Western Tradition Research Articles

The Nature of Sorrow: A Philosophical Exploration of Dukkha

Sorrow, a universal human experience, transcends cultural, temporal, and philosophical boundaries, serving as a catalyst for profound introspection and growth. Eastern and Western traditions have approached the phenomenon of sorrow through distinct but intersecting lenses, each offering valuable insights into its transformative potential. While Eastern philosophies view sorrow as an opportunity for liberation through self-awareness and transcendence, Western existentialism sees it as an integral aspect of the human condition, urging individuals to create meaning in the face of despair. In Vedanta, sorrow is framed as the result of avidya (ignorance), a fundamental misunderstanding of one’s true nature. The teachings of Swami Vivekananda emphasize that sorrow arises from identification with the transient self, which leads to attachment, fear, and suffering. Liberation, or moksha, is achieved by recognizing one’s unity with the infinite Brahman, transcending the illusions of the material world. Similarly, Dzogchen Buddhism, a school of Tibetan thought, regards sorrow not as an affliction but as an expression of ignorance about the nature of mind. Through mindfulness, meditation, and direct experiential insight, Dzogchen practitioners aim to realize the inherent purity and boundlessness of awareness, dissolving sorrow into a state of equanimity and joy. In contrast, Western existentialism delves into sorrow as an inevitable byproduct of human existence. Thinkers like Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre argue that sorrow emerges from the realization of life’s impermanence and the anxiety of freedom and responsibility. For Heidegger, confronting sorrow involves embracing life’s finitude and developing an authentic relationship with being, a process he calls being-toward-death. Meanwhile, Alan Watts, influenced by both Eastern and Western thought, bridges these traditions by proposing that sorrow arises from the illusion of separateness. In his synthesis, Watts encourages acceptance of life’s ebb and flow, inviting individuals to embrace sorrow as an essential part of the human journey. Ultimately, both traditions converge in their acknowledgment of sorrow as a profound teacher. While Western existentialism emphasizes personal responsibility and meaning-making, Eastern philosophies guide individuals toward self-realization and liberation. Together, they offer a holistic understanding of sorrow, positioning it not as an insurmountable burden but as a gateway to wisdom, inner peace, and transcendence. By integrating these perspectives, individuals can navigate life’s challenges with clarity and purpose, finding fulfillment in the transformative power of sorrow. In this synthesis lies timeless guidance for addressing the complexities of existence and pursuing a life of enduring harmony and peace.

ROMANTICISM IN THE POEM “ILA UMMI” BY MAHMOUD DARWISH BASED ON THE PERSPECTIVE OF JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

This paper?uses Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's literary Romanticism to analyze traits of Romanticism in Mahmoud Darwish's "Ilaa Ummi." It examines how aspects of Goethean Romanticism?including emotional expression, attitude toward nature, and spiritual importance are present in the poem. The research identifies a knowledge gap in literary studies by analyzing Goethean Romanticism in a contemporary Arabic literature context, which has been looked at through a political or?identity lens, and not a Romantic one. Through close reading and thematic analysis, the study uses a descriptive qualitative method to explore how certain hallmarks of Goethean Romanticism, such as subjectivity,?reverence for nature, and quest for spiritual meaning, can be found in Darwish's oeuvre. The findings highlight three major categories: (1)?pathos, represented by mother-longing and love for the mother, (2) the human-nature relationship, where landscapes denote warmth and emotional bond, and (3) deeper spiritual embodiment, which articulates existential contemplation and personal identity exploration. In a way, by tracing the tints and?shades of Darwish’s oeuvre, the work attends to the reductiveness of denoting the poet as “postmodern” (which had fallen out of fashion by the time he had died) and highlights Goethean Romantic elements to his literary agenda, bridging disparate Eastern and Western traditions. The study sheds light on the relevance of?Goethean Romanticism in non-Western poetry and advances the research into intertextual connections between Eastern and Western literatures.

