DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12132

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65118

Abstract: Nikolay Berdyaev’ anniversary (140th anniversary of his birth) is a good reason to dispute against a number of opinions of Russian philosophers regarding evaluation of Nikolay Berdyaev’s philosophical heritage. In their speeches and scientific articles philosophers often note that Nikolay Berdyaev’s ideas are not integral and his publications contain many contradictory statements proving that Nikolay Berdyaev’s philosophical thought is rather contradictory and imperfect. Researchers also write that Berdyaev’s philosophy lacks originality and novelty and his only work that is worthy of attention is his ‘Philosophy of Inequality’ even despite the fact that the philosopher supposedly refused from his own work because it was too ‘anti-democratic’. Finally, researcherscomment that if Nikolay Berdyaev happened to be in the West, he would be regarded as the follower of the European existential tradition and wouldn’t even make a great contribution to it. In his article Pavel Gurevich uses the main concepts of existential philosophy and the global experience of philosophical understanding of human. The author of the article also uses discoveries of the personalistic philosophy as well as practical findings of the phenomenological reflection. The article presents the first attempt to provide an explicit description of the influence of Nikolay Berdyaev on the European philosophy. It is the author’s opinion that Berdyaev’s dialectics allowed him to enter the European philosophy not as an epigone but a great philosopher. The author also in detail views unexpected and original thoughts of Nikolay Berdyaev that made a great contribution to philosophy and anthropology.

Keywords: philosophical anthropology, existentialism, personalism, personality, being, spirituality, non-being, transcendence, society, human.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12039

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65119

Abstract: The author of the article analyzes the content of pluralistic modes of introspection offered by modern analytical philosophers of the mind Jessie Prince, Eric Schwitzgebel and Jessie Butler comparing their approach to the perception concept of introspection typical for the philosophy of the Early Modern Period and critics of introspection typical for the early analytical philosophy of the mind. Moreover, the author of the article makes an attempt to use pluralistic models of introspection in order to the question about whether ‘introspection’ can be considered to be a scientific term, to compare pluralistic models of introspection with the theory of perception theory of the mind as well as to discuss the question about accuracy of introspection forms. In her article the author uses comparative and historical research methods that are based on a detailed conceptual analysis of different approaches to introspection. Theauthormakesthefollowingconclusions. Firstly, perceptionmodels of introspection are a ‘middle way’ between naïve belief in introspection and absolute skepticism towards it. In case we assume that perception models of introspection are generally correct, then, secondly, the term ‘introspection’ can be used in terms of scientific research only when a particular introspection form is clarified. Thirdly, introspection forms can be associated with the modules of attention, working memory and so on. Fourthly, the author establishes that different forms of introspection has a different level of accuracy.

Keywords: introspection forms, heterophenomenology, Daniel Dennett, Jessie Butler, Jessie Prince, accuracy of introspection forms, introspection, pluralistic models of introspection, epistemology, Eric Schwitzgebel.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.11953

