Philosophy and Culture - rubric Religions and religious renaissance

Abstract: Review: great pedagocial epos by scientists and philosophers of the Ancient East, North Africa, West Asia and Middle Asia provided the basis for modern up-bringing traditions practiced in those continents. The main principles of these traditions form the content of historical and normative documents dedicated to the idea of up-bringing and teaching. All modern systems of education in Africa and East conformed in legal and normative acts are based on such didactic views of the olden times

Keywords: philosophy, cultural sciences, religion, morals, law, pedagogics, arabization, culture, up-bringing, Koran

Abstract: Review: the article is devoted to methodological problems of the study and construction of transpersonality as an ‘out of limit’ condition of human connected with the transcendental world. The author suggested and tried out the methods of metamodel programming, analysis of metaphysical differences and the ‘illusion’ method.

Keywords: personality, trans personality, moral approach, meta modal construction, life paradigm, personal projections, eventive approach, method of ‘mirror reflection’, method of ‘illusion’

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2019.12.31617

Abstract: This article describes the concept of the Sufi communication studies as a new interdisciplinary direction, emerged at the intersection of philosophy, theology and theory of communication. The theory of meaning develops within the framework of Sufi communication studies. The author defines the information leaning on the term of Claude Shannon “anti-entropy” through the Sufi category of “nizam”. Further, meaning is defines as achievement of such resonance in a uniform order that leads to Encounter. The article introduces the following philosophical metaphors: “You-are” boundary, manifestation of “You-are-being”, theological autism, game field, and encounter space. Communicative methodology is applied as an alternative to logical-conceptual and cultural-historical methods in researching mystical literature and medieval sources. The author structures the theory of meaning, where meaning is described through the following attributes: 1) communicativeness, since decoding of a symbol and derivation of meaning is only between the two; 2) dynamism, since meaning is always the result of movement towards the Other, “efforts-towards-You”, vector, path where meaning will signify the “You-Are” boundary, and ending of the path; 3) supra-rationality, when meaning is obtained as love, aesthetic and spiritual experi3ences, aletheia, clarity and light; 4) meaning as an Encounter in understanding of Buber and Bollnow, where the game suddenly ends and encounter is attained, the “You-are” boundary is being reached.

Keywords: the meeting, postmodernism, sufism, communication theory, Selim Divane, Otto Bollnow, Martin Buber, the other, the sense, the force

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2019.3.28914

Abstract: This article represents an attempt of comprehension of the peculiarities of Tantric Buddhism, namely Guhyasamāja Tantra, in contrast with Mahayana Buddhism. The antra text contains multiple specifically Buddhist expressions, which in Buddhist tradition correspond with certain concepts that have a particular rational and ethical content. However, in tantra, these expressions fade their direct meaning, and are used as the symbols encapsulating mystical secrecies, which the adherers of tantric doctrine desire to grasp. If in Mahayana sutras, the topic of preaching is usually is the profound comprehension of meaninglessnesses (emptiness) of all dharma and compassion to all creatures, in Guhyasamāja Tantra Bodhisattva and Tathāgata ask for the attainment of ineffable secrecy of the condition of enlightenment. The comparison of Mahayana sutras with Guhyasamāja Tantra, on one hand, emphasizes the similarity of composition, use of analogous topics, terms and motives; and on the other hand – a completely new, tantric interpretation of the indicated approaches and terms. Clear parallels can be drawn in composition and structure between Guhyasamāja Tantra and Buddhist sutras, namely Prajnaparamita; however, the real and legendary places and characters are often replaced with the symbolic and mythological. The author assumes that the extensive use of the composition of Buddhist text and traditional terminology should contribute to “legitimation” of tantra and emphasize its affiliation to Buddhist tradition.

