scholarly journals Human Beings after Catastrophe: Poetical Portraits by Primo Levi and Tamiki Hara

2021 ◽  
pp. 99-120
Author(s):  
Veronica De Pieri
Keyword(s):  
Concentration Camp ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Traumatic Memory ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human History ◽  
Primo Levi ◽  
Red Army ◽  
Bear Witness ◽  
Submission Date

January 27, 1945: the Red Army set Auschwitz concentration camp free, making this date the liberation day for thousands of inmates, victims of the Nazi’s idea of a master race. August 15, 1945: Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender of Japan on Japanese radio after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. XX century witnessed two of the most abominable atrocities of human history whose repercussions still affect not only German and Japanese societies, involved at first place, but also each individual’s consciousness too. Over the past decades different studies have been investigating these indelible marks on history on many levels: historical, political, sociological, psychological and even artistic approaches were called into question in the search for the truth about Shoah and atomic bombing catastrophes. This study offers a different perspective on the topic by comparing the poetical responses of two representatives of the so-called Shoah Literature and Atomic Bombing Literature: Primo Levi and Tamiki Hara. Both authors, although the space-related distance and the different nature of the traumatic experiences they witnessed, gave birth to similar poetical responses under the title of Se questo è un uomo (“If this is a man”) and Kore ga ningen na no desu (“This is a human being”).This research sets itself the ambitious goal to demonstrate how, regardless of territorial, cultural and stylistic boundaries, a similar human response toward catastrophe can be detached in the literary productions of Levi and Hara: a comparison on stylistic, figurative and expressive level reveals the analogous literary solutions adopted by the authors to depict human’s frailty in front of trauma. Both authors answer the literary imperative of writing: their commitment unveils the aim to bear witness and to convey memory to the future generations. Words, enriched by authors of allusive and critical meanings, represent an effective and necessary means to keep alive and to preserve the traumatic memory. The literature of the catastrophe, then, becomes a language that unites, rather than divides, different societies. It serves as an universal mouthpiece for victims’ experiences to prevent Auschwitz, Hiroshima and Nagasaki to happen again. Submission date: September 2017.

scholarly journals Verbal images of evil and (in)humanity during and after the Holocaust

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Geddes
Keyword(s):  
Crucial Role ◽  
Intimate Relationship ◽  
Dual Role ◽  
Concentration Camp ◽  
Primo Levi ◽  
The Holocaust ◽  
Charlotte Delbo ◽  
Bear Witness

In this paper, I explore images of evil and (in)humanity in the works of Primo Levi and Charlotte Delbo – verbal images that they encountered within Auschwitz and those that they created afterwards to try to bear witness to what happened there. Verbal images played a crucial role for Levi and Delbo in their efforts both to maintain a sense of their own humanity during their time in the concentration camp and to depict the extent to which inmates’ humanity was diminished and degraded by the Nazis. Thus, verbal images helped them both to maintain a sense of their own humanity and to depict the effort to destroy it. This dual role of verbal images found in their testimonies suggests that there is an intimate relationship between evil, images, and (in)humanity during and after the Holocaust – one that we would do well to consider. 

Laudato Si’: caring beyond limits with a cosmocentric world vision

Theology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 427-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinderella Sequeira
Keyword(s):  
Future Generations ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human History ◽  
Crucial Point ◽  
New Approach ◽  
World Vision

The aim of this article is to reflect on the necessity of building a new approach to perceive nature from the perspective of a cosmocentric world in the light of the papal document Laudato Si’. Laudato Si’ made its appearance at a very crucial point in human history, when human beings are in the process of plunging towards and into a technocentric space. We now stand on the threshold of a techno-centric world where our future generations will be born into the age of technology. We are the ones who shoulder the responsibility of moulding their perspectives towards a cosmocentric universe.

ART COMMUNICATION LANGUAGE AND THE ANALYSİS OF MUHSİN KUT’S WORKS

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (28) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Gonca YAYAN ◽  
Vildan EVSEL
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Social Consequence ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Symbolic Forms ◽  
Universal Language ◽  
Research Types

In every geography where people live, besides their efforts to meet their mandatory needs, people also put forward their first artistic products. While carving the rocks, the first humans expressed their feelings, what they thought, saw, and lived, and made various descriptions. Thus, the foundations of the art of painting were laid and the colors discovered. In fact, human beings, who are innately creative, have searched for permanent ways to express their feelings, thoughts and wishes as well as their battles and successes, and transfer them to the future generations. In this way, various artistic works that developed from simple pictures to symbolic forms and letter sequences were created. The communication established in this way with art also started a process of exchange of messages between individuals and groups. This exchange, which plays an active role in the interaction of people with each other, has appeared in every situation as a social consequence of being a receiver and a giver. Because the most important elements of communication are formed with these forms of expression, which are realized in written, verbal, visual and auditory terms between the receiver and the transmitter. Today, many artists create works by using the universal language of symbols, by attributing their own meanings to many contents with commonsymbolism, objects and colors. Effective communication between societies with art is also ensured through the symbolic forms used. With this research, it is aimed to examine and evaluate the works of artist Muhsin Kut, who presents different thematic perspectives with his paintings with and without figures containing social themes, in terms of their technical and aesthetic features. The research was carried out with document analysis (literature review) method, which is one of the qualitative research types. Today, many artists create works by using the universal language of symbols by attributing their own meanings to many content with common symbolism, objects and colors. Through the symbolic forms used, an effective communication between societies with art is also ensured. With this research, it is aimed to examine and evaluate the works of the artist Muhsin Kut, who presents different thematic perspectives with his social paintings with and without figures, in terms of their technical and aesthetic features.

