Human Uniqueness Research Articles

The Harm of Nature and the Light of Man: Philosophical and Theological Reflections on Gratitude and Growth from Disaster

This article explores in depth the multiple implications of natural disasters, especially in the context of scientific progress, human solidarity, and theology. Firstly, this paper reviews the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and discusses the multi-dimensional effect of natural disasters on human society and its profound philosophical and theological significance. Despite the devastation and suffering caused by the disaster, Americans have shown a strong sense of gratitude. Then, from the dialectical point of view, the author analyzes the cosmological view of the coexistence of good and evil and emphasizes the positive role of natural disasters in promoting scientific and technological progress, promoting human unity, stimulating learning motivation, and demonstrating free will.Further, from the perspective of philosophy and theology, the paper expounds on the intrinsic value of pursuing knowledge and exercising natural disasters on free will. The learning process of natural laws deepens human understanding of the world. It strengthens human free will, making people more autonomous and independent in the face of good and evil choices.At the same time, from the theology perspective, this paper compares the different understandings of natural disasters and human suffering between atheism and theism. It reveals the respect for human autonomy and the essence of faith behind God’s non-intervention. In the end, the article concludes that natural disasters, while a source of suffering, are also catalysts for human growth and gratitude, encouraging us to look at disasters from a broader perspective and draw strength and wisdom from them.

Dynamic Forces in Xu Beihong’s “Ba Ren Ji Shui”: Analyzing the Aesthetics of Shi in Republic of China Literati Painting

This study explores the artistic qualities of shi (internal energy) within Xu Beihong’s depiction of the working class, guided by the principles of traditional Chinese aesthetics. Focusing on the painting Ba Ren Ji Shui (Sichuan Folks Drawing Water from the River), the analysis examines how shi—alongside elements of nature, qi (vital energy), and emotion—interacts within the structural and thematic composition of the artwork. Xu Beihong’s application of shi not only reveals deep emotional resonance but also integrates qi into the broader Chinese aesthetic tradition, creating a harmonious and dynamic expression of life. His paintings embody the unity of nature and humanity, capturing both the physical and spiritual essence of the Chinese people’s perseverance and resistance during times of hardship. By synthesizing traditional aesthetics with modern realism, Xu Beihong’s work transcends mere visual representation, reflecting the inner vitality and indomitable spirit of the Chinese people in the face of adversity.

A cultural exposition model for interpreting architectural heritage: A study on Pingyao historical city

Architectural heritage, encompassing both its material and immaterial aspects, serves as a vital lens for understanding the historical, social, and esthetic values embedded in a society. As a reflection of cultural evolution, it offers insight into the architectural technologies, social structures, and collective memories of specific historical periods. This article investigates the architectural history of Pingyao historical city by employing theoretical perspectives that integrate material, social, and spiritual dimensions. The study demonstrates how the philosophy and cultural values of ancient Chinese society are reflected in the spatial and architectural forms of Pingyao. The material dimension considers how principles such as Feng Shui, numerology, and color symbolism shaped the city’s general layout and building designs. The social attribute addresses the influence of Confucianism on spatial organization, the use of culturally significant architectural elements, and the function of key structures in fostering social unity among the population. The spiritual aspect explores concepts of Eastern origin, such as Yin and Yang, the Five Elements theory, and the “Unity of Heaven and Humanity,” as these are incorporated into the city’s external architecture. Furthermore, it examines the influence of Buddhism and Daoism on Pyingyao’s architectural features. This comprehensive analysis reveals that Pingyao is far more than a collection of historic buildings; it is an intricate cultural artifact, offering a unique perspective on earlier stages of Chinese thought and society. Therefore, the preservation and study of Pingyao’s architecture offer a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of China’s architectural history.

