Reasons Research Articles

Religion in the Postmodern Thought

As understood, postmodernism is a worldview that borrows its nomenclature from the era after modernism. It became a progressive thought with ideas notable for denouncing absolute truth. This article aims to explain what postmodernism is and how religion is understood by its people, mainly by referring to the thoughts of postmodern philosophers who played an important role in undermining religious traditions through the devaluation of religious values, namely Nietzsche (1884-1900), Wittgenstein (1889-1951) and Heidegger (1889-1976). In the discussion, it is found that postmodernism has a distinctive conception of God and religion. It dissolves the highest values, which is God, to which all other value may refer to as their foundations. Since human reason cannot conceive the nature of God, postmodern intellect disestablishes the metaphysical way of thinking. Thus, the postmodernists get it religion in so diverse way that conflicting to the predominant conviction of theologians.

INVESTIGATION OF SILVER FORGERIES OF ANCIENT COINS: CASE STUDY OF SILVER COINS OF PARTHIA (ORODES II AND PHRAATES VI)

The investigation into the elemental composition and microstructural characteristics of ancient coins gives valuable information to researchers which greatly aid in the detection of counterfeits. This research aim is analysis encompasses an examination of major and trace elements present in the coins of Parthia, to identify forgery techniques utilizing the PIXE technique. The results show the elements Cl, Ca, Fe, Cu, Ag, Au, Pb, Sn, and Zn were identified and according to the ratio Ag/ Cu, can be said that the Parthia period occasionally used forged silver-plated coins. The elemental composition of silver coins of Orodes II and Phraates IV observes these coins are made with plating silver and affixed to the core utilizing a silver-copper eutectic layer, while the core itself consists of copper, and quantities of tin (Sn) were detected which may have been intentionally added for metallurgical, political, or historical reasons.

Subtitle Writing or the Thankless Work of Making Indian Films Globally Accessible

The video essay documents the creative contributions of English language subtitle writers for Indian films, arguing how the work of subtitling films was instrumental to the industry’s transformation and continuing global success. The essay draws from archival and ethnographic research and pieces together the relatively recent history of how subtitling became a niche and precarious industry in the film capitals of India like Mumbai, Kochi and Chennai since the mid-2000s. The essay explores the historical and ideological reasons behind these systems in the Indian subtitling profession. 

Online optimization of petrochemical process via case-based reasoning and conditional mutual information

The strict mechanism model of petrochemical processes is often complex, resulting in long modeling times, low computational efficiency, and poor accuracy, which limits the application of mechanistic models in process optimization and advanced control. The advent of big data technology provides new solutions for this problem. Herein, a new method based on historical Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is proposed to process online optimization and calculate variable attribute weights for case retrieval using conditional mutual information. Considering the process time-lag characteristics, a piecewise sequential CBR method for optimization is further proposed, which directly recognizes the pattern based on the industrial past data and amply utilized the process information. For case study and method validation, the approach is applied to an actual fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process, converting low-quality heavy oils into valuable light transportation fuels and chemicals such as gasoline and propylene. As demonstrated by the case study results, the proposed method increases the average yield of gasoline and total liquid respectively by 2.5 % and 4.0 % while decreasing the average yield of coke by 1.3 %. The results further indicate that the overall optimization performance is comparable to many advanced intellectual optimization algorithms, allowing favorable operability and ensuring good robustness for different optimization targets. It could provide a solution with high accuracy and good adaptability for online process optimization in complex chemical processes.

