scholarly journals Daoism, humanity, and the Way of Heaven

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-126
Author(s):  
IAN JAMES KIDD

AbstractThis article argues for a cross-culturally pluralistic conception of spiritual exemplarity. Three main modes of exemplarity are identified, distinguished by their underlying aspirations, which I label ‘allegiance’, ‘enlightened insight’, and ‘emulation’. After challenging some attempts to privilege the modes of exemplarity characteristic of theistic religions, I argue that perhaps the fullest example of the aspiration to emulation is the form of Daoism presented in The Book of Zhuāngzǐ. I conclude that what one finds across different cultures and traditions is a plurality of modes of spiritual exemplarity that should be acknowledge and explored, rather than given more reductive analyses that narrow our sense of the variety of ways of living a spiritual life.

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-176
Author(s):  
Mikael Rothstein

This article explores ornithology as a hidden resource in anthropological field work. Relating experiences among the Penan forest nomads of Sarawak, Borneo, the author describes how his personal knowledge of bird life paved the way for good working relations, and even friendship, with the Penan. Representing two very different cultures simple communication between the scholar on duty and the Penan community was difficult indeed, but the birds provided a common ground that enabled the two parties to exchange experiences, knowledge and skills. In certain ways the author's fieldwork-based project relates to the Penan’s religious interpretation of birds, but the article is primarily concerned with the fact that a mutual understanding was created from this common ground, and that our thoughts on fieldwork preparations may be taken further by such experiences.


Author(s):  
Massimiliano Aragona

AbstractThe way somatization is expressed—including the actual somatoform symptoms experienced—varies in different persons and in different cultures. Traumatic experiences are intertwined with cultural and social values in shaping the resulting psychopathological phenomena, including bodily experiences. Four ideal-typical cases are presented to show the different levels involved. The effects of trauma, culture and values may be pathofacilitating (creating a social context which is necessary for the experience to take place), pathogenetic (taking a causal role in the onset of the psychopathological reaction), pathoplastic (shaping the form such a psychopathological reaction takes) or pathointerpretive (different interpretation of the same symptoms depending on the patient’s beliefs). While the roles of trauma and culture were already well recognized in previous accounts, this chapter adds an exploration of the importance of values, including cultural values, in the aetiology, presentation and management of somatization disorders. As a consequence, the therapeutic approach has to be adjusted depending on the way these factors intervene in the patient’s construction of mental distress.


2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon Geel ◽  
Jaco Beyers

The apparatus theory is used to challenge the interpretation of religion and also to determine whether religion is a factor to contend with in modern society. Religion could be the element that keeps the city intact or could be the one element that is busy ruining our understanding of reality and the way this interacts with society in the urban environment. Paradigms determine our relationships. In this case, the apparatus theory would be a more precise way of describing not only our relationship towards the city but also the way in which we try to perceive our relationship with religion and the urban conditions we live in. This article gives theoretical background to the interpretation and understanding of the relationship between various entities within the city. The apparatus of the city creates space for religion to function as a binding form. Religion could bind different cultures, diverse backgrounds and create space for growth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-59
Author(s):  
Ioan CHIRILĂ ◽  
◽  
Stelian PAȘCA-TUȘA

Saint Symeon is one of the most representative Eastern theologians and mystics. His speech on God and the knowledge of heavenly realities through direct, unmitigated experience would gain him the title of “the New Theologian”, which, until him, had only belonged to Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus. Therefore, his writings have greatly influenced the Christian East. Saint Symeon has been perceived as a renewer of the tradition of spiritual life and a restorer of the lost or rather neglected spiritual life. In this study, we aim to highlight his experiences in which he partook of the sight of divine light. These mystical episodes marked his life and decisively influenced the way he related to God and to the spiritual life to which Christians must adhere. We will first present these experiences of heavenly light from a chronological point of view, starting with those from the period when he was a layman and culminating with those from Saint Mamas Monastery. Our main aim is to see how each of these mystical experiences has marked his spiritual evolution. We will see that these experiences have helped Saint Symeon reach deeper within the mystery of communion to the One Who is Light and Who is calling everyone to be like Him.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-190
Author(s):  
E. G. Zheludkova

