Philosophical Views Research Articles

Development of Philosophical and Methodological Aspects of Theoretical Biology in the Study of Discipline “Cytology” at Pedagogical University

The article highlights the issues related to the development of philosophical and methodological aspects in teaching the discipline Cytology in Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University. The role of philosophy in the study of some sections of this discipline is consistently revealed from the standpoint of existing ideas about the fundamental laws of theoretical biology. The authors evaluate of the substantive part of some issues of Cytology as a science. The development of principles of integrity of the organic world, as well as structural and functional organization of the living and the format of their interaction in a single system are discussed from the standpoint of dialectics. From the point of view of philosophy, the problem of the origin of the cell and the process of transformation of the inanimate into the living is touched upon. It is suggested an approach of teaching biological science disciplines in the format of studying contradictions, comparing different ideas, theories and hypotheses significantly expand the field of knowledge of the universe and is aimed at the formation of students’ general professional and professional competencies.

S.G. Chavain's novel "Elnet": the unity of the Mari language, folklore and traditions

The article contains an analysis of the genre content and poetics of the novel "Elnet" by the classic of Mari literature Sergey Grigoryevich Chavain in the unity of the Mari language, folklore and cultural traditions of the Mari people. The work is considered as a "linguistic metaphor", in the context of ideological issues of the epoch, as an intellectual novel in the Mari national literature. The author's concept associated with the archetypal image of the Elnet River, symbolically placed in the title of the work, is revealed, its connection with the writer's ideological plan, as well as with the Mari national and world cultural tradition, its literary and artistic context is revealed. Considerable attention is paid in the article to the consideration of this image as an expression of the traditional ancestral faith, the core of which is the worship of nature and the cultivation of the human in man in the bosom of the "accommodating and nurturing landscape" (the term of Lev Gumilev). The article is devoted to a comprehensive and interdisciplinary study of the classic novel of Mari literature. The content of the actual literary text of the novel is considered in a broad socio-cultural context, through the prism of the mythological, philosophical, and aesthetic views of the Mari people. 3. The article proves that the name of Sergei Grigoryevich Chavain is one of the most fateful for the Mari nation; the author of the novel "Elnet" was concerned about the state of the intellectual and cultural status of the nation, its world–building horizon; the writer remains today a "singer of the people", a vivid symbol of national life. For the first time in regional science, the question is raised about the main levels of the Mari world created in the novel "Elnet" by Sergei Grigoryevich Chavain, vividly traced in the title image – the image of Elnet; they are defined in the article as follows: 1) Elnet as a tributary of the Volga, one of the most beautiful rivers in the territory of the Mari territory; 2) Elnet as the motherland, the Ecumene; 3) Elnet as the "golden" world of wonderful Mari songs; 4) Elnet as the prophetic Path of the Mari people. The story of Mari, understood by S. Chavain, is a Road leading into the distance behind an open door, at the same time it is a spiritual process fueled by a rich cultural heritage, currents of the present, and a dream of accomplishment.

Comparative analysis of the philosophical and historical views of S.L. Frank and V.V. Zenkovsky

The purpose of the article is a comparative analysis of the historiosophical views of S. L. Frank and V. V. Zenkovsky, which were based on specific ontognoseological concepts about the essence of being and the possibilities for a creative person to comprehend it. Based on the ideas about the place and role of man in natural and socio-historical processes characteristic of Christian personalism, thinkers, interpreting the concepts of creation and the Fall in different ways, came to dissimilar conclusions about the practical meanings of the cognitive and transformative activity of the individual. When conducting the study, comparative analysis methods were used, which involved a reasoned and consistent identification of the similarities and differences in the historiosophical positions of S. L. Frank and V. V. Zenkovsky, as well as hermeneutical methods used to better understand the semantic content of their texts. The author of the article, having consistently examined the views of S. L. Frank and V. V. Zenkovsky on evolution, social utopianism, conciliarity, on the place and role of the Church in the socio-historical process and on the eschatological perspective of humanity, comes to the conclusion that, despite the fact that both philosophers have significant disagreements regarding their solution to the problem of theodicy, the theme of overcoming evil in the world is fundamental for their philosophical and historical constructions. However, due to the incompatibility of their ideological approaches, the difference in the ontognoseological ideas of philosophers about the types of connection between the Absolute and the created world (essential and beneficial) and about the cognitive capabilities of man affected their understanding of both the goal of historical development and the methodology for achieving it.