Chinese Traditional Wisdom and Global Trade: Harmonious Coexistence

Chinese traditional wisdom is rich and profound, emphasizing harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, as well as among individuals within society. This philosophy has significant implications for globalization and international trade. As the global trade system becomes increasingly complex, achieving sustainable development, protecting the natural environment, and balancing various interests have become core issues of international concern. Integrating Chinese traditional wisdom with future trade development trends can help address current trade challenges and provide guidance for building a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable global trade system. This paper systematically explores the application and impact of Chinese traditional cultural concepts, such as “Unity of Heaven and Humanity” “Harmony is Precious” “The Doctrine of the Mean” and “Patriotism” in modern global trade. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for constructing a more sustainable and inclusive global trade system.

Gender equality in the Qur’an: An Analysis of surah an-Nisa’ verses 1 and 34 in the exegesis of al-Tabari and al-Rāzī

Surah An-Nisa' verses 1 and 34 have been central to discussions on gender. According to the interpretations of Imam al-Ṭabarī and Imam al-Rāzī, these verses place women in a subordinate role, both in domestic and non-domestic spheres. This interpretation is considered biased, not reflecting the true essence of the Qur'an. Therefore, further research is necessary to uncover the Qur'an’s intended view on gender in these verses. The study uses a descriptive-analytical method with a qualitative approach, gathering data from books, theses, and articles. The findings reveal that al-Ṭabarī and al-Rāzī's interpretations reinforce male superiority in patriarchal tradition, stating that Eve was created from Adam's rib and that the husband is the absolute leader of the wife. However, contemporary scholars argue that interpreting "nafs" as referring to the unity of humanity without any connotation of gender superiority, emphasizing equality in Islam. The Qur'an advocates for justice in gender issues, making traditional interpretations obsolete in today's context. Regarding Surah An-Nisa' verse 34, al-Ṭabarī and al-Rāzī interpreted men as the rightful leaders over their wives due to the advantages given by Allah, with financial responsibility as the foundation of their authority. However, modern-contemporary tafsir scholars reject this view, interpreting qiwāmah as shared responsibility regardless of gender, emphasizing partnership in the household and gender equality in Islam. This reflects efforts to understand Qur'anic verses contextually and inclusively, supporting the principles of equality and justice.

The Relationship Between Belief System and Traditional Ecological Knowledge among the Kuta Indigenous People in Ciamis, West Java

Aim. The purpose of this article is to examine the traditional ecological knowledge (environment) of the Kuta indigenous people in Ciamis, West Java. Nature, for them, is an inseparable part and a source of life. They are meticulous and maintain to remain sustainable. Method. This paper's depiction of Kuta village is more of an ethnographic framework. The paper tries to answer whether the ecological knowledge of the Kuta indigenous people is built from their religious awareness (belief system) or not. Results. The results show a relationship between belief systems and traditional ecological knowledge. The Kuta people’s worldview about their natural surroundings is holistic-ecocentric. Their view is based on a belief system that constructs cultural ethics about their environment. Conclusion. The concept of the unity of humans and nature, which is part of their belief system, results in an intersubjective relationship in which all subjects in the universe are not related in a hierarchical context but are equal and mutually exclusive. They respect, care for, influence, share, and need one another.

The concept of spirituality in V. Ptushkin’s compositional, particularly piano creativity: on the 75th anniversary of the Master