The Outcry and Revelation of the Truth that Sets us Free

2021 ◽  
pp. 456-471
Author(s):  
Jung Mo Sung
Keyword(s):  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human History ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Object Relationship

From the perspective of liberation theology, God does not reveal himself so that the human being may know something, but rather so that the human being may be more humane. Revelation is an act of liberation, which delivers the truth that is a prisoner of injustice and sin. In this sense, revelation is not a set of right doctrines (a subject-object relationship), but is a pedagogical process in which human beings, in their relationship to other people (a subject–subject relationship), discover that God does not discriminate among people, that in God all persons are equal in their fundamental dignity. This revelation of God in human history begins with the outcry of the poor and the victims of oppressive relationships and goes on in the discernment between God, who hears the outcry of the victims and calls them to liberation, and the idols and idolaters who do not listen to them and do not recognize their humanity.

scholarly journals POLITIK PEMUSNAHAN DAN PEMUSNAHAN POLITIK : Telaah Kritis Atas Konsep Hannah Arendt Tentang Totalitarisme

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Mathias Daven
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Political Theory ◽  
Hannah Arendt ◽  
Political Action ◽  
Concentration Camp ◽  
Concentration Camps ◽  
Total Domination ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Totalitarian Regime

If we wish to understand a totalitarian system as a whole, we need first to understand the central role of the concentration camp as a laboratorium to experiment in total domination. Arendt’s analysis of totalitarianism in the twentieth century shows how a totalitarian regime cannot survive without terror; and terror will not be effective without concentration camps. Experiments in concentration camps had as their purpose, apart from wiping out any freedom or spontaneity, the abolishing of space between human beings, abolishing space for politics. Thus, totalitarianism did not mirror only the politics of extinction, but also the extinction of politics. As a way forward, Arendt analyses political theory that forces the reader to understand power no longer under the rubric of domination or violence – although this avenue is open – but rather under the rubric of freedom. Arendt is convinced that the life of a destroyed nation can be restored by mutual forgiveness and mutual promises, two abilities rooted in action. Political action, as with other acts, is identical with the ability to commence something new. Keywords: Totalitarisme, antisemitisme, imperialisme, dominasi, teror, kebebasan, kedaulatan, kamp konsentrasi, politik, ideologi, tindakan

scholarly journals ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND HINDUISM

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (9SE) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Mamta Kothari
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Natural Cycle ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human History ◽  
Happy Life ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Nature Preserves ◽  
Day By Day ◽  
Water Vegetation

Under the environment, air, water, vegetation, plants, animals, humans all come. In nature, all these quantities and their composition are arranged in such a way that a balanced life continues on the earth. For the last few years, ever since the Earth came into being as animal, animal and other bacterial consumers, this cycle of nature has been going on continuously and smoothly. Whatever is needed and is getting from nature and nature preserves it by producing more in itself. If we observe human history, five hundred and seven hundred years ago, man was close to nature. The food he got from nature was normal, it was his happy life, when water and air were safe. But gradually the change took place with time and the desire of man to live happily increased. With the advancement of science man began to interfere with the natural cycle. The effect of this was that the items of the primary needs of human beings began to lack water, air and food. The immense reserves of nature started decreasing day by day and the word pollution emerged. There was a need for environmental protection. पर्यावरण के अन्तर्गत वायु जल भूमि वनस्पति पेड़ पौधे, पशु मानव सब आते है । प्रकृति में इन सबकी मात्रा और इनकी रचना कुछ इस प्रकार व्यवस्थित है कि पृथ्वी पर एक संतुलनमय जीवन चलता रहे । विगत करोंड़ांे वर्षो से जब से पृथ्वी मनुष्य पशुपक्षी और अन्य जीव-जीवाणु उपभोक्ता बनकर आये तब से, प्रकृति का यह चक्र निरंतर और अबाध गति से चल रहा है । जिसको जितनी आवष्यकता है व प्रकृति से प्राप्त कर रहा है और प्रकृति आगे के लिये अपने में और उत्पन्न करके संरक्षित कर लेती है । मानव इतिहास का अवलोकन करे तो आज से पंाॅच सौ सात सौ वर्ष पूर्व मनुष्य प्रकृति के समीप था । प्रकृति से मिले भोजन पर सामान्य आश्रित था , वह उसका सुखमय जीवन था, जब जल वायु निरापद थे । लेकिन धीरे-धीरे समय के साथ परिवर्तन हुवा और मनुष्य मंे सुखमय जीने की लालसा में वृद्धि हुई । विज्ञान की प्रगति के साथ मनुष्य ने प्राकृतिक चक्र में हस्तक्षेप करना शुरू कर दिया । इसका दूष्प्रभाव यह हुवा कि मनुष्य की प्राथमिक आवष्यकताओं की वस्तुऐं जल, वायु भोजन का अभाव होने लगा । प्रकृति के अपार भण्डार दिन प्रतिदिन कम होने लगे और प्रदुषण शब्द का उदय हुवा । पर्यावरण संरक्षण की आवष्यकता होने लगी ।