Islamic Finance and Transparency: The Dilemma of Blockchain Integration

This article seeks to explore the dilemma Islamic finance faces in incorporating blockchain with regards to transparency. While blockchain does promote transparency in transactions, its adoption will lead to a proliferation of cryptocurrencies that enhances anonymity. This may undermine the benefits Islamic finance will get from embracing blockchain. A tentative solution will be considered. This article takes a comparative philosophical approach. Transparency, as a virtue, is investigated through the Western tradition as well as through the Islamic tradition. The ramifications of the different conceptualisations of transparency will be drawn out and identified with regard to blockchain/cryptocurrencies. This paper finds that contemporary Islamic finance’s support of transparency relies on the Islamic tradition’s stance on transparency. In pursuit of end goals (maqāsid) that provide maximal benefit, a host of virtues must be balanced. This can entail restricting transparency where other considerations are more paramount. This finding emphasises that the Western tradition upholds transparency as an ideal, which is unlike the more nuanced view of transparency in the Islamic tradition. The dilemma can be diluted from a Maqasid approach. Most academic discussions of cryptocurrencies within Islamic finance focus on the dangers of decentralisation. The issue of the transparency-anonymity tension has rarely been focused on. Additionally, this paper provides a sustained examination of the virtue of transparency within the Islamic tradition, its manifestation in contemporary Islamic finance, and its importance in evaluating the adoption of future financial innovation.

Editorial Essay

From the depths of Dante’s Inferno to Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, subterranean and subaquatic environments have often been depicted as repositories of primordial forces and abiding secrets in the Western tradition. The much-repeated (if somewhat misleading; e.g., Copley, 2014) claim that humans have “explored” more of outer space than of Earth’s oceans points to the mystique associated with the deepest regions of this planet. Though dramatic environmental changes are becoming increasingly evident all across the face of the Earth, we surface-dwellers can scarcely fathom what has been occurring below the ground and beneath the waves. In these deep places, rising temperatures deplete aquifers and destabilize sea beds; infrastructures (both old and new) wind through vast urban undergrounds; heavy industry delves ever deeper in its search for fossil fuels, rare earth metals, and geothermal energy; and plastics and other toxic contaminants come to settle among the extremophiles inhabiting the most remote reaches of the ocean. [...]

Reimagining reading with Chinese political ontology

This article explores two predominant conceptions of reading – the Aristotelian framework from the Western traditions and the holistic dynamic approach rooted in Chinese philosophies. The Aristotelian conception emphasizes truth-seeking, knowledge acquisition, and self-fulfilment through a linear, teleological process. In contrast, the holistic dynamic conception, informed primarily by Confucian and Daoist texts, views reading as an ongoing, cyclical process of transformation, moral cultivation, and alignment with the broader milieu. Rather than treating these frameworks as oppositional, I propose a synthetic conception of reading that integrates both perspectives. This synthesis combines the pursuit of stable truths with the adaptability and moral cultivation central to the holistic dynamic approach. This article argues that such a combined framework offers a richer, more comprehensive understanding of reading as a practice that shapes individuals and societies alike. This approach holds significant implications for contemporary political theory, fostering more resilient and engaged political agents through transformative reading practices.

The Transmission of the Phenomenon of Herbal Medicine to China via Silk Roads in Medieval China

Abstract: The Silk Road has long been recognized as a vital channel for cultural and intellectual exchange, profoundly influencing the cosmopolitan identity of High Tang culture. Beyond the trade of goods like tea, silk, and carpets, this network also fostered the transfer of medical knowledge. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its extensive pharmacopoeia of over ten thousand herbal medicines, benefited significantly from exchanges with neighboring countries and regions. This review explores the intricate connections between TCM and other medical systems facilitated by the Silk Road, highlighting representative herbs introduced from regions along the route. It underscores the reciprocal influences that shaped medical practices in both Eastern and Western traditions, offering insights into the potential integration of traditional and modern biomedical approaches today.