The relevance of the article conditioned by the modern immediacy of the problem of maintenance of spiritual values, by the necessity of the research of regional features of composer’s schools and specifics of embodiment of spiritual instructions in V. Ptushkin’s compositional, particularly piano creativity, that hasn’t got an exhaustive coverage in modern national musicology. The purpose of the article is to highlight the specifics of the concept of spirituality as the worldview and axiological center of V. Ptushkin’s compositional, particularly piano creativity. The methodology of the article is based on comparative, historical-typological, interpretative method, methods of generalization, stylistic and genre analysis. The results. The article highlights the concept of spirituality, represented as a concentrated reflection of the humanistic orientation of V. Ptushkin’s compositional, particularly piano creativity and a means of affirming spiritual values in a dialogue with the spiritual experience of mankind, appeals to the signs of cultural eras, genre model of the past — requiem, choral, spiritual cantata, concerto grosso, in the reproduction of eternally relevant images and themes — symbols of spirituality, in particular the image of Virgin Mary as the ideal of humanity’s existence and the positioning of the sublime and the earthly as the poles of worldview and human existence. It is revealed that the specificity of the embodiment of the concept of spirituality in the work for two pianos “The Sublime and the Earthly” is related to: understanding its significance through the prism of comparing personal and universal principles and allusions to the signs of the Renaissance, Classicism, romanticism; resonance with worldview guidelines of the culture of the border of XX–XXI centuries; functional mobility; the variability of performing teams; compositional and structural abnormality. The global significance of the concept of spirituality is imprinted in the work on the following levels: texture — in large-scale vertical chords, chronotope and dynamics — in powerful orchestral sonority, tonal organization — in the affirmation of major constructions, genre — in the movement from lyrical, individualized elegy to anthem as a reflection of the human unity. The scientific novelty of the article is due to the substantiation of the concept of spirituality as a worldview basis of V. Ptushkin’s work and the study of the peculiarities of its embodiment, in particular in the play «The Sublime and the Earthly». The practical significance of the article is determined by the possibility of using the results of the study in performing and pedagogical practice.

Incarnation and the Unity of Heaven and Humans

Zia Nai-zin 謝乃壬, Xie Fu-ya or Hsieh Fu-yah 謝扶雅 (1892–1991), a remarkable Chinese Christian philosopher, theologian, and translator, developed his unique philosophy of “in-ism” (唯中論) from the 1960s to 1980s to indigenize Christianity into the ideal “Chinese Christianity” (中華基督教). Zia declared that the essence of Confucianism is the concept of Zhong 中 (neutrality, avoidance of extremes) and compared the Confucian teaching of the Unity of Heaven and Humans (天人合一) with the Christian Christology, which argues that Jesus Christ is the unity of divinity and humanity. Zia further stated that New Confucians emphasize the Way of Humans over the Way of Heaven, while the Christian doctrine of incarnation balanced both divinity and humanity and achieved the Unity of Heaven and Humans. While Zia’s reinterpretation of the Doctrine of the Mean is controversial, following the recently developed method of sublation, this paper aims to evaluate whether Zia’s Christian reinterpretation of Zhongyong 中庸 has successfully sublated Confucianism and Christianity. I argue that although Zia’s interpretation of Zhongyong contains certain philological flaws, overall he successfully produced new insights enriching both Christianity and Confucianism by grounding both on the same ontological ground of Zhong.

Values and Learning Processes of Simulation Based on Local Wisdom toward Christian Education Self-reliance in Central Kalimantan

The objective of this research is to investigate the nature of Christian education as a set of values transcending the boundaries of other disciplines, including agriculture. Additionally, this research examines the cultural phenomenon of repetition, which may be perceived as meaningful and sustainable. This research method employs field observation, in-depth interviews, and a researcher's immersion in cultural blending. The findings indicate that Christian education can be viewed as a flexible, adaptable value system, particularly when viewed through the lens of Pancasila, a philosophy that emphasizes the unity of humanity, justice, and spirituality. The findings indicate that the learning strategies employed in the context of SMK Pertanian Tumbang Lahang exemplify the values inherent in Christian education, including social sensitivity, responsiveness, care work, ritual, prayer, morality, empowerment, humility, and the cultivation of awareness.

The leisure views of Jiangnan’s literati in the late Ming: A comparative analysis of China and the West

Jiangnan in the late Ming Dynasty developed economy and thriving culture. Meanwhile combat among political parties was fierce and politics was darkness in imperial court, so literati intentionally chose to retreat into the mountains and forests to escape fame and live in seclusion, and this formed a pervasive trend of leisure living. With this background, based on their understanding and observation of leisure practice and phenomena, Jiangnan’s literati put forward many views on leisure, such as the unity of humans and nature, the usefulness of leisure, the divergence of the cultured and common, self-cultivation based on stillness, and fusion of the three religions. This closely matched the views of ancient and modern Western philosophers on leisure. Therefore, the late Ming was undoubtedly a self-aware age of leisure in ancient China and also an age in Chinese history with highly developed thought on leisure. The active elements and passive influence of the leisure views of Jiangnan’s literati undoubtedly have important theoretical constructivist and reference value for the practice of leisure in China today.