Recovering Classical Indigenous Philosophy

AbstractIndigenous philosophy from the 17th century and earlier is often thought to be irretrievable because of a lack of extant works. There are at least two reasons that this view is mistaken. First, it overlooks the role oral traditions play in preserving the thought of Indigenous peoples. Second, some Indigenous thinkers had their philosophical views recorded by European interlocutors shortly after contact. With these sources, the same techniques used to recover the views of philosophers like Prodicus, whose works are lost, can be applied to Indigenous thinkers. By reconstructing the philosophy of Kondiaronk, I show how this can be done.

Translation in Flux: Revisiting the Past, Envisioning the Future

Abstract Translation and translators are emerging as powerful catalysts for promoting vibrant cross-cultural interaction among individuals from different backgrounds. Commonly perceived as the process of converting content from one language to another, translation is a nuanced and multifaceted endeavor that transcends mere linguistic conversion. Translators act as adept mediators, deftly navigating the intricate web of diverse texts and cultures while shaping their uniquely insightful perspectives. This article explores the rich historical dimensions of translation, highlighting its deep connections to philosophical beliefs and socio-political dynamics. It also aims to enhance our understanding of the complex nature of this practice by dissecting various dichotomies in translation studies, including contrasting philosophical views of translation and divergent approaches to the art of translation. In today’s interconnected world, the role of the translator has become increasingly indispensable, underscoring that translation goes beyond mere words; it serves as a mirror that reflects the ever-evolving globalized landscape. To chart a path forward, we must recognize the importance of revisiting the past, drawing wisdom from history, and gaining valuable insights for the future.

Медиаманипуляции: критический подход

This article provides a critical analysis of the phenomenon of media manipulation in the context of the philosophy of Herbert Marcuse. The works of the philosopher reveal in detail the essence of manipulation as a way of introducing imposed standards of consumption into the minds of individuals. This way of managing society in a market economy is aimed at the hidden enslavement of citizens as well as increasing the profits of the ruling class. According to H. Marcuse, the main task of the media in bourgeois society is the formation of false needs, prerequisites for the purchase of goods. As practice shows, in the conditions of the information society and the increasing influence of new media, this interpretation of manipulation remains relevant. New forms of destructive audience control (consumers, voters) are currently being used on social networks. They mimic various community initiatives that are identified through critiques of reports and fact-checking. Based on modern material, the article shows some of the characteristic features of manipulative influence. New forms of employment – freelancing and play work – are considered manipulative constructs aimed at increasing the exploitation of individuals. Such forms of employment are widespread in the modern media industry. The penetration of the phenomenon under consideration into all spheres of human life allows us to speak about the total nature of the manipulative world order. Based on the analysis performed in the article, we can conclude that H. Marcuse's conceptual apparatus still applies. Some modern followers of his philosophical views successfully use critical theory as a way to explain various events and social processes. A critical assessment of the various manifestations of a one-dimensional society in the future serves as the basis for overcoming various destructive practices. The article emphasizes that a critical analysis of manipulative influence is connected with the ethical side of the work of mass media. The idea of morally acceptable forms and practices of mass communications today is one of the most common topics in scientific, scientificpractical, and industry literature on the ethics of journalistic creativity.

ВІД HOMO SACER ДО ПУЛЬЧІНЕЛЛИ: «КОМІЧНА ПОЛІТИКА» ДЖОРДЖО АГАМБЕНА В КОНТЕКСТІ ПАНДЕМІЇ COVID-19

The article discusses the critical views of the Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben on the ethical and political consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in a retrospective review of his political theory. First of all, it is about empirical confirmation in times of pandemic of theoretical hypotheses proposed by the Italian philosopher in the famous series of books by the Homo Sacer project. The comparative analysis shows how the concept of «bare life» (which in the first books of the project is personified by Agamben in the paradigmatic figure of Roman law homo sacer) is transformed into the definition of «asymptomatic patient» during the pandemic, and the sovereign power turns into an «administrative Leviathan» that keeps people in the «noose» of decrees and regulations. The way out of this crisis situation seems possible primarily through a change in the optics of seeing the paradigmatic figure of the bare life. Namely, through the transition from the tragic figure of Roman law, homo sacer, whom anyone could kill with impunity, to the figure of Pulcinella's commedia dell'arte, who cannot be killed. Contrary to the conventional view of Agamben's philosophy as a negative statement of crisis situations without suggesting possible solutions, the author seeks to show the positive nature of the Italian philosopher's thought, which offers a way out of political contradictions by turning to the non-political, in this case, to comedy.