Panchakosha: Foundations for Holistic Child Development

The Panchakosha theory, a cornerstone of ancient wisdom, offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of human beings emphasizing the nurturing of all five layers of being. This theory's application in education can revolutionize the way we approach child development, integrating the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions. By incorporating elements such as Yoga Nidra, meditation, yoga philosophy, and mindful nutrition, educators can foster holistic growth in children and instill valuable social and personal disciplines promoting better concentration, calmness, and improved learning and memory. Educational philosophies from both Eastern and Western traditions, including contributions from notable thinkers, shape diverse and effective teaching methods. This article delves into the practical ways in which the Panchakosha Theory can be applied to education, offering insights into yogic practices, storytelling, and pedagogical strategies that align with both Eastern and Western educational philosophies.

Reasoning involves individuality: an inquiry into divination practice in early China

ABSTRACT In the common sense of the term, reasoning is defined as thinking in a logical and sensible manner that justifies one’s actions. Within the Western tradition, it is generally associated with formal rules, where the structure of reasoning guarantees the validity of an inference. This involves a particular approach that treats human cognition as though it results from mere computation, such that any correct inference must be true for anyone in particular circumstances. However, recent advances in cognitive sciences have demonstrated that one is always embedded in contexts that influence one’s cognitive abilities. This study elaborates on the authors’ interdisciplinary research in philosophy, anthropology, and cognitive science, with the aim of providing a naturalistic explanation of the origin and development of human consciousness. Here, we review the anthropological data provided by studies concerning divination practices in early China, in light of the modern scientific framework. We highlight a particular similarity between these two conceptual systems and argue that both imply a high degree of individuality in the suggested modes of reasoning. The provided synthesis reveals some basal modes of cognition that are shared by all humans and that underlie any culture. This contributes to cross-cultural studies and mutual understanding.

Exploring Consciousness: An Indian Philosophical Perspective

Consciousness, a derivative of Latin word conscius (con- “together” and “scio” “to know”). In Simple terms it is awareness of internal and external existence. However, even now, defining consciousness remains a difficult Endeavor. Its nature has led to millennia of analyses, explanations, and debate by various philosophers. In the Western tradition, consciousness is basically a function of brain. In fact, it characterized psychology as a science of consciousness when it first emerged as a discipline in the latter half of the nineteenth century. In Indian philosophy, the study of consciousness is a basic component of the human experience that offers profound insights into the nature of the self, the cosmos, and life. According to Indian traditions, consciousness is a far broader idea that permeates the entire universe and is not just confined to human experience. It describes consciousness as an underlying, timeless principle that serves as the foundation for existence and the lens through which we perceive the universe. It is an innate, immutable principle that exists outside of the mental and physical domains. It Sees consciousness as a universal, all-pervading force that shapes and informs the very fabric of existence. The various viewpoints on consciousness including its philosophical, ethical, and spiritual aspects, are examined in this article. The essay offers Rich and varied viewpoints on consciousness provided by Indian philosophical traditions, emphasizing its essential, non-material character as well as its relationship to the self and the universe. Indian philosophies describe consciousness as an underlying, timeless principle that serves as the foundation for existence and the lens through which we perceive the universe, in contrast to Western perspectives that frequently reduce consciousness to brain activity.

El arte del contrapunto y la paradoja. Imágenes artísticas de Juan Fernando Herrán, Juan Manuel Echavarría, Clemencia Echeverri, Óscar Muñoz y Doris Salcedo como <i>mementos</i> poético-políticos contemporáneos

This article investigates the fact that alongside their concerns with understanding and confronting traumatic situations in their geographical and historical environments, Juan Fernando Herrán, Juan Manuel Echavarría, Clemencia Echeverri, Óscar Muñoz, and Doris Salcedo coincide in alluding in their works to existential and symbolic dimensions linked to vital and natural cycles. These dimensions suggest significant connections with works and theoretical approaches of previous centuries of the Western tradition, in which special emphasis was placed on the finite conditions of human existence. Such an emphasis simultaneously allowed for an awareness of inexorable aspects of the destiny of every living being and of the possible agency that each being can enjoy during his or her existence.

