educational recommendations of the World Bank have significantly influenced Brazilian educational policies. However, these policies can reflect and perpetuate dynamics of coloniality, contributing to the maintenance of social and racial inequalities. This article critically analyzes how the BNCC and the World Bank's report Proposals to Realign Education Policies: Overcoming the Learning Crisis with Equity (2018) perpetuate the dynamics of coloniality in the dimensions of power, knowledge, and being. In addition, it proposes decolonial pedagogical alternatives that promote a more inclusive and emancipatory education. The research adopted a qualitative approach of a theoretical-critical nature, based on the decolonial perspective. A theoretical review of the contributions of authors such as Quijano, Mignolo, Maldonado-Torres and Walsh was carried out, and a documentary analysis of the BNCC and the World Bank report, using categories of analysis based on the dimensions of coloniality. The results indicate that both the BNCC and the World Bank report reflect and reinforce the dynamics of coloniality, manifesting itself in curricular standardization, exclusion of plural epistemologies, and dehumanization of racialized subjects. These policies prioritize a utilitarian and neoliberal logic, neglecting cultural and social diversities and reinforcing historical inequalities. It is concluded that there is a need to reevaluate curricular policies, including Afro-Brazilian, indigenous and quilombola knowledge, and to build regional curricula that respect cultural and social specificities. It is recommended the implementation of public policies that promote social justice and cultural diversity, in addition to the adoption of decolonial pedagogical practices. The transformation of the educational field involves valuing the plurality of knowledge and cultures, promoting critical citizenship and building a fairer and more inclusive society.

A Comparative Study of Ethnicity Differences Reflected in Films Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan and Old Beast In the Context of Multiculturalism

The transition of Mongolian cinema begins with New Historicist advancements in the post-industrial era. Through comparing Old Beast and Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan, this paper examines the development of both old and new Mongolian ethnic cinema, focusing on the factors that contributed to the emergence of new Mongolian cinema. Under the influence of multiculturalism, Inner Mongolia has experienced significant social transformation, shifting from a single-ethnic to a multi-ethnic society. Its people have moved from a traditional nomadic lifestyle to a more settled way of life. Against this backdrop, Inner Mongolia has achieved decentralization of Mongolian culture, showcasing both ethnic diversity and cultural plurality. As a result, Inner Mongolian ethnic cinema no longer focuses solely on portraying Mongolian ethnic traits but instead presents the local way of life through a New Historicist lens. Building on this, Old Beast takes a step further and breaks through the confines of New Historicism by emphasizing "historicity" and "contextualization," providing insights for the further development of Chinese Cultural Poetics. This paper aims to explore the transformation of post-modern Mongolian society and the emerging development of New Historicism as reflected in Mongolian cinema.

Transcultural Memory in the Study of Folk Music in Turkey

In this article, I argue that gramophone records by first-generation Armenian immigrants in the United States can be considered some of the earliest field recordings, so much so as if they had been collected from local people in Anatolia. Although such 78-rpm records have not received sufficient disciplinary interest as field recordings in ethnomusicology due to their commercial nature, they are among the earliest sound recordings from any region of the world. Not only because they are commercial, but also because they constructed counternarratives against the “national music” project of the Republican era, these recordings have also been ignored in the music historiography of Turkey. The content of the folk songs recorded in the diaspora is very similar to those collected by state-led recording expeditions in Turkey from the 1920s to 1950s. However, the diasporic recordings are more multilingual, reflecting the ethnic, religious, and cultural plurality of the Ottoman Empire. Emphasizing their performative and relational nature, I propose that 78-rpm records of the Ottoman diaspora (focusing especially on recordings of Armenian migrants from Harput/Kharpert) reconstruct the local space and function as sites of transcultural memory as defined by multilingualism and the effective use of makam music.