The Ultimate Reality in the Universe: A Study on the Views of Quantum Physics and Vedanta Philosophy

The majority of quantum mechanics' founding fathers were sensitive to the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics. The theories of relativity developed by Einstein also turned out to have philosophical implications. Although quantum physics could seem enigmatic, it explains everything in our environment, whether we are aware of it or not. Using the abilities of quantum physics results in the expansion of innovative technologies, both for use now and maybe in the future. Everything is explained by quantum physics, which provides the greatest description we currently have of the nature of the particles in the cosmos. The efforts to explain the universe in terms of quantum physics, which regulates the behaviour of the subatomic, microscopic world, are presented in Quantum Universe. It shows a revolution in quantum physics as well as a quantum leap in our understanding of the universe's mystery and beauty. Quantum physics is trying to find a common singularity for all objects. They are trying to discover the ‘Theory of Everything, that will explain everything in this universe. Vedanta and Quantum Physics both are looking for the same underlying reality and searching for the absolute truth in the universe, though their approach to searching is different. This paper will attempt to concentrate on the perspectives of Quantum Physics & Advaita Vedanta about the ultimate reality in the universe, the nature of consciousness.

Legal Philosophy's View of the Role of Advocate Professional Ethics as an Honorable Profession in Carrying Out Good Law Enforcement

The lawyer profession plays a crucial role in maintaining integrity and justice in the legal system. From the perspective of legal philosophy, the professional ethics of advocates is a deep and complex foundation. Several philosophical views, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and contractualism, provide a framework for understanding advocate ethics. The utilitarian view emphasizes the importance of achieving the best outcome for society as a whole, which can create ethical dilemmas when advocates are faced with controversial cases. In contrast, deontology emphasizes the moral obligations that advocates must follow, which can give rise to conflicts between obligations to clients and society. Contractualism links the ethics of advocates to the moral agreements that underlie the legal system, emphasizing their responsibility for better social change. Advocate ethics is also closely related to the concept of social justice, where advocates must ensure that the law is applied fairly, regardless of individual background. In addition, in dealing with ethical conflicts in practice, advocates must refer to the ethical principles of their profession as a guide. Advocates' ethics not only underlie their duties as legal representatives, but also involve moral considerations about how their actions may affect society as a whole. This is a very important foundation in maintaining professionalism and carrying out their role as law enforcers

Влияние образа России на развитие философско-религиозных взглядов Райнера Марии Рильке (по материалам сборника «Часослов»)

One of the most important works of Rainer Maria Rilke, reflecting the formation and development of the poet’s philosophical and poetic views at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries, is the cycle of poems “Book of Hours” (1899–1903), created under the influence of the image of Russia that the author developed during his travels around the country. The aim of this work is to analyse Rilke’s “Book of Hours” in the context of the influence of this image on the dynamics of the poet’s philosophical and religious views in a certain period of his work. The hermeneutical approach was chosen as the main research method, within the framework of which the texts of R.M. Rilke’s works were interpreted taking into account the socio-historical conditions existing at the time of their writing. Systematisation and generalization of the obtained data made it possible to evaluate the author’s expe-rience of Russia as a deep religious experience, expressed in a rethinking of Rilke’s attitude towards God, and to identify the contradictions of his philosophical and religious views. On the one hand, the concept of God, which occupies a central place in Rilke’s “Book of Hours”, represents an artistic refraction of the key ideas of the biblical tradition; on the other hand, God, according to the poet, manifests himself as a human creation, or more precisely, as a work of art: in the process of self-knowledge it must be discovered as the hidden “treasure” of one’s own soul. Consequently, this is not so much God the creator as a kind of internal resource, “God in man”, the idea of creation, which man must allow to arise within himself. The image of Russia as a country seeking God sets the vector for a “revaluation of values” modulated by the “Russian experience”, bringing Rilke closer to the point of view according to which spiritual journey requires a reorientation from orthodox ways of thinking and faith to an understanding of God as a path, as a “kingdom of God” that matures in the soul of an inner per-son.