Cultural Heritage and Chinese Digital Games

Abstract Digital games history has been dominated by Japan, North America, and Europe, both as major producers and consumers of games. However, China is now by far the largest digital games market on the planet, both in terms of player numbers and expenditure. This exceptional growth is naturally reflected in the local production of games, which, despite their large numbers and player base, are only now having more resonance in the West. This paper examines what role Chinese cultural heritage plays in the characterization of its games, as well as the similarities and differences with the Western and Japanese traditions of game arts and development, both from a ludological and aesthetic point of view, with a focus on the role-playing genre.

A Philosophy of Constancy in Change: Reading Gadamer in Light of Fundamental Themes in Chung-Ying Cheng

Abstract The Western tradition of metaphysics has been criticized by Chung-ying Cheng on the grounds that it does not have any fruitful bearing on practice. This judgement, however, depends on a concept of metaphysics that Gadamer overturns with a Pythagorean-Platonic ontology. When this side of his philosophy is developed in tandem with Cheng’s onto-generative hermeneutics, in particular its doctrine of harmonization, new possibilities for self-understanding in relation to the grounds of existence are charted: The event of Being emerges from the reciprocity of rhythm in a dialogue self-similar to the rhythms of nature grasped by Cheng in terms of yin and yang. This consolidates a cross-fertilization between Cheng and Gadamer on the trans-historical foundations of hermeneutics.

Dragon Images in Japanese Culture: Genesis and Semantics

The article deals with the genesis, semantics, and functions of the dragon image in Japanese culture. The relevance of the study is due to the increased attention of researchers to the basic values of local cultures, issues of symbolism, inextricably linked to the problems of national self-identification. The methodological basis of the study is the structural-semiotic approach, which was used to analyze the value content of the dragon image, the descriptive-analytical method, and the method of cognitive interpretation of the semantics of linguistic means verbalizing the dragon image in the Japanese language. In contrast to the Western tradition, in the culture of the peoples of East Asia, a dragon is a revered and significant symbol of power, strength, and authority.Stories about dragons are found in ancient texts of both Hinduism and Buddhism. It is established that the formation and evolution of the dragon cult in Japan was influenced by the mythical Chinese dragons, Indian Naga snakes, and the belief in dragons as deities of the water element. The author examines the genesis and evolution of the dragon image in different historical epochs, the influence of cultural-historical, natural, and religious factors on its transformation. It is shown that, in medieval Japan, the dragon was considered the protector of Buddhism, personifying strength, wisdom, prosperity, good luck, and images of these mythical creatures became an organic element of Buddhist culture. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the image of the dragon as a sign of the Chinese zodiacal calendar, the representations of dragons in Japanese mythology, fairy tales and legends, in Hitachi Fudoki, Kojiki, Nihon Shoki. In the mythological picture of the world of the Japanese, the dragon is ambivalent and has both positive and negative features.It is revealed that the image of the dragon occupies an important place in Japanese traditional culture, painting, architecture, arts and crafts, calendar holidays, is widely represented in proverbs and sayings, set phrases and idioms. The reference to Japanese phraseology allowed to expand the base of the study and to reveal the totality of ideas about the dragon in the worldview of native speakers of the Japanese language. The author concludes that, nowadays, the image of the dragon in Japan has lost its sacral significance and is mainly used as tribute to tradition.