Instrumental Reason as a Third Subjectivity in the Self–Other System

The article examines the challenge of achieving sustainable mediational equilibrium within the Self–Other relationship. It argues that the mere pursuit of mutual understanding among dialogue participants is insufficient to guarantee productive communication, particularly in contexts where interactions are driven by competition for scarce resources and opportunities. Under such conditions, subjects risk becoming dependent on instrumental reason – the logic of control and suppression – which transforms both the Self and the Other from fully-fledged personalities into functions of reified rationality. The analysis introduces a distinction between two roles of the individual: the person as a bearer of unique values and meanings, and the individual as a subject of social relations, an actor immersed in practical interactions. It is demonstrated that the capacity of the former to exert control over the latter is limited, and that interactions are shaped not only by the personal qualities of the participants but also by the impersonal logic of instrumental reason. This logic is conceptualized as a kind of third subjectivity that mediates the dialogue between the Self and the Other. Achieving mediational equilibrium becomes possible through the development of autonomy among the parties, through their transformation, mutual recognition, and the search for a measure of compatibility. This approach is traced through examples from A.S. Akhiezer’s theory of sociocultural mediation, A.P. Davydov’s concept of inter-subjective dialogue, and R. Bush and J. Folger’s theory of transformative mediation. Key concepts in the latter include empowerment (strengthening participants’ ability to clearly recognize their goals and make responsible decisions) and recognition (willingness to hear and understand the Other’s perspective). The essence of transformative mediation lies in the transition from imposing one party’s position to a collaborative search for new possibilities, allowing the realization of both Self and Other’s interests through dialogue. In conclusion, the article asserts the importance of overcoming the logic of mutual accusations by shifting the focus from the opponent’s personality to the impersonal structures limiting the self-determination of all parties.

The War on Tigray: Geopolitics and the Struggle for Self-Determination

Tigray continues to be a unique case among ancient kingdoms, Westphalia nation-states, post-colonial Africa, and post-Cold War national liberation struggles. It is one of the oldest civilizations (Aksumite Kingdom) and the historical, cultural, and political soul of ancient and modern Ethiopia. But it was made to be an ‘oppressed nation struggling for regional autonomy and survival from genocidal aggression’ by the empire state of Ethiopia and the ‘garrison state’ of Eritrea. It also survived Egyptian and Mahdist expansionists, and Italian colonialism, though it lost ‘Bahre-Negash’ (Eritrea) to Italy due to the Wuchale Agreement (or Treaty of Wichale) in 1889. Eritrea was handed over to Italian colonialists by Menelik II of Shewa-Amhara in order to weaken Tigray’s geopolitical power base. Tigray was also the hotbed of the first Woyane rebellion in 1943 which sparked the idea of ‘land to the Tiller, fair taxation, and self-rule,’ and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) led the second Woyane rebellion (1975–91) that restructured the empire state of Ethiopia into a federation with the 1995 constitution. Since 2018, after 27 years of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)- led federal experiment, Tigray again became a victim of a ‘genocidal war’ led by the Ethiopian federal army, Amhara forces, Ethiopian regional forces, and Eritrean army, supported by UAE and Turkey drones, and the Somalian army. The international community and the African Union supported Abiy Ahmed and Issaias Afewerki’s genocidal war in the name of “maintaining the territorial integrity of Ethiopia” by neglecting the principles of Responsibility to Protect (R2P), people’s self-determination rights, and the prevention of genocide. Tigray, therefore, is a rare case in the vicious cycle of violence. The Tigrayan ‘two-year’ survival war (from November 2020 to November 2022) against those who practice genocide was destined to break Tigray’s historically vicious cycle of violence perpetrated by Ethiopia and Eritrea. The paper aims to investigate the historical, geopolitical, and security reasons that have trapped Tigray into facing the post-2020 genocidal war.

Historical contextualisation in primary school history textbooks in Ghana

This study focused on how historical contextualisation is reflected in 12 history textbooks for primary schools in Ghana. The study employed a content analysis design to analyse how historical contextualisation is reflected in history textbooks. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting 12 textbooks to represent the 6 classes in the Ghanaian primary school. A thematic matrix was developed from historical thinking frameworks to collect data from the textbooks. Microsoft Excel functions were used to rate the textbooks on a scale of 0–5, depending on the amount of evidence of historical contextualisation. Descriptive statistics and Maton’s (2013) principle of shift in the Semantic Wave were used in the analysis to determine the level of evidence of historical contextualisation in the textbooks. The study established that historical contextualisation is reflected in the history textbooks used in the study. This study contributes to understanding how textbook writers incorporate historical contextualisation within textbook narratives to meet history curriculum requirements. It gives an understanding of how historical contextualisation is needed in history textbooks to promote historical reasoning among textbook users such as teachers and students. Possible implications of the findings are discussed in the main text.