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65120

Abstract: The author of the article substantiates the thesis that creation of the philosophy of technology and development of the theory of industrial civilization are a determinative form of expression of the significance and growing attention towards the research-and-technological, technical, technological and technology-related elements of modern culture. Orientation at innovations and exponential speed of research-and-technology transformations in the industrial civilization explicitly state that soontrans-humanistic and post-human ideas will be possibly put into life (i.e. the transfer from human to post-human will occur). The subject/purpose of the present research is to specify and systematize post-human trends of industrial civilization. The general methodological base of research is the dialectics accompanied with modern achievements in the sphere of the systems approach and synergetic view on the world. At the beginning of research the author intensively uses the method of the unity of the historical and logical and in conclusion the author uses the scenario approach. The scientific novelty of research is determined by the fact that the process of post-human transformations is described from the point of view of specific and general (system-related) development and interaction of high technologies: nanotechnology, biotechnology, cybertechnology, artificial intelligence technology and information and virtual technology. The author of the article describes the single interchange line of post-human development from biotechnology, cybertechnology and artificial intelligence technology to information and virtual technology. The author also points out the emerging opportunity of a powerful artificial intelligence being created which would be a challenge for both human and post-human development. The author also describes other scenarios of the post-human future such as: competitive struggle between item-specific (biotechnology, cybertechnology, artificial intelligence technology ) and information and virtual (information and virtual technology) directions of post-human transformations; and rather independent development of each post-human trend as they are or in a form of a combination of related technologies. The author focuses on a special ‘post-human’ role of nanotechnologies. Nanotechnologies are presented as a modern form of fundamental, basic technology allowing the industrial civilization to possess and control all what it needs to function and develop. Throughhightechnologiesindustrialcivilizationpresents itself as n independent artificial, technology-related phenomenon outside and besides the initial natural or bio-social or human origin. Growing post-human orientation of industrial civilization raises a sharp question whether this post-human and trans-humanistic movement actually has a meaning from the point of view of humans and preservation of human values in general.

Keywords: social philosophy, futurology, philosophy of technology, industrial civilization, focus on innovation, technological determinism, post-human, trans-humanism, high tech solutions, technology-related risks.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12166

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65121

Abstract: Throughout centuries anthropological issues of European philosophy has been having a rather invariant nature. By comparing anthropological views of Chrysippus as a famous author of Early Stoa and Posidonius as a leading philosopher of Middle Stoa (as stated by one of the major ancient surgeon and philosopher), the author demonstrates that their opinions on human nature and mental organization of human are still important and popular today. However, the author of the article underlines the specific features of the mental schemes, range of problems and intellectual environment of those times as well as takes into account the incommensurability of the ‘amount’ of philosophical experience in those times and today. Thisallowstobetterunderstandthecontinuitybetweenancient philosophy and modern philosophy as well as the connection between anthropological, psychological and ethic issues. The author makes an assumption that both Chrysippus and Posidonius wanted to create the harmony between an ‘integral’ individual (as they thought) and the universe and to give that individual the kind of skills and capabilities that would help him to overcome life troubles. The major part of sources provided by the author to illustrate the peculiarities of anthropological reflection in the ancient times is brought to the notice of the Russian audience for the first time.

Keywords: historical and philosophical comparative studies, anthropology, psychology, ethics, ancient philosophy, Early Stoa, Middle Stoa, Chrysippus, Posidonius, Galen.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.9781

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65122

Abstract: The article is devoted to the life and creative work of a little-known Russian Nietzschean philosopher of the Silver Age Fedyor Kuklyarsky(1888 — 1923).Kuklyarsky studied the problems of the history of philosophy and culture and was rather pessimistic about the future development of the world culture. In his cultural research Kuklyarsky developed the concept of the cultural crisis. Kuklyarsky also agreed with Leontiev regarding the coming death of Europe under the burden of cultural goods and creation of the distinctive character of the Russian type of culture. He was the author of the following published works: Philosophy of Individualism (published in St. Petersburg in 1910), The Last Word. On the Philosophy of Modern Religious Rebellion (published in St. Petersburg in 1911), Condemned World. Philosophy of the Human-Fighting Nature (published in St. Petersburg in 1912), Philosophy of Culture. Ideals of Human Culture in Terms of the Tragic World Perception’ (published in Petrograd in 1917), Criticism of Creative Cognition (Substantiation of Antinomianism) (published in Chita in 1923). For the first time in historiography of Russian philosophy the author of the article provides verified and updated biographical information about Fedyor Kuklyarsky whose tragic fate made us forget even his name for many long decades.