Evolving Prefigurative Politics in an Intentional Community: The Auroville Citizens’ Assembly Pilot

In this paper we explore how a Citizens’ Assembly project in Auroville – the largest intentional community in the world – sought to prefigure new practices in collective decision-making. A Citizens’ Assembly model is a democratic innovation that enacts a deliberative mode of political decision-making by everyday citizens. It has been used by diverse bodies, from social movements to nation-state governments around the world. Auroville’s 2021 Citizens’ Assembly pilot – concerning a water vision for Auroville – is a unique case study that enables us to make a distinctive contribution to the existing academic scholarship concerning Citizens’ Assemblies and prefigurative politics on two grounds. Firstly, Auroville is an intentional community shaped by specific spiritual and self-governance values – an uncommon setting for a Citizens’ Assembly that supports us to make specific empirical offerings not seen in the literature on Citizens’ Assemblies to date. Secondly, given that Auroville’s pilot Citizens’ Assembly sought to prefigure the community’s foundational ideals of “human unity” and “unending education” in its collective decision-making practice, we connect our analysis to the academic scholarship concerning prefigurative politics. In doing so, we uniquely draw together the scholarship concerning Citizens’ Assemblies and the literature concerning prefigurative politics to explore whether such democratic innovations have a transformative effect on the political contexts they are embedded in, which we freshly consider with a focus on local scale, and the role that institutionalisation might have in terms of ensuring the reproduction, and thereby lasting impact of such experiments, or conversely their nullification.

CONTOURS OF THE NOOSPHERE IN THE XXI CENTURY: A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

The article attempts to comprehend the modern understanding of the noosphere, taking into account both the achievements of mankind in the creation of high technologies and the crisis phenomena that arise in the process of reaching the planetary stage of development. Destructive types of activity and human desire for creation are considered; the dominant types of human activities in relation to nature in different types of civilizations are indicated. The global noospheric aspect of intelligence was discovered, which reveals the noospheric unity of nature and humanity; content of noospheric intelligence as a civilizational asset; it shows the signs of noosphericity in the intellectuality of the individual; we foresee four stages of formation and development of noosphere society.

“Of All Nations … ”: For the Catholicity of the Churches

AbstractIn November 2023, the Groupe des Dombes, a Francophone ecumenical group, published its new study “De toutes les nations … ”: Pour la catholicité des Églises (“Of All Nations … ” For the Catholicity of the Churches). Its central affirmation, following a common reading of history, and as a result of the biblical exploration that group has undertaken together, is that “it is possible to affirm that the Catholic Church and the Churches of the Reformation form One Church, although in imperfect communion.” This article recalls the history of the Groupe des Dombes, as a group gathering equal numbers of Roman Catholic and Protestant members, and sets out the main elements of the new study on catholicity. It concludes by discussing the central affirmation and returns to the calls for conversion, so important to the Groupe des Dombes, as a way to live together according to the gift of God: “For beyond themselves, the Churches have the common mission of bearing witness to the unity of humanity. The lived catholicity of the Church can be a sign of this.”

From individual resilience to collective response: reframing ecological emotions as catalysts for holistic environmental engagement.

The ongoing international study on the mental health implications of climate change has prompted a deeper exploration of ecological emotions such as eco-anxiety, eco-worry and eco-grief, which are associated with environmental degradation and the escalating climate crisis. Although psychological and mental health literature has mainly presented preliminary conceptual analyses, the understanding of ecological emotions remains unclear. This narrative review aims to clarify the definition, highlight precipitating factors, and outline the effects of ecological emotions on mental health, emphasizing the need for thorough research to shift the nonclinical intervention approach from merely promoting individual resilience to encouraging collective engagement. Our analysis of the literature reveals that the existing theoretical framework, which predominantly focuses on bolstering individual resilience, provides only temporary relief for acute symptoms without addressing the foundational social and environmental factors that trigger these ecological emotions. We conclude that it is crucial to overcome the limitations of Western anthropocentrism's human-to-human interaction approach and embrace the unity of humans and nature to effectively manage the increasing ecological emotions. This perspective draws insights from the holistic and collective wisdom of indigenous cultures and traditional Chinese philosophy, offering a potential pathway toward maintaining a sustainable emotional balance amid the worsening global ecological turmoil.