The Experience of Discursive Problematization of the Axiomatics of Revolution (K.S. Aksakov)

Introduction. This article discusses the ideas about the revolution, the Russian people and the state in the works of Konstantin Sergeevich Aksakov. K.S. Aksakov was a well-known Russian publicist, literary critic, poet and one of the main ideologists of Slavophilism. Over the years, many researchers of Russian philosophy and history have shown interest in his legacy, noting his originality and incredible love for Russia. The purpose of this article is to analyze and highlight the views of Konstantin Aksakov on the revolution - as a reflection on the events that took place in Europe and the Russian Empire during his life and work.Methodology and sources. The results of the study were based on the textual and conceptual analysis of the works of K.S. Aksakov. The main sources were journalistic notes, essays and letters.Results and discussion. Based on the analysis of historical and philosophical sources, the author of the article comes to the conclusion that for a comprehensive analysis and complete understanding of the idea of revolution in the works of K.S. Aksakov, it is necessary to closely study the key concepts of his philosophical views on Russia, the Russian people, the state and their relationship. Conclusion. For K.S. Aksakov's revolution is an exclusively Western phenomenon. The very idea of revolution is extraneous to the Russian people, since the Russian people themselves chose the state for themselves and entered into an equal alliance with it, seeking to protect themselves from any state activity in order to stay in the process of moral and spiritual improvement.

Философские константы в творческом самоопределении песенных поэтов

The article compares the views of foreign philosophers on the nature of creativity, their reception in the Russian literary criticism and the creative implementation of some points in the Russian songwriting. The works of W. Benjamin (1892–1940) The Task of the Translator (1923), M. Blanchot (1907–2003) The Space of Literature (1955), P. Valery (1871–1945) Poetry and Abstract Thought (19390, S. Mallarme (1842–1898) The Crisis of Verse (1896), M. Heidegger (1889–1976) Hölderlin and the Essence of Poetry (1936), K. G. Jung (1875–1961) Archetype and Symbol (1934–1961) are used as a theoretical basis. Song texts of the representatives of the author’s song tradition A. Galich, A. Bashlachev, whose work is usually attributed to bard rock, and E. Letov, one of the main representatives of Russian punk rock, are used as research material. The choice of the authors is determined by the concept of the work, which seeks to show the universality of the constants identified in the process of research for various song and poetic traditions and philosophical systems. As such constants, the utopian concepts of “a single discourse”, a single “conversation” of poetry, and “pure art”, which is a “goal-in-itself”, stand out. Other constants relate to the inner state of the poet, techniques aimed at achieving inspiration – we are talking about the concepts of “removal”, or, according to Shklovsky, “estrangement”, as well as “silence”. The central constant is the concept of the “inexpressible”, “elusive”, which is the essential goal of every poet, clearly seen, but always unattainable. In thinking about each of the constants of philosophical thoughts about creativity, we find confirmation or discrepancies in the creative practice of song poets. It leads us to the conclusion that song poetry, following traditional poetry, accepts and transmits the experience of the Russian and Western philosophical and poetic thoughts about the essence of creativity. Typological overlaps are of a supranational, cosmopolitan nature, which indicates the universality of the constants we have identified. The work contributes to the study of song poetry, which confirms its status as the next stage in the existence of poetic discourse, which proves the legitimacy and necessity of studying song texts from a philological standpoint.

Otto Friedrich Bolnow: between philosophy and pedagogy: monograph

The monograph highlights the creative heritage of the German 20th century thinker Otto Friedrich Bolnow (1903–1991): for the first time in Russian literature, an attempt has been made to reconstruct his creative heritage, and a systematic analysis of his philosophical and pedagogical views is given. Along with this, the publication contains a translation of an essay by O.F. Bolnova on a similar topic - “Self-Representation”. The book is intended for specialists in the field of philosophy and pedagogy, as well as the history of German culture.

Mutual entailment between causation and responsibility

The standard view in philosophy is that responsibility entails causation. Most philosophers treat this entailment claim as an evident insight into the ordinary concepts of responsibility and causation. Further, it is taken to be equally obvious that the reversal of this claim does not hold: causation does not entail responsibility. In contrast, Sytsma and Livengood have put forward an account of the use of ordinary causal attributions (statements like “X caused Y”) that contends that they are typically used interchangeably with responsibility attributions (statements like “X is responsible for Y”). Put in terms of the concepts at play in these attributions, this account suggests that the reversal of the entailment claim may also hold, and, a fortiori, there would be mutual entailment between the ordinary concepts of responsibility and causation. Using the cancellability test, we report the results of three pre-registered studies providing empirical evidence that causation and responsibility are mutually entailed by each other.