Keywords: Kuklyarsky, Russian philosophy, philosophy of culture, cultural crisis, Rozanov, Leontiev, Nietzsche, Nietzscheanism, philosophy of individualism, ideology.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12050

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65123

Abstract: One of the features of Russian poetry of the XXth century is a different attitude to the relation between voice and silence compared to what it was in Russian classical literature. In the XIXth century people were silent but kept ‘the word within themselves’ as Russian writers thought. In the XXth century people became absolutely voiceless. Was is a consequence of a ‘long historical slavery’ Alexander Herzen warned about or a result of Bolshevik transformation of the Russian world based on totalitarian grounds? Voice and silence as an expression of the national spirit are studied by the author of the article by using the methodology of ‘understanding and compassion discovery of the internal tendencies and singularity’ (Semyon Frank’s quotation). As a result, the phenomenon of Ann Akhmatova’s poetry is being studied as a result of the collective silence and collective talking of the Poet and the People. By comparing Akhmatova’s poems with the poetry of Osip Mandelstam and the prose of Andrey Platonov from this point of view, the author of the article defines the common features and the differences that have never been mentioned by other researchers.

Keywords: poet, people, poetry, power, creativity, voice, silence, history, social consciousness, Akhmatova.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.10014

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65124

Abstract: The author of the article analyzes the relation between the two phenomena, the phenomenon of the sacred and the fear. The author describes the two strategies of understanding fear. The first strategy is related to the psychological definition of fear and postulates the ambivalence of the sacred experience. The second strategy is related to the mystical understanding of fear that excludes the problem of contradictory attraction to and fear of the sacred. Psychological fear means that fear is viewed as an affect or a sensual response. This kind of fear is related to the flee strategy. Quite on the contrary, mystic fear is more of an ‘attraction to’ rather than a ‘fee from’. According to the author, psychological definition of fear and the concept of the ambivalent sacred experience involves the concept of the immanent human with the adventurous personality and influences all the following conceptualization of the sacred, in particular, ideas about the blood and the relation between the sacred and the world or the sacred and the affect. Noteworthy that the first strategy is typical for the European tradition and the second strategy is more common for the Russian tradition.

Keywords: sacred, ambivalence, fear, Fear of God, numinous, disgust, transgression, philosophical anthropology, humbleness, prohibition.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12128

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65125

Abstract: The subject under review of the present research article is Chizhevsky’s philosophical and anthropological views that are presented in his two metaphysical works ‘The First Principles of the Universe. The Cosmic System.The Problems’ and ‘ElectronicTheoryandGenesisofForms.TheProblem’.Much attention is paid not only to the general description of the aforesaid works and reconstruction of Alexander Chizhevsky’s philosophical concept of human but also to touching upon questions that may arise in understanding these theories. Philosophical and anthropological views of Alexander Chizhevsky are studied taking into account the fact that his scientific research was conducted according to the tradition of the Russian cosmism. This allows to demonstrate how the ideas of ‘Leonardo da Vinci of the 20th century’ contribute to the particular philosophical tradition as well as to describe their singularity. The following methods were used in the research: analysis of text- based sources (including materials from the funds of the 1703 Archive of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation), comparison, analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction, classification, generalization and historical method. The scientific novelty of the research is in reconstruction of Chizhevsky’s philosophical and anthropological views presented in his works as well as pointing out the problems and contradictions of these views. Based on the statement that Alexander Chizhevsky’s metaphysical concept of human is the part of his world view, the latter influencing Chizhevksy’s creative work in general, the author emphasizes the need for studying Chizhevsky’s metaphysical views in order to adequately evaluate and describe the heuristic potential of the cultural heritage of Leonardo da Vinci of the 20th century’.