Keywords: Tibet, Tantra, Buddhist studies, Buddhism, Guhyasamāja tantra, Guhyasamāja, Tibetology, Mahayana, Nyingma, Symbolism

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2019.7.30264

Abstract: The subject of this research is functioning of the concept of “irony” in one of the monumental exegetical writings of the Saint John Chrysostom – most copious Christian preacher of the IV century and one of the three “great Cappadocians” and “pious mentors”. The term “functioning” implies the frequency of use of the root “εἴρων” in the Greek text of the treatise, as well as clarification of the meanings of words with the same root by analyzing the context they occur in. Fragments of the Greek text are accompanied by the Russian version and commentaries. The research methodology is based on the analysis of selected fragments from the Greek text and synthesis of the exposed meanings of words with the root “εἴρων” in the treatise “Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles”. The article enlists factual material in the discussion on the possible forms of combining ironic and religious. Over the past decade, the question on allowability of irony in religious consciousness manifests in various forms. In a broad field of public discussion, this problem relates to the attack against the magazine "Charlie Hebdo” in 2015, Performance of the band “Pussy Riot” in 2012, interreligious polemic, as well as dialogue between the religious and non-religious parts of modern society.

Keywords: language of patristic texts, patristics, irony in Scripture, John Chrysostom, biblical exegesis, irony in Christianity, irony and religious, the irony, The Golden age of Christianity, The Great Cappadocians

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2019.5.29687

Abstract: The systematization of theological knowledge is a results of the reception of creedal content of Revelation in historical experience of the Church as a unique institution with a right for legitimate indoctrination, as well as authentic interpretation. The only source of this right is the Revelation itself. Correspondence of the results of such procedures with theological axiomatic is determined primarily by its succession and doctrinal intactness. The article examines the need in formation of the news mission strategies in modern world, which is a definitive motive for interpretation and systematization of the missionary aspects of Revelation. Namely the Revelation defines the method if reception, interpretation and systematization of the genuine content. At the present stage, the actualization of missionary aspects of the Revelation is preceded by a short, but extremely important process of the emergence and development of Orthodox missiology. This process carries an incomplete character, and its relevant results are interval, and this controversial. Therefore, the modern Orthodox missiology is in the stage of intense problematization of its research field and method. The paramount obstacle in development of this process is the ambiguous understanding of the role and theoretical-methodological status of the Orthodox missiology within the system of theological knowledge.

Keywords: Divine Revelation, research program, methodology, academic institutionalization of theology, missiology, religious studies, Theology, explication, missionary service, academic discipline

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2020.8.33359

Abstract: This article presents the results of a preliminary multidisciplinary research of the specificities of youth’s response to various descriptors. Using the semiotic, in-depth psychological, theological and mathematical analysis of the collected associative chains, the author compares the responses of youth representatives to religious and ethical terms with colloquial lexemes, as well as determines sensitivity to these terms and proclivity for their logical and sensory-emotional perception. Particularly, method of semantic multiplication allows identifying strong and weak descriptors of semiosis under consideration. The author determines the trends that outline a number of structural and psychodynamic characteristics of psychic reality of modern Russian youth. The following conclusions were made in the course of this research: 1. Sensitivity (and corresponding awareness) to religious descriptors was demonstrated by less than half of the respondents, and a fifth of the entire sample of terms appeared to be unfamiliar to the respondents; 2. The analysis of ethical associative chains at the level of interpretation, indicated the existence of such a phenomenon as “indeterminate religiosity”, which implies a certain spiritual pursuit, which at the moment does not comply with the familiar to a respondent religions traditions; 3. The acquired data, on the one hand, correspond to the classic “Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs”, while on the other hand, spiritual pursuit of respondents and simultaneously scarce character of “existential” associations may testify in favor of the dominance of “ethical-spiritual” paradigm in psychic reality of respondents (which also complies with the Maslow’s research of later period in the area of “existential needs” and “peak experiences”; 4. All of the aforementioned means that the key to interaction with modern youth (including didactical and educational) is the paradigm of ethical values, which can also be connected with a latent spiritual pursuit.