Outstanding Beauty: Study of Publicity Translation and Cultural Diplomatic Value in the Internationalization of Domestic Cosmetic Brands

This study delves into the translation strategies employed in the export process of Chinese-style cosmetics, with a primary focus on how these strategies facilitate cultural communication. Emphasis is placed on ensuring accurate and culturally adaptive translation of product packaging, which plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining brand cultural identity in international markets. In particular, the proposal of naming lipstick shades after literary works—linking both Chinese and Western literary traditions—demonstrates a novel approach to fostering cross-cultural exchange through product exports. Additionally, marketing strategies are explored, showcasing how this differentiation not only enhances cultural relevance but also strengthens consumer emotional connections. Case studies of TIMAGE and Proya serve to evaluate brand performance in cross-cultural communication, offering valuable insights for the international promotion of Chinese-style cosmetics. The findings of this study suggest innovative directions for combining translation and marketing strategies to further cultural exchange and brand growth globally.

Exploring the Characteristics of Modern Korean Buddhist Education: Focusing on the Religious Studies Lecture Notes from the Buddhist Central Seminary (Pulgyo Chungang Hangnim, 佛敎中央學林)

This study examines the identity and characteristics of modern Korean Buddhist education through an analysis of the religious studies lecture notes of a student from the Buddhist Central Seminary (Pulgyo Chungang Hangnim, 佛敎中央學林), preserved at Songgwang-sa Temple. Established in 1915 and operating until 1919, the seminary introduced a significant shift from traditional scripture-centered monastic education to a modern academic system. Western and Japanese academic traditions, religious studies, philosophy, and the general educational system influenced its curriculum. The lecture notes provide insight into the adoption of modern academic disciplines within Korean Buddhist education, revealing the influence of Japanese religious studies and Western comparative religion. They also demonstrate the possibility of early introduction of religious studies as an educational field in Korea. The seminary played a dual role as a hub for national education and reflection of the colonial context, embodying the complexities of nationalism and colonial influence during Japanese occupation. This study underscores the need for further scholarly exploration to understand the multifaceted nature of modern Korean Buddhist education and its unique role within the broader historical context of East Asian Buddhist history.

Review Essay: Postanthropocentric Political Theories

At least since Aristotle defined human beings as “political animals,” politics in the Western tradition has largely been defined in anthropocentric terms. Politics was a realm of distinctively human endeavors, while nonhuman nature remained outside. Nature might impinge on or set limits to political action, but was conceived as constitutively outside of politics. However else nonhuman entities might engage with humans or each other, these relations or engagements were not understood as political. Until quite recently, Western political theory was decidedly anthropocentric. The rise of environmental problematics, and particularly the political salience of the global climate crisis, however, have made the idea of a constitutive separation between (nonhuman) nature and (human) politics less tenable. Not only the material manipulation of the nonhuman world, but also its conceptual framing, are increasingly understood as political projects.1 At the same time, Western political thought has become increasingly open to non-Western cosmologies that do not posit a rigid divide between human and non- (or more-than-) human worlds. Environmental (or green) political theory has become an increasingly robust subdiscipline,2 and political theory, like a number of other humanities disciplines, has undergone an “animal turn.”3 Three of the four recent books under consideration form part of this latter animal turn while Sharon Krause’s Eco-Emancipation is firmly situated in the field of environmental political theory.

The Possibilities of Dialogue on the Filioque in the Context of the Current Situation of Orthodoxy

This article examines the theological and historical implications of the Filioque doctrine within the context of contemporary Orthodox- Catholic dialogue, emphasizing its relevance amid the current challenges facing Orthodoxy, including ecclesiastical and political divisions. It traces the evolution of the Filioque controversy, highlighting key theological contributions from Orthodox scholars such as Vladimir Lossky and Dumitru Stăniloae and their perspectives on Orthodoxy’s identity. The paper discusses the Filioque’s impact on ecumenical efforts, noting the divergence in approaches between Orthodox and Western traditions. Furthermore, it explores the influence of nationalism and geopolitical conflicts, particularly the Russian-Ukrainian war, on inter-Orthodox relations and their effect on broader ecumenical dialogues. The article concludes by proposing that while institutional dialogue may be hindered by these crises, academic and theological exchanges remain vital for fostering understanding and advancing unity. Article history: Received 10.11.2024; Revised 01.11.2024; Accepted 11.11.2024. Available online: 11.01.2025; Available print: 30.01.2025.