An Ecofeminist and Taoist Reading of Louise Glück’s A Village Life

Born and bred in the Western lands in the context of ecological crisis and feminist movement in the 1970s, ecofeminism views men’s rule over women and human’s rule over nature as two aspects of the same issue, and believes that there is an inherent connection between them. By criticizing the oppressive status of women and nature, and eliminating the dualism rooted in western patriarchy, ecofeminism aims to promote equality and harmony among all things. Taoism, an ancient Eastern philosophy with a history of thousands of years, also places great emphasis on harmony among individuals, nature, society, and the universe. Its principles of “the unity of man and nature”, and balance between “Yin” and “Yang” provide philosophical support for ecofeminism which rejects dualisms and encourages wholeness and harmony. As society and economy develop rapidly, humanity faces a series of crisis, and this paper just intends to combine ecofeminism with Taoism to make an analysis on Louise Glück’s poem collection of A Village Life to explore her ecofeminist consciousness and how she advocates the establishment of a diverse but harmonious world without hierarchical differences in her poems.

Research on the development status, problems, and optimization path of green finance in commercial banks

With the green economy gradually becoming the trend of global economic development, green finance has also risen to China's national strategy and become a new blue ocean business for the future development of commercial banks. The development of green finance not only plays an obvious role in improving economic efficiency and realizing the transformation and upgrading of industrial structure, but also plays a great significance role in environmental protection, and realize the harmony and unity of man and nature, which is an important initiative to realize the progress and development of the country.The article firstly points out the problems in the process of green finance development, and analyzes the challenges faced in the process of green finance development. Finally, the article gives the optimized ways for commercial banks to develop green finance from four perspectives, such as learning international law governance experience, introducing the Equator Principles for project evaluation, improving policy support, strengthening government guidance, strengthening product research and development and innovation, and attaching importance to talent cultivation, so as to provide a reference for China to further promote green finance and achieve high-quality development.

Beneficial effects of oral antioxidant supplementation on semen quality parameters, reproductive hormones, and sperm DNA integrity in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.

Recently, oral antioxidants in combined forms have been used to treat men with idiopathic infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, arginine, L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10 on sperm quality parameters, DNA integrity, reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). A prospective study was conducted on 420 men with infertility and idiopathic OAT who took an oral supplement of antioxidant SP-Power tablets twice daily for 6 months. Semen quality, reproductive hormones, and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after supplementation, using the World Health Organization 2021 guidelines. No significant difference was observed in volume or the percentage of typical morphology during treatment. A significant improvement in sperm concentration was observed after supplementation (8.67±1.41, 12.17±1.91, and 19.01±0.86 at baseline, 3, and 6 months respectively, p<0.01). The total motility, progressive motility, and total motile sperm count also increased significantly (p<0.01), whereas the DFI decreased after 6 months. There was an increase in normal FSH levels and testosterone levels after 6 months of supplementation of antioxidant SP-Power but these differences were not statistically significant (p=not significant and p=0.06, respectively). Supplementation with SP-Power tablets improved sperm quality parameters, sperm DFI, some reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic OAT, which could be attributed to the supplement's synergistic antioxidant action. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of supplementation on oxidative stress markers.

Unity, Charity, and Fraternity as Foundations for International Law in Francisco Suárez

The Jesuit philosopher and theologian, Francisco Suárez (1548–1617), believed the common rational nature of all human beings provides the foundation for both the natural law and international law. He also believed that the human race has a certain unity supported by the principles of mutual love and mercy. This article shows how the unity of the human race and the theological virtue of charity provide a basis for Suárez’s notion of international law. The article situates Suárez within the Catholic tradition of Aquinas and Vitoria, and it distinguishes between the natural law and the law of nations. The final part of the article shows how Suárez’s principles of human unity, charity, and fraternity are affirmed by recent popes.