Keywords: hidden religious search, new generation, semantic factors, household tokens, ethical tokens, religious tokens, semiotic analysis, descriptors, religious terms, unconscious

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2018.4.25041

Abstract: This article argues the need for joining the efforts of the scholars of various disciplines aimed at examination of liturgical practices and cults arts of different confessions. The main challenge of such goal-setting serves the fact of inextricable connection between the social and confessional life of the society, presence of the universal issues regarding the existence of the liturgical canons, methods of their renewal, capabilities and status of the cult arts included into the ritual activities. The relevance of solution of the artistic problems is substantiated by the increasing number of temples being built, as well as emergence of the new forms of ritual practices. Describing the diverse approaches and methods necessary for cognizing the nominated humanitarian sphere, the authors point at certain advantages in acquiring the new knowledge upon the condition of the synchronized and complex examination of the liturgical practices and cult arts of various confessions and comparative-typological approach in studying the sacral and secular arts. The scientific novelty consists in declaring the new area of humanitarian research – hieroartology, which is the study of art included into the liturgical practices that forms and assists the sanctity and sacredness of these practices. The new research area will allow revealing the common and specific in using the canonic texts in the religious and secular arts; overcome the inconsistencies in studying the liturgical practices of different confessions; initiate research of the modern liturgical canon and cult arts of the Buddhist, Judaists, and Muslims that are currently have been studied fragmentary; acquire new knowledge about the authors engaged in the sphere of cult art or referring to it as private method in the contexts of secular.

Keywords: traditional beliefs, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, cult arts, liturgical practices, traditional cult practices, comparative typological method, hieroartology

Abstract: The author of the article analyzed the phenomenon of the Russian pre-revolutionary sectarianism. He viewed the anthropological aspect of sectarian way of world perception and described their mythological androgynos ideals.

Keywords: philosophy, sectarianism, interpretation, mythology, whip, regression, arche, culture, christ, ecstaticity

Abstract: The article is devoted to critical analytical review of influences on the works of renown Russian religious philosopher V.S. Soloviev. The issues of religious Renaissance in his works are correlated to the recognition and deep reception of crisis of philosophy and culture. The transfigured Christianity, in his view, should give the second life to culture, philosophy and art.

Keywords: cultural studies, religion, faith, neo-Christianity, crisis, philosophy, secularization, transfiguration, secularization, rethinking, problems

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2015.1.10626

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2015.1.66114

Abstract: In his introductory article to the translation of the work written by an American sociologist and cultural philosopher Edward Tiryakian ‘Three metacultures of modernity: Cristian, Gnostic, Chthonic’, Balagushkin provides a general description of Tiryakian’s creative work (his woks are not that popular in our country) and describes the basic terms and concepts in Tiryakian’s ‘Three metacultures of modernity’ - ‘society of modernity’ and ‘metaculture’. Balagushkin also analyzes the role and the meaning of the phenomenon of culture in Edward Tiryakian’s researches, definition of ‘metaculture’ and functional features of the religious metacultures – Christianity, Gnosticism and Paganism. Based on Tiryakian, the dynamics and variety of cultures are viewed from the point of view of the cultural-historical, functional and structural-analytical approaches and the search for philosophical and anthropological aspects of works by the American philosopher. At the end of the article Balagushkin concludes that Edward Tiryakian’s concept presents an original religion-oriented version of philosophical anthropology where human is the target and actor of changes in culture and society. Human nature is the immanent ground of the socio-cultural dynamics in the historical perspective.