The research features the speech stereotype at the stage of its formation. The author observes the way stereotype of socially approved behavior are formed with the help of speech stereotypes united by the concept of "product waste". An analysis of "gaspillage alimentaire" social advertising revealed some speech stereotypes, stereotyping mechanisms, as well as the way they influence the recipient of the social advertising discourse. The author states the key role of the speech stereotype that address the recipient to the existing models of behavior and in the formation of new models that are in demand in the French society. The results of the research contribute to a better understanding of the speech behavior in different cultures and can be used in the courses of cultural linguistics, French language stylistics, and discourse analysis. 


2019 ◽  
pp. 153-154
Author(s):  
Mykola Obushnyi

In the context of decentralization of state administration and expansion of powers of local authorities in Ukraine, the ability of, on the one hand, the leadership of the state and, on the other, regional managers, to find compromise solutions taking into account the specifics of each region and state interests becomes important. The monograph is devoted to clarifying the specifics of such an important area in the spiritual life of Ukrainians in Galicia - state-church relations and the problems that arise in the way of their solution in the context of decentralization. The research problem posed by the authors is generally revealed at the level of requirements for this type of work and will be useful to all who are not indifferent to the study of ethno-religious relations in Ukraine.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoang Thi Yen

Language is often considered to be the summary of all the experiences of a nation and its cultural heritage. Every nation has its own language and such language reflects the values and characteristics that exist in such society and in such culture. In the negative meanings of Korean comparative proverbs, the environment, the form and the capacity of the animals are related to the bad, difficult, and unfavorable situations; the ugliness and no harmony, inadequacy; the foolishness, limited capacity and little value, etc. The comparative proverbs with zodiac signs clearly reflect the negative aspects in the material and spiritual life, worldview, outlook on life, and the values of the Korean people. The connection with Vietnamese language also shows the close similarities and the unique features of the way of thinking, the language expression as well as the culture of the two nations of Korea and Vietnam.     


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-119
Author(s):  
Aan Anisah Agustini Safari

Background: Different countries may have different cultures that are influenced by their religion, traditions, or norms. These differences affect the way they speak, such as when they are commenting or giving opinions. Due to the way people express speech acts can be varied and lead to misinterpretation because of their differences, the researcher was intrigued to conduct this study. Methodology: This cross-cultural study was carried out to observe and compare the speech act of criticism between Korean and American YouTubers and to investigate the role of their cultural background in influencing the directness level they conveyed. First, the researcher selected three Korean Youtubers and Americans as well with food review content. Second, the researcher watched one video from each channel and took notes on every expression of criticism they used. Findings: The result of this study demonstrates that in American YouTubers speech, direct strategy emerges more frequently than the indirect one. Conversely, Korean YouTubers tend to use the indirect one. The finding also indicates that their speech behavior is related to their cultural norms, in which American culture encourages clear personal opinions, while Korean culture is a restraint to express their opinion or feeling clearly. Conclusion: Due to the considerable difference between Korean and American YouTuber speech, it can be concluded that culture takes a significant part in shaping one’s speech behavior. That is why people with different cultural backgrounds may have different ways of speaking.  Keywords: Criticism; cross-culture pragmatic; directness-indirectness.


Author(s):  
Dr. V. Gurumoorthy ◽  

Culture is the reflection of customs, belief, knowledge, art, etc of an individual or a group living in a society. Culture was learnt or formed through socialization. It is considered as a set of knowledge passed on over time. Different cultures serves as a form of guideline or base for the behavior or code of conduct for its followers, thus in a way influenced the way of thinking and acting. Expressive forms involved in a culture like art, rituals, customs are also a representation of a particular set of people. Various civilizations from across the globe practiced or created different cultures which were passed on the next generations. Farming community in general has practiced culture involving safeguarding women, worshipping nature etc. The present study deals with the opinion of organic and inorganic farmers on Indian culture, safeguarding and protecting women, influence of western culture on youngsters and western culture penetration.


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