Cultural and Mystical Oriental Influences in Albanian Literature (Naim Frashëri, Dritëro Agolli)

This article explores the role of mysticism, spirituality, and cultural synthesis in Albanian literature, using the works of Dritëro Agolli and Naim Frashëri as central case studies. The analysis of Agolli’s The Devil’s Chest reveals how his integration of Bektashism functions as a philosophical and spiritual bridge between Eastern and Western traditions. Agolli portrays key mystical practices, such as the Sema dervish dance, while weaving themes of secrecy, hidden manuscripts, and the quest for truth, all of which are emblematic of both Sufi mysticism and Western literary forms. These motifs reflect Agolli’s post-communist literary engagement with Albania’s spiritual landscape, positioning Bektashi principles as a source of inclusion and personal fulfillment. The article also explores Naim Frashëri’s contributions, particularly his allegorical exploration of mysticism and his depiction of the quest for truth, offering insights into his influence on Albanian literary spirituality. The comparison between these two authors demonstrates the broader cultural dialogue between Eastern and Western ideologies, highlighting how both authors navigate the intersection of religious identity and cultural pluralism. Through the analysis of Agolli and Frashëri, the article asserts that their works provide crucial insights into the evolving literary articulation of spirituality and cultural integration in post-dictatorship Albania.

Demokrasi dalam Era Globalisasi: Menjaga Kearifan Lokal di Tengah Arus Global pada Kalangan Remaja

Democracy essentially provides space for individual freedom, including the freedom to choose one's way of life. In the era of globalization, democracy presents significant challenges and opportunities, particularly for the younger generation, in preserving local wisdom amidst the increasingly strong currents of global influence. Globalization itself is evidence of the world's ongoing progress and interconnectedness in various aspects. The application of local wisdom values is an effort to minimize the negative impacts of globalization in this modern era. However, the impact of globalization can become a boomerang that threatens the younger generation if it is not grounded in awareness and the importance of preserving the values upheld within their community. The method used in this research involves quantitative data analysis through the use of Google Forms containing a mix of open and closed-ended questions for data collection. The findings of the study reveal that young people face pressure to conform to global culture through social media and technology, which often erodes their understanding of local wisdom. Thus, democracy provides space to accommodate cultural plurality and build collective awareness of the importance of preserving local traditions amidst the global currents.

Cultural Media Diversity under Local Autonomy: Policies and Strategies to Promote Local Cultural Expression and Pluralism

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of cultural media diversity on local cultural expression and pluralism under local autonomy, and to propose corresponding promotion strategies. The diversity performance of cultural media effectively promotes local cultural expression and the development of cultural diversity. The study explores: Whether cultural media diversity has an impact on local cultural expression under local autonomy; Whether cultural media diversity affects local cultural diversity; What role cultural media diversity plays in local cultural expression and pluralism; And what strategies can promote local cultural expression and pluralism under local autonomy. The study finds that the diversity of cultural media is positively correlated with the degree of local cultural expression and pluralism under local autonomy, and proposes strategies to promote local cultural expression and pluralism in the context of local autonomy. Among them, the formulation of policies to support the diversity of cultural media, support for the cultivation of cultural media talents, and the establishment of cultural media cooperation networks are considered to be effective driving factors. The proposed promotion strategies are of great significance for promoting the more comprehensive and diverse development of local culture, and can also help enhance the diversity and creativity of cultural media.

The Meaning of the Principle of Local Wisdom in Management and Protection Law Environment Indonesia