Keywords: Chizhevsky, philosophy, cosmism, philosophical anthropology, monism, electronic theory, Palingenesis, holism, mind, evolution.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12104

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65126

Abstract: The focus of the present research is on the definition of interactivity. The problem is that interactivity does not have a clear definition and it is understood differently depending on the context. Today many artworks are described as interactive. When analyzing these artworks, it becomes obvious that even within the framework of one sphere interactivity has many faces. The author of the present article analyzes different artwork created by using computer technologies and tries to understand what makes this artwork ‘interactive’. The author uses different research methods in the article. First of all, the author uses the historical method that allows to track back the development of the term ‘interactivity’ throughout the XIXth and XXth centuries. The author also analyzes and compares both Russian and foreign researches devoted to the phenomenon of interactivity. At the same time, the author also conducts a comparative analysis of different creative programs. The author compares the traditional definition of co-creation with the innovative definition of interactivity. The author defines the two types of creative programs, closed programs and open programs, in order to understand in what cases the interaction between a user and a program is actually creative. Thus, the author substantiates the position that some computer programs can actually provide the user with a platform for being truly creative.

Keywords: computer technologies, computer art, interactivity, interactive art, creative program, graphic editor, cocreation, authorship, creativity of a software engineer, creativity of a user.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12105

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65127

Abstract: As Hans-Georg Gadamer noted, certain interaction between poetry and philosophy has been existing since the moment of origin of the European philosophy. Noteworthy that not only the Classical Greek culture but also the culture of the Ancient Rome is of interest when analyzing the dialectic interaction between poery and philosophy. The Ancient Rome presented different forms of interaction between philosophy and poetry. These forms are the theoretical view on the interaction between philosophy and poetry as well as their practical interaction in the form of philosophy expressed in poetic forms and poetry enriched with philosophical ideas – this comes under review in the present article. By using the hermeneutic approach, the author shows how special features of the Ancient Roman culture influenced the peculiarities of understanding the interaction between philosophy and poetry by Ancient Roman philosophers. Noteworthy that the author conducts the comparative study of the philosophical teachings of Philodemus, Cicero and Seneca as well as the most important ideas in the poetry of Lucretius, Vergil, Horatius and PubliusOvidiusNaso. The author of the article proves the assumption that the practical attitude of Romans towards philosophy emphasized anthropological, ethical and social-political ideas in poetry. On the other hand, poetry was viewed as a method of up-bringing and education first of all. The combination of these tendencies caused the confluence of the philosophical idea and poetic form in the Ancient Rome.

Keywords: philosophy, poetry, Ancient Rome, interaction, morals, education, practicalism, eclecticism, stoicism, Epicureanism.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12261

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65128

Abstract: The author of the review traces back the scientific activity by V. Samokhvalova with attention and interest. Samokhvalova’s works are quite distinguished among other works of modern esthetic literature. Her works are analytical and attract researchers with a clear and logical conception. As a rule, the logic of her statement is also flawless. Even though V. Samokhvalova does not claim that her esthetic research is monographic, nevertheless she touches upon the most significant problems in this branch of philosophy. Such terms as beauty, ugliness, creativity and genius cover the essence of esthetics. Samokhvalova’s analysis of art categories often contains both open and hidden polemics. In this case her book is a selection of articles and essays. The author of the present review describes them as ‘etudes’ or ‘lectures’ set out in a free form. The author of the review uses the method of the categorical analysis of esthetics and tries to define the internal connection between the concepts that altogether constitute the science called ‘esthetics’. Following V. Samokhvalova, the author traces back the process of formation of the esthetic consciousness and touches upon a complicated question about the origin of art and development of a specific language of art. The novelty of the review is in the author’s attempt to describe the structure of each problem discussed in a book. Modern esthetics are also taken into consideration.