Ohne Heimat

Abstract This essay reconstructs the relationship between critique and theory constitutive for Critical Theory. Based on Max Horkheimer’s 1937 program, the first part shows that “critical behaviour” must, on the one hand, seek proximity to social practice. On the other hand, such behaviour is dependent on the distance from its object that all “theoretical work” entails. Since the inception of a genuinely critical theory in the early works of Karl Marx, the proximity to practice goes hand in hand with the demand to work towards its change, implying a proximity to political movements. The second part shows that, for historical reasons, Horkheimer’s program distances itself from such movements. The third part interprets this dialectical attitude towards social practice as conditioning the peculiar – ideology-critical – capacity of Critical Theory. In conclusion, the fourth part problematises two current tendencies towards dissolving said dialectics: a return to what Horkheimer calls traditional theory on the one hand, and the abandonment of the demanding social-theoretical program in favour of political positioning on the other.

Aliran Ilmu Kalam dan Pokok-Pokok Pikirannya Masing-Masing

The school of Kalam science and its respective main points of thought. Kalam science, or Islamic theology, is a scientific discipline that discusses Islamic beliefs using rational methods and logical argumentation. This article discusses various schools in Kalam Science and their respective main points of thought. Some of the main schools in Kalam Science include:• Mu'tazilah: Mu'tazilah believed that the human mind is capable of understanding Islamic teachings rationally and that human actions are free. • Asy'ariyah: Asy'ariyah believes that human reason needs to be assisted by revelation to understand Islamic teachings and that human actions are not completely free. • Maturidiyah: Maturidiyah believes that human reason has an important role in understanding Islamic teachings, but revelation remains the main source knowledge.• Salafiyah: Salafiyah believes that the main source of Islamic knowledge is the Koran and Hadith, and that the use of reason in understanding religion must be limited. This article explains the differences in views between these schools in various theological aspects, such as the nature of God, free will, and destiny.

Opinion of Hadith Scholars on The Understanding of Hadith by Extremists

More than 120 Muslim scholars around the world have rejected Al-Baghdadi's caliphate and condemned atrocities committed by ISIS through one open letter distributed at the end of September 2014. The scholars decided that the concept of the Islamic caliphate is not valid. The article seeks to uncover and deal with hadith concerns misinterpreted by ISIS and addressed by hadith scholars’ views. This article uses library research techniques to gather a variety of ideas, facts, research findings, and expert opinions along with pertinent analysis. Among the causes of confusion and misunderstanding of hadith amongst Muslim is the development of technology, which allows people to obtain and interpret information about hadith without consulting religious experts, using logic of reason in interpreting the hadith, understanding the hadith without considering maqasid, misunderstanding of the contextual approach, and others. The results of this writing are expected to assist Muslim community in understanding the hadiths of the Prophet SAW well without any confusion that can distort their belief and practice.

A practical agenda for incorporating trust into pandemic preparedness and response.