Keywords: Edward Tiryakian, post-modern society, modernity, metaculture, Christianity, Gnosticism, paganism, unorthodox religious views, religious pluralism, human and culture.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2024.4.69972

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to identify early and recent Pentecostal studies in the West and to highlight the main difference between them. Today there are more than 250 million Pentecostals in the world, and together with the charismatic movement there are more than 500 million. Having begun to spread in the 20th century, the movement claims to be the fastest growing religious phenomenon in human history. In attempts to interpret the phenomenon of the movement's growth, there have been several gradually emerging approaches: explaining the origin of the movement as supernaturally "coming from heaven"; searching for the origins of Pentecostalism in other Christian movements; presenting the emergence of the movement as the result of social and psychological factors such as poverty, marginalization, and the desire to escape from modern society; and the multicultural approach. The paper analyzes the works of Western historians and theologians of Pentecostalism since the second half of the 20th century. The result shows a turning point between early and late studies, namely that late studies aim to revise the history and include participants in the movement around the world, not just in North America, explore the contribution to the development of the movement of local ministers who have long remained in the shadow of Western missionaries, emphasize the diversity of ideologies and social influences that have shaped the movement. It also highlights three major contemporary areas of research: historical, characterized by studies of Pentecostalism in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; theological, focusing on the development and shaping of theoretical theology as a result of the movement's institutionalization; and religious studies, practiced primarily from the perspective of the sociology of religion.

Keywords: revival, religious studies, theology, Protestantism, glossolalia, Holy Spirit baptism, early research, charismatic movement, Pentecostalism, spiritual gifts

Abstract: The article is devoted to elements of teaching about uncrated energies and theosis conception in Western Medieval philosophy. Based on the analysis of medieval philosophers’ works and modern researches the author, first of all, shows that certain elements Gregory Palamas’ theory about uncreated energies could be found in Western teachings about illumination (Augustinus and Bonaventure), Meister Eckhart’s teaching about the form as well as teachings introduced by Thomas Aquinas and the official teaching about the Catholic church. Secondly, the author proves that the Theosis conception can be found in all traditional Western philosophies of all epochs. In particular, it is discussed by such authors as Tertullianus, Hilarius, Ambrosius, Augustinus, Boethius, Anselmus and Thomas Aquinas.

Keywords: philosophy, Theosis, deification, Palamas, uncreated, energies, blissful, vision, God’s grace.

Abstract: The key element of the article is the study of peculiarities of expansion of Islam or ‘Islamisation’ in Dagestan because this process refl ects the main tendencies and essence of formation a Muslim belief typical for that region. Special attention is also paid at pre-Islamic religious views of Dagestan peoples including the period of paganism and the stage of Christianization of the region because there traditional Islam synthesized numerous perceptions, images and cult elements of previous religions and is still closely related to them.

Keywords: philosophy, religion, Christianity, Islam, Dagestan, polytheism, conscience, islamisation, Sufi sm, confessions

Abstract: Research of new religious movements is thought to be one of the most topical and significant issues both in philosophy, culture and pure theory because it touches upon the fundamental issues of religious studies. According to the author, it is necessary to criticize one-sided, subjective approaches to interpretation of the nature and socio-cultural role of new religious movements typical for apologists of religious innovations as well as their confessional opposition teaching traditional religions. Special attention is paid at the methodology of religious researches.

Keywords: philosophy, culture, religion, religious studies, methodology, innovation, religious sect, cult, new religious movements, traditional religions.

Abstract: The article gives a critical review of religious and philosophical ideas represented by the two great philosophers of German and Russia – F. Nietzsche and V. Solovyev. F. Nietzsche’s religious revolution and V. Solovyev’s evolutional transformations of the Christianity are meant to overcome the crisis in today’s West European culture. They thought that only the revival of the religious basis of culture would enable to overcome the crisis.

Keywords: cultural studies, Nietzsche, Solovyev, religion, philosophy, crisis, tradition, ‘Christianity, culture, analysis.

Abstract: The author of the article analyzes how Filioque teaching was formed (teaching about proceeding of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son) in Latin patristics before Augustine. It is shown that Augustine synthesized different ideas of his predecessors: Tertullianus, Hilary of Poitiers and others. Augustine’s synthesis as well as Oriental critics of Filioque teaching have defined orientation of future development of relativistic teaching about personality and had a certain impact on discussion about universals and relationship between will and mind.