Keywords: esthetics, category, beauty, ugliness, art, genius, norm, language, form, creativity.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12262

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65129

Abstract: Heidegger insisted on studying the ancient world in order to successfully and efficiently solve a problem. He meant philosophy but it appears that the culture in general can be the introduction to understanding the genesis of morals. The author of the thesis analyzes Achilles’ behavior and shows that the hero mostly followed the tradition and customs of those times. However, he also reserved the right to choose and make a decision of his own. Noteworthy that Achilles also demonstrated a strong will to make the final choice. Both The Iliad and The Odyssey contain many examples of positive decisions and actions made by Achilles. This evidently shows that behavioral tendencies we are interested in can actually clear up the mystery of the origin of morals. Pavel Gurevich bases his review on the researches of the animal behavior. He uses the historical method allowing to analyze a phenomenon in terms of its development, i.e. from its origin to the current state. Pavel Gurevich also uses the comparative method allowing to draw a distinction between the animal behavior and human behavior. The novelty of the research is in the attempt to describe stages of the development of morals and its origin. Homer’s experience serves as a priceless evidence that Achilles’ behavior corresponded to the golden rule of morals.

Keywords: archaic society, morals, change in morals, Homeric epos, golden rule, retribution, anger, compassion, altruism, behavior.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12263

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65130

Abstract: Generally speaking, cultural anthropology is the knowledge about human as a creator and culture-bearer. Human is viewed as a biological creature whose nature has been transformed and defined by culture. Cultural anthropology synthesizes data from natural science, psychology, philosophy and humanitarian sciences such as history, ethnography, ethnology, art studies, religious studies and etc. It is assumed that cultural data collected by ethnographers and cultural experts tells us about the nature of human because human reveals himself through the culture he has created. At the same time, it would also appropriate to try to understand how knowledge accumulated by philosophical anthropology can be used for interpreting cultural phenomena and their mystic and often paradoxical meaning. Analyzing Ya.Chesnov’s book, Pavel Gurevich uses different methodological approaches and bases his research on the philosophical and anthropological knowledge. He also appeals to the cultural philosophical paradigm and studies hermeneutics of the text and the researcher’s position. The novelty of analyzing Ya. Chesnov’s book ‘People’s Culture. Philosophical and Anthropological Approach’ (published in Moscow in 2014) is in the attempt to try and evaluate the monograph work from the point of view of philosophical anthropology. The phenomenon of people’s culture is being analyzed other than within the framework of ethnography or cultural studies. The phenomenon is directly related to the philosophical concept of human.

Keywords: philosophicalanthropology, philosophyofculture, ethnography, hermeneutics, customs, mental image, personality, culture, understanding, communication.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.12264

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.6.65131

Abstract: The author of the research makes an assumption that among the variety of moral absolutes we can define so called ‘system-forming’ ones. Technically, the word ‘truth’ and ‘justice’ have a similar meaning because justice means truth and fairness. As HalilBarlybaev wrote, ‘being the main intellectual value, truth means the intentional consent of the intelligence with ta real item or correspondence thereto; this is the definition originating from Plato and Aristotle’. Getting rid of the illusions is a life condition allowing a man to fully achieve his capacities, or, as Spinoza said, become the example of human nature. Human is obsessed with the wrong ideas about himself and the world. Only those people who follow reason are capable to stop being a toy in hands of their own passions and to be guided in life by two active desires – reason and virtue. When assessing Halil Barlybaev’s scientific research, the author uses canons of historical and philosophical research and shows how his concept connects with the other philosophers starting from Plato and up to our times. The author of the review widely uses capabilities of the synergetic approach allowing to evaluate the system-forming features of the values being analyzed. Halil Barlybaev is a serious researcher constantly choosing the most crucial problems of the modern world for his philosophical mediations. This time Halil Barlybaev gives us an insight into the ‘spectrum of relics’. According to Barlybaev, a man chooses himself what relics are sacred and dear to him. However, many people share the same spiritual absolutes. Even though it had been known long ago that an individual may have life attitudes that are very important for him, there was no common word which would reflect and denote these attitudes. Cultural experts call an unchanged and innermost life orientation ‘value’. This is what an individual cannot image a complete life without. When researchers say ‘value’, they usually mean what is sacred for a particular individual, a group of people or the entire humankind.

Keywords: value, truth, justice, society, virtue, consciousness, intellect, morals, history, freedom.