Purpose: The principle of local wisdom is one of the legal principles contained in the Law on Environmental Management andProtection (UUPPLH). This principle implies that environmental management is not only based on modern values or modern Western philosophyrelatedto human rights and globalization,but also places the wisdomoflocal communities or indigenous peoples, as part of it. The management and protection of the environment that has been oriented towards the principles of modern development principles has created acute problems for environmental management and conservation, namely the problems of exploration and exploitation, conservation or logging, which have resulted in environmental damage. Retracing the meaning of the principle of local wisdom, helps to explain how local wisdom becomes the lifeblood of environmental management and conservation. Through a multi-disciplinary approach or using a mixed legal approach (mixed method), namely the use of more than one approach, namely the philosophical approach, conceptual approach and statutory approach, this model is more triangulation approach. The results obtained, that the principle of Local Wisdom is not a mere formal meaning, or only textual recognition, but explains further about the way of life, mindset, values, and culture, idiology that manifests in the behavior - ethical Indonesian society, about its relationship with the environment guided by spiritual rules, or something that forms and leads to "cosmic consciousness". Through this cosmic consciousness, cultural pluralism becomes an invaluable wealth in protecting and maintaining the environment. In the midst of the onslaught of globalization and digitalization, the cosmic consciousness of indigenous peoples is the main foundation of local wisdom, which actually rests on what is referred to as "pre established harmony". Method: First is the philosophical method, which examines and analyzes the position ofprinciples in the EnvironmentalManagementand Protection Law,this methodis used to obtain the essence or meaning (essential) and function of principles for the Development of Environmental Law; (2) Conceptual method, this method helps explain theconcepts usedas the basis for research/writing by presenting currentissues related to the principles in UUPPLH, and (3) Regulatory method, this method is used to explain normatively the essence of UUPPLH, especially the substance of several provisions reviewed in this paper/research. Data analysis uses analytical triangulation, namely various analyses used to explain one particular phenomenon, namely the principle of local wisdom will be studied and dissected through philosophical analysis. Results: The principle of local wisdom in the Law on Environmental Management and Protection has several meanings that philosophically touch the inner aspects of Indonesian society, that (1) The principle of local wisdom in UUPPLH, is not just formally interpreted, but is an essential meaning that describes the reality of Indonesian people's thinking about their relationship with their lives and the environment, namely thinking that is cosmic, integral and intact. (2) The meaning of the principle of local wisdom is the driving force and struggle of the people who have struggled to get recognition from the state, that the rights of indigenous peoples are important things to continue to be protected and maintained (3) The principle of local wisdom in UUPPLH, illustrates the diversity of the values of indigenous peoples spread in many regions, is a wealth owned by the community with a diversity of cultures, values and religions that underlie their lives with the surrounding environment, which forms a plural consciousness. (MIFR) (AFS) (AS).

Multicultural Education and Its Relevance to the Goals of Islamic Education

Islamic education prioritizes how to develop cognitive, affective, and also human emotions while still based on Islamic teachings. It is all for no other purpose than to explore Islam in individual and group life. The connection between Islamic and multicultural education will be a solution to the reality of various cultures as a form of potential development process that respects plurality and heterogeneity as a consequence of cultural, ethnic, tribal, and religious diversity. The existence of cultural plurality in Indonesia makes multicultural education very urgent. The focus of this research is on how the nature of multicultural education and its relevance to the goals of Islamic education. This is based on research that has been done before on Multicultural Education and the Nature of Islamic Education Goals, the author took the initiative to conduct research by analyzing the two studies to find common ground between multicultural education and Islamic education goals so that it can be known how the relevance between the two. The results of this study show that multicultural education is relevant to the goals of Islamic education, which essentially both have the aim of forming a peaceful and harmonious life in the midst of a society where there are differences in religion, ethnicity, tribe, language, and culture.

Network analysis of ethnic-racial socialization competency and content among diverse parents of color: An eye toward intervention targets.

To help their children survive and thrive in our unequal society, parents of color must engage in the process of ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) or teaching about race, ethnicity, and racism. Equally important to the provision of ERS messages are parents' confidence, skills, and stress levels around delivering ERS (i.e., ERS competency). Currently, little work speaks to how different aspects of parental ERS competency and the content of the messages they give are related to each other. This is important to better understand not only for the continued refinement of theory but also to inform newly developed and future interventions intervening upon parental ERS. The present study, therefore, utilizes network analysis, an analytical tool not yet applied to the study of ERS but with the capabilities of illustrating the interrelations between specific aspects of ERS content and competency. Among 576 Black, Asian American, and Latinx parents (Mage = 44.52 years old, SDage = 9.16, 59.5% mothers) with adolescent children (Mage = 14.31, SDage = 2.48), we found evidence for relatively sparse interconnections between dimensions of ERS content and competency. However, we identified parental messages about racism and coping (preparation for bias), the celebration of diversity (cultural pluralism), the history and values of one's ethnic-racial group (cultural socialization), and parents' levels of socialization-related stress as particularly central, important aspects of ERS; these central components of ERS may have the potential to serve as particularly powerful intervention targets. Specific findings and the potential for network analyses to add to our understanding of the complex process of ERS are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Relationship between the Gospel and Culture: A Theological Analysis and Social Perspective in a Contemporary Context