Ontology of the Art Phenomenon in Iris Murdoch’s Fiction

This article explores the intermedial dialogue of the arts in the oeuvre of British writer and philosopher Iris Murdoch. The ontology of the phenomenon of art and its functional meaning in Murdoch’s fiction, the specifics of the relationship between the arts in her philosophical essays and dialogues are considered from the perspective of intermediality. Based on the intermedial study methodology, Murdoch’s theoretical and philosophical views on the multifunctional nature of art, the interaction of the artist and the artwork are revealed. Key techniques of interartistic discourse, including anthroponymic allusions, are considered as intermedial markers of Murdoch’s texts, identified and explored at the level of imagological transformations. People of art: artists, artistic discourse partakers, as well as recipients of art constitute a particular kind of characters in Murdoch’s novels. Accordingly, the importance of the recipient, who acts as an essential link in the receptive matrix of “author-text-recipient-artwork,” is emphasized in the ontology of an artwork. The particular meeting point of Murdoch’s characters is the artistic topos: a museum, an exhibition, an art gallery or an artist’s house. In addition, the reader of her fiction repeatedly encounters various ekphrastic codes: the ekphrases of paintings are not only present in Murdoch’s texts, but function as anthropomorphised characters, dramatis personae, have their own space (physical and mental places) and play a crucial role in the protagonists’ lives. Consequently, we find that the use of intermedial components is one of the markers of Iris Murdoch’s idiostyle, which topicalizes important aspects of the philosophy of art and brings it into the realm of ontological questions.

Evolution of education as a constitutional and legal paradigm: historical context and philosophical discourse

This article is devoted to the study of the evolution of education as a constitutional and legal paradigm in the historical context and philosophical discourse. Within the framework of the work, the historical path of education development is considered, starting from primitive and ancient times and ending with the present. Emphasis is placed on the development of the educational paradigm from the point of view of philosophical and cultural changes that had an impact on the perception and regulation of the educational process.
 In particular, the historical gradation of the development and establishment of education as a constitutional and legal category is proposed to be considered through the prism of the following chronological framework:
 Stage I: The Age of the Ancient World (Primitive Age and Ancient times);
 Stage II: The Age of the Middle Ages;
 III stage: Age of Enlightenment;
 IV stage: The period of industrial revolution and modernization;
 Stage V: Modernity.
 The article examines the role of great philosophers and ancient jurists, such as Aristotle, Democritus, Plato, Seneca, Socrates, Ulpian, Cicero, etc., in shaping the concepts of the right to education.
 Special attention is paid to how the history of education reflects social and cultural changes. From primitive forms of learning to modern education systems, this article shows how education has always been not only a right, but also an important factor in social evolution.
 Emphasis is placed on the works of the following famous philosophers, the American - J. Dewey, the Brazilian - P. Freire and the domestic - P. Kulish, who had an impact on the formation and development of the philosophy of modern education.
 The conclusions of the article emphasize that the right to education is determined not only by legal norms, but also by the social context and philosophical views. They emphasize the importance of understanding the historical development of education for the modern understanding of the constitutional and legal paradigm of education, which reflects the dynamics of society and its needs for education and development

Potential applications and benefits of humanoids in the construction industry: a South African perspective

Purpose In most developing countries, the delivery of construction project is still characterised by inefficiencies resulting from the use of outdated methods and techniques, which retards project performance. Hence, the call for the implementation of innovative technologies such as humanoids in the execution of construction projects as it has been proven to be very effective in other sectors while improving productivity and quality of work. Consequently, this study looks at how humanoids can be used in the construction industry and what benefits they can bring.Design/methodology/approach The study employed a quantitative approach underpinned in post-positivist philosophical view using questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The target respondents were construction professionals, and purposive sampling was used, while a response rate of 62.5% was gotten. The methods of data analysis were mean item score, standard deviation and one-sample t-test.Findings The findings revealed that humanoids can be used in progress tracking, auto-documentation and inspection and surveillance of tasks in construction activities. Also, the most important benefits of using humanoids in construction work were found to be shorter delivery times, fewer injuries and more accurate work.Practical implications The outcome of the study gives professionals and relevant stakeholders in construction and other interested parties' information about the areas where humanoids can be used and their benefits in construction.Originality/value The novelty of this study is that it is a pioneering study in South Africa on humanoids' usage in the construction industry. Also, it expands the existing borderline of the conservation of construction digitalisation for enhanced project execution.