Despite widespread acknowledgement that trust is important in a pandemic, few concrete proposals exist on how to incorporate trust into preparing for the next health crisis. One reason is that building trust is rightly perceived as slow and challenging. Although trust in public institutions and one another is essential in preparing for a pandemic, countries should plan for the possibility that efforts to instil or restore trust may fail. Incorporating trust into pandemic preparedness means acknowledging that polarization, partisanship and misinformation may persist and engaging with communities as they currently are, not as we would wish them to be. This paper presents a practical policy agenda for incorporating mistrust as a risk factor in pandemic preparedness and response planning. We propose two sets of evidence-based strategies: (i)strategies for ensuring the trust that already exists in a community is sustained during a crisis, such as mitigating pandemic fatigue by health interventions and honest and transparent sense-making communication; and (ii)strategies for promoting cooperation in communities where people mistrust their governments and neighbours, sometimes for legitimate, historical reasons. Where there is mistrust, pandemic preparedness and responses must rely less on coercion and more on tailoring local policies and building partnerships with community institutions and leaders to help people overcome difficulties they encounter in cooperating with public health guidance. The regular monitoring of interpersonal and government trust at national and local levels is a way of enabling this context-specific pandemic preparedness and response planning.

Rethinking Justice: Unraveling the Tapestry of Justice in Islamic and Western Philosophies

Throughout human civilization, justice has been an enduring value, evolving through continuous advocacy. Fueled by human reason, individuals consistently elevate their standards, leading to the transformation of justice derived from natural law, societal changes, and religious doctrines. This dynamic process signifies that humanity, along with its cultures, laws, and justice perceptions, progresses rather than regresses—growing more intricate, sophisticated, and advanced. This article delves into the development of justice concepts in Islamic and Western cultures across classical, modern, postmodern, and contemporary eras. Utilizing a philosophical approach, it argues that justice undergoes a developmental evolution in both cultures—from discussions in the context of natural law to exploring religious justice and culminating in discussions of social justice. Despite epistemological differences, both Islamic and Western cultures remain inseparable from justice principles: enforcing justice, presupposing equality, aligning with truth, embodying equilibrium, and positioning things rightly.

Logical Thinking in Idealist and Rational Students

The purpose of this study is to describe students’ logical thinking based on Keirsey’s personality types, specifically the Idealist and Rational types, within the topic of social arithmetic. The research adopts a descriptive qualitative approach. Data collection involves three techniques: MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) surveys, logical thinking written tests, and semi-structured interviews. The study participants consist of students from classes VII A, VII B, and VII C at SMP Muhammadiyah 9 Watukebo. The research subjects include four students: two with Idealist personality types and two with Rational personality types according to Keirsey’s classification. The findings indicate that none of the research subjects fully meet the three logical thinking indicators, which are grouped into six points. However, there is one indicator that all subjects were able to achieve: the first indicator related to coherence of logical thinking (point B), which involves expressing the general steps used in problem-solving. On the other hand, there are indicators that none of the research subjects were able to fulfill completely. These include the second indicator concerning argumentation ability (point A), which involves articulating the logical reasons for using general steps in problem-solving, and point C, which pertains to expressing the logical reasons behind the correct final answer. Among the research subjects, the subject who successfully fulfills the good logical thinking indicator is the second subject with a rational personality type according to Keirsey’s classification.

STRUCTURAL BARRIER IN THE PROCESS OF REGENERATION OF THE PKB ISLAMIC POLITICAL PARTY IN DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2004-2019

The purpose of this research is to identify the structural barriers faced by the PKB political party in promoting its members as presidential and vice-presidential candidates from 2004 to 2019. Additionally, the research aims to explore the political strategies employed by the PKB that resulted in the absence of its members in the highest democratic contests. Structural policies play a crucial role in determining political steps, taking into consideration both internal and external conditions. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method, combining data from interviews and documents, supported by field observations. Interview data serves as preliminary findings guiding the discovery of document data, which is further elaborated through observations. The findings indicate that the absence of PKB members in presidential and vice-presidential contests is directly attributed to a strategic decision made in 2008 to consolidate internal party divisions. The logical reasons behind PKB’s political strategy include strengthening the party’s financial stability and choosing to remain within the power circle. The ingenuity of PKB’s elite in addressing structural obstacles and turning them into a political opportunity by consolidating internal cadre and rebuilding relationships with grassroots stakeholders.

