The Order of Body

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-70
Author(s):  
Iwona Krupecka ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Cultural Relativism ◽  
Philosophical Tradition ◽  
Intercultural Dialogue ◽  
Universal Values ◽  
Human Kind ◽  
Cultural Interactions

This text focuses on the possibility of acquiring universal knowledge (especially about values) by individual subjective consciousness as determined both corporeally and culturally. Along with the appearance of the “question” of the cultural Other (and with the cultural relativism as its other side) the attempts of European philosophers to establish a kind of a universal sphere—intellectual basis for an intercultural dialogue—became more intensive, but still often limited by their relation to the values and ideas of the only one culture. In other words, the attempts to search the community of human kind in an intellectual sphere often led to the universality being the “universalized particularity” (Wallerstein), maintained by the empty signifiers (Laclau). But there is also another philosophical tradition, in which the “universality” of ideas, concepts or values is being perceived as a quasi-universality or pluri-versality, mediated by human organic and cultural interactions, and is being derived rather from “beyond”—from the condition of embodiment—than from “above,” the pure intellectual cognition. I focus on three instances of moving from the order of body towards the quasi-universal values: on Bartolomé de Las Casas’s posing a problem of the universal values in the context of intercultural dialogue, on Michel de Montaigne’s reflections on human nature and Walter Mignolo’s naturalistic foundation of the comparative studies. I chose these examples, because they offer a clear and expressed attempt to reformulate the very idea of possible universality in the context of the desired intercultural dialogue, but within the optics of the embodied subjectivities.

scholarly journals Anthropo(bio)centrism and relations with the environment

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-192
Author(s):  
Jelena Djuric
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Human Kind

The text deals with some problems that facing research of the environment. Beside conceptual issues adherent to Serbian language, solving of real environmental problems in general, should resolve the dichotomy anthropocentrism vs. biocentrism which stems from the conflicting human nature and appears just unsustainable in ecology. Among other topics, the meaning of the argument of ?ecology as a new great narrative? which enables continued progress and mutual legitimization of science and democracy is being examined from the point of view of their universal relevance. It also deals with effectiveness of theories that implicate the irrelevance of human kind for its own liberation from anthropocentric worldview which narrows the prospects of survival.

Bioetica e culture: imperialismo, relativismo o transculturalismo?

2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Palazzani
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Cultural Pluralism ◽  
Cultural Relativism ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cultural Imperialism ◽  
Intercultural Dialogue ◽  
Philosophical Perspective ◽  
Opposite Trend ◽  
Pragmatic Principle ◽  
Social Product

L’articolo analizza, nella prospettiva filosofica, i percorsi intrapresi dalla bioetica in rapporto al pluralismo culturale, discutendo criticamente i principali orientamenti di pensiero del dibattito attuale. Il punto di partenza è l’imperialismo culturale, quale posizione etnocentrica che assolutizza la cultura (ritenuta, in modo unilaterale, la migliore) marginalizzando le altre. L’orientamento opposto è quello del relativismo culturale che considera la bioetica il prodotto storico-sociale della cultura di appartenenza, proponendo il principio di tolleranza inteso nel senso di sopportazione pragmatica di ogni cultura, ritenuta equivalente rispetto a qualsiasi altra. Alla luce delle incongruenze dell’imperialismo culturale (che finisce con imporre arbitrariamente la propria come la cultura dominante) e del relativismo culturale (che accettando acriticamente ogni cultura non evita anzi acuisce i conflitti e porta alla separazione delle culture), l’articolo cerca le linee argomentative per giustificare una prospettiva bioetica trans-culturale (nell’orizzonte dei diritti umani fondamentali) che consenta il dialogo interculturale in bioetica come ricerca costruttiva dell’integrazione tra le culture nella ricerca della verità comune nel riconoscimento della dignità umana. ---------- The article analyses, in a philosophical perspective, the bioethical theories as regards cultural pluralism, discussing in a critical way the must important trends of actual debate. It identifies cultural imperialism as the ethnocentrical perspective which makes one culture as absolute (considered the best one), marginalizing the other cultures. As opposite trend, the articles discusses cultural relativism which considers bioethics as an historical and social product of a culture, emphasizing tolerance as a pragmatic principle of acceptance of every culture, without condition. In the light of the objections to imperialism (which impose in an arbitrary way one culture as the best one) and cultural relativism (which accepts any culture without condition with conflicts and separation of cultures as consequences) the article looks for arguments able to justify a transcultural bioethics (in the perspective of fundamental human rights) which permits intercultural dialogue in bioethics as a constructive research of integration of cultures in search of a common truth recognized in respect of human dignity.