Keywords: philosophy, scholasticism, patristics, Augustine, Filioque, personality, universals, triadology, attitude, the Holy Spirit.

Abstract: Modern Russian society is having an especially hard time overcoming religious or religious-related processes. These processes are usually accompanied with confrontation of followers of different views and result in completely polarized positions and bitter disputes in mass media. Quite obviously, it is very difficult to avoid estimating remarks reflecting a researcher’s personal experience and beliefs. One’s attitude to the process of religious knowledge is conditioned with a sacral personal attitude on one hand and an attempt to rationalize on the other hand. Still, it seems impossible to completely avoid prejudgment here. In such situation it is very important to form a certain attitude to religion outside the predetermined conditions. It is also very important to develop the position where there are no demonstrative neutralism at all.

Keywords: philosophy, religion, knowledge, self-consciousness, interpretation, human existence, supernatural, faith, transcendental, social consciousness.

Abstract: The article is devoted to the causes of occasional conf lict situations and aggravation of tension in modern Dagestan. Despite the fact that every concrete conf lict has a unique configuration and certain causes, the author describes the groups of typical reasons of intolerance and tension in a society which considerably helps to understand the situation in a region better and to solve the tasks of formation of ethnic and religious tolerance.

Keywords: philosophy, confession, ethnos, Dagestan, interaction, proneness to conf lict, reasons, tolerance, dialogue, agreement.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2016.2.17812

Abstract: The spiritual sphere of society is being subjected to the transformation process in modern conditions of its existence. The structure and function of both individual religions, and whole religious systems change the most actively. The main features of the present stage of the evolution of religion is its total syncretization, involving changes in the specificity of traditional, classical functions of religion. The article examines the functioning of religious syncretism at the present stage of development of society. It is noted that the syncretic religions perform all the functions of “clean” non-syncretic religions, but supplement them with a number of features. The author analyses the specific character of impact of religious syncretism on various spheres of social and spiritual life. The article reveals some peculiarities of manifestation of religious syncretism in multiethnic regions.The study of religious syncretism of functions is based on a functional approach. Attention is drawn to the fact that syncretism should be considered both as a process and as a result of this process. Therefore, the specificity of functioning of syncretic religions can be revealed by using the method of comparative analysis. Comparative approach allows comparing the functioning of religious syncretism in different conditions of its manifestation. The social role of syncretic religions emerges from functions of religious syncretism. The study of functions of religious syncretism allows concluding that religious syncretism influence on our society both positively and negatively. This feature of religious syncretism functioning in the modern conditions of society’s existence arises from factors of its origin, terms of its manifestation, and various forms of existence. It concludes that syncretization of religions in modern society increases, and the processes of formation and dissimination of syncretic religious teachings and cults acquire total character.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2016.2.67509

Keywords: religioznyi sinkretizm, religiya, religioznye sistemy, religioznoe soznanie, funktsii, sfery bytiya, polietnicheskie regiony, faktory

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2013.3.62425

Abstract: Kant’s philosophy is shown as a critical metaphysics that reviews traditional religion without denying it but preserving it in its new form. This idea is stated in five parts. The first part talks about the relation between practical philosophy and theological metaphysics. The second part describes Kant’s statement of the question about God fro doctrine philosophy to ‘Critique of Pure Reason’. The third part analyzes critique of any theology based on speculative principles of reason. The forth part talks about teachings on God’s existence as a postulate of pure practical reason and the fifth part deals with the priority of pure reason over practical reason.