Hunting for Education: ‘Archaeological’ Speculations on Critique and Paideia

This paper explores in what sense “critique” can be considered a basic educational concept, by investigating to what extent it is coextensive with the emergence of the possibility of world-disclosing and the (related) notion of the educable human in the Western tradition. In particular, the focus will be on the original separation that makes something like a world possible: the reference is to the partition between humans and animals, whose features will be outlined through a dialogue between Heidegger and Freire (strikingly similar in their assumptions on this topic). Against this backdrop, the point of emergence of this disseverance will be indicated as occurring in hunting, through which humans set themselves free from their intimacy with animality and accessed a dimension “beyond” and “above” nature. In their educational project, the Greeks still maintained an awareness of this ‘history,’ as is evident by the importance that hunting held in their myths about and their (philosophical) reflection on education. This idea will be investigated by also tracking the evolution of the gesture of hunting towards the horizon which presides over the creation of the school and the form of rationality and the epistemic attitude that it embodies. Finally, it is argued that in the face of contemporary (ecological) challenges, we must complement critique with post-critique, which may help us recover forgotten dimensions of our educational heritage.

A personal account of the history of X-ray crystallography at the University of La Plata, Argentina.

Prompted by visionary political leaders and a flowering economy, the University of La Plata was founded in 1905, the third Argentinian university after the Universities of Cordoba (1613) and Buenos Aires (1821). Differing from the older universities, more prone to professional formation, the new university was oriented towards teaching and scientific research following western European academic tradition. Along with the university was created the Institute of Physics, the first of its kind in Latin America. To pursue the foundational plan, the university recruited distinguished German physicists, some of whom became the first directors. From the start, the institute became acquainted with Röntgen rays, their generation and use, initially for radiographic images and later in occasional diffraction studies. The first dedicated crystallographic X-ray diffraction laboratory was set up in the early 1970s, when it solved the first molecular structures. Soon the fascination brought about by a methodology that afforded the visualization of atoms, molecules and crystals lured the local and national physical chemistry communities. In close partnership with an equally oriented laboratory at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and in collaboration with several physical chemistry laboratories from Argentina and the Latin American region, and also from Europe, we undertook studies on the crystal structures and physicochemical and spectroscopic properties of a wide range of materials, including inorganic, organic, bioinorganic, metal-organic, organic-metal, supramolecular, pharmaceutical, organic minerals and liquid crystals. The present essay is a personal account of the origin and development of structural X-ray crystallography at the University of La Plata and its impact on the scientific research of Argentina and Latin America.

The artistic image of Macau in the process of interaction between Eastern and Western cultures

The topic of the research is the artistic image of Macau in the process of interaction between Eastern and Western cultures. The object of the research is the stages of formation of this image, starting with traditional art, modern artistic image and development of public artistic practices. The study of the evolution of the artistic image of Macau through the analysis of works of Chinese and Western artists allows us to demonstrate how the interaction of cultures influences the formation of a unique artistic image of the region. The methodological basis of the work was the historical-biographical and comparative-historical approaches. The historical-biographical method allows us to focus on the influence of the biographical aspects of the artists on their work. The main conclusions of the study are that the artistic image of Macau is the result of a unique process of cultural synthesis, in which Eastern and Western traditions mutually enrich each other. This process, which began in the Ming Dynasty, continued through Portuguese colonization and remains relevant to this day, demonstrating the importance of cultural interaction in the creation of outstanding works of art. Macau has had a significant influence on the formation of the style of such artists as George Chinnery and Augustin Bolger. The novelty of this study lies in its use of a comparative historical method, which, combined with biographical analysis of artists such as Chinnery, demonstrates how their personal experiences and cross-cultural interactions are reflected in their works, shaping the unique artistic identity of Macau. The results obtained contribute to a deeper understanding of cultural processes and can be used to develop strategies for the preservation and promotion of the region's unique cultural heritage.