scholarly journals Ética da resposabilidade em Hans Jonas e limites das éticas tradicionais (antropocêntricas)

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (269) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Flaviano Oliveira Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Essential Elements ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Hans Jonas

A avalanche cultural da técnica ameaça o ser humano em sua essência e na continuidade da vida equilibrada no planeta. Hans Jonas é hoje o filósofo mais importante na crítica ao modelo tecnocêntrico de civilização, e promotor dos princípios de precaução, de consideração com os seres não humanos e com as gerações futuras. O olhar ecológico e o resgate ético de Jonas são lapidares na construção do novo paradigma para o tempo que advém.Abstract: The cultural avalanche of technology threatens the human being in his/her essence and the continuity of the planet’s balanced life. Hans Jonas is today the most important philosopher in the critique of the techno-centric model of civilization and a major advocate of the principles of precaution, and of the concern for the non-human beings and for future generations. Jonas’ ecological views and ethical retrieval are essential elements in the construction of the new paradigm for the immediate future.

The Ethical Challenges of Gene Editing

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
Jozef Zalot ◽  
Tadeusz Pacholczyk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Catholic Church ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Oregon Health ◽  
Life Threatening

In August 2017, researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University announced that they had successfully used a gene editing technique known as CRISPR-Cas9 to repair disease-causing genes in human embryos. Some members of the scientific and medical communities have hailed the development as a way to ensure that life- threatening diseases are not passed on to future generations. But is gene editing always a good thing? The Catholic Church encourages scientific research that is ethical and serves the human good. In the future, CRISPR may be used to treat people with serious genetic diseases, such as hemophilia and sickle-cell anemia. However, for research on human beings to be ethical, it must be strictly therapeutic and must respect the dignity and sacredness of human life. Gene-editing techniques raise profound ethical challenges in both respects.

Threshold

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Castrucci
Keyword(s):  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
The Body ◽  
Basic Material ◽  
Moral Order ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human History ◽  
Biological Basis ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Mind

The human mind has phased out its traditional anchorage in a natural biological basis (the «reasons of the body» which even Spinoza’s Ethics could count on) – an anchorage that had determined, for at least two millennia, historically familiar forms of culture and civilisation. Increasingly emphasising its intellectual disembodiment, it has come to the point of establishing in a completely artificial way the normative conditions of social behaviour and the very ontological collocation of human beings in general. If in the past ‘God’ was the name that mythopoietic activity had assigned to the world’s overall moral order, which was reflected onto human behaviour, now the progressive freeing of the mind – by way of the intellectualisation of life and technology – from the natural normativity which was previously its basic material reference opens up unforeseen vistas of power. Freedom of the intellect demands (or so one believes) the full artificiality of the normative human order in the form of an artificial logos, and precisely qua artificial, omnipotent. The technological icon of logos (which postmodern dispersion undermines only superficially) definitively unseats the traditional normative, sovereign ‘God’ of human history as he has been known till now. Our West has been irreversibly marked by this process, whose results are as devastating as they are inevitable. The decline predicted a century ago by old Spengler is here served on a platter....

scholarly journals The ambiguous victim: Miklós Nyiszli's narrative of medical experimentation in Auschwitz-Birkenau

HISTOREIN ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius Turda
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Holocaust Survivors ◽  
Concentration Camp ◽  
Nazi Concentration Camp ◽  
Primo Levi ◽  
The Past ◽  
Medical Experimentation ◽  
Recent Scholarship ◽  
Eyewitness Account ◽  
Perpetrators And Victims

While recent scholarship has – for the past two decades – endeavoured to transcend initial reservations about memoirs of Holocaust survivors, the difficulty with some of these memoirs – namely their authors’ implicit complicity in unethical medical research and in the Nazi Holocaust in general – remains however problematic. To address this thorny issue, this article considers the memoirs of a Jewish inmate doctor, Miklós Nyiszli, who worked with and for SS medical officers in Auschwitz, and his Auschwitz: A Doctor’s Eyewitness Account. His memoirs can help us understand wider truths about the “bond of complicity” that, according to Primo Levi, existed between perpetrators and victims in the Nazi concentration camp.<br />

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