Keywords: philosophy, Kant’s philosophy, critical metaphysics, mind, reason, theology, rational theology, physicotheology, faith, evidence of God’s existence.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2013.5.62669

Abstract: Religious context of Kant’s philosophy of morals is shown as an essential part of philosophy. Morals do not necessarily mean religion but they do lead to religion sooner or later. The first part of the article offers a general description of Kant’s approaches while the second part talks about the meaning and purpose of Kant criticizing speculative theology. The third part touches upon the ideal of humankind loved by God. The impulse towards the eternal progress of the ideal of our own history is awaken in actual meetings with people who dealt with the good morals, followed it and admitted the God’s ideal by trying t achieve the saintliness in their lives. In this respect, Kant’s morally definite monotheism can be called ‘christological’.

Keywords: philosophy, morals, duty, law, will, blessing, perfection, love, faith, theology.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2013.7.62943

Abstract: Kant’s critical metaphysics is described in three chapters against the old and new tradition (Plato, Aristotle, Anselm, Foma Akvinsky, Heidegger, Levinas) as the anticipation of future metaphysics. By origin Heidegger’s philosophy has much in common not only with the Christian beliefs and theology but also Kant’s metaphysics Thus, a famous remark about the language from a conversation with a Japanese makes us refer to Kant. The expression shows that origin always means future to come.

Keywords: philosophy, critical metaphysics, mind, theology, rational theology, belief, prosyllogisms, paralogisms, evidence of God’s existence, Kant’s philosophy.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.8.12445

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.8.65399

Abstract: The author of the article makes an attempt to explicate the theoretical grounds for the philosophical understanding of religious phenomena by one of the most distinguished philosophers of early Christianity, Origen of Alexandria. Out of all teachers of the School of Alexandria Origen was mostly discussed and debates over him and his works lasted for centuries. He was the author of the greatest number of works in ancient literature and his works had a significant influence on the development of the linguistics of the early Christian theology. One may talk not only about religious philosophy but also about philosophy of religious of both Origen and the fathers although the term ‘religion’ did not have the same meaning at that time. The author of the present article believes Origen’s fourth book ‘On First Principles’ to be the most important for philosophy of religion. Based on his interpretation of the world as a parable and a representation of Logos as the mystery of mysteries, Origen viewed all the historical forms of worshipping God as a sensual intuition of rationally understood truths. Noteworthy that unorthodox attitude of a philosopher to the Christian dogma about Resurrection predetermined the ‘dramaturgical’ nature of his vision of religious life in general.

Keywords: school of Alexandria, On First Principles, Origen, philosophy, religion, hermeneutics, exegetics, Christianity, theology, Bible.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2013.9.9408

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2013.9.63154

Abstract: Religious pluralism has been historically developed in the cultural environment of the Balkans and includes traditions of numerous ethnic groups, in particular, ethno-cultural groups of gypsies living in different parts of the region. Peculiarities of co-existence of diverse cultures and interactions between ethnic groups provide the content of religious traditions in this region. The author of the article describes forms of inter-cultural interactions that are typical for different gypsy communities and define the qualitative diversity of their religious traditions. This includes the main process of acculturation as well as assimilation and religious mimicry as its private models. The author also analyzes specific features of beliefs and practices developed in local religious traditions of gypsies such as: syncreticity and combinability and verbal or ‘folk’ nature of culture. It is noted that the current local traditions have an inter-cultural position in the religious system of the Balkan region and represent structures open for influence and transformation. Such special feature of gypsy religious culture defines the vector of its development based on socio-cultural environment and religious processes typical for South-Eastern Europe.