In today's era of globalization and cultural pluralism, the relationship between the Gospel and culture has become an increasingly complex issue. Various theological perspectives have developed to understand how the message of the Gospel interacts with diverse cultural values and practices. The debate surrounding accommodation or resistance to local and global cultures requires a deeper examination within the context of Christian theology. This study aims to explore the relationship between the Gospel and culture from theological and social perspectives, as well as how this relationship influences the practice of Christian faith in contemporary multicultural and dynamic societies. The approach used in this research is qualitative theological analysis, with a literature review of contextual theology texts and cultural studies. The collected data were critically analyzed to identify patterns of interaction between the Gospel and culture in the modern social context. The research finds that the Gospel can interact with culture through a dialectical process involving acceptance, adaptation, and transformation of cultural values. In some cases, culture enriches religious practices, but in other situations, there are tensions that require deep theological reflection to ensure that Gospel values are not compromised by certain cultural practices. The relationship between the Gospel and culture is dynamic and contextual. It is important for Christian theology to develop a flexible approach while adhering to the core teachings of the Gospel in the face of cultural changes. In this way, the Gospel can remain relevant and significant in the lives of contemporary societies without losing its integrity.

CIVICS: Building a Dataset for Examining Culturally-Informed Values in Large Language Models

This paper introduces the "CIVICS: Culturally-Informed \& Values-Inclusive Corpus for Societal impacts" dataset, designed to evaluate the social and cultural variation of Large Language Models (LLMs) towards socially sensitive topics across multiple languages and cultures. The hand-crafted, multilingual dataset of statements addresses value-laden topics, including LGBTQI rights, social welfare, immigration, disability rights, and surrogacy. CIVICS is designed to elicit responses from LLMs to shed light on how values encoded in their parameters shape their behaviors. Through our dynamic annotation processes, tailored prompt design, and experiments, we investigate how open-weight LLMs respond to these issues, exploring their behavior across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. Using two experimental set-ups based on log-probabilities and long-form responses, we show social and cultural variability across different LLMs. Specifically, different topics and sources lead to more pronounced differences across model answers, particularly on immigration, LGBTQI rights, and social welfare. Experiments on generating long-form responses from models tuned for user chat demonstrate that refusals are triggered disparately across different models, but consistently and more frequently in English or translated statements. As shown by our initial experimentation, the CIVICS dataset can serve as a tool for future research, promoting reproducibility and transparency across broader linguistic settings, and furthering the development of AI technologies that respect and reflect global cultural diversities and value pluralism. The CIVICS dataset and tools are made available under open licenses at hf.co/CIVICS-dataset.

“I desire to live and live... thousands of other lives”: multimythologism in I. A. Bunin’s onomastic code

The article considers the manifestation of multimythologism as a characteristic feature of I. A. Bunin’s artistic worldview at the level of the individual author’s poetic mythonymicon. The paper identifies lexical units referring to the characters (gods, wizards, heroes, fantastic birds and animals), places, magic objects of the mythologies of the ancient Greeks and Romans, Sumerians and Akkadians, Indians and Iranians, as well as Egyptians, Scandinavians and. It is noted that the organization of the sound system of I. A. Bunin’s poetic speech is provided by regular graphic-phonetic transformations of mythonyms, and the uniqueness of the onomastic code of his lyrical texts is created by the inclusion of special mythonyms-bilexemes, onymized appellatives and mythological names with a low level of precedent and occasional units. It is established that for explication of philosophical and symbolic subtexts, representation of key motives and binary oppositions I. A. Bunin subordinates traditional sacral genealogies to the author’s individual picture of the world, matches and simultaneously uses mythonyms belonging to different national mythological onomasticons. The author comes to the conclusion that all the lexical units of Bunin’s poetic mythonymicon are connected by a single ideological attitude, aimed, on the one hand, at overcoming the autonomy of cultural worlds, and on the other hand, at preserving cultural pluralism.