scholarly journals Intercultural musical dialogue in St John Passion by Sofia Gubaidulina

2020 ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Magdalena Stochniol
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Intercultural Dialogue ◽  
Cultural Tradition ◽  
International Forum ◽  
Avant Garde ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Special Place ◽  
Universal Values ◽  
East And West ◽  
Theological Message

Sofia Gubaidulina is one of the most important composers living today. Among her many works acknowledged and awarded prizes on the international forum, the diptych St John Passion and St John Easter [The Resurrection of Christ according to St John], the opus magnum of that outstanding Russian composer, occupies a special place. This work focuses the most important features of her music, such as a profound theological message based on a compilation of fragments from the Old Testament, Gospels and the Apocalypse of St John, as well as her musical rootedness in the cultural tradition of the churches of both East and West. Gubaidulina adapts the achievements of the artistic avant-garde in new and original ways, while at the same time she is an ardent champion of traditional universal values grounded in the message of the Bible and Christian cultural tradition. This paper presents St John Passion by Sofia Gubaidulina in the context of its theological and intercultural dialogue, as well as attempting to characterise the phenomenon represented by this composer, who raises anew reflection on the fate of humankind in the context of existential questions, while remaining faithful to the idea of high art, exquisite and open to various understandings of the idea of beauty.

scholarly journals Direitos Humanos, Interculturalidade e Diplomacia Cultural / Human Rights, Interculturality and Cultural Diplomacy

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antônio Walber Matias Muniz ◽  
Bianca Viana Thomaz ◽  
Taís Vasconcelos Cidrão
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Cultural Diplomacy ◽  
Cultural Relativism ◽  
Intercultural Dialogue ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Effective Protection ◽  
De Se ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
International Engagement

Resumo: Através de um estudo predominantemente bibliográfico acerca da correlação entre os institutos dos direitos humanos, da interculturalidade e da diplomacia cultural, o propósito primordial do presente trabalho é apresentar esta última como um instrumento de promoção do diálogo intercultural entre os povos. A escolha do tema adveio da necessidade impreterível da promoção e da proteção eficaz dos direitos humanos sem, contudo, desconsiderar as especificidades culturais de cada Estado. Busca-se superar a polêmica acerca da dicotomia "universalismo x relativismo cultural", propondo-se no seu lugar a interculturalidade. Tendo em vista que a cultura não deve ser utilizada como um empecilho à preponderância dos direitos humanos, tampouco pode ser aceita como uma imposição de valores. Dessa forma, a diplomacia cultural representa um instrumento ideal para a efetivação desse diálogo intercultural a fim de se alcançar uma confluência de chegada, e não de partida. A diplomacia cultural, por sua vez, é capaz de promover a compreensão mútua, a confiança e o respeito entre os povos e, assim, construir um engajamento internacional favorável entre os Estados e um diálogo sobre direitos humanos pautado no respeito e, sobretudo, na diversidade cultural. Defende-se aqui que a interculturalidade, sistematizada na hermenêutica diatópica, no respeito e na valorização da diversidade cultural, é a melhor forma de se propagar os direitos humanos sem causar conflitos secundários e inoportunos, sendo a diplomacia cultural um ótimo instrumento para alcançar esse propósito.  Abstract: Through a predominantly bibliographical study on the correlation between human rights, intercultural and cultural diplomacy, the main purpose of this paper is to present the cultural diplomacy as an instrument to promote intercultural dialogue among people. The choice of theme stemmed from the urgent need for the promotion and effective protection of human rights without, however, disregarding the cultural specificities of each State. It seeks to overcome the polemic about the dichotomy "universalism vs. cultural relativism", proposing instead the interculturality. Given that culture should not be used as a hindrance to the preponderance of human rights, it cannot be accepted as an imposition of values. In this way, cultural diplomacy represents an ideal instrument for the realization of this intercultural dialogue in order to reach a confluence of arrival, not departure. Cultural diplomacy, in turn, is capable of promoting mutual understanding, trust and respect among people and thus building a favorable international engagement among States and a human rights dialogue based on respect and, above all, on the cultural diversity. It is argued here that interculturality, systematized in diatopic hermeneutics, respect for and appreciation of cultural diversity, is the best way to propagate human rights without causing secondary and inopportune conflicts, and cultural diplomacy is an excellent instrument to achieve this.