Keywords: religious pluralism, religious syncretism, combination, inter-cultural, acculturation, religious mimicry, assimilation, ethnic minority, gypsy, South-Eastern Europe.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2013.10.9785

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2013.10.63422

Abstract: The article is devoted to formation of Christian doctrines from the point of view of the medieval debate about universals. As a result of this research, it has been established that the categories of the general and particular are the corner stone for Christian theology, anthropology, soteriology and ecclesiasiology. It is shown that during formation of the religious teaching about the Trinity, Christian authors tried to avoid extremities of Realism and Nominalism in philosophy as well as extremities of absolute monotheism and polytheism in theology. As a result specific views on personality was formed and provided the basis for Christian anthropology. Different Christian doctrines about salvation can be also described as the consequence of different philosophies, for example, Catholic and Orthodox doctrines are the result of Realism paradigms and Protestant doctrine is the result of Nominalism. And finally, in the teaching about church Catholic and Orthodox positions are absolutely opposing to each other: the former is supported by Realism and the latter is supported by Nominalism. Therefore, it is very well explained by the author of the article why the debate about universals plaid such an important role in medieval philosophy. In fact, the question about the relation between the general and the particular created philosophical basis for formation of all Christian dogmata.

Keywords: Christian philosophy, debates about universals, Medieval philosophy, personality, teaching about the Trinity, teaching about church, teaching about salvation, Christology, patristics, the general and the particular.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2013.10.63423

Abstract: The article contains appraisal of great and efficient work carried out by a famous Russian philosopher Viktor Pavlovich Vizgin who translated and provided his own comments on selected art5icles by Gabriel Marcel. Noteworthy that interest towards writings of the French philosopher has appeared in our country just recently. Yes, his articles have become the field of many serious researches over the last decade. The author of the present article believes Viktor Vizgin to be the best and the most efficient researchers of Marcel’s writings. Not only the choice of articles by Gabriel Marcel included but also Viktor Vizgin’s comments are worthy of respect and admiration. Translator’s remarks are not just references, they show Viktor Vizgin’s high cultural and philosophical level. Viktor Vizgin does not only explain peculiarities of this or that writing by Gabriel Marcel, he summarizes and makes conclusions about particular writing and creative legacy of Gabriel Marcel in general. Viktor Vizgin also points out particular mistakes of translators, commentators and philosophers who analyzed Gabriel Marcel’s work. Gabriel Marcel was very responsive towards views and ideas of his contemporaries. It allowed him to correct his own views and improve his own conceptions. Viktor Vizgin managed to show us a broad philosophical background of Marcel’s ideas that touched upon not only existentialism, but also personalism, hermeneutics, phenomenology and philosophical anthropology. Viktor Vizgin also underlines the value of intellectual portraits of Shelling, Bergson, Ebner, Heidegger, and etc. Enclosed you shall also find analytical articles written by Western philosophers (Paul Ricoeur, Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Le Blond and Viktor Vizgin himself).

Keywords: philosophy, being, transcendence, personality, sacrality, desacralization, technical devices, metaphysics, philosopher’s search, mystery.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.12.13817

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2014.12.65974

Abstract: Neopaganism is a relatively new phenomenon. This type of new religious movements appeared only in the 19th – 20th century. Today this phenomenon attracts attention in both social life and mass media. Neopaganism is a religion that reconstitutes these or those fragments of pre-Christian religious faiths and is based on the old texts, however, it involves new elements of ecology, esoteric teachings and psycho-practices, humanitarian ethics and etc. Despite the growing scope of the phenomenon in the modern age, scientific review of neo-Paganism is still rather scarce and difficult to understand for a nonspecialist. In his review article Kutarev examines the grounds, main trends and peculiarities of neo-Paganism movements in Europe. He analyzes such traditions as German, Celtic, Finish, Beltian, etc. Special attention is paid to Slavic neo-Paganism and its variants. Besides describing religious faiths themselves, Kutarev focuses on their history, sources, function, etc. The novelty of research is caused by the fact that the author have summarized general features and defined tendencies that were common for neo-paganism as well as analyzed the ways those religious faiths functioned and why they were in such demand. Moreover, the review has allowed to define peculiarities of each neo-Paganism movement in particular. Special emphasis should be made on the differentiation between the terms ‘neo-Paganism’ and ‘Paganism’ for which the author provides evident grounds.