Construction and characteristic analysis of landscape gene maps of traditional villages along ancient Qin-Shu roads, Western China

The landscape of traditional villages reflects specific geographical and cultural environments, with distinct regional cultural and living space characteristics. An exploration of the deep genetic core of traditional villages from the perspective of “cultural landscape genes” can help reveal the mechanism of historical evolution of regional settlements and provide a reference for maintaining the regional characteristics of traditional villages today. This study focuses on 23 nationally recognized traditional villages along the northern roads of the ancient Qin-Shu roads. The “landscape-gene” theory, centred on both artificial construction and cultural inheritance in traditional villages, was used to develop a method for identifying and extracting the northern roads of the ancient Qin-Shu roads landscape genes in “architecture culture”. Then, a genome of the cultural landscape of traditional villages was constructed. Six different dimensions with identified genes, including environmental layout, landscape, architectural landscape, material culture, behavioural culture and mentality culture, were analysed. The results showed the following: (1) the traditional villages on the northern roads of the ancient Qin–Shu roads have 8 genes in the constructed landscape, including ‘location layout mainly along mountains and ancient roads, supplemented by water and pictographic patterns’, ‘orderly, flexible and changeable spatial form’, ‘natural landscape surrounded by mountains and rivers, culture and scenery blend’, ‘water in the south and drought in the north’, ‘agricultural main forest auxiliary production landscape’, ‘single north section, complex south section courtyard layout’, ‘load-bearing diversity, good utilization of the gable building structure’, ‘combination of earth, stone and bamboo, recycled and reused building materials’ and ‘atmospheric regularity, exquisite and gorgeous building decoration’. (2) There were six cultural landscape genes, such as ‘strong personalities and regional customs’, ‘preference for flavourful and spicy foods, wine and meat’, which characterized material culture. ‘Romantic history and thrifty values’, and a ‘combination of elegance and vulgarity’ characterized behavioural culture. The mentality of the region was characterized by ‘Xiangtu and Shengxing’, ‘open and inclusive values’, and ‘varied’ beliefs. (3) Philosophical and cosmological underpinnings such as the ‘unity of heaven and humanity’ and the ‘yin-yang and five-element’ theory guide human settlements in traditional villages along the northern roads. This study aims to clarify the characteristics of cultural landscapes in traditional villages through the analysis of cultural landscape genes and a resulting mapped genome, which will provide a scientific basis for the sustainable development of cultural landscapes in traditional villages. Cultural genes can protect the inheritance of regional culture and provide a new perspective for the study of traditional villages along linear cultural heritage zones.

Politics of Shared Humanity: On Hospitality, Equality and the Spiritual in Rural Gambia

ABSTRACT In rural communities on the north bank of River Gambia, religious ‘visitations’ or pilgrimage ceremonies (siyaare) are becoming increasingly popular. These ceremonies have been described as a hallmark of Senegalese urban Sufism but are currently organised across the countryside and communicated in wide personal networks and through social media to attract guests and strangers from near and far. The sensibilities articulated in preparations for siyaare ceremonies promote inclusiveness, hospitality and the bridging of difference. Organisers appeal to the ‘oneness’ of humankind, to be achieved in siyaree by transcending differences between people and between humans and the spiritual realm, through communal prayers that enhance the circulation of God-given blessing. This article takes debates among Wolof speakers in rural Gambia over such Muslim religious ceremonies as the starting point to explore how attention to ‘network’ can illuminate various appeals to ‘shared humanity’. Appeals to human unity feature divergent, or in part competing values and virtues, and bring particular social forms and worlds into being. These, I will show, are articulated as modes of consumption, but also moral living, including forms of modesty and preferences for rural lifestyles and futures, and convey generational differences. The article questions what ‘politics’ of shared humanity encompasses, and argues for a gaze beyond dyadic relationships and interpersonal networks, and a perspective on what goes into, as well as who takes part in, world-making.