Investigating the Relationship between Religion and Morality: Insight from Hume

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation between religion and morality. David Hume, an influential figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, provides insightful contributions to this discourse through his philosophical works. This article explores Hume's nuanced views on the relationship between religion and morality, drawing from his key texts such as "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion" and "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals." Hume challenges the traditional notion that religion is a necessary foundation for morality. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he argues that moral principles do not derive from religious doctrine or divine commandments but instead from human sentiment and reason. Hume contends that moral judgments are based on a natural sense of empathy and utility rather than religious authority. Furthermore, Hume critiques the idea that religion is essential for maintaining moral order within society. He suggests that religious beliefs and institutions may, in fact, be detrimental to morality by promoting superstition, intolerance, and dogmatism. Hume advocates for a secular approach to morality, where ethical principles are grounded in rational reflection and social cooperation rather than religious doctrine. While Hume challenges the traditional link between the two, he acknowledges the historical influence of religion on moral development and societal norms. Hume recognizes the social utility of religion in fostering moral virtues and promoting social cohesion, albeit without attributing morality exclusively to religious sources.

Концепции поэтики и симуляции смыслов: философский дискурс о киноискусстве

Cinematic art possesses a unique capacity to engender alternative realms, fabricate spatial-temporal realities, and thereby engender the poetics of meaning. The existing modern research in philosophy, history, semiotics, cinematic reality, phenomenology, and narrative structure within cinematic art furnishes an extensive foundation for profound exploration into the quandaries of meaning and the logical construction of filmic language. The concepts of poetics and the simulation of meanings within cinematic art are intriguing to trace and analyze from diverse philosophical standpoints and perceptions. The art of cinema is based on and appeals to early forms of thinking, semantic image, ideal forms, representations of the world and art. The theories and worldview of ancient thinkers seem to have antedated the articulation of the authentic concept of cinema. Phenomenological research aims to fill the gaps in the system of human judgment, contemplation, logic, cognition and reason. Through the prism of philosophy, we glean a finer comprehension of how cinematic art shapes our perception of reality through replicas of natural world perception, portraying human existence within a simulacrum, which itself constitutes its own reality. As further investigations into these philosophical domains are pursued, a deeper comprehension of the complex relationship between cinema, perception, and the intricacies of human experience is developed.

The Evolution of Faith and Ethics in Philosophy History: A Comparative Study of Kierkegaard, Augustine, and Greek Myths

This article explores the evolution of faith and ethics among philosophy history, based on the work of Sren Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling. It argues that Kierkegaard's analysis of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac reveals the paradoxical and existential nature of faith, which challenges the rational and universal claims of ethical theories. Furthermore, it compares the story of Abraham and Isaac with the story of Agamemnon and Iphigenia, who were also asked to sacrifice their children by the gods. The different outcomes of these stories reflect different views of faith, ethics, and divine will would be remarkable. Another Christian philosopher is going to be mentioned, who is Sanctus Aurelius Augustinus. This article explores how both Augustine and Kierkegaard emphasise the role of grace and love in the life of faith, and how they understand faith as a personal and dynamic relationship with God, rather than a static and formal adherence to doctrines or rules. It is suggested that further insights are available by refection upon the question how they both acknowledge the limits and errors of human reason, and the need for humility and repentance in the face of God's mystery and mercy.

Kupi II Congress and Results of Religious Views on Contemporary Women's Issues in the Perspective of Islamic Anthropology

This paper is a study related to the Indonesian Women's Ulama Congress (KUPI) and its religious views through an Islamic feminist anthropology approach. This is because the discussion on KUPI hasn’t been captured through this approach. In fact, by this approach, the problems surrounding women can be seen in more depth and detail. By using primary data from observations and secondary data from literature reviews, the results found that KUPI or the Indonesian Women's Ulama Congress is a women's organization in Indonesia that brings together various individual backgrounds to study women's problems based on Islamic teachings that are mutabadil. Through discussions, halaqoh and religious meetings, the first KUPI congress in Cirebon produced three religious views while the second congress in Jepara produced five religious views and several recommendations regarding the protection of women from religious extremism, forced marriages, dangers of pregnancies due to settlement, genital injuries, and issues environment. KUPI activities are cultural in nature. Participants who come from various backgrounds bring facts and data in the field to be interacted with in order to realize human reason, mind and power which then shape culture and find an Islamic religion that is moderate, gender fair and provides human welfare.