HUMAN NATURE AND THE NATURE ITSELF: NATURAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE HUMAN NATURE / ŽMOGAUS PRIGIMTIS IR NATŪRA KAIP TOKIA: GAMTINIAI IR SOCIALINIAI ŽMOGAUS PRIGIMTIES ASPEKTAI

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-81
Author(s):  
Béla Mester
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Philosophical Tradition ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Social Phenomenon ◽  
Nature And Culture ◽  
Historical Contribution ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Human Rationality

This paper offers a historical contribution for understanding of the relationship between nature and culture, based on an analysis of a highly influential text of the European philosophical tradition, About the Ends of Goods and Evils of Cicero. Human morality has three different roots on the Ciceronian pages: 1) a human can be an animal – a part of the live nature – in the concept of oikeiōsis; 2) a human has obligations as a cosmopolitēs, a part of the cosmos; and 3) social obligations rooted in human rationality, in other words – human being is a part of the society. Analyzing these three roots of the Stoic ethics in a Roman interpretation, we can understand their contradictory consequences. By the analysis of the relevant texts it will be demonstrated that the Stoic philosophers and their interpreters were unconscious of the ambiguity of the roots of human morality offered by them. A tension in our anthropological thinking about the human nature as a natural or a social phenomenon has its roots partly in this ancient ambiguity, hidden and unconscious. The rise of this conceptually confused ambiguity has several consequences in our today thought as well. Santrauka Šiame straipsnyje pateiktas istorinis indėlis suprasti gamtos ir kultūros santykį, pagrįstą labai įtakingo europietiškosios filosofinės tradicijos Cicerono teksto Apie gėrio ir blogio ribas analize. Žmogiškoji moralė Cicerono puslapiuose turi tris skirtingas šaknis: 1) oikeiōsis sampratoje žmogus gali būti gyvūnas – gyvosios gamtos dalis; 2) žmogus kaip cosmopolitēs, kaip kosmo dalis, turi įsipareigojimų; 3) socialiniai įsipareigojimai yra įšaknyti žmogiškajame racionalume, kitais žodžiais tariant, žmogiškoji būtybė yra visuomenės dalis. Analizuodami šias tris stoikų etikos šaknis romėniškojoje interpretacijoje, galime suprasti prieštaringas jų pasekmes. Remdamiesi svarbių tekstų analize parodysime, kad stoikų filosofai ir jų interpretatoriai nesuvokė savo pasiūlytosios žmogiškosios moralės šaknų dviprasmiškumo. Mūsų antropologinio mąstymo apie žmogaus prigimtį kaip gamtinį ar socialinį fenomeną įtampa turi savąsias šaknis iš dalies šiame paslėptame ir nesuvoktame antikiniame dviprasmiškume. Šio konceptualiai painaus dviprasmiškumo iškilimas turi tam tikrų pasekmių taip pat ir mūsų nūdienėje mintyje.

scholarly journals Introduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Józef Maria Ruszar ◽  
Andrzej Wadas
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Middle School ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
World Literature ◽  
Dante Alighieri ◽  
Western Civilization ◽  
Objective Truth ◽  
The Divine Comedy ◽  
Universal Values

The year 2021 has come exactly 700 years after the death of Dante Alighieri, one of the greatest authors of world literature. The Polish Classical, Romantic and Catholic traditions had been drawing from his works by the handful, and especially from the Divine Comedy. Dante was near and dear to many generations of our ancestors, accompanying them on the various levels of education, throughout middle school, high school and university. For the learning youth, he was a mentor and teacher who presented human nature in its all dimensions, from atrocity to heroism and holiness. In times of confusion that we are living through, when not only as individuals and communities, but as the entire Western civilization we have found ourselves in the “dark woods” (una selva oscura) to be preyed upon by the three beasts (le tre fiere): pride, greed and lust, Dante remains a beacon and inspiration for all those who believe that there is an objective truth and universal values that apply to all people regardless of race, nationality or social status.