Vasil Ekzemplarsky and Petro Kudryavtsev: at the Crossroads of Creative Paths

In the article, for the first time, a comparative analysis of the creative biographies of Kyiv thinkers, pupils and teachers of the Kyiv Theological Academy (1819–1924), Pyotr Kudryavtsev (1868–1940) and Vasyl Ekzemplyarskyi (1875–1933) was carried out. The educational, cultural and historical background of the formation of religious-philosophical and religious-publicist views of Kyiv philosophers is reproduced, the common origin of their creative intuitions is shown. The main similar research ideas, topics and directions of their scientific and educational activity are revealed. The similarity in the interpretation of one of the core ideas of their work – the Christian idea of the kingdom of God – is shown. The origin of this idea in the philosophical worldview of thinkers is admitted, the significance of this idea in their ethical and historicalphilosophical heritage is demonstrated. Both thinkers have distinctly similar interpretations of the themes of religious journalism, the core of which are: religious revival, the relationship between politics and religion and politics and morality, state-church relations in the Russian state, ways of church reformation. The inseparable unity of their philosophical and worldview foundations, theoretical principles with life, the practical implementation of the ideas advocated by the thinkers, which allowed them to preserve the integrity and organicity of their own personality, is shown. It was also demonstrated the importance for the development of philosophical thought of the unique communicative space created by Kyiv academic philosophers, the atmosphere of lively communication, within which similar philosophical and worldview intuitions, value-meaning principles and life guidelines were developed.

Антиантропологизм в современной западной философии

This research is relevant since it allows us to understand more deeply the specifics of contemporary European discourse about the human being, which is characterized by denaturalization and rejection of wholeness of a human subject, criticism of anthropocentrism and the tendency towards an ontological equation of the human being and material objects. The origins and causes of anti- anthropologism are associated with the crisis of European humanism and attempts to overcome this crisis through a different idea of a human being. Based on the analysis of the philosophical views of M. Heidegger, A. Kojeve, G. Bataille, L. Althusser, M. Foucault and some other thinkers, the author shows the main stages of the development of anti-anthropologism in European philosophy: anti-fundamentalism, anti-humanism, structuralist and theoretical anti-humanism, and ontological anthropology. One of the objectives of this paper is to perform a retrospective analysis of the discourse about the human being in the 20th and 21st centuries. The article considers anti-fundamentalism in the philosophy of M. Heidegger, who dissolves anthropology in ontology. The author demonstrates that in the structural anthropology of C. Lévi-Strauss the problem of unconscious processes paves the way for anti-anthropology. Attention is paid to the influence on philosophical anthropology of the philosophy of M. Foucault, whose interests lie not in the human subject, but in discourse structures. He replaces anthropology with epistemology. The article reveals the essence of the ontological turn in anthropology and discusses the key ideas of ontological anthropology and the concept of multinaturalism. It is emphasized that ontological anthropology not only raises ethical issues, but also aims to reformat our traditional understanding of the world and society. The author stresses the inadequacy of the anti-anthropological trends aimed at discovering a place of harmonious coexistence beyond humanity and postulating the idea of abandoning the traditional understanding of a human being. With the prospects of such a fundamental change, the question inevitably arises of a new axiological model of value orientations, which cannot be resolved without turning to the discourse about the human being.

The hegemony of values: Revisiting Stanisław Pietraszko’s concept of culture with Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony

In my reinterpretation of Stanisław Pietraszko’s writings, I seek to identify their elements that exhibit some affinity with the concept of cultural hegemony, which germinated from entirely different ideological soil and has been developed under different historical circumstances. The idea of hegemony is usually traced back to Antonio Gramsci’s texts, though also to the work of other scholars inspired by Karl Marx’s thought, including the British philosophers who founded cultural studies. I argue that in distancing himself from all Marxism-underpinned theories, therein those that evolved toward semiology, Pietraszko was prompted not only by his philosophical views on the ontology of culture and possibilities of studying it but also by the social and political conjuncture in which hedeveloped his conception of culture (specifically, the socialist or communist regimes in Eastern Europe). I ponder how the two divergent models of understanding culture (i.e. culture defined in terms of ways of life and the idea of cultural hegemony) can be brought together. In my argument, I consider various media and communication forms in public space, such as murals, graffiti, posters, billboards, monuments and the like. It is in them that I see manifestations of values.