The effect of temperature shock on enhancing sperm motility: A new insight into molecular and cellular mechanisms through current procedures

Asthenozoospermia, characterized by reduced progressive motility (below 32%), is a leading cause of male infertility. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) serves as the first-line treatment in sperm-related processes, aiming to increase sperm motility. Although Density Gradient Centrifugation (DGC) and swim-up procedures have become primary treatment options, considered the gold standard for IUI, there is a need to optimize these methods with additional factors to enhance motility, particularly for Asthenozoospermia patients.We hypothesize that a brief cold shock, lasting approximately 15–20 min at 17 °C, followed by incubation and sperm processing, can substantially enhance motility. For the first time, the hypothesis and evaluation of post-exposure incubation following a short-term cold shock, within the temperature range of 17–20 °C, were explored and discussed.This hypothesis appears valid and holds importance for several reasons. Firstly, there is a significant relationship between cold shock and its impact on intracellular components and the molecular organization of the cell membrane. Additionally, this process regulates various physiological cellular processes, including transbilayer distribution, acrosome reaction, and sperm motility. Moreover, lowering the temperature induces a molecular flux, facilitating calcium uptake by sperm. This process significantly impacts the quantity of calcium accessible to the sperm, particularly within the flagellum. Choosing the temperature below 20 °C temperature can lead to the activation of calcium-absorbing protein channels in the shortest possible time. Furthermore, a crucial reaction in IUI is sperm capacitation, which occurs when the protein tyrosine phosphorylation pathway, a key factor, is activated. Alternatively, the cold incubation of sperm reveals an increased level of tyrosine phosphorylation and a higher percentage of induced Acrosome Reaction (AR) compared to sperm incubated at normal temperatures. Hence, when sperm is cooled, it initiates a process called tyrosine phosphorylation, ultimately leading to sperm capacitation. Besides these logical reasons, there is limited empirical and incidental support in two cases that confirmed the hypothesis well.

Role of Intuition in Philosophical Inquiry

Purpose: This study sought to examine the role of intuition in philosophical inquiry. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the role of intuition in philosophical inquiry. Preliminary empirical review revealed that philosophers frequently relied on intuition as a heuristic tool for generating hypotheses and evaluating arguments. The study also highlighted significant cross-cultural variations in the conceptualization and utilization of intuition in philosophical reasoning. Moreover, neuroscientific methods revealed the neural mechanisms underlying intuitive processing during philosophical tasks. Overall, the study deepened our understanding of the complexities of philosophical inquiry and identified avenues for future research to enhance the quality and rigor of philosophical research. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Reflective Equilibrium theory, Foundationalism and Coherentism may be used to anchor future studies on the role of intuition in philosophical inquiry. The study made several recommendations, contributing to theory, practice, and policy. It suggested further exploration into the nature of intuition, including its cognitive mechanisms and neural correlates, and recommended integrating empirical methods into philosophical research. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of cultivating metacognitive awareness among philosophers and promoting ethical guidelines for the responsible use of intuition in research and dissemination. It also advocated for the integration of diverse perspectives and voices in philosophical inquiry to foster inclusivity and enrich discourse. Overall, these recommendations aimed to advance theoretical understanding, inform practical interventions, and guide policy initiatives in the field of philosophical inquiry. Keywords: Intuition, Philosophical Inquiry, Metacognitive Awareness, Ethical Guidelines, Cognitive Mechanisms, Neural Correlates, Interdisciplinary, Diversity, Inclusivity, Discourse, Responsible, Advancement