scholarly journals Culturalism: From idea to unconscious presupposition

Sociologija ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens-Martin Eriksen ◽  
Frederik Stjernfelt
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Cultural Anthropology ◽  
Political Activism ◽  
Cultural Relativism ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
The Political

The authors argue that the ideas found in the harder versions of multiculturalism have already been supported by the mid-20th century social-cultural anthropology - both in the scholarly works and in the political activism of its proponents. This form of cultural relativism, making the leap from anthropological method to ontological claims about the organic essence of cultures, is hereby named ?culturalism?. By this notion the authors understand a theory of culture that includes central anthropological ideas: a culture precedes and determines individuals belonging to it; cultures have unlimited freedom to generate differences, uninhibited by any human nature; cultures form closed, organic units where all their different articulations, from gastronomy to theology, form an unbreakable whole which implies that these value systems are unique and in no way may be compared with, or judged against, other value systems. Cultural relativism formulated in the American anthropology of the 1940?s and onwards is far from being a simple doctrine. It consists of a whole cluster of loosely connected facts, axioms, propositions, ranging from the completely unproblematic, to strongly problematic and even hardly understandable ideas. All those statements have been critically scrutinized in this paper.

scholarly journals The Reflection on the Human Nature and the Power in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 1997 from the Legal-Constitutional Research Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (39) ◽  
pp. 67-88
Author(s):  
Tomasz Litwin
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Research Perspective ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Universal Values ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Mutual Relations ◽  
Fundamental Values

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The main research aim of the article is the analysis of the relations between the conception of the human nature and the main purposes of the power in the rules of the Constitution of Poland. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The research problem of the article is how the constitutional conception of the human nature influences the conception of power and its purposes expressed in the Constitution. The article presents the legal-constitutional research perspective and is based on various methods of interpretation of the constitutional rules. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The article analyses the constitutional conceptions of the human nature, power and its purposes, as well as their mutual relations. RESEARCH RESULTS: It seems that the constitutional conception of the human nature has only partial influence on the rules of the constitution describing the power and its purposes. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The conception expressed in the preamble of the Constitution describing the Polish citizens as accepting such fundamental and universal values as truth, justice, good and beauty is inadequate. It should be removed and these values could be introduced to art. 8 along with such value as “wisdom”, as the set of fundamental values protected by the Constitution.

Human nature and science: A cautionary essay

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 229-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Philosophical Tradition ◽  
Scientific Advances

In this paper I draw upon the philosophical tradition in order to question whether scientific advances can show us as much about human nature as some may expect, and to further question whether we should welcome the idea that scientific interventions might improve that nature.

scholarly journals Human and technology in the philosophy of Lewis Mumford

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Mariya Alanovna Khasieva
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Philosophical Tradition ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Western Philosophical Tradition ◽  
Evolution Of Technology ◽  
Impact Of Technology ◽  
Lewis Mumford ◽  
The Impact

The subject of this research is the problem of technicalization of human nature studied in the works of an American historian, sociologists and philosopher of technology Lewis Mumford.  The Western philosophical tradition marks the existence of the traditional juxtaposition of technology and nature, technology and human. The impact of scientific and technological progress upon human mind and his corporeal nature is incontestable. However, the evolution of technology itself reflects the intentions of development of intellectual culture. Thus, technology is initially ambivalent with regards to human, producing disintegrating and organizing influence simultaneously. Technology separates human from nature and forms new subject and value systems. The article applies a descriptive method of research, gives characteristics to the most significant works of L. Mumford, as well as utilizes hermeneutic approach and method of structural analysis of his writings. The author’s main contribution consists in versatile analysis of L. Mumford’s interpretations of the philosophical problems of technology. Multiple existing research emphasize his negative evaluation of technology: he correlates process of technicalization with dehumanization, militarization and strengthening of totalitarian means of social organization. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that throughout his path, L. Mumford has substantially modified the context of studying technology: in his early work “Technology and Civilization (1934) Mumford optimistically determines the modern “neo-technological” type of social development. The conclusions are made on the sociocultural and socioeconomic meaning of technology, with focus on the anthropological problem of the impact of technology upon human nature.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document